Meet the 2025 WOTY Nominees!
 

Laura Clayton Dickson

Laura works hard, continuously proving she wants more for our community, never
missing a beat when it comes to helping out. She is strong, compassionate and with
every milestone or professional celebration, gives back to our community. Her 15th
Anniversary as a Harvey’s Franchisee was celebrated with a “buy one, give one get
one special that saw 450 hamburgers donated to not-for-profit organizations.

Achieving excellence is accomplished through extensive product and system testing,
working out bugs and ensuring a favorable outcome for the Brand. Laura helps new
franchisees train employees and get their new stores open as part of the Brands
training team. Currently Laura is partnered with Recipes Learning and development
team to shape the future of learning across the Company.

In 2016, Laura joined the Board of Directors for the Big Brothers, Big Sisters serving as
their secretary for 3 years; was the volunteer coordinator for the Orillia Winter Carnival
and has prepared meals for the Lighthouse.

Organizations such as Kiwanis, Big BBQ for BBBS, County of Simcoe Housing Kick off
BBQ and Open House Public Works, have benefited from her time and donations of
food. On Opening Day, every player of the Legion Minor ball received a free burger and
all money raised was donated to the League.

Laura’s Giving Tuesday fundraising for April generated almost $3,000! She also
provides space for not-for-profit organizations to showcase their import work.
Laura is truly inspiring, an excellent role model for women leading the way for other
women.


Kelsea Dale

Kelsea is the proud founder of Royal Paws Pet Services, winning Community Votes and Readers’ Choice Awards and a Canadian Choice award! Kelsea found an unserviced market when she realized more and more friends wanted their dogs as part of the wedding, and no one was available to assist with this. She created the first of its kind in Simcoe County, switching from dog-walking to pet wedding chaperone, fostering relationships with various venues and building a quality team.
Volunteering with the Down Syndrome Association of Simcoe County to plan and coordinate events in Barrie and Orillia takes up part of Kelsea’s “non-working” time, as she really prefers to have none to spare! Kelsea also donates to help animal shelters and causes with door prizes and gift baskets. Her cup is full when her calendar is full!
Kelsea was always studious, choosing books and animals over spending time with people. She is strong and smart and will achieve whatever goals she makes, overcoming two jaw surgeries and bullying at school.
One of her first businesses was dog-walking, at 11 years old, to help pay for riding lessons. She now has a team of 4 and leads very much by example, always working, attending workshops, networking or creating new ways to grow her business.
Kelsea told anyone who would listen that she would be the CEO of a company one day – and everyday would be “bring your dog to work day”.


Raquel Ness

Raquel is always going above and beyond for her team.  Raquel also has monthly staff
meetings so that her team can come together as one and solve problems where needed. This is
also the time that she talks about upcoming events if any. Raquel is always on the lookout for
new and better ways to keep the team motivated and inspired. Each year that passes, Raquel
and her team at Ness Law surpass their goals from the year prior.

She plays a role on the Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital board as the Chair. Raquel is also
the past president of the Orillia Chamber of Commerce. Raquel is a past treasure of BNI Lake
County and a lobbyist for young residents to grow their own successes in the surrounding
areas. Raquel takes part in Charlee’s Run each and every year.  She not only inspires her team
with her hard work and dedication, but she shows her children every day what its like to work
hard for what you want.

She has always put herself out there to help inspire and lead young women in the community.
Raquel is quick to roll up her sleeves to jump in and help her team where needed.  Raquel is not
only an incredible boss, leader, community volunteer, community member, and Chair of the
Hospital Foundation but she is an amazing mom, daughter, wife and friend. Raquel is a working
mom full time, on the board of the Hospital, and a mom by night. Raquel is a super woman, all
she needs is her cape.


Linda Reid

Linda is the Executive Director for Green Haven Shelter for Women and Children.
Her steadfast mission has been to make the community aware of Green Haven, for
those in need and for those who can help. By securing funding and enhancing
community partnerships, Linda has improved the quality of the space in the shelter and
its offices. Her team members feel empowered and know Linda is a leader and mentor,
to whom they can always turn.

Dress for Success Orillia/Barrie was founded by Linda and is proud to have a team of
volunteers and a thriving organization, helping over 4000 women in Simcoe County and
Muskoka. Linda continues to support the Dress for Success Orillia in the Orillia Square
Mall location as a volunteer.

Linda’s knowledge and life experience are educating women and youth with the purpose
of ending gender-based violence for the good of the community. One of Linda’s core
values is social justice which is why Dress for Success became one of the first Certified
Living Wage employers in Simcoe County. She is an advocate for hiring/placing local
students in roles that enhance their studies or employment.

Linda uses her finely-tuned skills to work in the non-profit sector for the betterment of
all. She believes in what she does and her generous nature causes those around her
believe in themselves. The women she has impacted have become more confident, in
turn impacting their own children and young women in our community.


Pamela Paylor

By profession, Pamela is a Registered Nurse, but it is entirely possible that she
volunteers her time more than she works! She is a volunteer instructor with Canadian
Adaptive Snowsports, which helps people experience barrier-free the joys of snow
sports. This skill set was developed to facilitate her husband get back into skiing after a
life-altering accident that left him a paraplegic. Still on the slopes, Pamela volunteers
with Teens on Edge, meeting at the Orillia Youth Centre and skiing at Mount St. Louis
twice a week. She finds this very rewarding and a great deal of fun.
As an avid gardener, the Mariposa Pollinators and the Orillia Horticultural Society
benefit from her time and expertise. Pamela says “planting native wildflowers, grasses
and shrubs not only beautifies Orillia, but will feed and shelter beneficial insects, bees,
birds and butterflies.
Pamela is also a volunteer with the Couchiching Conservancy, both in the office and as
part of the Invasive Removal Team. She was instrumental in completing the funding
applications to have an AED installed at Grant Woods, a testament to her love for
nature and her Emergency Department roots.
For the many ways she gives to our community, serves in various roles and is just an
overall incredible human, her selfless devotion to others and the betterment of our
community, she is a role model and an inspiration to so many.