CREDIT: SUE REEVE
John Leitch (left) receives his community leadership award from Rogers TV London representative Jeremy Parking.

He’s the chair of Fanshawe’s Board of Governors, but he’s just been named a community leader. John Leitch was the winner of the Community Leadership Award at the tenth Pillar non-profit Community Innovation Awards.

The awards serve as a celebration of the many community members that make up London’s non-profit sector.

Four awards are given out over the course of the night, celebrating the innovation, leadership, impact, and collaboration of local people and organizations.

For the leadership award, someone must be nominated by another person to be considered for the award: self nominations are not allowed.

Lissa Foster, chair of the selection committee, explained that nominators answer five questions about the nominee and their leadership.

Nominators are asked to demonstrate the impact of the nominee’s leadership within the community, how the nominee responded to need in the community, and explain the nominee’s leadership style.

They then ask how the nominee encouraged diversity and inclusiveness in the community, as well as how others can learn from this nominee’s example of community leadership.

Once the list of nominees has been compiled, the answers are graded and those whose numbers or responses warrant further discussion and consideration go through a process of deliberation.

Nicole St. John, the program and event manager of the Pillar Community Innovation Awards, said that the process is unique and has served their team very well.

St. John has been involved with the event for the last nine years and is passionate about what it brings to the non-profit community.

“It’s really about shining the light on those who are making our community brighter. It’s about taking a step back and celebrating those who are true champions that want to get behind a cause or inspire others to make change.”

For some people, that light is something that members of the non-profit community might not actively seek out. This makes telling those stories even more important.

“There are so many really great unsung heroes, stories, and things that are happening within our community that are having a positive impact on you or someone you care for,” said St. John.

Jennifer Cahill, Leitch’s nominator, described him as a very downto- earth man.

“When you’re talking to him, he really listens to you: he wants to know what you think. And I think that comes from the fact that he really cares about people and he really believes in people.”

Leitch’s fellow nominees included Shelley Yeo and Rachna Sharma, though St. John said that they were all linked by a single trait.

“The common theme was their passion for community. They’re all very driven and want what’s best for everyone around them.”

This passion for a stronger community and a better London is one of the driving principles of the Community Innovation Awards.

As more leaders are celebrated, more will be encouraged and inspired to follow in their footsteps and help make London a better city to work, live, and play in.

“It warms my heart to know that there are people like that in our community that are giving selflessly,” St. John said.