In 2024, I submitted an audition on Voices.com. It was for a mental health awareness video supporting the Royal Breakfast initiative for the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. At the time, it was simply another audition. I didn’t know it would become an award-winning PSA or one of the most meaningful projects of my career as a Canadian voice actor.
The Live-Directed Session
After being hired, we scheduled a live-directed recording session with Lee Pakala and James Hanington.
The direction was clear:
Grounded.
Compassionate.
Trustworthy.
Never performative.
Mental health narration requires emotional precision. It requires restraint. The voice must feel safe. Together, we shaped a tone that supported the message without overpowering it, the kind of compassionate corporate narration that builds trust rather than commands attention. When we wrapped, everyone felt good about the spot. But it wasn’t until I saw the finished animation that I understood the full impact.
Seeing the Story Come to Life
When I watched the final PSA the animation, pacing, music, and message working in harmony, I was moved. Not because of my performance. Because of the cause. The Royal Breakfast campaign represented something larger than a typical commercial project. It was about mental health advocacy. It was about dignity. And I believed it deserved recognition.
Taking Initiative: Submitting to SOVAS
With permission from the production team and client, I submitted the PSA to the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVAS). The submission process required detailed credits, category selection, and a formal entry fee. I entered the category:
Outstanding PSA – TV or Streaming – Best Voice Over
I didn’t submit because I was confident I would win.
I submitted because I wanted to elevate a Canadian mental health initiative on an international stage.
Then I waited.
The Nomination — and the Win
Two months later, I received the email: Nominated. I couldn’t attend the ceremony, so I asked my agent to act as my proxy in case of a win. On the night of the awards, I received a message that stopped me in my tracks: “GIRL! YOU WON!!!”
The Royal Breakfast PSA won Outstanding PSA – TV or Streaming at SOVAS. As an award-winning voice actor, that moment was surreal. Not because it validated me. But because it validated the power of thoughtful storytelling.
What This Award Represents
This SOVAS win represents more than a trophy.
It represents:
- The impact of mental health narration delivered with authenticity
- The importance of PSA voice over work
- The power of collaborative storytelling
- The global recognition of Canadian creative excellence
Months later, when the physical award arrived, it felt like the closing chapter of a journey that began with a single audition.
From Audition to Advocacy
As a Canadian female voice actor, I’ve voiced commercial campaigns, corporate narration, and branded content across industries. But projects like this remind me why I do this work. Because sometimes, voice over isn’t about selling. It’s about supporting. It’s about amplifying causes that matter. And sometimes, it’s about taking initiative when you believe in a story enough to push it forward.
Looking Ahead
If your organization is creating meaningful content, whether it’s a PSA, healthcare messaging, or compassionate corporate storytelling, I would be honoured to collaborate. Award-winning voice over begins with intention. And sometimes, with one audition.