Tina Gardiner receives the 2010 Donald M. Stuart Award

The Risk and Insurance Management Society, Ontario Chapter (ORIMS) has presented the Donald M. Stuart Award to Tina Gardiner, manager of insurance and risk at the Regional Municipality of York.
Presented annually since 1979, the Donald M. Stuart Award acknowledges Canadians who have made outstanding contributions in the field of risk management.
Gardiner received the award during the 2010 RIMS Canada Conference opening ceremonies in Edmonton.
Gardiner’s involvement with RIMS spans nearly 20 years. She has served as ORIMS director (1991-1998), ORIMS president (1994-1995), RIMS Canada Council director (1996-1998) and chair of the Canadian RIMS Conference (1997).
She also serves as an instructor at the Insurance Institute of Canada, teaching three courses per semester.
“I can’t believe I am standing up here,” Gardiner said upon receiving the award. “I am humbled and I am honoured to be given this award and to be in the company of those that have been honoured before me.”
Gardiner recalled working with Don Stuart through the insurance committee of the United Church of Canada. During this time, she said, Stuart shared “four key nuggets” of knowledge with her:
•    surround yourself with talent;
•    education is key;
•    always give back; and
•    stay on the edge of new things.
On the last point, Gardiner said: “Sustainability is where risk management needs to go next.”
Gardiner said sustainability appears to have its roots in the environmental movement, but there is much more to it than that. “Think of it as a three-legged stool, with the three legs representing our natural environment, healthy communities and economic vitality,” she said. “Move over ERM, sustainability is the new concept on the block.”