Cheryl Stagg, Chair of College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Board of Governors, was presented with the prestigious Order of Newfoundland and Labrador yesterday at the investiture ceremony held at Government House in St. John’s. The ceremony was presided over by The Honourable Frank Fagan, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador and Chancellor of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador. His Honour was joined by the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador is the highest honour of the province. The object of the Order is to recognize individuals who have demonstrated excellence and achievement in any field of endeavor which benefits the province and its residents in an outstanding manner.
“I want to extend my congratulations to Ms. Stagg on this esteemed honour,” said Bob Gardiner, CNA’s interim President and CEO. “This accolade represents the years of commitment and dedication she has given to the people of this province and to the organizations that tie our communities together. Volunteerism is often a thankless job; to remain steadfast and devoted throughout her entire career is a true testament of Ms. Stagg’s character and love of her province.”
Ms. Stagg has an extensive resume from her involvement with numerous not-for-profit community and business-related sectors. From her early career years in the field of education, Ms. Stagg’s sense of community and the powerful impact made possible through the commitment of time and dedication was clearly evident. Since that time and over more than 30 years, she has given unselfishly to numerous not-for-profit organizations, volunteer boards, community projects, and social and economic initiatives – on a local, regional, provincial and a national front.
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BACKGROUNDER
Playing an earlier role in 1979 in the establishment of The Stephenville Theatre Festival and later as a board Member, she was instrumental in providing the stage for aspiring actors and performers and nurturing devoted audiences and supporters – on a regional and provincial level. The Stephenville Theatre Festival has delivered countless well-acclaimed productions, seeded many home-grown talents, added to the growth and prosperity of the region and in 2015 celebrates 37 years as the longest running professional summer theatre festival in the province.
Already with an established career and a busy family life during the 1980s and early 1990s, Ms. Stagg was eager to accept positions such as Board Member for Canadian National Railway including CN Hotels (national), Canac International (Montreal), NL Tower (Toronto) and Autoport Ltd. (Halifax). With a similar view to supporting the broader community, she also accepted the position of Board Member and played an instrumental role with Marine Atlantic and Terra Nova Telecommunications.
From 1979 through to 2003 she served on a number of boards, including, Board Member with the Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital, the Stephenville Transportation Committee, the Stephenville Airport Committee and the Bay St. George Chamber of Commerce Executive. She has also served with the Department of Culture, Recreation and Youth on various committees, including the Minister’s Advisory Committee and the Status of the Artist Review Committee; also, the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council and the Association of Culture Industries.
Always seeking to enhance and enable communities, Ms. Stagg has taken on roles such as the Founding President of the Jack and Jill Pre-School Association and the Founding President of the Festival Coast Tourism Association in Stephenville. She also continues to serve on the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation and the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation since 2004 and 2008 respectively.
In May 2012, Ms. Stagg was appointed Chair of College of the North Atlantic’s Board of Governors. As CNA Chair she also serves as a member of the Joint Oversight Board for College of the North Atlantic-Qatar, which has operated for 14 years as Canada’s largest single-location employer of Canadians overseas.
Ms. Stagg has also been awarded the Doug Wheeler Tourism Award (February 1986) and the Diamond Jubilee Medal (April 2012).
Media Contact:
Roger Hulan
Communications Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
(709) 643-7938
roger.hulan@cna.nl.ca