Lazaridis School staff win national award for advancing digital innovation in university operations

June 22, 2026

A staff team at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Lazaridis School of Business and Economics has received a 2026 Quality and Productivity (Q+P) Award from the Canadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO). The national honour recognizes the team’s leadership in developing and implementing a “Digital Workflows Project” that integrates Smartsheet into core administrative and operational processes.

Led by Senior Administrative Officer, Michael Lisetto-Smith, the project reflects a coordinated effort by Lazaridis staff to modernize workflows, improve data visibility and strengthen decision-making across the School. The award was formally celebrated at the CAUBO annual conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland this week, where Lisetto-Smith accepted on behalf of the team. The initiative is also featured in the summer issue of University Manager magazine.

“This award recognizes a thoughtful, team-driven effort to modernize our workflows,” said Lisetto-Smith. “The group not only implemented new tools but built shared practices that make our work more connected, responsive and effective across the School. Their focus on continuous improvement ensures we are equipped to identify, design and lead solutions internally.”

The staff team behind this award-winning initiative includes: Ibrahim Abdulmonem, Adarshan Nagara Anthal, Hillary Beaudry, Brenda Burns, Andreea Ciucurita, Amanda Kristensen, Michael Lisetto-Smith (team leader), Parker Nicholls, Hussain Phalasiya, Isaac Santi, Jennifer Tieu and Kate Tippin.

Since 1987, the CAUBO Q+P awards have celebrated innovative practices that strengthen institutions’ stewardship of human, financial, IT and physical resources in Canadian higher education administration. Projects are evaluated for their innovation, transferability, and measurable impact on quality and productivity.

At the Lazaridis School, the award-winning project focused on embedding Smartsheet into operational procedures to streamline processes, reduce manual work and improve collaboration across teams. By standardizing workflows and enabling real-time tracking, the system has enhanced efficiency while creating a more transparent and responsive administrative environment.

The initiative also focused on building a culture of continuous improvement. Staff were encouraged to identify opportunities to enhance administrative processes and were trained to use Smartsheet to design and implement their own workflow solutions. This approach invested in staff upskilling and empowered teams to lead change from within, while building sustainable internal expertise andreducing the need for costly external development.

Just as innovation drives teaching, learning and research at Lazaridis, this initiative demonstrates how it also strengthens administrative excellence. By integrating emerging technologies into daily operations, the team has created a model that can be adapted across the university sector. The project aligns with CAUBO’s emphasis on transferability — offering a practical framework that other institutions can adopt to improve efficiency and service delivery.

Beyond operational gains, the initiative has improved the experience of faculty, staff and students by reducing administrative friction and enabling quicker, more informed decisions. It highlights how behind-the-scenes innovation plays a critical role in supporting academic excellence and community impact.

“This achievement reflects the spirit of innovation that defines the Lazaridis School,” said Murray. “By challenging convention and embracing new ways of working, our staff are helping us build a more agile, forward-looking institution aligned with our strategic vision.”

The Lazaridis School has a longstanding reputation for innovation, from launching Ontario’s first co-op program to developing Canada’s first non-curricular entrepreneurship program, now known as StartUp Lab. This latest recognition continues that tradition — demonstrating how a forward-looking, entrepreneurial mindset extends beyond the classroom to shape every aspect of the School’s operations.

As the pace of change accelerates across higher education, the Lazaridis School remains committed to integrating new technologies, supporting experimentation and empowering its community to lead with impact.