The Canadian Diamond Drilling Association is pleased to announce that Shannon Austin-Nault was named the recipient of the 2026 Bring It to the Surface Ambassador Award. The award was presented to her during the 81st CDDA AGM and Convention Awards Gala in Victoria, BC.
Now in its second year, the Bring It to the Surface Ambassador Award recognizes individuals who actively champion mental health and wellness within the diamond drilling and exploration industry. The award honours those who lead by example, encourage meaningful conversations, share resources, and help create workplace environments where employees feel supported and empowered to seek help when needed.
Bring It to the Surface continues to play an important role in raising awareness, reducing stigma, and connecting workers to practical mental health and wellness supports. In an industry where remote work, extended rotations, and time away from family and support systems are often part of the job, fostering a culture that prioritizes mental well-being is more important than ever.
Shannon Austin-Nault was selected for this year’s award in recognition of her outstanding commitment to employee well-being and her leadership in promoting mental health awareness throughout her career.
An accomplished Human Resources professional with more than a decade of experience in employee relations, workforce management, and organizational development, Shannon began her HR career with Boart Longyear, where she supported a diverse workforce and contributed to initiatives focused on both operational excellence and employee engagement.
Since joining Foraco Canada in 2017, Shannon has become a respected leader and trusted advisor, known for her professionalism, integrity, and ability to balance the needs of both employees and operations. Throughout her career, she has played a key role in fostering workplace cultures where employees feel respected, supported, and empowered to succeed. Her dedication to mental health and wellness reflects the core values of the Bring It to the Surface initiative and has had a lasting impact on those she works with.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Shannon’s background in public service further demonstrates her commitment to helping others. Having served as a 911 Dispatcher, Special Constable, and long-time volunteer with the Ontario Provincial Police Auxiliary, she has consistently shown compassion, resilience, and leadership in challenging situations.
On a personal level, Shannon is also recognized for her dedication as a mother and community member, bringing the same empathy, determination, and strength to her family life as she does to her professional role. Shannon also contributed to the 81st CDDA AGM and Convention as a presenter, where she introduced Foraco’s Wellness Directory and shared her family’s personal journey with mental health and wellness. Through her heartfelt presentation, Shannon spoke openly about the challenges her family faced and the support they received from Foraco during a difficult time. Her story highlighted the importance of compassion, understanding, and workplace support, while encouraging attendees to speak openly about mental health and seek help when needed. She also expressed her gratitude to Foraco for fostering a culture where employee well-being is a priority and for standing behind employees and their families when they need support most.
The CDDA extends its sincere congratulations to Shannon Austin-Nault on receiving the 2026 Bring It to the Surface Ambassador Award and thanks her for the positive impact she continues to make within the diamond drilling industry. Through her leadership and advocacy, Shannon exemplifies the spirit of the Bring It to the Surface initiative and serves as an inspiration to others across the industry. Click here to learn more about Bring it to the Surface.
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