Premier's Awards nominees announced for 2022
SARNIA, November 25, 2022 – Lambton College is proud to honour six outstanding alumni who have been nominated for this year’s Colleges Ontario Premier’s Awards.
On Monday, November 28, Lambton College will celebrate a select group of notable alumni at the 2022 Premier’s Awards ceremony in Toronto. This year’s notable nominees include Bill Boyes, Danielle Catton, Helen Smith, Matthew Dochstader, Megan Rizzo-Naus, and Nikki Noble.
“Lambton College is always proud to recognize the impact our alumni have in their communities and in their professions,” says Rob Kardas, President & CEO, Lambton College. “These six inspiring individuals continue to demonstrate their commitment to innovation, integrity, leadership and caring, all respected values of Lambton College. They have set an extraordinary example for our current students, and they are outstanding ambassadors of the College. My congratulations to all of them on receiving this prestigious nomination.”
The Premier’s Awards are hosted by Colleges Ontario in honour of the important social and economic contributions that graduates make to Ontario and throughout the world. Nominees are selected by each college based on their ongoing contributions to their fields and communities. The Premier’s Awards recognize one winner across seven categories.
Nominees
- Bill Boyes, Community Services
- Bill is Brampton Fire & Emergency Services Fire Chief, the 2021 Canadian Fire Chief of the Year, and a passionate advocate for progressive public safety services. Bill has led Brampton’s Emergency Response team through the Covid-19 pandemic while remaining committed to advancing the Fire Master Plan, which includes enhancing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and broadening the impact public safety services have on the community. Bill has successfully secured Ontario’s first electric fire truck, implemented measures to address food insecurity, and partnered with Firefighters without Borders to donate an aerial fire truck to Ebb & Flow First Nation.
- Danielle Catton, Health Sciences
- Danielle is a content creator and mental health advocate who has found significant audiences both locally and globally. As the founder of Sarnia Speaks, a grassroots movement designed to educate and instill empathy through open dialogue and digital media, Danielle and more than 120 speakers have reached over 8,000 people through 41 in-person events. As the woman behind the Instagram presence @DanielleIsAnxious, Danielle reaches an audience of more than 60,000 people with her mental health, self-love and self-acceptance journey. Danielle’s non-traditional career has been one of openness and authenticity that clearly resonates with audiences.
- Helen Smith, Business
- Helen is the Founder & CEO of Roo & You, a family-owned business specializing in children’s play products. Since launching the Joey Play Couch in 2020, Roo & You has generated $8 million in sales, expanded into the United States, is exploring expansion into the United Kingdom, and is one of the first play equipment companies to receive approval from the Ontario Autism Program. Helen’s educational background and her own parenting journey has been the inspiration for creating beautiful, affordable products and ensuring that her products are inclusive for children with disabilities and sensory processing issues.
- Matthew Dochstader, Creative Arts & Design
- Matthew is the Creative Director and Co-Owner of Paradox Images. After spending eight years with studios in Toronto working with national brands and on a range of well-known movies, tv shows and commercials, Matthew made the move back to his hometown of Sarnia. Finding his passion in elevating the organizations, businesses and people of his hometown, Matthew’s work in Support Local campaigns has helped keep his community connected, and his award-winning video work on mental health and addiction services, palliative care, and COVID-19 response has helped boost the profile and perception of community services.
- Megan Rizzo-Naus, Recent Graduate
- Megan is a firm believer in the power entrepreneurship has to change lives. In her role as Coordinator for Enactus Lambton, Megan has specialized in creating business development and employment opportunities for populations that can otherwise face systemic barriers. Her time at the helm of an agricultural and entrepreneurial project undertaken in partnership with First Nation communities across Canada has resulted in food security, revenue-generating opportunities, and progress in Truth & Reconciliation. Megan’s passion for entrepreneurship and creating societal change has helped lead Enactus Lambton to championships on the regional, national and even global scale.
- Nikki Noble, Apprenticeship
- Nikki is the Coordinator for all welding programs and courses at Lambton College, and is also a prominent speaker and advocate for the trades. In her work as a speaker, Nikki has worked to broaden the perception of the trades and attract more non-traditional tradespeople. In her work at Lambton College, Nikki has created more open and accessible welding programs and redesigned the curriculum to provide a whole education that equips learners with business and employability skills to prepare them for careers. Nikki is also an entrepreneur, running a farm and art business on the side.