Growers
Celebrating entrepreneurs who embody Regina’s unstoppable, “get-it-done” spirit, and who have made a real impact here at home and beyond.
Game Changers
Honouring trailblazers whose bold, innovative ideas are already making waves in Regina, and potentially, around the world.
Grassroots
Recognizing community leaders who bring people together and elevate Regina in ways that improve lives and build connections in classic Regina fashion.
Quick Studies
Celebrating people who have recently moved to Regina and quickly made their mark, enriching the city’s vibrancy. Whether they’ve come from another city, province, or country, we want to honour those who’ve relocated to Regina in the past 5 years and have had an impact in their workplace or in the community.
Mentors
Honouring long-standing leaders who have not only strengthened Regina’s economy but have also guided others on their career journeys and personal growth.
Bruce Anderson
Strategy and Policy Instructor, University of Regina & Managing Partner and Sr. Consultant, b-creative group
The Regina 25About Bruce
Dedicated to growing leaders and organizations, Bruce Anderson has worked in the not-for-profit, business and educational sectors. He is an Instructor, Strategy and Policy at the Hill Levene School of Business and Managing Partner and Senior Consultant at b-creative group. He is a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) and has been named an honorary CMC Fellow.
He is an active volunteer having served on over 20 national and regional boards including serving as Chair of nine boards. He has a professional director designation – ICD. He currently serves on the boards He mentors emerging entrepreneurs and was recognized in 2025 as an inaugural Regina 25 in Mentor category. Bruce and his spouse Lucie have 2 adult children and 3 grandchildren.
Melissa Coomber-Bentsen
CEO, YWCA
The Regina 25About Melissa
Melissa Coomber-Bendtsen has been the CEO of YWCA Regina since 2015, making her the youngest CEO in the organization’s 110-year history. A graduate of the University of Regina, her career spans restorative justice, housing, employment, childcare, and gender-based violence work. Under her leadership, she spearheaded the creation of the kikaskihtânaw Centre, a groundbreaking trauma-informed hub offering wraparound services for those facing poverty, gender-based violence, and mental health and addiction challenges. Melissa is a recipient of the University of Regina’s 2022 Humanitarian and Community Service Award, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (2023), and was recognized in Economic Development Regina’s inaugural “Regina 25” as a game changer in 2025. A passionate advocate for social justice, she is committed to systemic change, Indigenous reconciliation, and building an equitable future for women, girls and gender diverse people.
Victoria Flores
Ward 6 City Councillor, City of Regina & Communications Manager, Regina Open Door Society
The Regina 25About Victoria
Victoria Flores is the City Councillor for Ward 6 and the Communications Manager at the Regina Open Door Society. Originally from Bolivia, she brings over a decade of community leadership and a deep commitment to making Regina an inclusive, welcoming place for everyone.
Known for her warm, people-first approach, Victoria is a passionate champion for grassroots advocacy, food security, and vibrant local neighbourhoods. She believes that the best communities are built on genuine connection, accessibility, and shared spaces.
When she is not at City Hall or volunteering, you can usually find her biking year-round across the city or out exploring with her dog, Monty. Victoria is thrilled to serve as a judge for the Regina 25 Award and to celebrate the incredible people shaping the future of our community.
Mary Weimer
Founder, Ready Executive Consulting & Co-owner, Assiniboia Gallery
The Regina 25About Mary
Mary Weimer is the founder of Ready Executive Consulting, a Regina-based fractional executive and coaching firm, and co-owner of the Assiniboia Gallery. With nearly 30 years of entrepreneurial and leadership experience — including executive leadership roles at Hillberg & Berk, Conexus Credit Union, and Harvard Developments — Mary is a Certified Executive Coach (CEC) who works with businesses and non-profits to drive strategic growth, navigate transitions, and develop high-performing leaders. She currently serves on the boards of Cowessess Ventures Ltd. and the Regina Public Library, reflecting her ongoing commitment to community and economic development in Saskatchewan.
Jada Yee
Principal of Advisory, Creative Fire
The Regina 25About Jada
Jada Yee is former Co-Founder of 7 Arrows Indigenous Consulting Group (now acquired) and currently Principal of Advisory at Creative Fire. He also serves as Indigenous Executive in Residence at the Hill and Levene Schools of Business, University of Regina, and Cultural Advisor for RCMP Depot Division. Proudly representing his Wood Mountain Lakota Sioux Nation and Chinese-Canadian heritage, Jada brings over 20 years of leadership experience, including serving as Vice President of Operations for a Tribal Council casino organization.
A dedicated community leader, Jada served five years on the Regina Police Service Board of Police Commissioners, becoming its first civilian Chair, and was elected to the National Board of the Canadian Association for Police Governance. His work has earned numerous honours including the King Charles III Coronation Medal, Queen’s Jubilee Medal, University of Regina Humanitarian Award, and CTV Regina’s Citizen of the Year. Jada holds a Master of Administration in Leadership and will begin his PhD in Public Policy in 2026.
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Reach out to [email protected] to learn more!
Reception Sponsor
Media Sponsor
Mark your calendar! The Regina 25 winners will
be recognized May 14, 2026.
Our 2026 winners will be contacted directly with further information!
General FAQs
What is the Regina 25?
The Regina 25 is a community driven recognition program celebrating 25 people who embody Regina’s ambitious, humble, “get-it-done” spirit. It highlights leaders, innovators, grassroots builders, newcomers, and mentors who are shaping the community and economy. It highlights leaders, innovators, grassroots builders, newcomers, and mentors who are shaping the community and economy.
Who is eligible to be nominated?
Anyone who meets the criteria of one of the award categories, is a permanent resident of Canada, and currently lives in Regina is eligible. And yes – you’re welcome to nominate yourself!
Can past nominees and winners be nominated again?
Past winners are not eligible to be nominated again, as we aim to recognize new honourees each year. However, if someone has been nominated in the past and wasn’t selected, we absolutely encourage you to nominate them again.
What if I don’t have all the information about the person I want to nominate?
No problem! We recommend reaching out to the nominee directly to gather the details you need. You can also encourage them to submit a self-nomination if that’s easier.
Who are the judges and how are they chosen?
Each year, we bring together a diverse panel of respected community leaders who care deeply about Regina. Our judges are selected for their leadership, experience, and commitment to making a positive impact.
What criteria do judges use to evaluate nominations?
Nominations are thoughtfully reviewed over several weeks by our judging panel. Each submission is evaluated using a consistent scoring rubric developed by Economic Development Regina to ensure a fair and balanced process.
Can I nominate someone more than once or in multiple categories?
Absolutely – you can nominate more than one person! If we believe your nominee might be a better fit for a different category, we’ll connect with you after submission.
When does the nomination period open and close?
Nominations open on March 2, 2026, and close on March 29, 2026. Be sure to get your submission in before the deadline!
Do nominees have to live in Regina?
Yes. Nominees must currently reside in Regina and be permanent residents of Canada.
How and when will winners be announced?
Selected honourees will be contacted directly using the information provided in their nomination form. Once confirmed, winners will be celebrated and announced on our social media channels – and we can’t wait to share their stories!
How do I sponsor the event?
Interested in supporting The Regina 25? We’d love to connect. Please reach out to Karlie McGeough at [email protected] for more information.
Who can I contact for questions about the program?
If you have questions about The Regina 25, our team is happy to help. Please reach out to [email protected]
Are nominations confidential?
Nominations are not confidential, so we encourage you to let the person know you’re nominating them. After all, it’s worth celebrating!
How can I stay up to date on award winners and news?
Follow us on Instagram at @Theregina25 and on LinkedIn @Economicdevelopmentregina to stay in the loop and celebrate this year’s honourees.
Who organizes the Regina 25?
The Regina 25 is powered by Economic Development Regina (EDR) and made possible with the support of our incredible local partners and sponsors.
