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Maureen Castella
Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition and Workforce Management
On Wednesday, March 25, President and CEO Claude Brulé presented the President’s Star Award to Maureen Castella, Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition and Workforce Management.
The President’s Star Award is given to employees who demonstrate a commitment to excellence in their role within the College community; regularly and consistently demonstrate outstanding service; and truly embody our shared commitment to student success and the College’s values of Caring, Learning, Integrity and Respect.
Nomination of Maureen Castella (submitted by Lois Pollock):
Maureen consistently demonstrates a proactive, innovative approach to improving processes and outcomes, regularly applying her strategic thinking, persistence and collaboration.
Maureen played a pivotal role in supporting the resourcing and hiring for the R3 Thesis Project, providing strategic advisement to Project Leaders during the implementation of the College’s new student information system. Leveraging her deep understanding of recruitment and workforce dynamics, she guided leaders on effective resourcing strategies, role design, and hiring approaches to ensure the right talent was in place at critical stages. Her collaborative, solutions‑focused approach helped navigate complex staffing challenges and mitigate risk. Maureen’s advisement and ability to align people strategies with project objectives was instrumental for the project.
Maureen delivered high-quality work, maintaining strong attention to detail (required for all of the intricacies of the project), and holding herself accountable for reliable results. Maureen has shown a strong openness to feedback, making thoughtful adjustments where needed. She has demonstrated flexibility and a willingness to refine a specific approach based on feedback and has embraced constructive input and implemented meaningful improvements to support the project. This commitment to excellence is reflected in her focus on achieving positive results.
When Maureen joined the Total Compensation Workday project, she entered an HRIS environment already live but experiencing significant challenges. Rather than maintaining existing processes, she proactively re‑evaluated system design and led meaningful improvements that enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and user experience across the College. Demonstrating innovation and a strong commitment to excellence, Maureen also led the development and delivery of comprehensive training, creating clear, accessible materials and providing patient, step‑by‑step guidance that empowered staff and increased confidence in the system. Her determination, persistence and relationship‑building were critical in driving necessary change and ensuring the long‑term success of the project.
Through these contributions, Maureen exemplifies excellence by consistently delivering innovative solutions, exceeding expectations and enabling the successful adoption of complex, institution‑wide initiatives that support the College’s strategic priorities.
Maureen consistently provides exceptional, above‑and‑beyond service to colleagues, retirees and the broader College community, particularly during periods of complexity and change. Her professionalism, responsiveness and unwavering commitment to supporting others are widely recognized and deeply valued.
Maureen has emerged as a trusted champion for the Workday platform by responding with exceptional leadership, composure and accountability. When launching new system features, Maureen swiftly mobilized the appropriate resources, partnered closely with IT/Workday Support and key stakeholders and ensured calm, clear and transparent communication with the College community. Her patience, empathy and ability to translate complex technical issues into clear, actionable steps were widely recognized and deeply appreciated by colleagues. Through her steady leadership and hands‑on support, Maureen reinforced trust in Workday and played a critical role in supporting its successful adoption during a highly stressful period.
Maureen also delivered outstanding service throughout the R3 project, where she consistently went above and beyond to support Project Leaders and teams. Highly responsive and solutions‑focused, she provided timely, practical guidance that helped navigate complex resourcing challenges, remove barriers and maintain project momentum from a staffing perspective. Her collaborative approach and deep understanding of the client’s needs earned strong positive feedback, with colleagues viewing her as a trusted partner and critical enabler of the project’s success.
Maureen understood the complexity of the HR service required to support the R3 Project and collaborated on strategic resourcing plans. It began with early workforce planning and a deep understanding of role requirements and timing. Regular meetings were essential for the process to be efficient and well-coordinated, ensuring timely hiring without compromising quality, while also delivering a strong candidate experience that reflects positively on the organization. Maureen also provided HR insights and practical advice, offering flexible solutions when challenges arose and maintaining clear, ongoing communication with the project team.
Maureen has led and supported initiatives with significant, lasting impact on Algonquin College, consistently advancing institutional goals while modelling the College’s values of Caring, Learning, Integrity and Respect.
Maureen made a significant contribution to the R3 project by providing strategic resourcing and recruitment guidance to support the implementation of the new student information system. She advised Project Leaders on workforce planning and role design, ensuring business‑critical positions were filled at key stages to reduce risk and maintain continuity. In parallel, her leadership of the Total Compensation Workday Project delivered College‑wide improvements, enhancing administrative efficiency, system reliability and user experience. Through her proactive and sustainable approach, Maureen strengthened core HR systems essential to effective College operations.
Maureen’s contributions can be meaningfully described through her role as a strategic partner to the R3 Project team and aligning her experience, expertise and services with the project’s needs. By providing informed guidance on workforce planning, and ensuring efficient, people-centered processes, Maureen enabled the project team to execute effectively and meet their objectives. Her responsiveness, adaptability and commitment to continuous improvement helped remove barriers and fostered a positive work environment. In doing so, Maureen not only supported the immediate project success but also strengthened the College’s overall capacity to achieve its broader goals and strategic priorities.
Maureen provides strong, strategic leadership in talent acquisition, playing a critical role in supporting searches for business‑critical positions, including Senior Executive, Director and Dean roles. She partners closely with hiring leaders to understand organizational priorities and risk, offering trusted guidance on role design, search strategy, and selection to ensure the right leadership talent is in place at the right time. Known for her responsiveness, sound judgment and ability to balance urgency with rigor, Maureen consistently goes above and beyond to support complex, high‑impact searches. Her leadership has strengthened recruitment outcomes, supported continuity of operations and contributed meaningfully to the College’s ability to advance its academic and strategic objectives.
Across all these efforts, Maureen demonstrated care for people, a commitment to learning and improvement, integrity in decision‑making and respect for diverse perspectives. Her contributions have had a meaningful and lasting impact on the College and strongly reflect the spirit of significant merit.
Maureen created a team culture built on trust, openness and collaboration. She mentored colleagues by recognizing their strengths, offering individualized coaching, and encouraging them to take ownership of complex tasks. Many team members credit Maureen with helping them grow confidence, develop new skills and exceed their own expectations.
Her dedication to continuous improvement didn’t end with project completion. Maureen sought ongoing feedback, analyzed user needs and championed enhancements, modeling a commitment to lifelong learning and encouraging others to do the same.
Maureen organized team-building activities and celebrated project milestones, promoting a supportive, inclusive workplace. She contributed meaningfully to College-wide initiatives and consistently demonstrated resilience and adaptability, even when navigating challenging deadlines and shifting project priorities.
Maureen Castella exemplifies the spirit of the President’s Star Award through her unwavering commitment to excellence, extraordinary service and meaningful impact on the College. Her leadership, professionalism and consistent embodiment of Algonquin College’s values distinguish her as an exceptional role model and leader within our community.
Through her sustained commitment to the Workday platform and her strategic contributions to the R3 Thesis project, Maureen has strengthened critical systems, enabled successful institutional change and supported leaders and teams during complex transformations.
When faced with shifting workforce demands or tight timelines, Maureen was adaptable, solutions-oriented and focused on maintaining service quality. It contributed to fostering open communication, promoting fairness and inclusion and supporting employee well-being. At the same time, Maureen demonstrated leadership by acting as a trusted advisor, guiding the project through complex people-related matters, modeling professionalism and integrity and driving continuous improvement in her approach. I would like to thank Maureen for support and assistance. I recognize that HR often operates behind the scenes and manages a wide range of competing priorities, often with limited resources. Her responsiveness and dedication did not go unnoticed and are truly appreciated. Her commitment and willingness to help this initiative move forward in a positive manner has made a real difference and it’s genuinely appreciated.
Her work has not only improved processes and outcomes, but also built trust, confidence and capability across the College. Maureen represents the very best of Algonquin College, and I am proud to put forward her nomination for the President’s Star Award.
Angela Rintoul
Dean, Pembroke Campus
On Wednesday, March 18, President and CEO Claude Brulé presented the President’s Star Award to Angela Rintoul, Dean, Pembroke Campus.
The President’s Star Award is given to employees who demonstrate a commitment to excellence in their role within the College community; regularly and consistently demonstrate outstanding service; and truly embody our shared commitment to student success and the College’s values of Caring, Learning, Integrity and Respect.
Nomination of Angela Rintoul (submitted by Jodi Bucholtz):
“It is with deep appreciation and genuine enthusiasm that I nominate Angela Rintoul for the President’s Star Award.
As Manager of Community & Student Affairs, I work closely with Angela on the Dean’s Management Committee, focusing on student success, campus operations, community partnerships and leadership initiatives. This proximity has given me a unique vantage point to witness firsthand the depth, steadiness and transformative impact of her leadership over the past year and beyond.
Angela stepped into the role of Dean of the Pembroke Campus at one of the most difficult and emotionally complex moments in our campus’s history, following the sudden loss of Jamie Bramburger. The grief across our campus and community was profound. In that moment of uncertainty, Angela did far more than assume a role, she provided calm, values-driven leadership that held the community together.
She created space for collective mourning while ensuring that operations remained steady and students remained supported. She honoured Jamie’s legacy not only in words, but in action, by modelling compassion, transparency and care in every decision. Her presence was reassuring. Her communication was clear and grounded. Her leadership ensured that while we paused to grieve, we did not lose direction. She helped the campus stay connected, supported and moving forward together.
Over the past 10 months, Angela has not only stabilized the campus but strengthened it. During a period that could easily have eroded morale, she rebuilt confidence and trust through consistent visibility, deep listening and thoughtful decision-making. She addressed ongoing operational pressures directly, including leadership transitions and the need to identify replacement Academic Chairs and Facilities and Operations, representing more than 50 per cent of her leadership team. Through strong relationships, credibility and goodwill, she was able to secure capable interim and permanent leadership support, ensuring academic continuity and restoring stability for faculty and students alike.
Employees consistently describe feeling “supported,” “heard” and “reassured” under her leadership. She leads with humility and integrity, engaging staff and students in open dialogue and ensuring decisions reflect both College priorities and the distinct realities of a regional campus. Staff engagement remained strong during a time when uncertainty could easily have taken place. That resilience did not happen by accident; it was fostered intentionally.
Angela also advanced a renewed focus on the long-term sustainability of the Pembroke Campus. She has reinforced Pembroke’s importance and strategic place within Algonquin College’s current and future vision, ensuring that our programming, partnerships and operational planning are aligned with regional labour needs, demographic realities and institutional priorities. She has navigated complex conversations around enrolment, program viability and resource stewardship with transparency and courage, always centering students and community impact in the discussion.
Beyond internal leadership, Angela has strengthened Algonquin College’s presence and credibility throughout the Ottawa Valley. Community partners consistently note her responsiveness, openness and commitment to collaboration. In a time when stability was critical, she positioned Pembroke not as a campus in transition, but as a campus with momentum, purpose and a sustainable future.
What makes Angela especially deserving of the President’s Star Award is not only the scope of the role she assumed, but the defining context in which she assumed it, and how she responded. She transformed a moment of collective loss into one of collective strength. She rallied our campus through grief. She restored morale, rebuilt leadership structures and reinforced long-term strategic direction, all while modelling the College’s values of Caring, Learning, Integrity and Respect.
Her leadership has had a tangible, lasting impact on students, employees and community partners. It reflects courage, steadiness and humanity in action.
In every sense, Angela Rintoul embodies the spirit of the President’s Star Award.”