George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
The Alumni Recognition Awards celebrate members of the George Brown Polytechnic alumni community whose contributions and accomplishments have demonstrated leadership and enhanced the reputation of our alumni community and the College. The awards are part of our broader alumni recognition activities, aligned with the College’s Vision 2030 and LEAD values. The awards are presented annually.
Alumni Recognition Awards 2026 Winners
Congratulations to all winners!
You've been selected for the Alumni Recognition Awards. Alumni Relations is thrilled to celebrate your achievements and contributions!
Robert Alzuarde
Category: Alumni Innovation Award
Program and Grad Year: Building Information Modelling (Postgraduate), 2015 & Construction Management (Postgraduate), 2016
Message: The 2026 Innovation Alumni Award represents the immigrant’s grit and the collective that builds us. GBP’s programs were my blueprint, but no one builds skyscrapers alone. This honors my mother’s vision of education as a pillar for progress and the mentors who gave me a seat at the table. Now leading and teaching, I am humbled to help students and teams leverage construction innovation to secure better futures for their families and our communities.
Harpreet Atwal
Category: Alumni Leadership Award
Program and Grad Year: Hospitality Special Events Management, 2015
Message: Receiving the Alumni Leadership Award from George Brown Polytechnic is both humbling and deeply meaningful. It represents not only my journey, but the community, mentors, and experiences that shaped me. This recognition reinforces my commitment to lead with purpose, uplift others, and create spaces where people feel seen and empowered. I carry this honor as a reminder that leadership is rooted in service, connection, and the courage to keep showing up with intention.
Katherine Barrell
Category: Alumni Impact Award
Program and Grad Year: Theatre Arts, 2010
Message: Receiving the Impact Award from George Brown Polytechnic is a powerful affirmation that storytelling matters. I remember questioning whether the work I was pursuing had lasting value, but over time I’ve learned how wrong I was. Stories can shift perspectives, build community, and help people see themselves in new ways. I’m proud to be part of an industry that brings them to life, and honoured to be recognized where my journey began.
Douglas Heitkamp
Category: Alumni Leadership Award
Program and Grad Year: Electromechanical Engineering Technician, 1986
Message: I’m truly honored and grateful to receive the Alumni Leadership Award—this recognition was unexpected and deeply appreciated. I believe strongly in sharing knowledge with others; if you have something to offer, it’s important to give.
Mitchell LeBlanc
Category: Alumni Mentor Award
Program and Grad Year: Screenwriting & Narrative Design, 2017
Message: I believe we have a duty to hold doors open behind us and to be the kind of resource we ourselves needed in the formative years of learning our craft. It isn’t selfless; teachers learn much from their students. But it is necessary for the health of an industry, especially in the arts, that we encourage and inspire new voices trying to contribute. I am grateful to George Brown for the acknowledgement. I am encouraged.
Karan Mehta
Category: Alumni Mentor Award
Program and Grad Year: Sport and Event Marketing (Postgraduate), 2023
Message: Giving back to the college gives me immense pride. Helping students who are now where I once stood is incredibly satisfying. It is truly a pleasure to be recognized for my efforts with the alumni team and my mentees. This award is a meaningful reflection of our shared commitment to supporting the next generation of graduates!
Naveen Prasad
Category: Alumni Innovation Award
Program and Grad Year: Game - Programming, 2019
Message: Winning the Alumni Award for Innovation means a lot to me. My time at George Brown gave me the chance to connect with great people, learn from instructors who were industry professionals, and really grow my skills. It also gave me the opportunity to build a strong portfolio that helped kickstart my career. I am grateful for the experience and everything it set me up for.
Mandy Schnurr
Category: Alumni Impact Award
Program and Grad Year: Special Events Planning, 2010
Message: It is an honour to receive the 2026 George Brown Polytechnic Alumni Impact Award. My years spent at George Brown studying Event Planning were pivotal to my life and career goals, building lasting connections and a meaningful network. The education, skills, and passion for continuous learning that I gained here have helped me to advance missions for social enterprises and non-profits, eventually leading me to my current work as a social impact consultant and changemaker.
Dr Kavitha Siva
Category: Alumni Entrepreneur Award
Program and Grad Year: College Teachers Training for Internationally Educated Professionals (Postgraduate), 2019
Message: Receiving the GBP Alumni Award is a humbling reminder that true success lies in purpose, values, and service to others. My journey has been shaped by curiosity, perseverance, and a commitment to meaningful impact. The foundation I gained at George Brown not only guided my path but also inspired me to build my own college, rooted in the same principles of accessible, transformative education. This recognition deepens my responsibility to lead with integrity, give back, and uplift future generations.
Alumni Recognition Award Categories
Though the criteria differ for each award, recipients have all demonstrated exceptional loyalty, dedication, and commitment to enhancing the alumni experience and have a significant impact on the college and our community through their efforts.
- Alumni Entrepreneur Award
- Alumni Innovation Award
- Alumni Leadership Award
- Alumni Mentor Award
- Alumni Impact Award
Two alumni will be recognized from each category.
Guidelines for Nominations
Nominations are accepted continuously throughout the year. Anyone can nominate a candidate for a George Brown Alumni Recognition Award including the employers, friends, colleagues and family members of nominees. Awards are open to all graduates of George Brown. Nominations for Alumni Recognition Awards 2027 are now open.
Completed nomination forms must be received by February 20, 2027. Any nominations received after this date will be considered for the following year.
The nomination forms should be complete and include as much supporting documentation as possible.
Each nomination package should include:
- Fully completed Nomination Form, including a clear and concise statement of 300 words or less indicating why the candidate deserves recognition in this category.
- Nominee biography (resume or curriculum vitae is also accepted)
- Supporting documents such as reference letters, testimonials, photos, copies or links to relevant videos and photos, media clippings other information deemed pertinent by the nominator can be emailed to alumni@georgebrown.ca.
Selection Process
Alumni Relations administers the Alumni Recognition Awards through an Awards Selection Committee. Nominations are invited from the broader George Brown community via the George Brown alumni web pages.
Selection is based on the nominee’s accomplishments in alignment with the criteria as highlighted on the nomination form. It is important that the nomination forms include all relevant information pertaining to the award criteria. Supplemental letters of support, biography, and list of accomplishments that clearly make the link between the nominee and the award for which they are being considered.