2020 Alumni Award Winners
These awards recognize members of the George Brown alumni community, who through a breadth of contributions and accomplishments have demonstrated exceptional loyalty, fostered leadership and growth in others and enhanced the reputation of our alumni community and the college.
Alumni Volunteer Award
Winner: Kayla Moryoussef
Graduate: 2018, Community Worker
Position: Death Cafes Program Manager (Volunteer Position), Home Hospice Association
More about Kayla
Kayla Moryoussef is a bright, passionate, and compassionate young lady with multiple disabilities - but she doesn't let that stop her. Kayla is an end-of-life worker and death educator. Partially because of her limitations, but primarily because of her passion, Kayla spends a tremendous amount of her time volunteering. Kayla volunteers upwards of 40 hours a month, despite limited physical resources. She believes in volunteerism as one of her ultimate values and that no matter how much money she (or anyone makes), she will always find time to volunteer. Kayla’s personality can be summed up by her favourite quotation from Fred Rogers "There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind." Kayla truly lives her life this way, and I believe she deserves recognition for all of her hard work and contributions, for which she asks nothing in return - and rarely ever has.
Alumni Leadership Award
Winner: Melonie de Guzman
Graduate: 2006, Sport and Event Marketing
Position: Senior Project Manager, Sportsnet NOW
More about Melonie
Melonie graduated from the Sports and Events Marketing post-graduate program at George Brown College in 2006. Since then, she has become a prominent leader in the Digital Media industry, working with great brands such as MuchMusic, CTV, TSN, and Sportsnet. Her work is focused on digital brand partnership initiatives, content strategy, and project management.
She is an active member of both the media and the IT industry in Toronto. Melonie is a public speaker and mentor, partnering with Tech Teahouse, Girls in Tech, Ryerson University and Confederation College. She is also on the Women in Film in Television Programming committee and the co-founder of Rogers Women in Technology, where she is dedicated to the education, engagement and empowerment of women at every stage of their careers
Alumni Entrepreneur Award
Winner: Celeste Ceres
Graduate: 2016, Culinary Skills-Chef Training
Position: Co-Founder, Sacraspice Community Services
More about Celeste
A graduate of George Brown College's Chef Training Program, Celeste has spent the last decade in a number of community-building capacities – from leading programs for newcomers to Canada to supporting business owners in Haiti. Celeste, along with her sister Crystal, is the co-founder of Sacraspice, a charity that leads culturally diverse, intergenerational cooking workshops with middle school students and seniors in Toronto's priority neighbourhoods.
Alumni Mentor Award
More about Dani
Born and raised in small-town British Columbia, Dani is a graduate of George Brown’s Sport and Event Marketing program (2018) and Western University (2016). She is a Marketing Coordinator for Bell Media and previously worked for the London Knights, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and TSN. Since her graduation, she has mentored 50+ Marketing students and helped with countless resumes, interview preparations, and networking connections for students.
2019 Alumni Award Winners
These awards recognize members of the George Brown alumni community, who through a breadth of contributions and accomplishments have demonstrated exceptional loyalty, fostered leadership and growth in others and enhanced the reputation of our alumni community and the college.
Alumni Volunteer Award
Winners: Twin brothers Kyle Craig and Cody Craig
Graduates: Human Resources Management, 2010
Position: Health Safety and Environment Managers – Central & Western Canada, Plan Group
Twin brothers Cody and Kyle are both GBC graduates and Health, Safety and Environment Managers at The Plan Group. They split their duties across the country, with Cody as Central and Eastern Territory and Kyle as Central and Western. They started their careers as health and safety administrators and have continued to advance their careers with many educational and development opportunities, moving them up to health and safety coordinators and now managers.
Kyle and Cody have gone above in beyond in their commitment to the College community and have never turned down an opportunity to be involved when asked over the last 8 years. All these years, they have conducted more than 40 presentations. Their knowledge base is exceptional, and in addition to guest speaking, they have been actively involved in mentoring students, bringing students on in a co-op capacity at their organization, engaging through alumni events, and providing curriculum advice at GBC roundtable discussions regarding alternative careers for internationally trained professionals to transition into the health and safety industry.
Their positive outlook and desire to prepare the next generation of future professionals is admirable.
Alumni Innovation Award
Winner: Aisha Addo
Graduate Business-Accounting, 2012
Position: Founder/CEO at Power to Girls Foundation / DriveHER Inc.
Aisha Addo founded Power to Girls to provide young black women with the mentors and role models that were absent while she was growing up in foster care. The international organization offers programs, workshops, camps, and conferences to empower Afro-diaspora girls through mentorship, community interaction and recreational activities.
Addo is also named one of 14 Iconic Canadian Women by CBC Life, Addo was a 2018 RBC Women of Influence nominee and chosen one of 150 black women who has made a place in Canadian history by the CBC project HERstory in Black.
Aisha Addo launched her app DriveHER in 2018, to elevate safety in transportation for women. the driver is a ride-sharing service for women by women. They already have a partnership with Infinity Canada, Rover parking, and Weel, and have over 3000 customers and 60 drivers on their platform. By innovating a better way for women to travel throughout the city safely, Aisha is trying to impact the ride-sharing industry to mirror the concerns of the female commuter.
Alumni Leadership Award
Winner: Caroline Szymaniak (with her mentor Dr. Izchak Barzilay on photo)
Graduate Dental Treatment Coordinator, 2012
Position: Administrative Division Manager/ Chief Operating, Prosthodontic Associates
Caroline has worked with and in support of dental professionals in administrative and managerial roles for over 15 years. Caroline is a firm believer in openly sharing knowledge, skill, and experience with the dental community to help empower others in their respective careers. She is an engaging public speaker presenting at various conferences, study clubs, and continuing dental educations centers. Caroline has lectured to diverse audiences across Canada, the United States and recently Uganda on successful practice management topics such as effective communication, team building, traditional and digital practice marketing techniques as well as policy, process and procedure strategies.
Caroline is a content director and a regular columnist for a number of dental publications. She is a member of the Advisory Board for the Spectrum Young Dentist Journal and holds a position of both section editor and columnist. She has authored and co-authored various publications for renowned dental fellowships including International College of Dentists, Academy of Prosthodontics, Global Prosthodontic Coalition, Women in Dentistry and Journal of the Academy of Dentistry International.
Very passionate about philanthropic endeavours, Caroline volunteers her time both locally and internationally with various humanitarian initiatives. She is a Chief Operating Officer for the Build Your Smile Dental Foundation is a non-profit organization providing dental care to impoverished communities both locally and abroad. Caroline is a co-founder of the Foundation's local initiative a non-profit dental program.
Alumni Employer of the Year Award Winner
Brian Cheng
Graduate 2012, Culinary Arts - Italian;
Graduate 2009, Cook Apprenticeship Advanced
Founder/Chef, The Edible Story
Alanna Fleischer
Graduate 2012, Culinary Arts - Italian;
Graduate 2011, Culinary Management
Founder/Chef, The Edible Story
Both accomplished chefs, Alanna Fleischer and Brian Cheng met and became friends in the George Brown Culinary Italian program. After graduation in 2012, Alanna and Brian launched The Edible Story, a cooking school and catering company that specializes in modern cuisine and creatively plated dishes.
Both have domestic and international culinary experience with Alana working as a cook at the internationally renowned Enoteca La Torre in Rome and Brian as Executive Chef at the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi.
Brian and Alanna have maintained a philosophy of giving back to their alma mater, employing GBC culinary arts students and graduates on a part-time and full-time basis. Since 2012, the Edible Story has continuously offered employment to George Brown graduates. To date, they have hired five full-time staff and ten part-time staff in the past three years, all serving as cooks.
The Edible Story, through the astute management and quality product produced by Alanna and Brian, enjoys an ongoing status as an exemplary catering service provider and cooking school.
Alumni Leadership of the Year Award Winner
Sarah Jean Butler
Graduate 2013, Bachelor of Applied Technology, Construction Science and Management;
Graduate 2011, Architectural Technology - Advanced Diploma
Development Construction Coordinator, RioCan
Sarah Jean Butler has worked in the construction industry for 10 years. Sarah currently works for RioCan in the Developments Construction department and has previously worked for EllisDon. Sarah graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Architectural Technology and with an Applied Bachelor of Technology in Construction Science and Management. Sarah was highly active in the GBC community through her various positions as a student and alumni.
Sarah's contribution to the college community has been recognized through many awards and certificates including the Dean's Certificate of Recognition 2011-2012, Citizenship Award 2011, Student Association Board Member 2012, Temple Harris Award of Excellence 2012, EllisDon Corporation Scholarship Award 2012 and the Ecole Polytechnique Memorial Award 2013.
Sarah was an active member of the Young Construction Leaders Committee from 2013 to 2017. During her time at the YCL, Sarah acted as the student representative and focused on helping students and the community. This work included co-creating a speakers event for GBC students and running a clothing drive for Dress for Success. Sarah continues to share her expertise with students as an industry professional. In 2015, Sarah won the Sean P. McKenna Young Construction Leaders Award from the Toronto Construction Association.
Alumni Innovation and Volunteer of the Year Award Winner
Benjamin Valliquette
Graduate 2013, Bachelor of Technology, Construction Science and Management;
Graduate 2011, Construction Engineering Technologist - Advanced Diploma;
Graduate 2010, Carpentry - Advanced Certificate;
IPD Project Manager, Gillam Group Inc.
Benjamin Valliquette is a construction management specialist from Toronto with a wide range of experience in the delivery of complex projects. He graduated with a Bachelor of Technology in Construction Science and Management, an Advanced Diploma in Construction Engineering Technologist and an Advanced Certificate in Carpentry.
Benjamin has been an integral part of the award-winning Aga Khan Museum project and is currently the IPD Project Manager on the Barrie Simcoe Emergency Services Campus project. Benjamin has worked as a project manager, code consultant, site superintendent and estimator, but remains a carpenter at heart.
Benjamin was a recipient of the W. Garfield Weston Award and graduated top of his class from George Brown College. In 2017, Macleans Magazine recognized Benjamin as a construction all-star, and in the same year he was also featured on the cover of GBC's alumni magazine. He remains committed to advancing the industry, and volunteers with various organizations and academic institutions.
In 2017, Benjamin co-founded Lynx Music Inc., a modern music conservatory which features over 20,000 sq. ft. of music production and teaching space. As director of the Habitat for Humanity Campus Coalition, Benjamin's efforts had an enormous impact on the growth of affordable housing through the construction of over 100 Habitat homes. He remains active in the community and co-manages a children's literacy project in the Philippines with his wife Naly and son Leo.
Alumni Mentor of the Year Award Winner
Scott Hulbert
Graduate 1997, Sport and Event Marketing
Managing Director, Ideavation Inc.
Scott Hulbert is a passionate and creative leader with over 20 years' experience in advertising and marketing. He is a globally experienced business executive and entrepreneur with expertise in general management, brand building, sales, strategic planning and start-up operations. Scott earned an honors. B.A. from The University of Western Ontario and graduated with a Diploma in Sport & Event Marketing in 1997 from George Brown College.
Scott launched Ideavation Inc., a full-service promotional marketing agency that offers end-to-end sourcing across North America, Europe and Asia, in 2007 and has grown it into an industry leader in the field of branded promotional merchandise.
"I want to give back to the school and program that gave me so much both professionally and personally. Just as those who came before me, it is important to stay connected and to help foster an environment where the current students will grow and succeed," said Scott.
Among Scott's mentorship activities with the college, he has been a regular guest speaker with the Sport & Event Marketing program, a frequent participant in Speed Mentoring events and helped launch the '5 To Watch' event, an annual sport and event industry award, and volunteered for 5 years on the Organizing Committee. Scott has also donated a scholarship in his namesake based on leadership to Sport & Event Marketing program in addition to being involved with Ontario Colleges Marketing Competition and Start GBC.
All certificate frames were donated to award winners by the George Brown College Bookstore.
