Great Leaders Build Great Cities.
Nominate Someone Shaping Yours.
Nominate an inspiring leader for one of CivicAction’s three awards below.

What is MetroNext?
MetroNext is CivicAction’s exclusive celebration of civic leadership in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
Now in its 5th year, MetroNext celebrates our region’s best and brightest leaders and recognizes extraordinary civic talent helping to build better, more inclusive cities. MetroNext also serves as a platform for rising and established leaders who have a common desire to see our region reach its full potential.

The Awards
This year CivicAction Leadership Foundation is recognizing three outstanding individuals. But we need your help!
We’re calling on Toronto region residents to nominate those civic rockstars who deserve some center-stage recognition. Awards will be given out to a rising leader, an established leader, and an outstanding individual in the region’s arts and culture scene. See more details below.
If you know a dynamic leader who deserves an extra spotlight or two, nominate them!

CivicAction Emerging Leader Award
Presented to an emerging leader whose outstanding commitment to improving their community has made a positive and lasting impact on the greater Toronto region.

CivicAction Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented to an individual whose record of outstanding civic leadership has made a positive and lasting impact on the greater Toronto region.

CivicAction Arts & Culture Award
Presented to a civic leader whose outstanding commitment to improving their community through arts & culture has made a positive and lasting impact on the greater Toronto region.

Spread the word!
Tell your network about nominations using our pre-made shareables.
Past Winners
2018

Pat Capponi
Author and Community Advocate, Lifetime Achievement Award for Civic Leadership, 2018

Karen Restoule
Indigenous Community Champion, Emerging Leader Award, 2018
2017

Dr. Joseph Wong
Social Justice Mobilizer and Philanthropist, Lifetime Achievement Award for Civic Leadership, 2017

Hibaq Gelle
Community and Youth Advocate, Emerging Leader Award, 2017
2016

Senator Ratna Omidvar
Leadership and Diversity Champion, Politician, Lifetime Achievement Award for Civic Leadership, 2016

Salima Rawji
City Builder and Housing Leader, Emerging Leader Award, 2016
2015

Hon. David Crombie
Former Mayor of Toronto and Civic Leader, Lifetime Achievement Award for Civic Leadership, 2015

Andrew Graham
Leader and Entrepreneur, Emerging Leader Award, 2015
Need more inspiration?
Leaders In Our Network
The CivicAction Leadership Foundation gets to work with outstanding rising leaders through our Emerging Leaders Network and DiverseCity Fellows program. Here are just some of the diverse individuals moving our region forward.

Safiah Chowdhury
Policy Development Officer, City of Toronto
Hailing from Scarborough, Safiah leverages design, policy and community approaches to drive change.

Benjamin Bongolan
Coordinator, Newcomer Family Settlement Services, The 519
An urban planning & community development professional from Mississauga, Benjamin helps LGBTQ+ newcomers find safer spacers and explore newfound freedoms.

Amy Soden
Development Writer, Donor Relations & Stewardship, Ryerson University
Amy amplifies philanthropic impact and mentors others who, like her, live life legally blind.

Edwin White Chacon
Founder, CivicSpark
Raised in Toronto’s Jane and Finch community, Edwin is passionate about policy and civic engagement.

Ashley Fruck Siomos
Manager, Responsible Sourcing & Supplier Diversity, TD Bank
Markham resident Ashley promotes Corporate Responsibility across TD’s supply chain to reduce social, environmental & ethical risk and enhance diversity & inclusion.

Imara Ajani Rolston
Community Development Officer, City of Toronto & Lecturer, University of Toronto
Imara tackles growing levels of inequality and inequity across sectors to build better, more resilient cities.