Award Recipients: 2024
Every year, Algonquin College celebrates the incredible achievements of its alumni through the Alumni of Distinction Awards. These awards honour the extraordinary contributions our graduates make to the community while achieving career success.
Here are the 2024 recipients:
Alumnus of the Year: Geoffrey Darby
Visionary in broadcasting
Radio and Television Broadcasting, 1976
Geoffrey Darby’s path to broadcasting wasn’t straight. Initially, he pursued different studies. Watching his friends thrive and enjoy their experiences at Algonquin College sparked a change in his trajectory. Intrigued and inspired, Darby decided to shift his focus to the Broadcasting program at Algonquin College. “It was one of the best decisions I ever made,” he said.
Discover Geoffrey Darby’s story
Community Services: Janis Kahentóktha Monture
Executive Director and CEO, Canadian Museums Association
Applied Museum Studies, Class of 2003
Janis Kahentóktha Monture’s path to becoming a prominent figure in the museum and cultural sector reflects her deep commitment to her community and cultural heritage. Born and raised on the Six Nations of the Grand River in Southern Ontario, Monture’s upbringing was steeped in a deep connection to her land and people.
Discover Janis Kahentóktha Monture’s story
Creative Arts and Design: John-Philippe Smith
Dominion Sculptor for Canada, Government of Canada
Masonry – Heritage and Traditional, 2004
Masonry Techniques, 2003
As Dominion Sculptor, John-Phillippe Smith is responsible for the preservation of 100 years’ worth of sculpture in Ottawa’s Parliamentary precinct and assessing and implementing repairs. He is also responsible for expanding that inventory, creating new pieces to mark national events and continually adding to the stone, wood and bronze décor.
Discover John-Philippe Smith’s story
Health Sciences: Carl Bowker
Chief Paramedic for Hastings Quinte Paramedic Services and Director of Emergency Services for Hastings County
Advanced Paramedic, 2000
Aeromedical, 1998
Paramedic, 1998
Carl Bowker’s decades-long career has been marked by pioneering initiatives and steadfast commitment, and his journey from a curious Algonquin College student to the Chief of Hastings Quinte Paramedic Services is nothing short of inspirational.
Business: Sheena Brady
Founder and CEO, Tease Wellness
Hospitality Management – Hotel and Restaurant, 2009
Sheena Brady is a successful entrepreneur who founded Tease Tea, a multi-million-dollar company, and Founder’s Fund, a four-month digital program that provides women access to seed funding and mentorship.
Technology: Tanu Mohan
Partner, Deloitte
Bachelor of Information Technology, 2008
Computer Engineering Technology – Networking, 2008
As a Partner at Deloitte, Mohan advocates for diversity and inclusion and works to create safe comfortable environments where everyone feels valued and can succeed. “Leadership is about serving others to make a positive, lasting impact,” she said. “Staying curious and building genuine connections is at the heart of it.”
Changing Lives: Alexandra Ford
Founder, The Laughing Survivor
Community and Justice Services, 2013
Alexandra Ford’s turning point in life came after surviving multiple attempts on her life by an abusive partner. She channelled her resilience into education and earned multiple degrees in criminology, victimology, and psychology, determined to understand and change the systems that had failed her.
Discover Alexandra Ford’s story
Rena Bowen Volunteer of the Year: Graham Spero
Accessibility Lead, Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council
Public Relations, 2016
From a young age, Graham Spero viewed his limb difference as a strength rather than a hindrance. The influence of the role models he met early in life—including baseball legend Jim Abbott, who pitched a one-handed no-hitter for the New York Yankees—set the stage for his lifelong dedication to advocacy and support for the accessibility and disability community.
Apprenticeship: Moneca Kaiser
Owner/Founder and Lead Designer, Moneca Kaiser Design Build
Carpenter, 1996
In 1994, Moneca Kaiser founded Moneca Kaiser Design Build (MKDB), an award-winning, full-service home design and renovation company renowned for its innovative designs, exceptional service, and strong commitment to community and environmental values. Rooted in Kaiser’s philosophy of HomEcology, the company’s mission is to demonstrate that care and compassion are the true foundations of our homes, with the goal of inspiring the creation of ideal living spaces for everyone.
Discover Moneca Kaiser’s story
Brian Fraser Recent Graduate: Brian Mikula
Founder, Life Booster Tea, and Marketing Strategist, KarmaDharma
Business – Marketing, 2020
Brian Mikula is a celebrated entrepreneur and marketing expert whose life is a powerful example of resilience and determination. From a challenging youth filled with missteps, Mikula transformed his life through self-discovery and a commitment to constant improvement.
Employer of the Year: Beer Store
The Beer Store Distribution Centre is not just a hub for delivering Ontario’s beloved beverages to sales centres; it’s a thriving community where teamwork, innovation and commitment to excellence drive everything they do. With a workforce of nearly 180 employees, the Beer Store plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and efficient delivery of beer across the province.