On November 24, 2014, members of the Humber College community gathered to celebrate and honour five Humber alumni with nominations for the 2014 Premier's Awards. The evening was a huge success with two wins of a possible six categories for Humber!
Pictured Above, President Chris Whitaker, alumnus and Premier’s Award recipient, Peter van Stralen, and the Hon. Reza Moridi, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
Pictured Above, President Chris Whitaker, alumna Candice Ekonomakos and Premier’s Award recipient, and the Hon. Reza Moridi, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
Peter van Stralen, Landscape Technician, 1990
Starting out with just a lawn mower and trailer, Peter van Stralen is the CEO of the multi-million dollar Sunshine Brands which includes two franchise brands The Grounds Guys and the Sprinkler Guys with 180 locations across Canada and the US. He did it with the help of his ten siblings, all graduates of Humber College.
Van Stralen is regularly invited to speak on the topics of leadership and personal and professional growth. He is also the author of C.A.R.E. Leadership: 8 Principles that will Transform the Culture of your Business and Unleash the Full Potential of your Team.
Candice Ekonomakos, Culinary Management, 2012
Candice Ekonomakos is using her culinary gifts to fight hunger and poverty in the city of Toronto. “Cooks with a Mission” invites junior chefs and established cooks alike to donate food, equipment, and time to local community kitchens. Candice presented on the initiative at the CCFCC’s National Conference in 2014, and will represent North American Junior Chefs at the World Association of Chefs Societies conference in Oslo, Norway, in July of 2014. Just two years after graduating from Humber’s Culinary Arts Program, Candice works at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton restaurant, and serves as National Junior Representative of the CCFCC.
Click here to see a video from the Gala: youtube.com/watch?v=qCQi1-MkdYg&list=UUDgSQYHkfNY5Q6_zl8KTRZw
Along with their recognition, Peter and Candice will each receive a $5,000 scholarship in their name to support Humber students.
- Mark Cameron, Paramedic, 1989
Advanced Care Paramedic, County of Hastings and Vice President Canadian International Medical Relief Organization
- Waawaate Fobister, Theatre Performance, 2005
Playwright, actor, dancer, choreographer, producer
- Kimberley Greenwood, Police Foundation Leadership, 2010
Chief of Police, Barrie Police Service
This ad from Colleges Ontario will appear in the Globe and Mail on Saturday, November 29 profiling all the winners.
For more information about the Premier's Awards please contact Adelia Marchese at 416.675.6622 ext. 5110 or adelia.marchese@humber.ca.
Office of Advancement & Alumni Relations