Two pillars of Manitoba’s business community – Payworks Canada and Doug Stephen, CEO & Founder of WOW! Hospitality Concepts – were celebrated today at an exclusive and exquisite Manitoba Day luncheon ceremony at the historic Government House, where they were awarded Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Outstanding Contribution to the Community.
These prestigious awards were presented as part of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce’s 2025 Manitoba Champions Awards – a fresh new take on its traditional business awards brought back after a five-year hiatus. Her Honour The Honourable Anita Neville, Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, presented Payworks and Stephen with the awards which recognize foremost business leaders and longstanding champions whose exemplary accomplishments of vision, leadership, integrity, entrepreneurial spirit, and philanthropic contributions demonstrate consistent best practice in business at the highest level.
“We’re bringing back a tradition of honouring excellence with a new focus on celebrating not just business success stories, but true champions of our province – and we’re doing it all on Manitoba Day,” Chuck Davidson, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC) President & CEO, said at the event. “When we approached the Lieutenant Governor’s office about our new concept they were on board from the beginning to continue the partnership and loved the idea of hosting the award winners at Government House for a special celebration.”
Acknowledging the current economic uncertainty, Lt.-Gov. Neville told guests we are all looking towards local, provincial and national business communities to innovate and build homegrown economic security.
“With that in mind, I can’t think of a better time to bring back the Manitoba Champion Awards to celebrate great accomplishments and leadership by individuals and by businesses,” Lt.-Gov. Neville told the guests. “Past recipients of these awards have created employment to support countless families, expanded the tax base to meet public needs, and given back to the community through philanthropy and through volunteer leadership. The individuals and businesses recognized through these awards have created Canada’s most diversified economy and provided opportunities that have allowed young Manitobans to follow their dreams in their home province.”
She added, “In a year when we need leaders to rise to the occasion to defend our prosperity, values and sovereignty, I thank the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce for supporting business and shining a light on great success stories, and I very much congratulate this year’s recipients on well-earned recognition, and thank them for all they do to enrich our economy and strengthen our communities.”
The Manitoba Day celebrations will continue tonight at a reception at Club Regent Event Centre, where MCC will present another group of 2025 Manitoba Champions Awards: ten awards for businesses or individuals who have been chosen as Future Champions.
Congratulations to the recipients of the Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Outstanding Contribution to the Community:
Outstanding Contribution to the Community by a Business:
Payworks Canada
Founded in Winnipeg in 2000, Payworks has grown into a national leader in payroll, HR, and time management solutions, proudly serving over 40,000 Canadian businesses. A 12-time winner of Canada’s Best Managed Companies and one of Manitoba’s Top Employers for five consecutive years, Payworks is recognized not just for operational excellence, but for fostering an inclusive, people-first workplace culture. Fully Canadian-owned, Payworks invests heavily in community initiatives, supporting nearly 300 organizations nationwide – with a strong focus on Manitoba. Its employees have contributed over 6,600 volunteer hours through the “Pay it Forward Day” program, all rooted in the company’s purpose: doing right by people.
Outstanding Contribution to the Community by an Individual:
Doug Stephen, President, WOW! Hospitality Concepts Inc.
From his early days cooking in Clear Lake to co-founding WOW! Hospitality in 1995, Doug Stephen has shaped Manitoba’s culinary landscape for over four decades. WOW! now encompasses seven top-tier restaurants, major catering operations, and over 600 employees – all grounded in a culture of mentorship and excellence. Doug’s impact extends well beyond the kitchen. A champion for local organizations, he’s been recognized with accolades including an honourary diploma from RRC Polytech, Tourism Winnipeg’s Award of Distinction, and induction into the Manitoba Restaurant & Foodservice Association Hall of Fame in 2025. Lieutenant Governor’s Awards recipients will be honoured at an exclusive gala luncheon at Government House on Manitoba Day.
Special thanks to our Manitoba Champions Awards partners who helped make this event possible:
- Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries – Presenting sponsor
- CPHR Manitoba – Lieutenant Governor’s Award – Business Sponsor
- Rural Manitoba Immigrant Employment Council – Lieutenant Governor’s Award – Indvidual Sponsor
Our Future Champion Sponsors include:
- Calm Air
- Crosier Kilgour
- Manitoba Hydro
- World Trade Centre Winnipeg
View previous Lieutenant Governor’s Award recipients and additional information about the Manitoba Champions Awards here.
Pictured above, from left:
Beverlie Stuart, Chair, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Board of Directors and Vice President, Business Development and Community Initiatives, MITT; Michael Penman, President of Payworks Canada; Her Honour The Honourable Anita Neville, Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba; Doug Stephen, President, WOW! Hospitality Concepts Inc.; Chuck Davidson, President & CEO, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce.
Photo courtesy of Government House/Douglas Little Photography.
