Maryann Hammermeister has been recognized for advancing access to information in Alberta. Information and Privacy Commissioner Jill Clayton presented the Robert C. Clark Award to Ms. Hammermeister at today’s Edmonton Public School Board (EPSB) meeting.
Ms. Hammermeister, the District FOIP Coordinator for EPSB, was selected unanimously by an independent, three-person panel of experts in the field of access to information. Over the past 11 years, Ms. Hammermeister has gained a reputation as “a fierce advocate, a patient mentor and a respected role model in promoting public access to information in Alberta,” a colleague noted in the nomination letter.
In making their selection, the panel noted that Ms. Hammermeister has “shown very strong leadership in access to information” and “obviously thinks from the perspective of the user.” They were impressed by her outreach efforts, education initiatives and collaboration with other access to information and privacy professionals in Alberta.
“Maryann embodies our commitment to being inclusive, transparent, responsive and accountable. Maryann puts the user perspective first and has shown tremendous leadership in making information accessible; we are so proud that she is receiving the Robert C. Clark Award,” said Dr. Lorne Parker, Edmonton Public Schools’ Assistant Superintendent of Infrastructure.
The selection panel members were:
- Catherine Tully, Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nova Scotia
- Hank Moorlag, former Yukon Information and Privacy Commissioner
- Drew McArthur, Acting Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia
The award is named after Alberta’s first Information and Privacy Commissioner, Robert (Bob) Clark, who served in that role from 1995 to 2001. Clark led the OIPC through the introduction and expansion of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, while also acting as an educator and advocate for the principles of access to information and privacy.