By: Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
The Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County Foundation (MCC) has announced two distinguished recipients for the 2025 MCC Awards Gala. Rob Petroni will receive the Herb Gray Harmony Award, while Dr. Paul Ziter will receive the Champion Award.
The ceremony, hosted by Lisa Williams, will take place on May 1, 2025, at the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts.
“Since 2002, the MCC Awards Gala has offered us an opportunity to honour extraordinary individuals whose efforts have left a lasting positive impact on our community,” said Fred Francis, Executive Director of the MCC.
“Through their professional achievements and community dedication, both Mr. Petroni and Dr. Ziter have helped to make Windsor-Essex a more welcoming and better place for all.”
Presented by WFCU Credit Union, the Herb Gray Harmony Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to fostering an inclusive community. This year’s recipient, Rob Petroni, is the Business Manager of LiUNA! Local 625 and the Director of Organizing for Central and Eastern Canada.
Since moving to Windsor-Essex in 1992, Petroni has been a key advocate for inclusive workplaces, leading transformative projects such as the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway, the Gordie Howe International Bridge and the NextStar EV Battery Plant. These developments have significantly contributed to the region’s economic growth and job creation.
Beyond his professional impact, Petroni and his wife, Carol, co-founded Bluesfest Windsor, now known as LiUNA Yunity. The festival promotes local artists and enhances Windsor-Essex’s presence in the entertainment industry. Under his leadership, LiUNA! Local 625 has raised and donated millions to community initiatives, including the Champions for Change Program and healthcare services across Windsor-Essex and Ontario.
His dedication to the community exemplifies the values of the Herb Gray Harmony Award.
Sponsored by Cogeco, the MCC Champion Award honours first-generation Canadians who have profoundly impacted their communities. This year’s recipient, Dr. Paul Ziter, is a respected physician and community leader who has served Windsor-Essex for more than 45 years.
Dr. Ziter, a University of Western Ontario graduate, operates an active family practice at the Windsor Professional Centre. He is also an associate professor of family medicine at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, where he has mentored more than 20 family medicine residents, many of whom continue to serve the region. In 2014, he was recognized with the Dr. Ian McWhinney Teacher of the Year Award and the Best Core Family Medicine Teacher Award.
Dr. Ziter’s leadership extends beyond his practice. He has served as Chief of Family Medicine at Hôtel-Dieu Hospital and Chair of the Essex County District Health Council, playing a pivotal role in healthcare reform and the Ontario Breast Screening Program. Additionally, he has supported numerous local charities, including the Rotary Club of Windsor and Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation’s Acute Care program.
Through his lifelong dedication to healthcare and philanthropy, Dr. Ziter embodies the true spirit of a community champion.
A highlight of the MCC Awards Gala will be the announcement of the Kathleen Thomas Inspire Award recipient, sponsored by St. Clair College. This award honours a Canadian newcomer who has overcome significant challenges to create a better future for themselves and their family. The recipient will be revealed during the event.
The 2025 MCC Awards Gala will celebrate the achievements of these exceptional individuals who have made Windsor-Essex a more inclusive and vibrant community.
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