20 October 2025 – Toronto, Ontario — The Ontario Municipal Administrators Association (OMAA), with support from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), delivers the Maureen McCauley Bursary which now offers two $5,000 awards annually — one for undergraduate students and one for graduate students — to recognize and assist those pursuing education that could lead to a career in municipal government. The bursary aims to:
- Raise awareness about the benefits of municipal careers
- Promote the professional role of Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs)
- Support students with the financial costs of their education
The Bursary is open to undergraduate and graduate students who reside in Ontario, are in a program related to municipal government, and that submit an application form along with a short (2–3 minute) video highlighting the importance of municipal service management.
“We’re grateful to the Awards Committee for their time and thoughtful review of this year’s 34 applications,” added OMAA Chair Michael DiLullo. “Special thanks to Marg Misek-Evans, Christine MacDonald, Kara Van Myall, Thomas Thayer, Valerie Critchley, and Will Gardiner for their dedication.”
2025 Bursary Recipients
- Undergraduate Winner: Darren Chan, enrolled in the Master of Public Administration program at York University, with volunteer and employment experience at the City of Markham and the Region of York.
- Graduate Winner: Ivan Laskavyi, currently completing the Public Administration Certificate Program at York University and working with North York Community House.
Both recipients were celebrated at OMAA’s Fall Workshop, where their stories and perspectives on municipal service were shared through short video features.
The Ontario Municipal Administrators Association (OMAA) represents Ontario’s Chief Administrative Officers and senior municipal executives. OMAA provides professional development, peer support, and advocacy to strengthen municipal leadership across the province.