OTTAWA (Sept. 5, 2023) – Algonquin College will celebrate the achievements of 10 graduates and one alumni employer at the seventh annual Alumni of Distinction Awards in the College’s Algonquin Commons Theatre on Nov. 2.
Honourees include the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian arm of a global iconic brand, a leader in the automotive industry, an internationally acclaimed digital artist and a master chef who has worked in multiple Michelin-Star restaurants worldwide.
Also being recognized is a passionate champion for youth, a tireless advocate for the less fortunate, a leader in the local fight against food insecurity and a caring bedside nurse who is now an executive vice-president of the city’s largest hospital.
And lastly to be acclaimed are an IT specialist who was at the forefront of introducing the Internet to his native country of Barbados and an ardent supporter of public justice for the Cree Nation in her home province of Quebec.
“Algonquin College transforms the hopes and dreams of its learners into lifelong success,” said Mark Savenkoff, Algonquin College’s Vice President, Advancement and Strategy. “Our alumni of distinction honourees have all shown that you can reach new heights and lift up others along the way.”
In addition to the individual honourees, this year’s Alumni Employer of the Year is a local tech giant that has hired scores of Algonquin College graduates and has contributed to the College’s cooperative education program in significant ways.
The 2023 Algonquin College Alumni of Distinction are:
Alumna of the Year: Michèle Boudria – President and Chief Executive Officer, McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada (Journalism – Class of 1988)
Employer of the Year: Nokia Canada
Apprenticeship Award: Imrun Texeira – Chef and Owner, Wanderlust (Cook Apprentice – Class of 2014)
Business Award: James Hallett – Former Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board at KAR Global; current Chairman and CEO at Hallett Sports and Entertainment; and member of the Board of Directors for OPENLANE (NYSE:KAR) (Recreation Management – Class of 1975)
Changing Lives Award: Adam Joiner – CEO, BGC Ottawa (formerly the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa) – (Social Service Worker – Class of 2003)
Community Services Award: Rachael Wilson – CEO, Ottawa Food Bank (Small Business Management – Class of 2000)
Creative Arts & Design Award: Eric Chan (a.k.a. EEPMON) – Digital Artist and Founder of EEPMON Creative Studio (Computer Engineering Technology – Computing Science – Class of 2003, and Bachelor of Information Technology – Interactive Multimedia and Design – Class of 2008)
Health Sciences Award: Suzanne Madore – Executive Vice-President, Chief Clinical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer, the Ottawa Hospital (Nursing – Class of 1990)
Brian Fraser Recent Graduate Award: Alycia Lameboy-Dixon – Justice Projects Officer, under the Department of Justice and Correctional Services at the Cree Nation Government (Law Clerk – Class of 2019)
Rena Bowen Volunteer of the Year Award: Nathalie Maione– Directrice Générale, Action Logement and President/Co-Founder of Helping with Furniture (Early Childhood Education – Class of 1983)
Technology Award: Niel Harper – Board Director & Chair, Innovation & Technology Committee – ISACA (Business Information Systems – Class of 1995)
For more details on the awards, recipients and the Nov. 2 event, including ticket purchases, please click this link.
For more information:
Trevor Oattes
Communications Officer
Algonquin College
oattest@algonquincollege.com
wanted to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for your tremendous efforts in ensuring the success of our recent graduates and the 2023 Spring convocation ceremonies. These ceremonies are always a highlight for me as we witness our graduates proudly crossing the stage and celebrating with their loved ones, as we honour their achievements.