A select group of notable alumni from Lambton College will be celebrated during the Premier's Awards ceremony in Toronto.
The local alumni association nominated five graduates, across five categories, for the annual Colleges Ontario event on Monday, November 24, which honours outstanding college graduates.
President and CEO Rob Kardas said they include; Aaron Weir, Brian Duquette, Jane Mathews, Kim-Ann Wilson, and Phyllis George.
"College graduates have a tremendous impact across Ontario, Canada, and around the world, and that is truly evident in our Sarnia-Lambton community where Lambton alumni make a huge difference every day,” said Kardas.
Over 100 graduates are nominated each year, for their achievements in areas including entrepreneurship, skilled trades, health care, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), community services, the arts and Francophone outreach.
Aaron Weir was nominated for the STEM Innovation Award. Weir is the founder and CEO of Leadwave Technologies. Since 2006, Lambton College said he has grown the company from a basement start-up to a regional information technology leader, serving over 30 cities in Ontario and multiple U.S. states.
Interface Testing Services founder and President Brian Duquette was nominated for the Workforce and Skilled Trades Advancement Award. Lambton College called Duquette "a visionary leader in the non-destructive testing (NDT) industry, known for innovation, safety, and community impact." The college said his company serves over 427 clients and has helped expand the NDT workforce in Lambton County by creating over 100 skilled jobs.
Jane Mathews, the Vice President of Clinical Support Services and Chief Nursing Executive at Bluewater Health, was nominated for the Health Care and Community Well-being Award. Lambton College said Mathews has "advanced healthcare quality, workforce development, and patient-centered care through strategic leadership and data-driven innovation."
Marketing Defined founder Kim-Ann Wilson was nominated for the Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Award. Lambton College said Wilson "has supported over 5,000 entrepreneurs through culturally relevant, faith-integrated programs. A speaker, mentor, and co-designer of national training programs, she also co-owns Edmonton’s first Jamaican grocery store."
Phyllis George was nominated for the Cultural and Creative Achievement Award. George is the general manager of the Tecumseh Community Development Corporation, which helps secure funding, mentor youth, and foster sustainable growth. Lambton College called George a "transformative leader in Indigenous community and economic development" for over 35 years. "She has supported over 200 community-owned businesses and led initiatives that blend traditional Indigenous values with modern enterprise," the college added.
More information on this year's nominees and winners can be found here.
