Now in it’s 15th year, Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 celebrates another year of outstanding Canadian leaders for 2009,  recognized at the rewards gala June 8th, as the best and the brightest in Canadian business and social services from coast to coast.

The Globe and Mail, an ongoing sponsor of this event published, Top 40 under 40written by Christine Varga listing the following recipients of this most prestigious award:   

The Globe and Mail article, Secrets to their Success provides individual quotes from each of these recipients, which are sure to inspire. 

Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, established in 1995, is a national program that uniquely celebrates the achievements of 40 Canadians in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, who have reached a significant level of success before the age of 40. The 25 members of an independent advisory board, who work in a wide variety of fields, choose the honorees from about 1,100 nominees through a selection process based on five criteria: vision and leadership; innovation and achievement; impact; growth and development strategy; and community involvement and contribution.

On Tuesday May 5th 2009, Caldwell Partners International recognized another “Top 40 Under 40″, remarkable, Canadian business leaders, marking this as the 14th annual event. These men and women truly represent the essence of leadership. The chosen nominees were selected by an independent advisory board, comprised of 26 leaders from across Canada based on five criteria: vision and leadership; innovation and achievement; impact; growth and development strategy; and community involvement and contribution. 

Douglas Caldwell, chairman of Caldwell Partners International Inc. and founder of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 says, “These people are amazingly innovative and creative and concientious and haven’t been caught up in this meltdown.”

The award recipents are: Josh Blair, Brian Chafe, Michael Cole, Michael Copeland, John Corley, Dr. Fiona Costello, Dr. Sam Daniel, Dr. Andrew Demchuk, Caley Denton, Mark Derbyshire, Jacques L. Drouin, Jerome Dwight, Wade R. Felesky, Shane C. Fildes, Shaun Francis, Scott Gilmore, Elissa Golberg, Sriram H.Iyer, Ray Jayawardhana, Mitch Joel, Dr. Shana Kelley, Michel Kelly-Gagnon, Jeff Kinnaird, Steven Koles, Dr. Julie Lessard, Cam Marshall, Ryan Marshall, Jessica McDonald, Prashant Shanker Pathak, Pascal Pilon, Cameron Piron, Jason Potter, Marlo Raynolds, Dani Reiss, Dr. Michael Taylor, Scott Thomson, Dr. Sam Michael Wiseman, Jennifer Wong, Sarah Young  and Barbara Zvan.

Douglas Caldwell says, “These are young people with optimism, energy and the temerity to say, ‘We can make this work’.”  He goes on to say, “We should be very confident in the future based on these people who are already leading in many sectors.” 

In addition to The Caldwell Partners International, sponsors of this event included, The Globe and Mail, National Bank, Kingbridge Conference Centre and Institute, Deloitte and Air Canada.   

Passion, integrity, perseverance and determination!  These were the words used to describe recipient’s of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 awarded to 40 exceptional Canadians under the age of 40 who are outstanding leaders in their chosen fields and who are shaping our country’s future.

The Globe and Mail’s full page ad this week lists the selection criteria as follows:

• Vision and Leadership
• Innovation and Achievement
• Impact
• Growth/Development Strategy
• Community Involvement and Contribution

This national program, founded and managed by The Caldwell Partners, is designed to promote mentorship and professional development by introducing these leaders to the established business community and by promoting them as role models for young Canadians.

To nominate someone on-line, visit www.top40award-canada.org by November 3rd.

Best of luck to all nominees!