Founder – His Royal Highness The Prince Philip
Patron – His Royal Highness The Prince Edward The Duke of Edinburgh
Honorary Chair – Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., O.Q., C.D., The Governor General of Canada
Officers
Immediate Past Chair – Melissa MacAdam B.S.S (Hons. Crim.), LLB
Bronze, Silver & Gold Award Achiever – 2001
Lawyer, Blackburn Law Inc.
Directors-at-large
Youth & Alumni Director – Alexander Li BCom, MBA
Bronze, Silver & Gold Award Achiever – 2012
Business Management Specialist – TD Asset Management
Board Director, Audit Committee Chair, Chair Pension Board of Trustees – CBC/Radio-Canada
Chair – Amy Langhorne M.Sc. ICD.D
Gold Award Achiever – 1987
As a life long learner and volunteer, I’m passionate about helping future generations access the opportunities for personal growth and development available through the Award program.
Immediate Past Chair – Melissa MacAdam B.S.S (Hons. Crim.), LLB
Lawyer Blackburn Law Inc.
Bronze, Silver and Gold Award Achiever – 2001
My Award journey gave me experiences that I never would have had if I had not being working on the Award. It gave me a belief in myself – that I could achieve things even if they were hard or took a long time – which has served me well throughout my life. I want all young people to have that same opportunity to develop their inner strengths and see how far they can go.
Treasurer – Sarah deGuzman
Partner (Audit) KPMG
I stepped into the role of Treasurer for Award Canada in April 2015 to help with overall challenges of overseeing the finances of the Award, including directing the transition to digital accounting and managing the merger of 11 entities into a single consolidated not-for-profit organization.
Erin Garner CFA
Director-at-large
Gold Award Achiever – 2006
Managing Director – Scotiabank
I’ve been involved with the Award in Canada in a volunteer capacity since completing my Gold Award in 2006. The experience created a foundation for lifelong service, which continues to shape my personal and professional values. Supporting the Award in Canada is my way of paying it forward. I’m passionate about creating opportunities for youth to grow, challenge themselves, and discover their potential. I believe in the ability of the Award to empower young people to achieve personal milestones and make a positive impact on society as a whole. It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to a program that fosters the leaders of tomorrow.
Lou Gizzarelli PEng, MEng, ICD
Director-at-large
Paul E. Henry OStJ, CD, M.Éd., ECCM, MRHSC
Director-at-large
Gold Award Achiever – 1988
Director of Education and Secretary-Treasurer – Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario
Since 1984, I have been involved with the Award in Canada, through the Canadian Cadet System as a Reserve Officer and a community member. The adventurous component in the High Arctic that I lived in Baffin Island way back in 1984, has always served me well in leadership situations, determination and grit, resilience and inspirational mentoring. Giving back to the program as a National Board and Ontario Council Member, is a testimonial of the impact that the Gold Award has had on my personal and professional life. Long life to The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Canada and around the world.
Marian Jones
Director-at-large
Youth & Alumni Director – Alexander Li BCom, MBA
Director-at-large
Bronze, Silver & Gold Award Achiever – 2012
Business Management Specialist – TD Asset Management
Being involved with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – Canada has inspired my belief to continue to invest in youth to become tomorrow’s leaders. As someone who found the experience formative in my own life, I recognize the profound impact it can have. It helped shaped my character, instilling values of perseverance, teamwork and a commitment to giving back. Supporting growth of the Award in Canada is my way of ensuring that more young Canadians have access to the same transformative opportunities.
Ashley Lorette MPA, CPHR
Director-at-large
Bronze, Silver & Gold Award Achiever – 2002
My own positive experience as an Award achiever has inspired me to help advance the Award across Canada. First getting involved by supporting a local Air Cadet unit with Adventurous Journeys, and then serving on a Provincial Council and National Board.
Gregory C. Ludlow
Director-at-large
Of Counsel – PCK IP Lawyers PC
Back in 1998, my nephew, who was the National Treasurer of the Award at the time, encouraged me to get involved given the positive efforts on behalf of the youth of Canada that he extolled to me. I put forward my resume to the President and Executive Director for Ontario, and was invited to join the Ontario Board.
Kevin Malone
Director-at-large
Gold Award Achiever – 1976
Managing Director – BMO Financial Group
As a Gold Award Achiever, I am passionate about youth and supporting youth in preparing them for to help make a difference.
Randall Mang
Director-at-large
Engel & Volkers Vancouver Island
I was inspired to get involved in the Award after witnessing its profound and impressive impact on my youngest daughter’s personal development.
Sandra Mason CPA, CA
Director-at-large
Board Director, Audit Committee Chair, Chair Pension Board of Trustees – CBC/Radio-Canada
I am a long a believer in the power of education to change outcomes and improve lives, and am inspired by the Award’s unique program which prepares our young people for adulthood and truly amplifies their opportunities and contributions to society.
Thomas Morin–Cabana MStJ, A de C
Director-at-large
Gold Award Achiever – 2014
Officer – Canadian Armed Forces
It can be difficult for doors to open for young people seeking opportunities. Through participating in The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, it shows them that there is no limit to their dreams when they trust in their #Infinite Potential!
Kevin Pashuk MBA-ITM
Director-at-large
Interim Technology Executive
I have a long history in education, and have personally witnessed the advantage that young people can achieve by participating. It adds essential experiences and skills to their adult lives. I feel it is an offering that should be available to all of Canada’s youth.
Neil Thompson M.Sc.Ed.
Director-at-large
Director of International Student Affairs – Grace Christian School
Since 2002, I have been blessed to mentor and support students in our Award Centre realize their potential in achieving their personal goals. Because of the positive outcomes for my students, I am eager to engage teachers and other adults who support youth to embrace the potential in the Award. Seeing students, who might not be recognized in school for outstanding academic, athletic or artistic accomplishments, receive their Award and enjoy the recognition is extremely rewarding.
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I have been involved in our Local PEI Council and was instrumental in creating our first DOE external credits for all PEI high school students. Knowing that I can help students see their potential growth through the Award motivates me to see the Award flourish. The Award provides experiential learning growth which opens skill sets for students to take into their future careers and opportunities. Award holders develop resilience and adaptability in their collaborative efforts through the Adventurous Journey and Gold Project which in turn develops a growth mindset necessary for future success. This is especially true for newcomers to Canada who wish to engage in language learning and community immersion. Having the Award framework has allowed me to encourage students to push themselves to be involved in community activities resulting in better life experiences in their new home. Watching the pride on the face of parents seeing their child recognized for this prestigious International Award.
