Award Recipients: 2018
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 2018 recipients:
Alumna of the Year: Donna Dooher
Chef and Owner, Mildred’s Temple Kitchen
Culinary Arts, Cook Training – Class of 1983
With over 30 years of professional experience in the kitchen, Chef Donna has established herself as a prominent figure in the hospitality community. In 2014, Donna became President and CEO of Restaurants Canada, which represents over 80,000 restaurants across the country. Her efforts enriched an industry that sees more than $70 billion annually and employs over a million Canadians. Chef Donna has helped hire, inspire, train and mentor hundreds of young people in her sector, many of whom have gone onto to successful careers.
Read Donna’s Bio
Apprenticeship: John Liptak
President and CEO, OakWood
General Carpenter – Class of 1978
John Liptak is the CEO and president of OakWood, an award-winning design and construction company in Ottawa. His passion has taken him from sweeping his father’s job sites at the age of 11 to running the family business. By combining his love of computer software with his college education as a carpentry apprentice, John has made his company a technological leader in the industry, generating more than $24 million in sales in 2017.
Read John’s Bio
Business: Rick Young
Senior Vice President, Operations, Supply Chain & Purchasing, Maple Leaf Foods
Business Marketing – Class of 1978
Rick Young is the Senior Vice President, Operations, Supply Chain and Purchasing with Maple Leaf Foods. Over a successful career spanning more than 30 years, he worked his way up from the shop floor to the Executive Team. He has learned everything about the company from the inside out, and as a leader used his extensive experience to help positively change the trajectory of Maple Leaf Foods in one of the most significant supply chain transformations in the North American food industry.
Read Rick’s Bio
Changing Lives: Elaine Kicknosway
Co-Founder, National Indigenous Survivors of Child Welfare Network
Early Childhood Education – Class of 1989
Elaine has taken her incredible experience and learning as a member of the indigenous community and applied it to change the lives of others. Elaine is an active member of discussions on the impacts of residential schools and child welfare. Elaine’s dedication to her culture and community sets an inspiring example for Algonquin College and its alumni. Her leadership, advocacy and mentorship of development programs for indigenous communities, women and youth make her a vital part of a growing community.
Read Elaine’s Bio
Community Services: Kevin Newell
Former Deputy Paramedic Chief, Ottawa Paramedic Service
Ambulance and Emergency Care (Paramedic) – Class of 1985
Kevin has been a passionate leader in paramedicine for over 30 years. With an unmatched drive for helping people, Kevin has changed and saved lives all across Ottawa. From the first spark of inspiration in first aid training to becoming Deputy Chief of the Ottawa Paramedic Service, Kevin’s mission has been to serve the community. As a paramedicine pioneer, Kevin has been a driving force in Ottawa and across Canada to change his profession from simply transporting patients to the highly-trained and skilled paramedics of today.
Read Kevin’s Bio
Creative Arts and Design: Marie-Cecile (Cezin) Nottaway-Wawatie
Chef and Owner, Wawatay Catering
Chef Training and Culinary Management – Class of 2004
Marie-Cecile (Cezin) Nottaway-Wawatie, the owner and founder of the award-winning Wawatay Catering, is a passionate chef at the forefront of modern indigenous cuisine. She grew up on the land, and has used these traditions to build her business. Cezin is part of a new generation of Canadian chefs who are reclaiming and popularizing indigenous foods as part of a growing affirmation of identity. By combining traditional ways with a contemporary flair, Cezin is introducing Algonquin recipes to a new generation of Canadians.
Read Cezin’s Bio
Health Sciences: Kyla Cullain
Co-Founder and Director, BuildAble
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Class of 2008
Kyla has carved out her own niche as an entrepreneur in the healthcare sector. She is an award-winning pioneer in identifying how the construction industry and healthcare workers can partner together to enable people to stay in their own homes and remain engaged in the community. Kyla has succeeded despite the numerous challenges of creating an entirely new type of business. Every day, she sets out to improving accessibility for some of Ottawa’s most vulnerable populations.
Read Kyla’s Bio
Recent Graduate: Len Reynen
Public Relations Volunteer, Canadian Mental Health Association
Public Relations – Class of 2017
Len’s story touches people wherever he speaks. As a young man diagnosed with schizophrenia, but not defined by it, Len uses his life journey to break down the stigma and barriers associated with mental illness and to raise both awareness and financial support. He’s been a public advocate for the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Schizophrenia Society of Canada, and as a spokesperson for the 2018 Bell’s Let’s Talk national campaign. Len is a true advocate and champion with the goal of making a difference for others living with mental illness.
Read Len’s Bio
Rena Bowen Volunteer of the Year: Michael O’Byrne
Former News at Noon Anchor, CTV News
Journalism – Class of 1982
Michael O’Byrne was the anchor of CTV News at Noon, and has had a lifelong passion for journalism. He has been honoured with awards including the Governor General’s Award and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal. In addition to his career as a journalist, Michael devotes much of his time to volunteering and charity work. He has worked with the United Way, the Make A Wish Foundation, and even the Elvis Sighting Society. Over three decades, he has helped to raise tens of millions of dollars for a variety of causes.
Read Michael’s Bio
Technology: Stuart Russell
Co-Founder and CTO, You.i TV
Electronics Engineering Technology – Class of 1995
Stuart Russell has been passionate about technology since he was a child and has gone from taking appliances apart to being the Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer for You.i TV. Stuart is the innovator behind You.i’s flagship software, which altered the way media and entertainment industry leaders deliver the best experiences for their customers through cross-platform video apps across mobile, tablet, game consoles, streaming devices, and smart TVs.
Read Stuart’s Bio
Alumni Employer of the Year: Hydro Ottawa
Electrical Distribution Utility
Hydro Ottawa distributes electricity in the City of Ottawa and Village of Casselman, is the largest Ontario-based municipally owned producer of green power and provides commercial energy and infrastructure management services to large energy-consuming organizations. Hydro Ottawa believes that in order to ensure its readiness for the future, it must invest in the next generation.