The Distinguished Graduate Award celebrates the outstanding professional or personal achievements of graduates of the Goodman School of Business at Brock University.
2021 Distinguished Graduate
Cheryl Brandon
(BBA ’04)
The 2021 Distinguished Graduate is Goodman School of Business alumna Cheryl Brandon (BBA ’04), co-founder of Waterton Global Resource Management. The Distinguished Graduate series honours Goodman School of Business alumni who are leaders in the business community and offers students the opportunity to gain insights from outstanding individuals.
Brandon co-founded a private equity firm, started two charities, and serves on the boards of many others. “We’re very proud to have Cheryl as a representative of our School,” Goodman Dean Andrew Gaudes said. “Her success in business coupled with her philanthropic leadership is an inspirational example to recognize and share with our students on how business education is a force for doing good things in support of our community.”
About the award
| Year | Honoree | Title |
| 2020 | Sean Washchuk (BAcc ’96) | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CCL Industries Inc. |
| 2019 | Rita Middleton (BAdmin ’87) | CEO, Interim CFO, and Board Member International Solar Solutions |
| 2018 | Brian Parsons (BAdmin ’90) | President and CEO Willis Towers Watson |
| 2017 | Joanne McKee (BAdmin ’86) | Chief Financial Officer, Ryerson University |
| 2016 | Martin Philp (BAdmin ’80, MA ’86) | Founding Partner, Next Advisory |
| 2015 | Jason Sparaga (BBA ’93) | Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Spark Power Corp.,Oakville |
| 2014 | Mark Arthur (BA ’77) | President Industrial Alliance Private Wealth Management, Toronto |
| 2013 | Anne-Marie Robinson (BSc ’87, BBA ’90) | President Public Service Commission of Canada, Ottawa |
| 2012 | Fred Losani (BAdmin ‘ 87) | Owner and CEO Losani Homes, Hamilton |
| 2011 | Jeff Park (BAcc ’95) | Executive Vice-President and CFO SXC Health Solutions Corp, Chicago |
| 2010 | Kristian Knibutat (BAdmin ’86) | Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Toronto |
| Year | Honoree | Title |
| 2009 | James MacLellan (BAdmin ’87) | Partner Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Toronto |
| 2008 | John Zoccoli (BAdmin ’86) | President Jamzoc Holdings Ltd., o/a Tim Horton, St. Catharines |
| 2007 | Jim Ryan (BAdmin ’84) | CEO Party Gaming,Gibraltar |
| 2006 | Dr. Stephen Young (BBA ’91) | Managing Director of Accounting Policy Citigroup’s Corporate and Investment Bank (CIB), New York |
| 2005 | Debbie Sevenpifer (BAdmin ’87) | CEO Niagara Health Systems, Niagara |
| 2004 | Dr. Paul Ingram (BBA ’90) | Professor of Management Columbia University,New York |
| 2003 | Deborah Rosati (BAdmain ’84) | President RosatiNet Inc.,Ottawa |
| 2002 | Doug Wilkinson (BBA ’91) | Partner Deloitte, Toronto |
Nominations, consisting of a letter outlining the nominee’s achievements supported by two additional letters and/or newspaper clippings, resume, awards, journal articles etc., will be accepted until the end of July each year. A committee consisting of the Dean, Chairs of each Department, and graduates will select the recipient.
Rules
- Nominees must have graduated from the Brock Faculty of Business or Goodman School of Business (hold a BAdmin, BAcc, BBA, MAcc, MBA, or MSc in Management degree)
- Nominees must have fifteen years post-graduate experience
- All nominees should demonstrate at least one of the following criteria:
- Outstanding professional achievements
- Outstanding educational achievements
- Outstanding community achievements
- Outstanding volunteer achievements
- Outstanding entrepreneurial achievements
- An ongoing commitment to Brock University
- Graduates may nominate themselves
- Current Brock faculty and staff are excluded
- Nominations must be received by March 1
The committee reserves the right to bestow the award to a graduate they feel is a worthy recipient.
Send nominations to Daniel Stranges (dstranges@brocku.ca)
