Media releases

  • Community champion honoured as Brock’s 2025 Indigenous Leader

    MEDIA RELEASE – JUNE 17, 2025 – R0073

    Celebrated changemaker Fallon Farinacci will share her powerful story of survival and healing when she is recognized as Brock University’s 2025 Indigenous Leader Speaker Series honouree this week.

    Farinacci is a proud Red River Métis, renowned speaker and writer, and passionate advocate for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S+).

    The free public talk takes place online from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 19. Held in advance of National Indigenous Peoples Day, on Saturday, June 21, the event is a collaboration between Brock’s Indigenous Engagement Office and the Goodman School of Business.

    Farinacci’s place within the advocacy community stems from her lived experience as well as connecting with others in the community who have endured similar loss, trauma and systematic failures.

    She says she’s honoured to receive this recognition of her efforts to raise awareness across Turtle Island about the ongoing genocide against Indigenous women, girls and 2S+ folx.

    “I realized I wasn’t alone in what I had gone through and wanted to ensure that no one else felt alone, the way I once felt,” Farinacci said. “My spirit name is White Thunder Woman. The elder who gifted me my spirit name said it means that I am here to make a lot of noise, and that is how I lead within advocacy. My spirit name is my guide to the work I do in bringing awareness.”

    Farinacci has testified at the National Inquiry for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, sharing her personal story of loss and trauma. She later joined the National Family Advisory Circle, where she worked closely with other MMIWG2S+ family members and the Commissioners for the National Inquiry.

    She will be joined in conversation at the event with Brock University’s Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement Robyn Bourgeois, who selected Farinacci as this year’s honouree.

    “Fallon embodies leadership excellence,” Bourgeois says. “As a childhood survivor of MMIWG2S+, she uses her social platform to change the world for the better. She has the most beautiful spirit, and it inspires others to do better.”

    Farinacci has cultivated a large online community through social media and uses her platform to raise awareness, support Indigenous businesses and create change.

    She says she’s filled with gratitude for how the online community has supported her journey.

    “I’ve been speaking and using my voice, prior to using social media, as a tool to share my message for years, but once I realized the ways in which social media could be used to spread awareness and the large audience my messages could reach, then I knew it was the way.”

    Goodman Dean Barry Wright says the School is honoured to welcome Farinacci to the speaker series, which endeavours to amplify Indigenous voices, deepen collective understandings and create space for vital conversations.

    “By engaging with leaders like Fallon, our students gain insight into leadership rooted in resilience, community and reconciliation, which is an essential part of shaping a more inclusive future in business and beyond,” he says.

    This is the fifth instalment of the Indigenous Leader Speaker Series. Previous honourees include Jon Davey (BA ’05), Vice-President, CEO Support at Scotiabank; Karen MacKenzie, co-founder and President of MacKintosh Canada; Mallory Yawnghwe, founder and CEO of Indigenous Box; and Jenn Harper, founder of Cheekbone Beauty Inc.

    To receive a link to the event, please register online.

    For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

     *Sarah Ackles, Communications Specialist, Brock University [email protected] or 289-241-5483

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    Categories: Media releases

  • An Evening of Brilliance brings sparkling end to Brock’s 60th anniversary celebrations 

    MEDIA RELEASE – JUNE 17, 2025 – R0073

    As the sky shimmered with fireworks over the famed Niagara Falls — itself aglow in red — Brock’s 60th anniversary celebrations concluded just as the University began: by bringing community together.

    Held Friday, June 13 at the Niagara Parks Power Station, An Evening of Brilliance marked the culmination of a year dedicated to reflecting on Brock’s growth over the past six decades and its exciting new chapter ahead.

    Surrounded by community partners, Brock graduates, local dignitaries, elected officials and University leadership, President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg said the institution has found strength in its local roots.

    “We wouldn’t have had 60 years of breakthroughs without the support of this community,” she said. “You’ve been with us every step of the way — cheering on our students, collaborating on research, hiring Brock grads and helping us to build a stronger, more resilient Niagara.

    “And as we look ahead to the next 60 years, we do so knowing that together, we can shape a future that is bold, inclusive and full of possibility.”

    Among the evening’s distinguished guests were dozens of Brock Alumni Brilliance Award recipients, who were honoured for their outstanding achievements and contributions during an awards reception sponsored by Niagara Parks and emceed by outgoing Brock Board of Trustees Chair Mark Arthur.

    “These exceptional individuals exemplify what it means to be a Brock graduate, leading with curiosity, creativity and courage,” Rigg said. “Their stories inspire us, not only for what they’ve achieved, but for the lasting impact they’ve made in their communities and professions.”

    Following the awards ceremony, the celebration continued with a keynote address by Niagara Falls-born philanthropist John McCall MacBain, with this portion of the evening emceed by Brock graduate and celebrated TV and radio host Rick Campanelli (BPhEd ’94).

    McCall MacBain, whose namesake foundation is dedicated to nurturing transformational leadership through scholarships and educational opportunities, shared insight into his own career journey while emphasizing why investing in young people is one of the most impactful ways to build a better and more sustainable future.

    He continued the conversation around supporting the next generation of changemakers during a fireside chat with Brock University Chancellor Hilary Pearson, who also spoke about the transformative power of education and the critical role universities play in society.

    The speaking engagement was supported by the D.G. Willmot Lecture Fund, which is dedicated to bringing leaders to the local community to share knowledge and insights through engaging events.

     

    To look back on Brock’s 60th anniversary celebrations, visit brocku.ca/60

    For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

    *Sarah Ackles, Communications Specialist, Brock University [email protected] or 289-241-5483

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    Categories: Media releases