Blue flame graphic ignite the night an unrivaled gala experience presented by bank of montreal

Georgian gala

The signature event of the year

Our deepest appreciation goes out to the many supporters of Georgian’s sold out Ignite the Night Unrivaled Gala Experience presented by BMO and held Nov. 3 at Casino Rama Resort.

The event raised a record-breaking $410,000 for awards, scholarships and bursaries, as well as the Georgian Food Locker. The meaningful commitment by more than 300 community and corporate leaders helps to open doors, remove barriers and support the delivery of an unrivaled student experience at Georgian. Read more.

Ali Khonsari, Addison Wallwin and president and CEO Kevin Weaver holding a large cheque at Georgian's Ignite the Night an Unrivaled Gala Experience the amount on the cheque is $410,000
Georgian graduates and gala co-chairs Ali Khonsari (class of 1997), left, and Addison Wallwin (classes of 2015 and 2019) present a cheque for $410,000 to Georgian President and CEO Kevin Weaver.

Thank you to the 2023 gala committee

Ali Khonsari, Co-chair

Owner and Vice President, Image Dental Laboratory
Past Chair, Georgian College Board of Governors 2022-23
Business Marketing Administration (class of 1997)

Addison Wallwin, Co-chair

Controller, Wallwin Electric Services Ltd.
Pre-health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees (class of 2015) and Business Administration – Accounting (class of 2019)


Chris Adams

Founder and Managing Director, Adams Hamilton

David Bell

Associate Vice President, Advancement and Alumni Relations, Georgian College

Patty Bradley

Senior Presidential Advisor and Government Relations, Georgian College
Tourism Management (class of 1995)

Kim Brent

Georgian retiree

Alex Cardno

Wealth Advisor, Scotia Wealth Management

Paulo Cardoso

Chief Partnerships Officer, JKR Agency
Business – Marketing (class of 2018)

Melissa Cardoso

Chief Marketing Officer, JKR Agency
Travel and Tourism (class of 2018)

Parker Coulter

Broker of Record, Parker Coulter Realty

Sheila Delaney

Community leader

Marilyn Nigro

Faculty, School of Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation, Georgian College

Cathy Turner

Community leader

Mary-Anne Willsey

Chair of Georgian College Board of Governors, General Manager of Business Operations, Economic Development, Chippewas of Rama First Nation

Thank you

Several students expressed their gratitude for the support they received and described how Georgian’s awards, scholarships and bursaries program helped them in these short videos presented by Deloitte. Gala guests also heard a special video message from Georgian alumnus Jon Montgomery, Canadian Olympian, Georgian alumnus (Canadian Automotive Institute class of 2000) and The Amazing Race Canada host along with a video appeal for contributions to the Georgian Food Locker from student life coordinator, Chris White.

Wendie McBurnie
Inna Kyrylenko
Paul Dyck
Jon Montgomery
Chris White

Unrivaled student experience 

Thank you for helping students overcome financial barriers to access Georgian’s unrivaled learning experience. Read more about these stories in the latest edition of GeorgianView magazine.

Kevin Weaver collaborating with students. Delivering an unrivaled experience
Yael Katz. Unrivaled innovation. Setting Georgian students apart by setting a new standard for higher education.

Thank you to our generous 2023 sponsors

Presenting sponsor


BMO Bank of Montreal

Venue sponsor


Casino Rama Resort

Radio and media sponsor


107.5 Kool FM Barrie's Best Mix
Rock 95
Barrie 360 What Barrie's talking about

Impact-level sponsors


AutoIQ.com visit us locally logos
Deloitte logo

Combustion-level sponsors


Orsi Group
guard.me logo
ILAC Education Group logo

Blaze-level sponsors


Georgian College Alumni Association logo
Georgian International logo
belairdirect logo
Rogers Business logo

Ignite-level sponsors


Gallivan student health and wellness logo
Panasonic logo

Spark-level sponsors


Magna logo
Miller Waste logo
Powell Jones LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants
Business Advisors
The Wallwin Family