For close to 20 years, the Faculty has been awarding the Alumni Achievement Award to individuals who contribute to the health and well-being of society through their professional accomplishments, public service and support to the University of Waterloo. In 2008, we also started recognizing younger alumni and their accomplishments.
We are proud to honour these recipients for the 2020 Awards:
Young Alumni Award: Tina Chan
Tina Chan (MSc '20, BSc '16) is a social entrepreneur who applied her education toward improving access to mental health support for all. In 2015, while in Health Studies, Tina pitched her idea of the PASS Kit, a first aid kit for mental health, at a Big Ideas Challenge and was granted a spot in GreenHouse, a community for innovators who want to create social and environmental change at St. Paul’s University College.
From this point, Tina went on to supply PASS Kits to students, industry workplaces and Indigenous youth. More than 20,000 PASS kit products have been distributed to date. To meet the demand, Tina’s team hired persons with disabilities through the KW Habilitation program, providing employment opportunities to local community members.
Tina went on to complete a master’s in Public Health and Health Systems; her research explored how technology can be used to motivate peer-to-peer support for mental health. Tina is admired by her colleagues and mentors for her dedication to scholarship, research and creating meaningful change.
In recognition of her impact on creating accessible mental health supports for all and her innovative research, Tina Chan is the recipient of the 2020 Young Alumni Award.
Alumni Achievement Award: Jessica Bondy
Jessica Bondy (MA '13, BA '08) is a leader in her community, both professionally and personally. She is the Housing Director at the House of Friendship, where she leads a team that provides emergency shelter and supportive housing in Waterloo Region.
A graduate of the Recreation and Leisure Studies program, Jessica worked on campus at Waterloo for a number of years in Housing and Residences and Student Success before joining House of Friendship in 2018. Jessica sits on the Affordable Housing Strategy Committee for the City of Kitchener and the Homeless Umbrella Group in Waterloo Region.
Jessica is skilled at building partnerships and programs that protect Waterloo Region’s most vulnerable citizens. Among her colleagues, Jessica is appreciated for her leadership and innovation, and is admired for her dedication to community service. Her work is both informed and led by a people-focused approach.
In recognition of her leadership, dedication and innovation in the not-for-profit sector, Jessica Bondy is the recipient of the 2020 Alumni Achievement Award.
Alumni award nominations
Across Canada and around the world, our Faculty's alumni are making significant contributions to their University, their professions and their communities. The Alumni Awards recognize these individuals and their efforts to build a better world. If you know of an exceptional alumnus, please consider nominating them and help us discover our next award recipient! Nominations close April 30.
