Each year, RRC Polytech presents an Honorary Diploma to an individual who demonstrates high standards of excellence in their personal and professional achievements, and whose involvement in the community is widely recognized.

RRC Polytech is pleased to present the 2025 Honorary Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Management to Maria Pacella.

Maria Pacella has led Skills Manitoba as Executive Director since 2006, championing skilled trades education and career development across Manitoba, Canada, and beyond. In nearly two decades, she has built strong partnerships, developed inclusive programming, and created opportunities for students, apprentices, and underrepresented groups in the trades.

Maria works closely with educational institutions, including a long-standing partnership with RRC Polytech, host of the annual Skills Manitoba competition. Skills Manitoba’s programs span all four Manitoba colleges and include schools in both urban and rural communities, ensuring that programming reaches students throughout the province.

In both 2017 and 2023, Maria led two of the most successful National Skills competitions to date, each drawing more than 13,000 students while breaking national records for school tours from Manitoba schools. Nationally, Maria has contributed to the success of many Skills Canada competitions, including Manitoba’s hosting of the 2017 and 2023 national event in Winnipeg.

Maria has launched many important initiatives throughout the province, helping Skills Manitoba build a strong presence throughout Manitoba including northern Manitoba. Notable initiatives include the Northern Young Women’s Conferences held in Thompson, The Pas, and Flin Flon, along with innovative programs like the Extreme Sledding Challenge, the Skilled Trades & Technology Olympics, Northern Manitoba Skills Challenge, Model Wind Turbine Competition, Youth in Manufacturing and various skilled trades awareness programs within the city of Winnipeg. Skills Manitoba also hosts ten Young Women’s Conferences throughout the Province. These initiatives play a crucial role in introducing young people in Manitoba to skilled trades. In Winnipeg, Maria helped create the North End Trades Discovery Initiative, introducing middle and high school students to the trades through hands-on learning.

Partnering with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis organizations, Maria led the development of the Indigenous Skills Showcase – an initiative that celebrates Indigenous culture through skills like woodcarving, cooking, beading, and design – empowering youth to explore trades careers in a culturally safe environment. The showcase was featured at the 2023 Skills Canada National Competition.

Maria’s leadership continues to support Skills Manitoba’s mission to build a strong, inclusive workforce through education, innovation, and community collaboration, while fostering strong industry support that has led to outstanding partnerships that grow every year.