Alumni Recognition

• Radio Television Journalism
• Premier Award Category: Community Services
  

Dave Brown graduated in 1985 from the Radio Television Journalism and began working at the United Way. By the age of 25 he became the Executive Director and has now served as Executive Director for almost 40 years. Making him the youngest Executive Director and longest serving active United Way staff member in all of Canada. He has raised and distributed approximately $60 million into the community.

United Way of Sarnia-Lambton supports nearly 20 local agencies and provides close to 30 programs in the community. In 2023, the local United Way beat its $1.4 million fundraising goal.

• Business Administration - Accounting & Marketing
• Premier Award Category: Health Sciences
  

Lisa Brush graduated from the Business Administration - Accounting & Marketing program at Lambton College in 1990. She is currently the CEO and Founder of Symphony Senior Living Inc., Blue Lotus Senior Living LP and Scuba Samadhi.

With over 25 years of experience in serving seniors and their loved ones, Lisa decided to start her own business - Symphony Senior Living Inc. - in 2008. This company currently operates over 900 units of independent, assisted living, and dementia care locations across North America.

Brush had held a variety of senior level positions in the field of senior care for companies such as, Steeves & Rozema and Sunrise Senior Living before she decided to start her own business.

• Alternative Energy Engineering Technology
• Premier Award Category: Science, Technology & Engineering
  

Thomas Chona graduated in 2012 from the Alternative Energy Engineering Technology program at Lambton College. He is current the COO & Co-Founder of Zacstar Zambia Ltd. and he is also a Professor of Photovoltaic Grids at Conestoga College.

While working in the banking industry in Zambia and England, Tom reconnected with a friend in Canada who introduced him to renewable energy and inspired a career change with the goal of bringing these developments back to his village in Zambia.

Zacstar Zambia Ltd. committed to designing and implementing solar energy systems in the form of off-grid, fire-tie, mini-grids, and hybrid systems.

• Hospitality Management
• Premier Award Category: Creative Arts & Design
  

Ryan Lindsay graduated from the Hospitality Management program in 2003 and is currently a Producer, Screenwriter and Co-Founder of Kontent House Productions. He is also the Founder of the Culture Project. He is also the Creator, Executive Producer, and Writer of the The Trades a Crave Original series based on Sarnia's local Petrochemical Industry. This show has just been renewed for a second season.

• Computer Programmer, Social Service Worker
• Premier Award Category: Recent Graduate
  

Tracy MacDonald graduated from the Computer Programmer program in 2000 and from the Social Service Worker program in 2022. She currently works as:

• Relief Worker, Inn of the Good Shepherd
• Housing Support at Sarnia-Lambton Rebound
• Founder of United We Stand
• Owner of Thru the Eyes of a Gemini Soy Candles

After the tragic loss of her friend Jessica Nethery in 2002, MacDonald decided to shift her focus to ending gender-based violence. For the past 10 years, she has led and organized a series of events that have supported local organizations including the Women's Interval Home, the Sexual Assault Survivors' Centre, and the Haven Youth Shelter.

• Child & Youth Care & Criminal Justice & Police Science, Liberal Arts & Science
• Premier Award Category: Business
  

Helen Smith graduated from the Child & Youth Worker program in 2007 and always planned to centre her career around children. She is currently the CEO and Co-Founder of Roo & You.

Matthew Smith completed the Criminal Justice & Police Science program in 2005 and then complete the Liberal Arts & Sciences program in 2007. He is currently the COO and Co-Founder of Roo & You.

Roo & You is a family-owned and operated business specializing in children's play products that has generated over $26 million in sales since launching in 2020. Their most infamous product is the Joey - a modular play couch that can be arranged in a range of combinations for imaginative play.