YORKTON— Harvard Media is celebrating a strong showing at the recent FWD Awards in Kelowna, with multiple honours recognizing its on‑air talent and newsroom excellence.
GX94 broadcaster Olivia Shearer was named the 2026 Emerging Leader in Broadcasting, an honour she said came as a surprise.
“I truly did not expect to win,” Shearer said in an interview following the event. “It’s pretty cool.”
Shearer travelled to Kelowna to accept the award, returning home late Friday after flight delays extended her journey. Despite the long trip, she described the experience as rewarding, especially having her family there for support.
“It was very nice to have them with me,” she said. “My mom was so proud — she kept whispering to me the entire night.”
The Emerging Leader Award recognizes up-and-coming professionals who are helping shape the future of broadcasting through innovation and leadership. Shearer, who has been on air in Yorkton for just over four years in her first broadcasting role, has been recognized in part for her efforts to expand audience engagement through digital platforms, particularly TikTok.
“I know a lot of people can be apprehensive about newer platforms,” she said. “But a lot of our listeners are there, and it’s a great way to keep people informed and engaged.”
In addition to Shearer’s individual honour, Harvard Media’s CKRM station in Regina took home the gold award for News and Storytelling. The award recognized its coverage of a Saskatchewan Rough Riders game delayed by heavy smoke on July 11 and 12.
Shearer praised the effort, noting the significance of the team’s commitment to keeping the public informed.
“They were continuously on the air for hours,” she said. “It was very impressive, so no wonder they won.”
CKRM was the only broadcaster to remain on air throughout the disruption, providing ongoing updates as conditions unfolded.
The FWD (Forward) Awards are a national program that highlight excellence and innovation in Canadian radio and audio broadcasting. They recognize achievements across news, storytelling, programming and leadership, bringing together professionals from across the country to celebrate high-quality journalism and industry advancement.
For Shearer, the recognition marks a major milestone early in her career — and a reflection of both her personal growth and the support she’s received along the way.
“I’m really grateful,” she said.
