APPRENTICESHIP AWARD
Image
Sarah Lehman
Office Administrator, Special Events & Volunteer Coordinator, London Abused Women’s Centre
Developmental Services Worker Apprentice Certificate 2020
Sarah Lehman is passionate about helping people living with disabilities or other challenges to lead their best lives. In paid positions — at Alice Saddy Association (independent living support for people with developmental disabilities), London Abused Women's Centre, as a Passport Support Worker for Family Services Thames Valley — and as a volunteer, Lehman does small things daily that collectively have a big impact.
Lehman volunteers with Extra Life London Guild, fundraising to support Children's Health Foundation. During her three years as President, ELLG raised more than $100,000 annually, leading to Lehman's nomination for a prestigious Pillar Leadership Award in 2021.
BUSINESS AWARD
Image
Travis O’Rourke
President, Canada & Chief Commercial Officer, Americas - Hays PLC
Business Marketing, 2005
Travis O'Rourke is President, Hays Canada, as well as Chief Commercial Officer and lead for all marketing and sales for Hays Americas. During O'Rourke's first year as President, Hays Canada set records for best month, quarter and year, increasing gross profits by 61% and net profits by 321%.
O'Rourke sits on the boards of two industry organizations that represent professional staffing firms on Canadian public policy issues. Believing everyone deserves an opportunity to work, O'Rourke advocates for inclusive hiring practices, encourages employers to look beyond credentials, and has directly or indirectly helped more than 50,000 people find jobs.
COMMUNITY SERVICES AWARD
Image
Mamta Chail
President & CEO, Youthdale Treatment Centres
Law and Security Administration, 1997
Mamta Chail is a results-driven mental health advocate with a focus on children and youth, where she believes resources and services have the greatest impact and return on investment.
A recognized expert in her field and current CEO/President of Youthdale Treatment Service, Chail sits on the Board of Directors for Children's Mental Health Ontario and the mental health and addictions subcommittee of the London Police Services Board. Throughout her career, Chail has influenced policy and system-level standards to support better mental health outcomes, advocated for funding and resources, and worked to ensure equitable access and supports for all families.
CREATIVE ARTS AND DESIGN AWARD
Image
Haviah Mighty
Artist and Entrepreneur
Music Industry Arts, 2013
Award-winning vocalist, songwriter and hip hop/rap artist Haviah Mighty has recorded many
firsts in the Canadian music industry: first hip hop artist and first Black woman to win the esteemed Polaris Music Prize; first female artist to win a Juno Award within the Rap Album/EP of the Year category; only Canadian to be nominated for the BET Hip Hop Award for Best International Flow in 2022.
A role model and supporter of young Black entrepreneurs, in 2022 Mighty gave her $10,000 Prism Grand Prize winnings and one-on-one time to support 10 different Black business owners.
HEALTH SCIENCES AWARD
Image
Deborah Wiseman
President, Victoria Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre
Nursing, 1996
Throughout a 25-year nursing career, Deborah Wiseman has used a patient-centred, system transformation approach to implement innovations through integrated care opportunities and partnerships. Pulling together a coalition to advocate, advance, and define system strategies, Wiseman has shifted the mental health front line, improved access for vulnerable populations through outreach, increased critical capacity in response to surge pressures, and initiated a transformation plan for rural emergency departments to improve risks of closure.
As a healthcare system executive, currently President of Victoria Hospital, Deborah's multi-sectoral, regional partnered approach and collaborations have proven successful and valuable to the community and regions served.
TECHNOLOGY AWARD
Image
Blair Brandon
Senior Vice President, Major Projects, Civil West, Aecon Group Inc. (retiring June 2023)
Construction Engineering Technology (Management), 1991
During more than four decades working in heavy civil construction, Brandon has been involved in the design, development and delivery of public and private infrastructure projects, including reconstruction of the iconic Park Bridge in Kicking Horse Canyon, BC.
Blair joined Aecon in 2015 as Vice-President Major Projects West. Under his leadership, revenue grew from $80M to $508M annually.
In a memo announcing Brandon's retirement in June 2023, Aecon noted that his generosity as leader and mentor, investing in the growth and evolution of young workers into construction leaders, "will have far-reaching impact in our industry for generations to come."
RECENT GRADUATE
Image
Lloyd Vermeer
Owner, VS Design Studio
Architectural Technology, 2018
A military veteran who completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan before attending college, Lloyd Vermeer received the Architectural Technology Achievement Award and launched VS Design Studio in his graduating year. Within five years, the company completed close to 500 architectural design projects for both new builds and renovations, generated $500,000 in annual sales, and hired three additional full-time design staff to keep up with demand.
Vermeer maintains a leading edge in the design industry, investing in Autodesk Revit software and 3D scanning technology, and providing services that are typically not found in a small custom design company.