Algonquin College celebrates the 2026 Alumni of Distinction

Posted on Tuesday, October 20th, 2026

OTTAWA, ON (Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026) — Algonquin College is proud to announce its 2026 Alumni of Distinction. Chosen with the support of nominations from the community, the recipients of the annual Alumni of Distinction Awards are Algonquin College graduates whose professional excellence and commitment to serving their communities are significantly advancing their fields and empowering others.

Additionally, the Alumni of Distinction Awards include the Employer of the Year Award. This award recognizes organizations that cultivate strong partnerships with Algonquin College, offering co-op opportunities to students, hiring graduates and supporting initiatives that allow the College to deliver the talent employers need.

“This year’s Alumni of Distinction recipients exemplify the transformative power of education and impact our graduates have in their professions, communities and beyond,” said Claude Brulé, President and CEO of Algonquin College. “From advancing health care and early childhood education to championing accessibility, innovation and reconciliation, each of these individuals is making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and recognize the positive contributions they continue to make in their industries across Canada and around the world.”

The recipients of this year’s Alumni of Distinction Awards are:

  • Alumna of the Year: Kim Hiscott (Early Childhood Education, Class of 1984). CEO, Andrew Fleck Children’s Services (AFCS). With a distinguished career spanning more than 40 years, Hiscott is a noted expert in the field of early childhood education. Since 2008, she has led AFCS through a period of unprecedented growth. Hiscott has also been an effective advocate for early childhood education at all levels of government, helping to expand access and modernize the sector’s practices.
  • Brian Fraser Recent Graduate Award: Hannah Hempinstall (Motive Power Fundamentals – Automotive Service Apprentice, Class of 2021). Red Seal-endorsed automotive service technician at Tom Hilliard’s Manotick Garage. Hempinstall is also a college instructor, community fundraiser and tireless advocate for gender equity in the trades.
  • Business Award: Owen Welsh (Sport Business Management, Class of 2009). Vice President, Growth & Innovation at the Canadian Football League (CFL), where he leads the League’s most critical growth priorities across partnerships, broadcast-adjacent innovation and new revenue platforms.
  • Changing Lives Award: Jenny Tenasco (Child and Youth Worker, Class of 2005). Residential school survivor, educator, researcher and Elder from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg. For nearly half a century, Tenasco has been a driving force for Truth, Reconciliation and Indigenization in Canada.
  • Community Services Award: Travis Mellema (Paramedic, Class of 2005). Chief of the Lanark County Paramedic Service (LCPS). Since joining LCPS in 2005, Mellema has built a career defined by service, leadership and a commitment to community health. As a paramedic, educator and chief, he has advanced innovative programs that improve patient care while fostering a strong culture of support for frontline responders.
  • Creative Arts & Design Award: Marc Lépine (Sommelier, Class of 2002). Founder, owner and executive chef of Atelier, one of North America’s best restaurants. Chef Lépine’s unique brand of progressive Canadian cuisine has earned him many national and international honours, including several The Best Chef awards.
  • Health Sciences Award: Jennifer White (Nursing, Class of 2010). Executive Director, Family and Children’s Services of Renfrew County. With a career in health and social services that is deeply connected to Renfrew County, White works to bring assessment, individualized support and expertise across programs to support children, youth and adults with complex care needs and their families.
  • Rena Bowen Volunteer of the Year Award: Holl Ellingwood (Correctional Worker, Class of 1991). Deputy Director, Strategic and Horizontal Policy at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. In addition to his long career in public service, Ellingwood’s volunteer efforts to advance accessibility and equality have earned him the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Award and the King Charles III Coronation Medal, among others.
  • Science, Technology and Engineering Award: Kurtis Funai (Internet Application Programmer, Class of 2011). Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Fullscript. Funai is a software engineer at heart and a mission-driven CTO who has been at Fullscript since 2013, supporting its growth from a promising startup to a multi-billion dollar company.
  • Skilled Trades Award: Shawn Turcotte (Architectural Technician, Class of 1993; Renovation and Restoration, Class of 1994). Regional Vice President at EBC. For more than 30 years, Turcotte has been a prominent figure in Ottawa’s building industry, directly involved in the building of thousands of residential units and several of the city’s major projects, including Lansdowne 1.0 in 2014 and Lansdowne 2.0 in 2026.
  • Employer of the Year Award: Department of National Defence (DND). Algonquin College recognizes DND’s commitment as an employer and celebrates the broader and ongoing commitment of the Defence Team (which comprises DND and the Canadian Armed Forces) to developing a highly competent, highly trained defence workforce. This partnership offers students practical, on-the-job experience, gives military members access to education and professional development opportunities and provides a strong pipeline of skilled workers ready to strengthen Canada’s future.

The Alumni of Distinction Awards are presented to recipients during a special dinner in the fall. This ceremony is one of the College’s most anticipated annual events, celebrating lifelong learning, connection and shared success. This year’s award ceremony will take place on the evening of Nov. 5, 2026.

Full profiles of the 2026 Alumni of Distinction honourees are available on the Alumni of Distinction Awards website.

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For further information:

Trevor Oattes
Communications Officer 
Algonquin College 
613-390-0518
oattest2@algonquincollege.com 

About Algonquin College

The mission of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success. Algonquin College, an Ontario public sector community college, does this by offering hands-on, digitally connected, experiential learning in close to 170 programs. Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario, with campuses in Ottawa and Pembroke, with fully online programming delivered through AC Online.


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