2026 BCNU Leadership Awards Presentation
The annual Leadership Awards presentation on day two of Convention 2026 shone a bright light on the incredible work BCNU members do in their workplaces every day.
Union president Adriane Gear presented the NU Leader Award to BCNU Central Vancouver region member Madelynne Orsini and the Excellence in Leadership and Advocacy Award to BCNU Richmond-Vancouver region member Annelise Henderson.
The NU Leader Award honours a student member or member with under five years of nursing experience who has demonstrated outstanding achievements in BCNU-focused advocacy and activism and who embodies union values.
The Excellence in Leadership and Advocacy Award honours a member who has made a difference to the health and well-being of their community and their profession through leadership, activism or social justice efforts.
NU Leader Award recipient Madelynne Orsini
A registered nurse at Vancouver General Hospital, Orsini serves as steward liaison for BCNU’s Central Vancouver region. Well-regarded as a highly skilled steward with strong contract knowledge, Orsini’s passion for improving working conditions is reflected in several grievances she has won for members.
Orsini says she is deeply honoured to receive the NU Leader award. “It was such a genuine surprise to even be nominated, let alone receive this award – I feel really appreciated!”
Orsini says she’s excited to continue her work on a steward orientation checklist and onboarding material she developed for members. “This is a passion project for me – there are so many amazing activists in BCNU.”
She says helping new stewards prepare for their role is one of the main goals for her next term as steward liaison. “I want to create more cohesion by continuing to work closely with the union’s education team so that every steward is given a similar, supportive pathway,” Orsini adds.
Excellence in Leadership and Advocacy Award recipient Annelise Henderson
Vancouver General Hospital registered nurse Annelise Henderson has been nursing for over 35 years and serves as a steward and regional ratio representative for BCNU’s Richmond Vancouver region.
Colleagues recognized Henderson’s clarity and conviction and her knack for leading with action and integrity. She positively influenced her region last year when she delayed the start of her planned retirement by stepping into a support role for two full-time stewards. This included providing mentorship and day-to-day help with complex contract questions.
Henderson expressed strong emotions after receiving her award. “I’m very humbled by this – it’s nice to have recognition after working for such a long time,” she said, “but it’s nothing I ever expected.”
What’s on the horizon for this leadership award recipient? “I had been planning my retirement but decided to keep working longer due to a need in our region, and I’m glad I did. I’ll see things through a bit longer, and then, I’ll retire,” she quips.
Each award recipient receives $1,000 and a beautiful crystal art piece engraved with a commissioned artwork, Raven Steals the Light, by Haida artist Erik Prytula. The one-of-a-kind work is inspired by the creation story that describes how Raven stole the sun, the moon, and the stars, placing them in the sky and creating life as we know it.