The Alumni Awards recognize exceptional individuals and their efforts to tackle today's challenges and turn them into opportunities for change. We are proud to recognize meaningful contributions alumni make to their industries, local communities and the world.
View winners from:
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Environment
- Faculty of Health
- Faculty of Mathematics
- Faculty of Science
- School of Accounting and Finance
- School of Optometry and Vision Science
- School of Pharmacy
- St. Jerome's University
View past winners: 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017
Avvy Yao-Yao Go (BA ’86)
Alumni Achievement Award — Professional Achievement
Madam Justice Avvy Yao-Yao Go (BA ’86) has more than 30 years of advocacy and litigation experience in support of disadvantaged communities. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Waterloo, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto, and an Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School. She was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1991. In 2021 Justice Go became the first Chinese Canadian to be appointed to the Federal Court. In 2022, she received a Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa degree from the Toronto Metropolitan University.
For much of her career, Justice Go worked on behalf of low-income racialized clients, including through her former role as Director of Ontario’s Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic. A first-generation Canadian of Chinese descent, Justice Go was involved in a community-led campaign to redress the Chinese Head Tax and Exclusion Act. The lawsuit and other community actions eventually propelled the Government of Canada to issue a parliamentary apology on June 22, 2006 for the 62 years of legislated racism against the Chinese Canadian community.
In recognition of her contributions and support for disadvantaged communities and to the legal profession, Justice Go has received many awards, including the Order of Ontario (2014), the Senate of Canada 150 award (2017), the FACL Lawyer of Distinction Award (2012), the Women’s Law Association of Ontario President’s Award (2002), and the SOAR Medal from the Society of Adjudicators and Regulators (2017).
Susan Q. McKenzie (BA ’96, MA ’98)
Alumni Achievement Award — Community Builder
Susan McKenzie is a communications and fundraising leader whose personal journey as a kidney transplant recipient sparked a powerful movement for patient advocacy and community building. In 2016, after receiving a life-saving kidney from her sister-in-law, McKenzie co-founded the Transplant Ambassador Program (TAP), now a fully volunteer-led initiative with more than 230 ambassadors supporting patients in Atlantic Canada and all 27 renal centres in Ontario. She is also the founder and president of the Kidney Patient and Donor Alliance Canada, a grassroots organization dedicated to uniting and amplifying the voices of kidney patients, living kidney donors, and their families.
Through education, peer support and advocacy, McKenzie empowers others to speak up and drive positive change. A published co-author on 16 peer-reviewed research papers, she collaborates on national health care initiatives that improve outcomes and access. Her leadership has built a compassionate, nation-wide community transforming care for those affected by kidney disease.
Eyitemi Popo (MDEI ’16)
Rising Star Alumni Award
Eyitemi Popo is a visionary entrepreneur and Forbes-listed changemaker whose work is reshaping how women explore and experience Africa. As founder of Girls Trip Tours and president of the Girls MAP Foundation, she has built a women-led tourism ecosystem that empowers young women through immersive travel and mentorship across Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. Her ventures have been featured in National Geographic, AfroTech and Talks at Google, and recognized by Forbes for building community through travel.
A champion of ethical AI, Popo led developer-focused strategy at Mozilla, where she advanced transparency and inclusion in tech. Her leadership earned her a spot among DMZ’s Women of the Year in 2022. From mentoring startups to co-founding Africa’s first data science academy for women, Popo is a rising force in global innovation. Her work exemplifies the spirit of transformation, inclusion and impact that defines the next generation of changemakers.
James Franklin Dean (BASc ’90)
Alumni Achievement Medal — Professional Achievement
James Dean (BASc ’90) is a cleantech entrepreneur and engineering leader advancing sustainable building technology across Canada and beyond.
As founder and CEO of Oxygen8 Solutions, Dean has reimagined how buildings deliver clean, efficient air, improving environments in thousands of schools, health facilities and workplaces across North America. Over his career, he has launched and scaled three Canadian cleantech companies — Oxygen8, CORE Energy Recovery and Greenlight Power — creating jobs, supporting innovation and helping reduce the carbon footprint of buildings worldwide.
Named to Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 and recognized as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, Dean exemplifies how Waterloo alumni are driving sustainable innovations that improve people’s lives.
Elisia Margarida Gomes Neves (BAS ’08, MArch ’12)
Alumni Achievement Medal — Professional Achievement
Elisia Neves (BArch ’08, MArch ’12) is an architect, educator and mentor dedicated to building more inclusive, connected communities through design.
As founder and principal of Fabrik Architects in Cambridge, Ontario, Neves leads a studio known for thoughtful, people-centred work — from adaptive reuse and heritage restoration to workplaces that foster wellbeing and collaboration. Her new studio in the Gaslight District has become a hub for creativity and learning, hosting exhibitions with Waterloo Architecture students and supporting local events.
Neves also teaches at Conestoga College and mentors emerging professionals, particularly women pursuing architecture and STEM. A recipient of the Young Entrepreneur Award and Construction Canada’s Emerging Leaders Award, she continues to demonstrate how purposeful design can shape community and inspire the next generation of leaders.
Vikramaditya Yadav (BASc ’07)
Alumni Achievement Medal — Professional Achievement
Dr. Vikramaditya Yadav (BASc ’07) is an award-winning researcher, educator and cleantech entrepreneur transforming the future of sustainable engineering.
An associate professor at the University of British Columbia, Yadav is the founding director of the Master of Engineering Leadership in Sustainable Process Engineering, a program that bridges technology, business and climate action. He has launched three ventures — Metabolik Technologies, Tersa Earth Innovations and Tydra Labs — to deliver real-world solutions for clean water, sustainable materials and environmental restoration.
A recipient of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, Killam Teaching and Research Prizes and Foresight Canada’s Climate Educator of the Year, Yadav exemplifies how innovation drives global impact.
Rex Auyeung (BES ’77)
Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award
Rex Auyeung (BES ’77) has dedicated his career to advancing sustainable urban development across finance, insurance and transit. As non-executive chairman of MTR Corporation, he oversees one of the world’s most advanced urban transit networks, while his lifelong commitment to public service and education continues to inspire communities in Hong Kong and beyond.
Michael Brooks (BES ’75, PhD ’98)
Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award
Michael Brooks (BES ’75, PhD ’98) has spent decades shaping Canada’s real estate sector with vision, purpose and a commitment to sustainable development. From his early days in urban planning at Waterloo to leading REALPAC, he has advanced housing policy, championed mentorship and fostered collaboration across the industry. His work continues to transform communities and inspire the next generation of real estate leaders.
Ashoke Mohanraj (BES ’21)
Recent Alumni Inspiration Award
Ashoke Mohanraj (BES ’21) is an emerging leader shaping the intersection of environmental law, policy and education. From advocating for climate justice on international platforms to inspiring young readers through his bestselling books, Mohanraj’s interdisciplinary approach demonstrates how creativity, resilience and civic engagement can drive meaningful change. Discover how his journey from the classroom to the courtroom is lighting the way for a sustainable future.
Jeff Willmer (BES ’86)
Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award
Jeff Willmer (BES ’86) has spent nearly three decades transforming the Waterloo Region through thoughtful urban planning, strategic municipal leadership and innovative community initiatives. From revitalizing Kitchener’s downtown to co-founding A Better Tent City, Willmer’s work demonstrates how planning, public service and social equity intersect to create lasting positive impact.
Co-operators and Farm Mutual Re
Friend of the Faculty Impact Award
For over a decade, Co-operators and Farm Mutual Re have partnered with the Faculty of Environment to advance flood preparedness and climate adaptation across Canada. Through applied research, innovative tools and student mentorship, they are helping communities build resilience to climate hazards. Their collaboration demonstrates how industry and academia can work together to create lasting, equitable impact.
Mike Greenley (BSc ’90, MSc ’97)
Alumni Achievement Award
Mike Greenley (BSc ’90, MSc ’97) is the chief executive officer of MDA Space. With more than 30 years of executive experience in the defence and security business, he has deep expertise in the land, air, maritime, public safety and space sectors.
Greenley is chair of Space Canada’s Board of Directors, a member of the Business Council of Canada and a member of the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA). He has served on numerous boards in aerospace, defence, public service and more.
Greenley holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science from Waterloo, where he was Valedictorian for the class of 1990, and received his first space sector work experience with Canada’s original six astronauts on his co-operative education work term.
Tristin Vogel (MA ’18)
Alumni Volunteer Award
Tristin Vogel (MA ’18) is a destination development consultant whose work bridges community well-being, inclusive engagement and regenerative practices. At KLB Consulting, she supports communities across Canada in designing tourism strategies and experiences that reflect local values and create lasting social impact. She encourages cross-sector collaboration between for-profit and not-for-profit partners, inspiring communities to leverage their networks to develop creative solutions for tourism to serve community priorities. She has led projects focused on equity, reconciliation, accessibility, and long-term sustainability, demonstrating a commitment to planning that serves both people and place.
Beyond her professional work, Vogel has dedicated nearly a decade to community-building and inclusion initiatives. She was a founding member of the Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ Sport Inclusion Task Force and served on the Eastern Canada Board for the You Can Play Project. She currently chairs the board for the Keep Your Head Up Foundation, a charitable organization supporting community-based concussion recovery for youth.
Joanna Walters (MPH ’21)
Alumni Inspiration Award
Joanna Walters (MPH ’21) is an internationally trained physician who completed her undergraduate medical training in the Caribbean and practiced as a general practitioner in Jamaica for four years before pursuing her Master of Public Health degree at Waterloo. This program led to her doing a social justice elective course, marking the start of her advocacy journey. During the second year of this program, she co-founded an NGO called Internationally Trained physicians of Ontario (ITPO) and led the policy, advocacy and research committee until 2024. In this role, she worked on research and policy proposals to advocate for equitable opportunities for internationally trained physicians (ITPs) in Canada which ultimately contribute to equitable healthcare for all citizens.
She went on to complete family medicine training at Western University between 2023 and 2025 and is now a licensed family physician in Ontario. She is currently completing a one-year fellowship in Family Medicine Oncology at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario. She continues to advocate for ITPs via various roles and provides one-on-one support during their licensure process.
Manisha Dias (BMath ’13)
Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Alumni Achievement Medal
Manisha Dias (BMath ’13) is head of new business development at Somerset Re, where she leads global commercial strategy and oversees underwriting and pricing policy. She brings deep industry expertise and a strong track record of innovation in life and annuity insurance.
Prior to Somerset, Dias was head of partnerships at SCOR Global Life Reinsurance in Charlotte, where she co-founded a new business focused on digitally enabled product offerings and hired and led teams through its growth in the US market. Earlier in her career, she held a variety of traditional and non-traditional actuarial roles across Canada, the US, and Asia at John Hancock and Manulife.
Dias is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, a chartered enterprise risk analyst, a strategic partner leadership professional and a registered yoga teacher. Committed to giving back, she actively chairs industry committees, guest lectures at Waterloo’s Master of Actuarial Science program, and advises early-stage founders.
Ian MacKinnon (BMath ’06, MMath ’08)
Alumni Achievement Medal
Ian MacKinnon (BMath ’06, MMath ’08) is a serial founder and technologist currently building Stingray Security: a browser-based platform that helps protect users from scams and phishing through real-time education and prevention.
He previously founded Later.com, which grew from a 2014 hackathon project into the leading social media marketing platform used by more than five million brands and agencies. Later.com was acquired by Mavrck in 2022, where Ian led engineering, machine learning and data science initiatives.
Recognized in Business in Vancouver’s 2019 40 Under 40, MacKinnon has also held engineering roles at Google and SAP. He holds bachelor’s and master's degrees in computer science from the University of Waterloo and a master’s in management science and engineering from Stanford University.
Farhan Thawar (BMath ’98)
J.W. Graham Medal in Computing & Innovation
Farhan Thawar (BMath ’98) is vice-president and head of engineering at Shopify via the acquisition of Helpful.com where he was co-founder and chief technology officer. Previously, he was the chief technology officer, mobile at Pivotal and vice-president, engineering at Pivotal Labs via the acquisition of Xtreme Labs.
Thawar is an avid investor and advisor to startups in Toronto and San Francisco, including being a mentor at yCombinator and First Round Capital. Previously, he held senior technical positions at Achievers, Microsoft and Trilogy.
On top of his degree from Waterloo, Thawar completed his MBA in Financial Engineering at Rotman.
Kim Tremblay (BMath ’84)
Alumni Achievement Medal
Kim Tremblay (BMath ’84) is a dynamic technology leader whose career spans more than three decades across cybersecurity, defence and advanced systems.
She began her career as a developer, cutting her teeth on complex systems for air traffic control and defense. Later, she led engineering teams at Virtek and MKS before joining Blue Coat Systems, where she rose to senior vice-president of engineering — leading global teams and delivering market-leading security products.
In 2012, Kim co-founded Arctic Wolf, building its R&D centre in Waterloo from the ground up. She tapped into the region’s deep talent pool to create something rare: a security product the market truly needed, and a development culture where people were proud to belong.
As senior vice-president of strategy, she helped shape Arctic Wolf into a global cybersecurity powerhouse. Kim retired in 2020 to spend more time with family and pursue long-time creative passions.
Heather Candon (BSc ’04)
Contribution to Humanity Award
Heather Candon (BSc ’04) has a background in microbiology and immunology and holds a master’s in health management. She is CIC certified and an appointed member of the Editorial Board of the Canadian Journal of Infection Control. She has experience and training in quality, patient safety, and risk. Candon is the director of infection control at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, has been the IPAC Canada course coordinator since 2009, and an appointed adjunct lecturer and faculty member at Queen’s University.
Robert Froese (BSc ’90)
Alumni Innovation Award
Robert Froese (BSc ’90) grew up near Stratford, Ontario, and received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Waterloo while playing varsity basketball with the Warriors. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Guelph (GWC2) in theoretical chemistry. Following a post-doctoral fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, Froese has worked 28 years for the Dow Chemical Company. Scientific highlights include more than 70 external papers including a 2024 Sciencepaper and more than 60 patents, of which 20 are on novel polyolefin microstructures.
Helen Huang (BSc ’17)
Early Alumni Excellence Award
Helen Huang (BSc ’17) is a Science and Business graduate, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and DMZ Woman of the Year award winner. She is the co-founder of Co.Lab, an experiential education company that's helped thousands break into tech careers. Huang is now the founder of a behavioral assessment platform that measures soft skills through interactive simulations. She is passionate about empowering others to live authentically, and is most definitely a cat person.
Elizabeth Meiering (BSc ’88)
Distinguished Alumni Award
Dr. Elizabeth Meiering (BSc ’88) is an internationally recognized biophysical chemist and professor at the University of Waterloo. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Physics from Waterloo, a Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Chemistry from the University of Cambridge, and held a Jane Coffin Childs Fellowship at Harvard Medical School studying enzyme mechanisms and drug binding.
Her research investigates the molecular mechanisms that govern protein folding, function and aggregation, with applications in protein engineering, medicine and biotechnology. Her contributions have been recognized with a John Charles Polanyi Award, a University Research Chair, multiple Outstanding Performance Awards, and leadership positions within Waterloo Science and The Protein Society. Meiering is an advocate for the role of science in society, and her efforts have fostered inclusive scientific communities in Waterloo and worldwide.
Yvonne Stevens (BSc ’95, MSc ’98)
Distinguished Alumni Award
Yvonne Stevens (BSc ’95, MSc ’98) is a molecular biologist with more than 18 years of experience spanning academic research, infectious disease diagnostics and immunotherapy in research and clinical manufacturing. She began her career in HIV research before working on the development of point-of-care and antibody-based diagnostic tests for viral infectious diseases. She transitioned into quality control testing for immunotherapy products geared at blood and solid tumor cancers, and has built a deep expertise in the field. Currently, Stevens serves as Director of QC at Lyell Immunopharma, a pivotal-phase biotech company developing dual-targeted T-cell therapies for B-cell lymphoma. She is passionate about the immunotherapy space and the ability to empower human cells to fight disease.
Robert Wolkow (BSc ’82)
Contribution to Science Award
Dr. Robert Wolkow (BSc ’82) is a physics professor and iCORE Chair at the University of Alberta, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Fellow of the American Physical Society and CTO of Quantum Silicon Inc. He received his Bachelor of Science from Waterloo, his Doctor of Philosophy from University of Toronto and did postdoctoral work at the IBM TJ Watson Research Centre before becoming a staff scientist at Bell Laboratories. His awards include: IBM Outstanding Achievement, NRC Outstanding achievement (2x), Royal Society of Canada Rutherford Memorial Medal, ASTech Outstanding Leadership in technology, Alberta Innovation award (5x) and the International AVS Nanotechnology award for “Atomically Precise Manufacturing”.
David Wright (BSc ’99)
Contribution to Humanity Award
Dr. David Wright (BSc ’99) is executive director and head of early-stage oncology global regulatory strategy at Pfizer, with more than 30 years in pharmaceutical and biotech regulatory affairs. Specializing in oncology drug development, he is also an ardent advocate and volunteer for pediatric cancer research, fundraising annually for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Wright recently retired from coaching youth ice hockey after 20 years. He holds a PhD in Toxicology and Cell Biology (NCSU), an MSc in Toxicology (UNC-CH), a BSc in Applied Chemistry (UWaterloo), and RAC certifications for Canada and the US.
Gerry Wright (BSc ’86, PhD ’91)
Contribution to Science Award
Dr. Gerry Wright (BSc ’86, PhD ’91) holds the Michael G. DeGroote Chair in Infection and Anti-Infective Research. He is a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Science at McMaster University. He was Chair of the Department from 2001 to 2007 and was the founding director of the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research (2007-2022), and the David Braley Centre for Antibiotic Discovery (2018-2022). Wright was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2012) and received the Killam Prize (Health Sciences; 2024). He is a McMaster Distinguished University Professor, the highest academic honor at the University. His research interests are in the chemical biology of antibiotic resistance and the discovery of new anti-infective strategies.
Adnan Khan (BAFM ’17, MAcc ’17)
Leader to Watch Award
Adnan Khan (BAFM ’17, MAcc ’17) is a co-founder and co-CEO at Viva, a company on a mission to enable executives to maximize their impact while creating meaningful opportunities for women in Latin America. Viva focuses on this by hiring, training and matching high-calibre remote executive assistants to leaders at high-growth companies. The team has grown to 200 full-time staff across 15 different countries and has customers such as Notion, Groq and Lovable.
Prior to Viva, Khan launched his career at Deloitte where he first joined as a co-op student and spent the majority of his time in the Consulting service line. At Deloitte, he got exposure to many key ingredients for his Viva journey including career mentors, executive assistants, Latin American talent and remote work.
Outside of his career, health and family are Khan's two biggest priorities. He enjoys playing squash, running long-distance and cooking. Quality time is his love language and he likes to spend his time with his wife and son.
Troy Maxwell (BA ’89, MAcc ’89)
Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award
Troy Maxwell is chief operating officer of RBC US where he has oversight over functions, technology and operations, first line of defence and non-financial controls, productivity and efficiency and strategic transformation programs across RBC’s US businesses.
Maxwell is a champion for diversity-related initiatives at RBC and an active member of the community, and was recently recognized as a 2025 Versafi Champion of Change. He has played a leadership role in RBC’s annual Employee Giving Campaign for many years and is a member of the United Way of Toronto, York and Peel Region Major Individual Giving Cabinet and co-chair of the Toronto RBC Race for the Kids Accounting and Consulting Services Industry Challenge. He is a member of Trillium Hospital Foundation’s Major Gifts Cabinet and serves on the Advisory Committee of Waterloo’s School of Accounting and Finance.
Scott Brisbin (OD ’65)
Distinguished Alumni Award
Dr. Scott Brisbin (OD ’65) graduated from the College of Optometry of Ontario, receiving an equivalency degree when the College joined the University of Waterloo in 1967. After relocating to Alberta, he built a successful patient-centred practice in Edmonton, caring for many families over decades. At age 65, he continued practicing by joining the Sherwood Park practice of Dr. Dorrie Morrow, whom he had inspired to pursue optometry early on. Ninety-two percent of his patients followed him, and he practiced there for 15 additional years.
Dr. Brisbin dedicated his career to advancing optometry through professional leadership and advocacy. He served as president of the Edmonton Optometric Society in 1968, joined the Alberta Association council in 1970, and became its youngest president from 1975 to 1977. He chaired national meetings, including the CAO Congress in 1979. He later served on the Canadian Association of Optometrists Council and was CAO president from 1986 to 1988. In 1993, he led a significant national restructuring that unified provincial associations within the CAO. Internationally, he served as president of the World Council of Optometry in 2000, helped secure WHO recognition of optometry, and co-founded Vision 2020 and Optometry Giving Sight. He successfully retired in 2020.
Kim Bugera (OD ’96)
Alumni of Honour Award
Dr. Kim Bugera (OD ’96) is the Registrar and chief executive officer of the Alberta College of Optometry, where she leads initiatives that strengthen patient-centred care, regulatory standards and the evolving role of optometry in public health. A graduate of the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science, she has served in leadership roles with the Alberta College of Optometrists, the Alberta Association of Optometrists and the Canadian Association of Optometrists, contributing to scope of practice expansion, policy development and professional governance. As a clinician, Dr. Bugera is a founding owner of Capital Vision Care, a group of six clinics serving the Edmonton area. She helped establish a vision clinic at the Boyle McCauley Health Centre in inner-city Edmonton to increase access for underserved patients. Internationally, she has volunteered on more than 20 vision care projects in 10 developing countries. For her humanitarian service, she received a Humanitarian Award on International Women’s Day and was named a Paul Harris Fellow. Through her combined clinical and regulatory leadership, Dr. Bugera advocates for accessible, collaborative and high-quality eye care. Her guidance supports consistent practice standards and improved patient outcomes across diverse care settings every day.
Alexis Keeling (OD ’16)
Early Career Alumni Award
Dr. Alexis Keeling (OD ’16) is a solo practice owner in Dieppe, New Brunswick, where she focuses on comprehensive eye care with special interests in dry eye treatment and specialty contact lenses. Before entering optometry, she worked as a teacher and continues to integrate education into her profession by supervising optometry interns, mentoring new graduates and delivering ongoing community learning sessions.
She is the immediate past president of the New Brunswick Association of Optometrists and currently serves as chair of continuing education. She is also active in the local business community as a member of the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce events committee. Nationally, she contributes to standards and competency assessment as an optometry exam author and as the incoming chief examiner for the Optometry Examining Board of Canada.
Her commitment to advancing eye care extends internationally. She has served as a Canadian delegate to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and has contributed to research on low vision and falls risk, including input into the Canadian Low Vision Guidelines. Her work has earned awards such as Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care, Greater Moncton Top 20 Under 40, and multiple Community Votes Moncton Platinum Optometrist honours.
Judy Sgro
Vision Champion Award
The Honourable Judy Sgro has served as the member of parliament for Humber River – Black Creek since 1999. Her public service career spans municipal and federal roles, with a long-standing focus on poverty reduction, community safety, seniors’ well-being and equitable access to public services. As minister of citizenship and immigration, she advanced family reunification policies and advocated for greater fairness within the immigration system. She has also served as critic for seniors, pensions, veterans affairs and the status of women, consistently championing improved pension security and responses to gender-based harm. She has also chaired the Standing Committee on International Trade and the House Liaison Committee and remains committed to bringing people together to advance shared priorities. Most notably, Sgro introduced Bill C-284, An Act to Establish a National Strategy for Eye Care, which was adopted in 2023. This landmark legislation calls for co-ordinated federal leadership to improve access to vision care, reduce preventable vision loss, and support research, public health planning and equitable service delivery across Canada. Sgro continues to advocate for meaningful implementation of the national eye care strategy, working closely with clinicians, researchers and patient groups.
Michael Collins (BSc Phm ’11, PharmD ’15)
Alumni Achievement Award
Michael Collins (BSc Phm’11, PharmD’15) is a hospital pharmacist, educator and residency program leader dedicated to advancing clinical practice and experiential education. A proud member of the first graduating class of Waterloo’s School of Pharmacy, he went on to complete a hospital pharmacy residency at Hamilton Health Sciences in 2012.
Michael currently serves as the pharmacy residency co-ordinator for the Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN), where he manages the region’s first comprehensive Year-1 hospital pharmacy residency program. His work includes developing curriculum, assessment frameworks, mentorship models and research infrastructure aligned with Canadian Pharmacy Residency Board (CPRB) standards.
In addition to his residency leadership, Michael is the Waterloo Region regional clinical co-ordinator (RCC) for the School. In this role, he supports experiential education across multiple sites and practice areas for fourth-year pharmacy students, working closely with preceptors and faculty to optimize learning experiences and foster practice-ready skill development.
Clinically, Michael has a background in oncology and acute care pharmacy and is committed to delivering evidence-informed, patient-centered care. He is passionate about building supportive learning environments that help pharmacy trainees grow with confidence while contributing meaningfully to patient care and the profession.
Father Norm Choate, C.R., Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award
Established in 1986 to honour former St. Jerome's president and professor, Fr. Norm Choate, C.R., this award is presented annually to a St. Jerome's University alum who has demonstrated exceptional achievement in their professional and community life, in alignment with the University's mission, vision and values.
Born and raised in Kitchener, Ontario, Mary Ellen Cullen (BA ’78) followed in the footsteps of her older brother and sister by attending St. Jerome's University, where she majored in French and German Language Studies. After graduating, She went on to study law at Osgoode Hall at York University and dedicated her career to public service. Cullen began her legal career as an assistant crown attorney in Brampton, Ontario. Later, she served as crown attorney in Orangeville before returning to Kitchener in 2009 as deputy crown attorney, a role she held until her retirement in 2015.
Cullen’s dedication to St. Jerome's University has been profound. She offered nine years of service to our Board of Governors (2012-2021), including two terms as chair during which she helped to navigate the University through several challenges, including the start of the COVID 19 pandemic.
Andrew James Zettel (MCT ’25, BA ’18)
Sister Leon White, SSND, Early Alumni Excellence Award
This award recognizes a St. Jerome's alum who has graduated within the past 15 years and has made outstanding contributions in their professional field and community. It is named in honour of Sister Leon White, a cherished member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, who served St. Jerome's University from 1962 to 1980 as director of Notre Dame College, dean of women and associate professor of English.
Andrew Zettel (MCT ’25, BA ’18) has volunteered with Tiny Home Takeout at St. Mary's Parish in downtown Kitchener and served as outreach coordinator for St. Mary's Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Parish. St. Mary's pastor, Fr. Toby Collins, C.R., notes that Zettel “has the ability of bringing the faith to life in ways that lift the soul and make you say, ‘I never knew the Catholic faith could be so fascinating and relevant!’” While completing his Master of Catholic Thought degree, Zettel was hired into his current role as an elementary school chaplain with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. In this capacity, he works with 23 schools, leading retreat programs and engaging with young people to explore faith, understand the importance of human dignity, and foster authentic community.