Recent Alumni Inspiration Award

Photo of Award winner

In 2013, the Faculty of Environment established an award to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of recent graduates who finished their studies in the last decade and whose early professional or academic success, community impact, and contribution to sustainability serve as an inspiration to the next generation of environment graduates.

Initially the Young Alumni Award, it was renamed the Young Alumni Inspiration Award in 2019 and the Recent Alumni Inspiration Award in 2022. 

Get to know our incredible 2022 recipient, Laura Maxwell

Do you know an exceptional alumnus?

We would love to consider them for one of our awards. Please complete click the link below to nominate them today. It only takes five minutes and you could be helping us discover our next award recipient!

Nominee eligibility

  • Graduates of Faculty of Environment undergraduate or graduate programs.
  • Less than 10 years since graduation. 
  • Excludes self nominations and current University of Waterloo faculty and staff

Selection criteria

  1. Demonstrated professional achievement including, but not limited to:
    • Career advancement and success;
    • Recognition and/or awards;
    • Leadership and/or board roles; and/or
    • Visible success/known beyond industry segment.
  2. Demonstrated public (local or global) service including, but not limited to:
    • Volunteerism;
    • Community leadership; 
    • Proven impact (local, regional, national, or international); and/or
    • Philanthropy.
  3. Demonstrated impact advancing sustainability in one or more of the following:
    • Economic sustainability: economic equity, responsible growth, supply chain management, smart growth etc.;
    • Social sustainability: human rights, gender equality, indigenous rights, social justice, public health, advocacy, well-being etc.; and/or
    • Environmental sustainability: climate change, energy and materials use, carbon emissions, natural resources, waste and pollution etc. ​​​​​​
  4. Additional information may be considered that doesn’t necessarily fit in any of the categories above includes:

    • Overcoming personal challenges or systemic barriers;

    • Maintaining work-life balance; and/or

    • Remaining connected to the University of Waterloo.

Nomination process

  • Complete the online Nomination Form by April 30.
  • The Screening Committee will put forward the top candidates for each category to the Selection Committee.
  • The Selection Committee will review the nominees to select one or more recipients for each award.
  • The awards will be given out at the annual Alumni Awards Dinner, or alternative event, each fall, dependent on the recipients' availability.
Note: nominations are accepted throughout the year but will be awarded based on the above timeline.

Past recipients

2022

Laura Maxwell

MDP '17, Development Practice

Manager, Sustainability & Social Impact at Deloitte 

2021

Man smiling for picture

Eric Kennedy

BKI 2012, Knowledge Integration

2020

Eryn Stewart

Eryn Stewart

BES 2015, Environment and Business

2019

Jennifer Martin

Jennifer Martin

MDP 2014, Development Practice

2018

Dominique Souris

Dominique Souris

BES 2016, Environment and Resources Studies
MA 2018, Global Governance

2017

Tania Cheng

Tania Cheng

BES 2010, Environment and Resources Studies

2016

Nirvana Champion

Nirvana Champion

MAES 2011, Local Economic Development

2015

Taarini Chopra

Taarini Chopra

MES 2013, Environment and Resources Studies

2014

Macintosh Balacano

Macintosh Balacano

BES 2012, Environment & Business

2013

Caustan De Riggs

Caustan De Riggs

BES 2008, Environment & Business

2013

Sarah Brown

Sarah Brown

BES 2008, Environment & Business