Employers empower Waterloo co-op students to shape a better future

As the top university in Canada for experiential learning, University of Waterloo co-op students help employers across multiple industries to tackle real-world challenges and build bold solutions. From improving rural health care to presenting innovative sustainability solutions, students are empowered by employers to make an impact in shaping a better future for all.  

At the sixth annual Employer Impact Awards, Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) celebrated top employers that support and mentor Waterloo students to thrive in the workplace.

The awards recognize co-op employers in six categories that go above and beyond to enrich student work experiences by connecting innovation with opportunity. Learn more about how each award recipient invests in students to make a difference:

Impact in Innovation: Shoppers Drug Mart Whitehorse

• Shoppers Drug Mart Whitehorse stores 298 and 299 (Shoppers) deliver community-focused health care services to urban and rural areas in the Yukon.  
• Co-op students help roll out innovative new programs, including a minor aliment referral pathway and a chronic disease management program. These programs help transform care delivery and improve patient outcomes.   
• The Shoppers team creates an environment that empowers students to think outside the box and implement creative, inclusive solutions to meet the needs of their unique clientele.

“Innovation means empowering students to solve real problems, not just shadowing pharmacists. We give them ownership over projects that matter.”

— Edmund Tan, pharmacist and owner, Shoppers Drug Mart Whitehorse, Yukon

Honourable mention: DarkVision

Impact in sustainability: Mattamy Homes

• Mattamy Homes is the largest family-owned homebuilder in North America and leads the industry in developing sustainable communities.
• Co-op students pitch new ideas and innovative sustainability solutions in a capstone project competition. Mattamy Homes has implemented several student-led solutions, including low-carbon design packages and phase-change batteries. 
• Mattamy Homes combines meaningful work with hands-on experience to grow the next generation of sustainability leaders.

“We’re not just building homes—we’re building a better world. Our students are helping us do that.”

— Phillip Santana, director of sustainability, Mattamy Homes

Honourable mention: Purolator Inc

Impact in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Nuclear Promise X (NPX)

• Nuclear Promise X (NPX) is a purpose-built nuclear innovation firm with a mission to modernize and elevate the nuclear energy industry.
• Students take part in training opportunities and initiatives to build inclusivity for the community and beyond. Recently, students helped develop a barge-tracking app to improve transportation access for the Chippewas of Georgina Island Indigenous community. 
• NPX ensures students from equity-deserving groups thrive and that their contributions matter.

“It’s fundamental that we create a workplace of collaboration, camaraderie and innovation. Where people can bring their real selves to work and thrive.”

— Margaret McBeath (PhD ’21), co-founder and chief of people and brand experience officer, NPX

Honourable mention: The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Impact in International Experience: Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre

• The Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre (Sunnybrook) is one of North America’s largest care programs and operates as part of the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.   
•  Students support Sunnybrook's global focus by contributing to international projects, research and partnerships. Sunnybrook’s mentorship model has supported several students in receiving prestigious awards, including the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Early Investigator Award. Students represent Sunnybrook by presenting their cutting-edge research at conferences across Europe and beyond.
• Sunnybrook shapes co-op students into future global health care leaders by helping them learn the importance of patient care and supporting their participation in cutting-edge research.

“Students don’t just assist, they lead. They present at international conferences, publish in high-impact journals and win awards typically reserved for MDs and PhDs. And they do this as undergraduates.”

— Dr. Edward Chow, radiation oncologist, Sunnybrook

Honourable mention: RANDOX Laboratories Ltd

Impact on Student Experience: the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Impact on Student Experience is the only award determined by student vote. The winning employer received over 2,000 votes to earn the title. 

• The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) is a collaborative research institute focused on conducting and enabling high-impact translational cancer research.
• Students are vital to bringing new ideas and technological expertise to make improvements at OICR, including streamlining workflows, process automations and enhancing data analysis techniques.
• OICR’s approach to mentoring students goes beyond formal programs. It happens in meetings, at lunch and through cross-team collaborations. The institute encourages students to explore, ask questions and shadow other departments.

“Everyone wanted to help. It made a difference…. that foundation gave me the confidence I needed and made the work meaningful,”

— Kealey Nguyen, Health Sciences co-op student

“Students bring new ideas, perspectives and experiences that we don’t have. Cancer is complex, and solutions are not simple. We need students’ insights for our projects, initiatives and the problems we’re facing.”

— Dr. Michelle Brazas, director of adaptive oncology, OICR

Honourable mention: Sony Interactive Entertainment – PlayStation

Impact in research: InfinityQ Technology Inc. 

• InfinityQ Technologies Inc. focuses on research and development of quantum-inspired computing and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions.
• Students support clients with solutions in logistics, transport, finance and energy. Students directly influence business solutions by working on projects like building new AI portfolio optimization use cases and real-world demos. 
• At InfinityQ, students lead research, including the implementation of solutions to improve client business.

“We treat co-op students like full-time researchers. They’re not just supporting—they’re leading projects, publishing and presenting globally.” 

— Brian Mao (MMath ’23), head of algorithms at InfinityQ

Honourable mention: Terray Therapeutics

“We’re deeply grateful to our Employer Impact Award recipients for opening doors to transformative, real-world experiences for our students,” says Judene Pretti, interim associate director, CEE. “Their commitment helps students grow with confidence and apply their talents in meaningful ways. Our employers and our co-op students help shape futures filled with purpose, possibility, and hope.”  

CEE employers provide work-integrated learning opportunities for more than 26,000 co-op students. More than 8,000 employers from 75 countries work with Waterloo to access student talent from the world’s largest co-op talent pool.   

Meet the 2025 Employer Impact Award recipients.