Featured Alumni
Aakash Dhall
Culinary Management, 2015
Chef Aakash Dhall shares how his experiences at George Brown College helped guide him to success, including winning season 3 of Food Network Canada’s Fire Masters and as the research and development chef for 1 Hotel Toronto.
Abarna Krishnakumar
Architectural Technician, 2014
Abarna is working in the Unites States as a VDC Training Manager. She carries a passion for education and Building Information Management (BIM), with 10 years of work experience. Throughout her various roles at different firms, the two constants that she always encountered were BIM/VDC and fulfilling the informal educator role.
Aiko Rudder-Jones
Culinary Management Program, 2020
Chef Aiko decided to follow her dream of cooking up Bajan street food and opening her own catering, called Bim Street Eats.
Aliya Hirji
Honors Bachelor of Technology-Construction Management, 2022
Aliya has always been fascinated by architecture. She came to Canada from Tanzania, studied architectural technology, and went on to construction management.
She adapted to Canadian life, made the Dean’s list and received several merit-based scholarships while at GBC. In 2022 she has been nominated for the Premier’s Awards in the Recent Graduate Category.
Amy Symington
Culinary Management Nutrition, 2010
In 2009, Amy Symington was working on her Culinary Management – Nutrition diploma at George Brown when she started to volunteer at Gilda's Club Toronto, doing culinary nutrition workshops for the members. Among these were supper clubs held two nights a week to help facilitate attendance at evening-based group meetings.
Ben O’Neil
Graphic Design, 2023
Graphic designer, Ben O’Neil was proud to be a part of his fellow grads’ convocation celebrations in 2023. He designed the massive and colourful mural outside Meridian Hall that served as the backdrop for family and friend pictures and selfies.
Bennett Stableforth
Honours Bachelor of Technology (Construction Management), 2013
GBC grad Bennett Stableforth comes full circle as a project manager for Limberlost Place.
Braden Chong
Culinary Skills, 2015
Braden is the Head Chef at MIMI Chinese, a restaurant in Yorkville, that brings dishes from across China to Toronto.
Cassandra Koss
Interprofessional Complex and Long-Term Care Program, 2021
As part of her program, Cassandra was asked to make “friendly visits” with residents at retirement homes. When she realized how meaningful these interactions were, it was an epiphany. As COVID10 confined residents to their rooms and exacerbated their loneliness, Cassandra developed and innovative program allowing residents to use iPads so they could engage with each other.
Chris Campbell
Carpenter General Apprentice Certificate, 1991
Carpenter, union leader and equity, diversity and inclusion champion Chris Campbell, alum is passionate about helping others succeed in the skilled trades.
Craig Pike
Theatre Arts, 2006
Check out the recipe for “sweet success” by GBC alum Craig Pike founder of Craig’s Cookies.
Darrell Bowden
Career and Work Counsellor Program, 1995
Although from a seventh-generation Canadian family, Darrell was the first to go to college and university.
Fast forward, in 2022 he has been nominated for the Premier’s Award in the Community Services Category.
Darryl Shotlander
Post-Grad Italian, 2023
As a recent graduate of the college, Darryl has experienced firsthand the life-changing perks of tapping into the strong network of mentorship and support the college offers.
During his postgraduate program, he completed an externship at a three-Michelin-star restaurant Osteria Francescana in Italy, and most recently he landed an exciting opportunity at London’s HIDE, working along a fellow alum.
David Dunkley
Millinery Certificate, 2003
David Dunkley, Toronto milliner headed to London for coronation-related events and parties with his beautiful hats!
David Wolfman
Culinary Skills, 1981
Award-winning culinary artisan Chef David Wolfman is a professor at the College since 1994. He has not only revolutionized the culinary landscape here in Canada, but he has also changed the way the world thinks about Indigenous and North American cuisine. He has won multiple educational, industry, and community service awards.
Derick Robinson
Commercial Dance, 2011
As George Brown Dance graduate and current faculty member, Derick approaches all aspects of life imaginatively, and his career is no exception. He shares how he has found a life of creativity in dance and encourages emerging dance artists to explore the diverse paths available in the performing arts.
Emily Clairoux
Community Worker Program, 2019
Emily is an artist from the Algonquin’s of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation, and is of mixed heritage Anishinaabe and French. She works under the name Eagle Woman Arts in her creative practice. Her work is inspired by her community, as well as the teachings she’s picked up along the way.
Esther Baruti
Computer Programming and Analysis, 2015
Esther started as a software developer at Loblaw Digital in 2018, quickly moving her career forward. In 2019, Evoke, one of North America's largest tech conferences, named her one of the recipients of the Developer 30 under 30 Award. She said the award prompted both celebration and reflection.
Eugene Filice
Construction Engineering Technician, 1994
Eugene is currently the Vice President of Construction at Great Gulf, a major residential construction company, where he emphasizes teamwork and shared responsibilities. He continues to contribute to advancing the construction industry on three major, deeply interconnected fronts: technology, health and safety, and education.
Fahd Chowdhury
Analytics for Business Decision Making, 2020
Fahd already had 12 years of experience in the telecommunications, fast-moving consumer goods, aviation, education and transportation industries when he moved to Toronto from Bangladesh in 2018. Pursuing a postgraduate degree at GBC was a transformative decision that equipped him with valuable skills and exposed me to the Canadian corporate landscape.
Farrah Sheikh
Construction Trades Techniques, 2018
With an engineering degree already in hand, Farrah needed a hands-on experience to enhance her practical skills.
She now manages key design aspects of major projects around the GTA.
Fateema Al-Hamaydeh Miller
Screenwriting & Narrative Design, 2021
In 2023 Fateema was one of the two GBC alumni among 18 storytellers selected for the prestigious Canadian Film Centre Norman Jewison Film Program.
Grace Dvornik
Culinary Skills Program, 2019
Grace is used to cooking in very tight spaces. She measures out ingredients before getting started, chops vegetables in advance and always cleans up as she goes. She is a private chef who has worked on superyachts in the Caribbean, Bahamas and the United States.
Janesh Sritharan
Honours Bachelor of Technology (Construction Management), 2021
Soon after graduation Janesh became a project coordinator at a construction company, overseeing project schedules, budgets, and onsite safety protocols.
He believes, scholarships allow learners to move forward in their studies and careers with confidence.
Joe Sarnovsky
Culinary Skills, 2022
Chef School graduate Joe Sarnovsky recounts his experience working in Ukraine with the World Central Kitchen (WCK)
Joëlle Jacqueline
Instructing Adults, Workforce Development & Training, 2015
During the startGBC Winter2023 semester, Bootcamp cohort participant Joëlle Jacqueline attended every session, provided motivation and encouragement to other cohort members. She has a wealth of operational knowledge and process development expertise to help establish businesses and enhance business performance. Joëlle also has a passion for working with people and developing their talents.
Jordon Jensen
Computer Programming and Analysis, 2023
Jensen, a member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, was one of six Indigenous students to be awarded a $10,000 scholarship from the Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) John Wesley Beaver Memorial Scholarship program.
Jensen looks forward to putting his advanced diploma to use as he searches for a role in front-end development with a focus on improving the user experience.
Julia Huynh
Business Administration Marketing 2021
Julia Huynh had already completed a law degree in Vietnam when she decided to pursue her dream of studying abroad and finding a career that aligned more with her passions. After a successful journey at George Brown College pursuing marketing and an interest in mental health advocacy, she’s now giving back as an alumni mentor to current students through the Centre for Business’ Student-Alumni Mentorship Program.
Kayla Moryoussef
Community Worker, 2018
Kayla has made significant contributions in the area of death and grief counselling. Through her company, Good Death Doula, as well as her work with the Home Hospice Association and Death Cafe, Kayla has positively impacted her community and brought a pragmatic and compassionate perspective to care for persons at the end of their lives.
Kevin Buck
Post-Grad Italian, 2018
While at GBC, lessons learned from chef instructors motivated and inspired Kevin to keep working, keep pushing and taking on opportunities across the world.
Today he is the Sous Chef at HIDE Above in London (UK).
Lesley Hampton
Fashion Techniques and Design, 2017
Fashion designer, entrepreneur and George Brown College graduate Lesley Hampton has been honoured by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) for her professional success.
Marc Pannia
Sport and Event Marketing, 2014
Marc Pannia took the skills he developed while studying at the Centre for Business and used them to carve out a successful career in the film industry. The George Brown College alumnus works for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), produces Oscar-nominated films and writes and directs his own projects.
Melonie de Guzman
Sport and Event Marketing, 2006
Melonie is a pioneer and advocate for the inclusion of women in technology-focused industries. She has attained a high level in her industry as a certified Project Manager Professional (PMP) and SAFe Agilist as well as a SCRUM Master II, while serving as a mentor and international speaker.
Michael Jacobsen
Digital Media Marketing Program, 2016
For School of Marketing alum Michael Jacobsen, becoming a mentor to current business students was an easy decision.
Mike Yorke
General Carpentry, 1986, and Labour Studies, 1989
Mike co-founded the College of Carpenters and Allied Trades and has been instrumental in ensuring workers have up-to-date skills. He has participated in humanitarian construction projects in several countries, as well as supporting local programs to interest youth-at-risk in the trades.
Mitchell LeBlanc
Screenwriting & Narrative Design, 2017
Mitchell is a screenwriter, narrative designer, director, actor and part-time professor at GBC and a Resident at the at CFC’s Norman Jewison Film Program in 2023.
Morolayo Folami
Marketing Management – Digital Media, 2022
After completing a business management degree in the U.K. and working in digital marketing for nearly five years, Layo Folami decided to pursue a formal digital marketing education to take her career to the next level.
Natasha Roberts
Fashion Management, 2019
Natasha Roberts is running a business in style with her mom!
Ramkumar Arunamoorthy
Information System Business Analysis, 2013
Ramkumar devoted his time and career to empowering people through education, providing technology training for 4000 plus individuals across Ontario facilitating the training needed to work in the technology sector. His work has garnered recognition by major tech companies, with him serving as Google's "Mentor East Canada Region" and "Women TechMaker Ambassador.
Ramneet Brar
Business Administration Accounting, 2017
Ramneet has been named one of the 2023 ApplyBoard International Alumni of Impact Winners. She is an exemplar of perseverance, innovation, and compassion. Her trailblazing efforts at Isempower (co-founded by her) and commitment to international student success have positively contributed to Canada's professional landscape.
Raquel Fox
Ravneet Singh
2017 Culinary Management program
Chef alum Ravneet Singh celebrates the opening of his first restaurant 'Barkat' - a real Toronto gem.
Ray Williams
Culinary Arts Program, 2011
Financial services executive, chef and accessible education advocate Ray Williams, alum is dedicated to creating opportunities for others.
His career began in London’s financial district. He brought his young family to Canada, where he is currently the Vice-Chairman of Financial Markets.
Rehan Ahmed
Practical Nursing Program, 2020
Nursing graduate, Reham Ahmed returned to GBC to run a community COVID-19 vaccination clinic.
Rokhaya Gueye
Construction Engineering Technician - Management, 1999
Twenty-two years after graduating from George Brown College’s (GBC) construction engineering technician management program, Gueye is pursuing an apprenticeship at the College of Carpenters and Allied Trades in Vaughan, Ont.
Sage Paul
Fashion Techniques and Design Program, 2006
Co-founder and executive & artistic director of the bi-annual celebratory Indigenous Fashion Arts in Toronto, Sage, a Denesuliné tskwe member of the English River First Nation works to express and sustain Indigenous culture. She learned to sew and bead as a child, loved fashion, and enrolled in a fashion techniques and design program.
Sand Tsoi
Bachelor of Commerce (Culinary Management), 2023
With the help of startGBC, Sand launched a food stall for her authentic Thai cuisine takeout business Baan. She participated in high-profile summer food festivals in Toronto, including Smorgasburg and the Taste of Lawrence.
Shayne Speck
Sheet Metal Apprenticeship, 2012
Shayne returned to teach at the School of Apprenticeship & Skilled Trades as he believes in keeping things current through ongoing improvement and mentoring of the next generation. He trained the 2023 bronze medal winner student for the Skill Ontario Competition in the Sheet Metal Category!
Shuang Wu
Business Marketing Program, 2021
When asked about GBC, Shuang Wu lights up with joy as she shares how much the College means to her.
Wu moved from China to Canada in 2020, looking for new opportunities after an engineering degree and almost a decade of working in the pharmaceutical industry. She wanted to expand her marketing knowledge and attend a good school in an exciting city.
