Southern California is home to thousands of Canadians quietly building extraordinary things — in labs, on stages, in boardrooms, and in classrooms. The Canadians Abroad Impact Awards (CAIA) exist to pull them into the spotlight: to recognize the people doing impactful, inspiring, and innovative work while carrying the values and spirit of Canada with them wherever they go. This year, three finalists were named in each of our four categories. Today, we're proud to announce the winners.
Arts & Culture: Geneviève Gros-Louis
Geneviève Gros-Louis — Composer, Producer, and Violinist
Geneviève Gros-Louis is a composer, producer, and violinist from the Huron-Wendat Nation whose work sits at the intersection of Indigenous storytelling and mainstream entertainment. She has scored projects for National Geographic, AMC, and OPB, recorded at Abbey Road Studios with members of the London Symphony Orchestra, and composed music for a special Cannes event honouring the Osage people ahead of Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon. Whether working with the Clooney Foundation for Justice or contributing to Paris Fashion Week, Geneviève uses every platform she earns to expand representation and ensure Indigenous stories continue to be told.
She was recognized for using entertainment's biggest stages to elevate Indigenous storytelling and expand who gets to be seen and heard.
Geneviève wasn't able to accept in person, as she was traveling back from a performance in Canada, but she sent a video with her remarks expressing her gratitude. Jean-Baptiste Piron, Cultural Attaché from the Québec Government Office in LA, accepted the award on her behalf.
STEM & Innovation: Hayley B. Kristinsson, PsyD
Hayley B. Kristinsson, PsyD — Board-Certified UCI Health Neuropsychologist
Dr. Hayley B. Kristinsson is a board-certified neuropsychologist and Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor at UC Irvine, where she serves as Associate Director of Neuropsychology and Co-Director of the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. She recently joined the Clinical Core Faculty of the UCI Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, and her expertise has been recognized across AARP, U.S. News & World Report, and Healthline. What sets Hayley apart is what she does after hours — founding the Diversity in Neurology Academy, seeing patients pro-bono, leading caregiver support groups, and visiting schools on her own time. She is the kind of person who makes everyone around her want to do more.
She was recognized for pairing clinical excellence with a sustained, uncompensated commitment to expanding access to neuropsychological care and mentorship.
Hayley accepted the award in person and shared these remarks:
Receiving this recognition from my fellow Canadians means the world to me. Being Canadian has always been at the core of how I approach my work - the spirit of curiosity, collaboration, and genuine care for others has guided me throughout my career, even while living and working abroad. To be seen and celebrated by a community that carries that same spirit is truly special, and I couldn't be more grateful to receive this award. Thank you!
Entrepreneurship & Business: Dalia MacPhee
Dalia MacPhee — Fashion Designer, Wearable Tech Innovator, and Founder of DALIA MACPHEE
Dalia MacPhee is a celebrity fashion designer, wearable tech innovator, and TEDx speaker whose work proves that fashion can be a force for good. Within a year of launching her brand, her designs were carried in over 1,200 stores worldwide, including Nordstrom and Holt Renfrew. One of the first designers to launch a fully vegan, size-inclusive line, she has dressed Scarlett Johansson, Serena Williams, and Heidi Klum. Her inventions include the world's first light-up denim jeans and a GPS-enabled fire-retardant horse blanket. In a historic milestone, Dalia became the first Canadian fashion designer to reach the Moon, with her work selected as part of the Lunaprise Mission on the NASA Artemis Launch.
She was recognized for turning bold, category-defining inventions into global business success while keeping inclusivity at the center of her brand.
Dalia was present to accept her award in person.
Advocacy & Philanthropy: Evan Goldberg
Evan Goldberg — Co-Founder of Reel Start
Evan Goldberg is the co-founder of Reel Start, a nonprofit dedicated to dismantling financial and systemic barriers for high school students from marginalized communities. Since 2016, Reel Start has provided students in Los Angeles and Toronto with hands-on experience writing and producing short films under the mentorship of industry professionals. Beyond mentorship, Reel Start facilitates internships and job placements for alumni, directly increasing diversity within the Hollywood workforce through partnerships with major studios.
He was recognized for turning a passion for filmmaking into a proven pipeline that opens doors in the entertainment industry for students who wouldn't otherwise have access.
Evan wasn't able to accept in person; Reel Start Co-Founder Adrienne Slover accepted the award on his behalf.
Evan shared these remarks:
Thank you to the Canadians Abroad Impact Awards of Southern California for this recognition. It means a great deal to me, and to our entire Reel Start community. When Adrienne Slover and I started Reel Start, our goal was simple: to give access to young people who do not have it. Reel Start is not only about teaching film, we are a creative workforce pipeline growing in two countries: the US and Canada. Thank you for this recognition and for believing in our work and in the young storytellers we serve.
Congratulations to All
Congratulations to our four winners, and to every finalist who made this year's CAIA program so competitive. Each of you carries the spirit of Canada into your work in Southern California, and we're proud to celebrate you.
We're already looking ahead to 2027. Next year's CAIA will introduce an additional award category, and we are pleased to note that plans for a dedicated gala are currently underway. Further details will follow in due course.