Georgian celebrates changemakers, partners and leaders at 2026 Awards of Distinction

May 1, 2026

Georgian College came together April 30 to celebrate an inspiring group of partners, alumni and employees at its annual Awards of Distinction — recognizing the people and organizations who are helping shape the college and strengthen the communities it serves.

Presented by Georgian’s Board of Governors, the awards honour individuals and teams whose leadership, generosity and innovation are creating meaningful opportunities for students.

These recipients reflect the heart of Georgian, with a deep commitment to student success and to strengthening the communities we serve. Through their leadership and willingness to give back, they’re creating opportunities that extend well beyond our campuses.

Kimberley Greenwood, Chair of Georgian’s Board of Governors

This year’s recipients reflect what makes Georgian strong: meaningful partnerships, engaged alumni and employees committed to student success.

Meet this year’s recipients

Community Partner Award

belairdirect and WEINS Auto Group

The Community Partner Award recognizes organizations that make a significant contribution to Georgian while reflecting the college’s values and strategic priorities.

belairdirect has built a longstanding relationship with Georgian rooted in community impact and student success. Through consistent investment in scholarships, alumni programming and campus initiatives, belairdirect has helped remove financial barriers and expand access to postsecondary education. Their support shows up in meaningful, measurable ways across the Georgian experience.

WEINS Auto Group continues to play a critical role in preparing career-ready graduates. From corporate training and co-op placements to active participation in student networking and recruitment events, the organization is deeply embedded in the student journey. Their ongoing involvement in automotive programming also helps ensure curriculum remains aligned with industry needs.

Distinguished Alumni Award – Progress and Achievement

Kent Smith

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes graduates who are making a lasting impact in their fields and communities.

Kent Smith (class of 1987 and 1998) has spent more than three decades building a respected career in the hospitality industry. As co-owner of Michael & Marion’s, The Side Door and The Loft @89, alongside fellow alumna Krista Smith (class of 1991), he has helped create welcoming, community-focused spaces known for quality and service.

His connection to Georgian extends far beyond his time as a student. As a former instructor, he has helped shape the next generation of hospitality professionals, and as a keynote speaker at Georgian’s June 2025 convocation, he inspired graduates with his journey and commitment to service.

Through the Kent and Krista Smith Alumni Fund, the couple has contributed $26,000 to establish a permanent endowment supporting students in financial need. Their continued philanthropy and community involvement reflect a deep commitment to giving back.

Across this year’s recipients, you see people who are committed to making a difference in real and lasting ways. They are supporting students, building stronger communities and sharing their time, knowledge and experience to help others succeed. That kind of commitment creates opportunities that will be felt for years to come.

Kevin Weaver, President and CEO of Georgian College

Distinguished Alumni Award – Changemaker

Addison Wallwin and Roxann Whittingham

The Changemaker category celebrates alumni who are creating positive social change and driving innovation in their communities.

Addison Wallwin (class of 2015 and 2019) has built a successful career as Controller at Wallwin Electric Services Ltd., while maintaining a strong commitment to Georgian. As a volunteer co-chair for signature events like the Georgian College Gala and Golf Classic, she has helped raise nearly $1.5 million to support students facing financial barriers.

Her impact goes beyond fundraising. Through years of leadership, community engagement and a commitment to giving back, she has helped turn generosity into opportunity for countless students.

Roxann Whittingham (class of 2019 and 2020) is a powerful advocate for equity in education. As a graduation coach with the Simcoe County District School Board, she works directly with Black students to remove systemic barriers and support their path to graduation and postsecondary success.

Through Rox of Hope Inc., she has created mentorship and support programs for youth and families. She also founded the Black Education Empowerment Fund and leads initiatives like the BIPOC Graduation Support Network, helping ensure students feel supported, celebrated and seen throughout their educational journey.

Recognizing innovation and excellence across Team Georgian

In addition to partner and alumni awards, Georgian recognized employees whose work continues to move the college forward.

Employee Entrepreneurial Award

Thomas Dexter and Jason Duiella

Their work on the GCWalkUp platform has transformed how students access services across campus. The system streamlines check-ins, reduces wait times by 25 per cent and has supported more than 71,000 student interactions since launch.

Recognized internationally with a ServiceNow Devvies Award, GCWalkUp highlights how innovation at Georgian directly improves the student experience.

Team Award

CIDA Accreditation Team – Honours Bachelor of Interior Design
The CIDA Accreditation Team was recognized for achieving internationally respected Council for Interior Design Accreditation status for Georgian’s Honours Bachelor of Interior Design program. Through strong cross-college collaboration, the team strengthened program quality and ensured graduates are well prepared for professional practice.

Open House Steering Committee and Key Contributors
This cross-functional team of nearly 100 employees was honoured for delivering record-breaking Open House events that significantly strengthened Georgian’s enrolment pipeline. Their collaborative efforts generated nearly 3,000 registrations and more than 2,300 applications in fall 2025 while creating engaging student experiences across campuses.

Emerita/Emeritus

Brad MacDonald, Administrator Emeritus
Brad MacDonald was recognized for more than 42 years of dedicated service to Georgian College. A respected financial leader and trusted mentor, his student-first approach and long-term strategic leadership helped guide Georgian’s sustainability and growth for generations to come.

Awards of Excellence

Heather Harrison, Student Success Advisor (Support Staff)
Heather Harrison, a Student Success Advisor and instructor within Georgian’s Developmental Services Worker program, was recognized for leading the development of an innovative peer-to-peer presentation focused on neurodiversity. Her work has helped foster empathy, inclusion and greater understanding across the college community by encouraging students to better understand themselves and others while creating safer, more supportive learning environments.

Laleh Khodaparast, Director, Research and Innovation (Administration)
Laleh Khodaparast was honoured for her visionary leadership in establishing Georgian’s Centre of Industrial Simulation and Prototyping. Through her work, Georgian achieved national recognition as a Technology Access Centre and strengthened its position as a leader in Industry 5.0-focused applied research, creating meaningful opportunities for students while supporting advanced manufacturing innovation across the region.

Mary Dobson, Program Coordinator, Interior Decorating (Academic)
Mary Dobson was recognized as a transformative academic leader whose work has consistently advanced experiential learning, curriculum innovation and student success. As Program Coordinator for Georgian’s Interior Decorating program, she has strengthened industry partnerships, expanded mentorship opportunities and created future-ready learning experiences that continue to prepare students for meaningful careers.