The Alliance of Natural History Museums of Canada (ANHMC) announced on October 27, 2014, that Joanne Fredrickson DiCosimo is this year’s recipient of its Bruce Naylor Award. The announcement occurred at the organization’s annual reception on Parliament Hill, which is hosted by the Speaker of the House, the Honourable Andrew Scheer.

Joanne is the daughter of Bui and Lois Fredrickson, and granddaughter of Oscar and Petronella (Nellie) Fredrickson of Winnipegosis, Manitoba. Joanne grew up and attended school in Winnipegosis and subsequently received the B.A. (Hons) from the University of Winnipeg and the Masters degree in Public Administration from Harvard University. After serving as Executive Director of the Manitoba Museum, she served as President and CEO of the Canadian Museum Of Nature in Ottawa for 14 years.

The award is given annually to recognize achievement by an individual or individuals of national or international significance in the natural history field in Canada through distinctive leadership, publications or other remarkable endeavours.

The ANHMC is a national network of natural history museums and similar institutions dedicated to the preservation and understanding of Canada’s natural heritage and the enhancement of the benefits museums provide to the people of Canada.

“The Alliance meets annually in Ottawa to discuss collaborative projects in the areas of research, collections development and public education”, says Dr. Harold Bryant, President of the ANHMC. “Natural history museums are guardians of invaluable heritage collections which are the record of the natural environment through time. Joanne’s vision for a new national service as the CEO and President of the Canadian Museum of Nature helped inspire this network of natural history Museums of Canada that we are so very proud of today.”

“What distinguishes Joanne DiCosimo as an exceptional museum practitioner is the breadth of her vision for museums”, says Robert R. Janes, Editor-in-Chief, Museum Management and Curatorship. “Her entire career demonstrates an open-minded willingness to share, collaborate and forge solutions to complex challenges. Most importantly, her work is grounded in a well-developed sense of social responsibility.”

“I am honoured and humbled to have been chosen as the recipient for this year’s Bruce Naylor Award”, says Joanne DiCosimo. “As one of the founders of this national network in 2003, I am thrilled that, after eleven years, this group of equal and independent museum partners continues to pursue our vital, mutual goal of connecting people with nature. Since its inception in 2003, the network has given us a base from which we can launch important national initiatives in natural history and science and it continues to enable collaboration from coast to coast to coast."