About Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month
Our Story
Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month (CHWM) is the annual celebration to inspire organizations across the country to create and sustain healthy workplaces. Led by Excellence Canada, every October for the past 25 years, we encourage employers to prioritize employee well-being by fostering environments that support physical, psychological, and social health.
Since its inception, CHWM has provided businesses with resources, tools, and actionable strategies to enhance workplace culture, engagement, and productivity. By focusing on leadership, mental health, healthy lifestyles, and workplace culture, we empower organizations to make lasting improvements that benefit both employees and businesses alike.
At Excellence Canada, we believe that a healthy workplace is a foundation for organized success. Through CHWM, we aim to recognize, educate, and celebrate companies that are committed to fostering a thriving workforce.
Join us again this year in making workplace wellness a priority – because a healthier workplace means a stronger, more resilient, more competitive Canada.
Project Team
Shalyse Mackay
Co-Op Student
Shalyse Mackay is a creative professional with a strong passion for health and wellness. With a background as a copywriter, she is also a current student of Humber’s Wellness Coaching Program. During her placement with Excellence Canada she will pursue her commitment to empowering individual and organizational wellness through the development of various initiatives, reflecting her ultimate vision – to help more people thrive.
Dana AL Balkhi
Co-Op Student
Dana AL Balkhi (Dæna) is a wellness coaching student and clinical aromatherapy trainee with a BA in English Literature and over seven years of experience in procurement. She brings a strong background in operations, communication, and stakeholder engagement, alongside a growing focus on workplace health and wellbeing. Shaped by her global experience, she offers a culturally informed perspective that bridges organizational needs with individual wellbeing.
Rafeena Rafeek
Co-Op Student
Rafeena Rafeek is a Workplace Wellness student with a background in Human Resource Management, currently pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion at Centennial College. She is completing a placement with Excellence Canada, gaining experience in employee well-being, mental health, and inclusive workplace practices, and is passionate about supporting healthy, resilient organizations.
Nosa Osakue
Co-Op Student
Nosa is a compassionate, culturally responsive mental health professional with a background in psychology, addictions and mental health, and wellness coaching. With over eight years of experience supporting marginalized communities, she is dedicated to holistic wellness and inclusive, supportive spaces.
Priyam Bhavsar
Co-Op Student
Priyam is completing his placement with Excellence Canada through the Workplace Wellness & Health Promotion program at Centennial College, supporting healthy and psychologically safe workplaces.
He brings strong analytical skills and a passion for fostering supportive, high-performing environments.
Kavitha Venkatachalam
Co-Op Student
Kavitha Venkatachalam is a Wellness Coaching graduate student at Humber Polytechnic with a background in tourism and library science.
At Excellence Canada, she supports event management for national awards programs and contributes to content for Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month, with a focus on creating engaging, healthy, and productive workplace experiences.
Lavelle Williams
Co-Op Student
Lavelle Williams is a current student at Humber Polytechnic in the process of completing his post graduate certification in wellness coaching. Having completed his undergraduate degree in public health and psychology at the University of Toronto, creating accessible pathways to wellness has always been a personal passion for him. Upon completing his program, Lavelle plans on pursuing a career in wellness consulting where he plans on developing wellness strategies for both businesses and individual clients.
Estrella Cemovic
Co-Op Student
Estrella Cemovic is a Bachelor of Health Sciences – Workplace Health and Wellness student at Humber Polytechnic, with a previous certification as an OTA/OPTA. She has gained hands-on experience working with individuals to reach their physical health goals through rehabilitation and has now developed a strong interest in enhancing overall well-being. Estrella is excited to be a part of Excellence Canada, where she will be able to help in promoting healthier, more supportive workplace environments.
Joana Darko Asare
Co-Op Student
Joana Darko Asare is a student at Humber Polytechnic studying Workplace Health and Wellness, with a passion for creating inclusive, accessible environments where people can thrive. She is particularly interested in how thoughtful workplace design can enhance well-being, engagement, and overall employee experience. With a creative mindset and a strong commitment to equity, Joana advocates for wellness initiatives that are both effective and inclusive, supporting diverse needs while fostering psychologically safe and accessible workplaces.
Justyna Jolda
Co-Op Student
Justyna is pursuing a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Workplace Health and Wellness at Humber Polytechnic. A Registered Pharmacy Technician with expertise in sterile compounding, she has a strong background in healthcare quality, medication safety, and patient care. Passionate about employee well-being, her interests include workplace mental health, health promotion, and evidence-informed wellness initiatives. Through her internship with Excellence Canada, she looks forward to contributing to meaningful workplace health programs while expanding her expertise.
Alyssa Persaud
Co-Op Student
Alyssa Persaud is a Bachelor of Health Sciences student in Workplace Health and Wellness at Humber Polytechnic, with a background as an Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant (OTA/PTA) and a diploma in Business Management. Passionate about workplace health promotion, she is interested in creating positive workplace cultures that support employee wellbeing and organizational success. Alyssa is excited to join Excellence Canada and contribute to initiatives such as Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month while growing her expertise in workplace wellness.
Dwisha More
Co-Op Student
Dwisha More is a student at Humber Polytechnic completing her Bachelor of Health Science in Workplace Health and Wellness. Passionate about mental well-being and the belief that people deserve to feel well in every aspect of their lives, she has dedicated her academic journey to making a real difference in how organizations care for their people. Through her placement with Excellence Canada, she looks forward to channeling her passion into real work, developing initiatives that support both personal and organizational wellness, and taking meaningful steps toward her goal of helping more people live and work at their best.
Kahleel Hall
Co-Op Student
Kahleel is a Health Sciences student with a background in personal training, cognitive performance, and functional movement. Passionate about health and wellness, he takes a holistic approach to supporting physical and mental well-being through evidence-based, client-centered strategies. His interests include health promotion, prevention, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation, and he is committed to helping individuals improve their overall quality of life while continuing to expand his knowledge in the field.