From health care to finance to the grape and wine industry, Brock University alumni are having a significant impact in the sectors they both work and volunteer in.

Ten outstanding Brock graduates will be honoured for their contributions to their respective fields during the University’s Homecoming celebration in September.

The recipients of this year’s distinguished alumni awards were announced on Thursday, Aug. 3 by the Brock University Alumni Association (BUAA) and the University’s Alumni Relations office.

“We take immense pride in recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of our alumni,” says Kim Post, Interim Director, Alumni Relations. “We know Brock graduates are positively contributing to their industries and communities around the world. It’s important that we honour the achievements of these impressive individuals, who are an inspiration to Brock Badgers of the past, present and future.”

Each year, a selection of alumni receives distinguished honours from the University acknowledging their remarkable contributions to their professions, communities and personal growth.

This year’s award recipients have demonstrated exceptional leadership and success in their respective fields and are a testament to the talent and dedication within the Brock alumni community, Post says.

The 2023 recipients include:

Sarah Viehbeck (BA ’02) — Distinguished Alumni Award
Sarah Viehbeck serves as the Chief Science Officer for the Public Health Agency of Canada. Her strategic leadership and commitment to science excellence have significantly contributed to the agency’s success and the advancement of public health.

Jason Ribeiro (MEd ’15) — Outstanding Young Alumni Award
President and Vice-Chair of the Calgary Surge, Jason Ribeiro’s dedication to bridging communities through sport and entertainment is an inspiration to young professionals across Canada.

Adam Carter (BPhEd ’97) — Community Engagement Award
Adam Carter has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to public service, volunteering more than 11,500 hours over three decades and leading a team of St. John’s Ambulance emergency response volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vince Anania (BA ’85, BEd ’86) — David S. Betzner Award
A dedicated volunteer since 1987, Vince Anania has supported a wide range of initiatives at Brock, including Convocation, Smart Start, classroom and sport presentations, and more. His loyalty and support for the University have made a lasting impact on the institution and its students.

Mahoganie Hines (BScN ’16) — Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Distinguished Graduate Award
A dedicated leader in the nursing field, Mahoganie Hines has made significant contributions to palliative care and championed equitable access to health-care services.

Jane Omollo (MEd ’07) — Faculty of Education Distinguished Graduate Award
Jane Omollo, Manager of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Algoma University, is a passionate community leader with more than two decades of experience working in cross-cultural environments to champion inclusion for equity-deserving groups.

Tom Pennachetti (BA ’86) — Faculty of Humanities Distinguished Graduate Award
As Senior Vice-President and a managing partner at Cave Spring Vineyard, Tom Pennachetti has played a key role in establishing Niagara as a premier cool-climate viticultural region.

Mitchell McCurdy (BSc ’18) — Faculty of Mathematics and Science Distinguished Graduate Award
An accomplished winemaker and entrepreneur, Mitchell McCurdy has been instrumental in supporting small-batch producers.

Tefari Bailey (BA ’19) — Faculty of Social Sciences Distinguished Graduate Award
A business professional, Tefari Bailey is known for his commitment to innovation and making a difference in the finance industry.

Alia Lee (BBA ’06, MBA ’07) — Goodman School of Business Distinguished Graduate Award
A finance and technology leader, Alia Lee has a strong corporate governance mindset and a passion for nurturing future business leaders.

To learn more about each award recipient and their achievements, please visit the Brock alumni awards website.

For more information on Homecoming events and registration details, please visit brocku.ca/homecoming