Niagara College Canada

Liz started her career in the library at St. Joseph’s School of Nursing. She joined Mohawk College in 1973, where she was responsible for audiovisual resources for the health sciences library. Liz was proud to receive Mohawk College President’s Award of Excellence in 1989 and Mohawk College, Part-Time Studies, Health Sciences, Award of Excellence in 1994. She retired from Mohawk College in 2005 after 34 years service.

Liz was a founding member of the Ontario Association of Library Technicians /Association des Bibliotechniciens de l’Ontario (OALT/ABO). For many years, she served on the regional executive, served on provincial committees and helped to organize many annual conferences. She received the President’s Award in 1985.

Liz is a casual Library Technician with the Niagara District School Board. She continues to be involved with many other volunteer activities: Library Technician’s Association; Mohawk College Library and Information Technology Advisory Committee; Board of Directors of the Wainfleet Agricultural Society; and the Board of Directors of Mohawk College Retirees. Liz enjoys spending time with her family and leisure activities including sailing, curling and photography.

Lindsey possesses a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Communications from Brock University and is a graduate of both the Public Relations and Human Resources Management Post-Graduate Certificate programs from Niagara College.

She pursued a career in the field of Human Resources and has achieved the professional designation of Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) under the Human Resources Professionals Association of Canada.

Lindsey is involved in her community through Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Niagara as a Board Member and the Chair of the Human Resources Committee.

Lauri has worked in her specialized field of childhood development since graduation. Her extensive experience has led to many different roles, mostly within the YMCA of Niagara. From Childcare Supervisor, to Regional Director, Lauri’s leadership influenced the growth of the YMCA Child Care Services to the largest licensed provider in the Niagara Region. Lending that expertise to Niagara College, Lauri has taught ECE in Part-Time Studies since 2010.

Her passion for the well-being of children was the foundation for a natural progression from child care to philanthropy on behalf of children. As Director of the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, Lauri oversees all fundraising efforts for an ongoing annual campaign that subsidizes children to access community programs and services provided through the YMCA.

Lauri serves as a volunteer on the Children’s Rights Niagara Group, National Child Day Committee, Niagara Community Foundation Committees for Random Acts of Kindness and the annual Au Marche event.

Lauri credits Niagara College for providing the opportunity to pursue a career that aligns with her passion of working with children. In her spare time, she enjoys family time with her husband and three young adult children.

After graduating from the New Media Web Design program, Anna started her own company, Anna Cobian Designs. In addition, she works at Niagara Health as Web and New Media Coordinator. She previously was employed as a multimedia specialist at Niagara Region Public Works; and web designer at Port Cares, Colin Dewar Photography and Play With The Pros. She was a digital ad composer at the Moose Jaw Times Herald.

Lori is the Community Services Coordinator for the Town of Lincoln. She previously held the position of Recreation Supervisor for 12 years for the City of St. Catharines. Her skill sets include community development and outreach, volunteer management, program development management and evaluation, grant writing, fundraising, leadership, workshop facilitation and policy.

Jim is a graduate of the Niagara College’s Mechanical Engineering Technology program. From 2015-19, he was the Manager of the Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre at the College. Under Jim’s leadership, the Centre assisted more than 150 companies, with 173 technical services and 87 applied research projects, which involved product development, new manufacturing methods, or enhancement to an existing product. These projects spanned multiple industries, including manufacturing, food, agriculture, consumer goods, health, mining industry, transportation, aerospace, the public sector, utilities, and energy.

Prior to this, Jim worked for Bosch Rexroth for 33 years in various capacities, initially as a designer-draftsman, then as Design Manager. Under Jim’s leadership, Bosch was awarded Autodesk’s Inventor of the Year for 2006 and in 2007, Bosch Rexroth Canada was awarded a Top 50 Progressive Manufacturer Award from Manufacturing Automation, as part of their design work in the refurbishing of the mechanical canal locks for the St. Lawrence Seaway project.

Celebrating over 30 years as a member of the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT), Jim was awarded the George Burwash Langford Memorial Award in 2010, which is granted to a member who has distinguished himself/herself in their career, and thereby brought recognition and credit to the profession of engineering/applied science technology.

In 2008, Niagara College nominated Jim for a Premier’s Award in the Technology category.

After completing her B. Sc in Environmental Science from McMaster University, Julie came to Niagara College to complete a Post-Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management and Assessment.

Following this, Julie remained in the Niagara Region working in the environmental consulting field including working in the Environmental Department at the General Motors Powertrain Facilities. Julie changed careers in January 2010 and is now a Constable with the Hamilton Police Service.

In her spare time Julie remains active, participates in numerous sports leagues and volunteered with the Lincoln County Humane Society. Julie contributes much of her success to her studies at Niagara and its recognition throughout the environmental industry.

Daryl was born in Brantford, ON and was raised in Niagara Region with stays in London, ON and the Yukon Territories. He spent his early career in hospitality and was involved in community theatre. He returned to Niagara College and graduated in 2007. During his time at Niagara, Daryl was part of the Ontario Colleges Marketing Competition team, and also coordinated the Raise the Roof campaign selling toques to raise awareness of homelessness and generate money for the cause.

Since graduation, Daryl has held positions in the non-profit sector and the environmental sector focusing on sales, primarily working in the Greater Toronto Area. He received the Sales Excellence Award from the Canadian Professional Sales Association and also earned the designation CSP (Certified Sales Professional).

Daryl was instrumental in fostering the development of a Niagara College Toronto based chapter and in implementing the Toronto based WorkSmart professional development series in 2008. Daryl is an avid social media user and has strategically championed Niagara College initiatives over the last few years. Daryl is proud to be part of the Niagara College Alumni Council and hopes to continue to play an active role in its growth and development in the many years to come.

After earning her Public Relations graduate certificate, Colleen worked as a communications specialist for the Hamilton Health Sciences – Ontario Criticall program, followed by positions at McMaster Children’s Hospital as a public relations specialist, and with the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University as a strategic relations and recruitment officer.

Colleen joined the Canadian Red Cross team in 2011 as senior advisor, communications for the Ontario Zone, and is now manager, communications for the organization. She taught part-time from 2006 to 2010 in the College’s Public Relations program.

Niagara College nominated Colleen for a 2005 Premier’s Award in the Recent Graduate category.

Anthony started his career as camera operator in 2006 at Telephoto Technologies, which was contracted out by the Fort Erie Race Track. During the 2008 season, Anthony was promoted to the position of VTR operator, replaying all the horse races from the cart of racing that day.

Next he joined TVCOGECO Niagara as Programming Operator in 2008 after more than three years as a volunteer for the Cogeco Cable. He was promoted in 2010 to a Producer at TVCOGECO North Halton.

In his spare time, he enjoys playing cards and bike riding. An avid Montreal Canadiens fan, Anthony attends at least three games each year.

Dave Maciulis’ horticultural career was almost over before it started. At 20 years old, he was injured on the job and suffered 12 months of excruciating pain. Recognizing that his days of hard labour landscaping were over, Maciulis focused on landscape design.

Through business acumen and a natural ability to build relationships, he created Natural Landscape Group that provides custom design, project development, online design and eco-landscaping. He publishes Natural Landscape, Canada’s only outdoor design and lifestyle magazine and is an in-demand speaker for industry events, radio and television.

Dave mentors students, encourages colleagues and is a generous community supporter. Niagara College nominated Dave for a 2014 Premier’s Award in the Creative Arts & Design category. Dave was a 2015 Convocation speaker for the School of Environment & Horticulture and the School of Media & Design.

Flavia is co-owner and Executive Director of Phoenix Centre for Learning Inc., located in St. Catharines, that provides services for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and related challenges.

Flavia’s career choice was inspired by two Niagara College programs from which she graduated—subsequently she was awarded a transfer scholarship towards the Social Work program at Niagara University in New York State, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She continued her studies at Brock University earning first, a Master of Education degree and subsequently a Graduate Diploma in Applied Behaviour Analysis and Disabilities Studies. Flavia is also a Registered Social Worker specializing in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and special education consultation services.

Flavia has been, and continues to be a very active volunteer in the community—serving on the Niagara College Alumni Council for more than five years; volunteered for Autism Ontario for more than 10 years in many capacities, including that of President, creating and managing after-school children’s programs for those with ASD, and was the representative on the Special Education Advisory Committee of the District School Board of Niagara; served on the Board of Directors for Club Roma, a non-profit social/cultural organization; served as a member of the Residential Placement Advisory Committee for children and youth, a program managed by Contact Niagara and overseen by the Ministry of Child and Youth Services; a past Board Member of the Niagara chapter of the Ontario Association of Social Workers.

Flavia received the 2010 Advocate Award from Autism Ontario; the City of Niagara Falls Volunteer Recognition Award in 2004; and the City of St. Catharines Volunteer Recognition Award in 2003.

Orel has held a variety of positions in his student and professional career at Niagara College: student ambassador providing campus tours, project assistant for Workforce & Business Development, employer relations consultant for technology (co-op) programs, and manager of funded projects. All centred around supporting students and helping graduates achieve their career goals.

In 2014, Orel was asked to join Niagara College’s inaugural team to establish the College’s first offshore campus in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Since then, he has held multiple roles from manager, Financial and HR Operations, to his most recent post as director, Corporate Services & Administration. He has played a key role in establishing Niagara College’s footprint in Saudi Arabia as a leader in technical and vocational training for a changing world.

In October 2014, he joined 15 youth leaders from Latin America and Canada for the 2014 Uniterra International Seminar collaborating with other youth innovators and sharing his expertise on entrepreneurship.

Orel was also a fellow of #StudioY, Ontario’s first social impact and leadership academy. He was part of an eight-month fellowship, along with 25 other high potential young adults from across Ontario, working towards systemic change, social innovation and personal mastery.

Shelley was born and raised in Welland and has always enjoyed cooking and planning family functions. Naturally when she graduated high school she enrolled in Niagara College’s three-year Hotel & Restaurant Administration program at the then Rainbow Campus in Niagara Falls.

During school she worked for Peninsula Lakes Golf Club in the summer months and opened her own home catering business in the winter months.

After graduating, she worked for Niagara Falls Brock and Foxhead Hotels as Assistant Catering Coordinator. Shelley moved to Toronto and worked for Brampton Golf Club and Toronto Board of Trade as Catering Coordinator.

She missed the Niagara Region and returned home to work for the Winter Festival of Lights, Niagara Falls Blossom Festival and the Port Colborne Tall Ships Festival. She is now the Fundraising Events Co-ordinator for the Alzheimer Society Niagara Foundation.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening and teaching her daughter everything she knows about the kitchen.

David Tsang’s extensive career with the Corporation of the City of Welland began in 1981 when he did topographic surveys and construction layouts as a field technologist. He steadily climbed the ranks of engineering technicians, assuming responsibilities for design and tender preparation of municipal capital projects such as roadways, storm and sanitary sewers and water mains.

Although David officially retired from the City of Welland in 2013, he continued to foster his liaison as a technical services consultant until 2017. David is past-president of the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technologists and Technicians (OACETT), one of the largest associations of its kind in Canada. He worked part-time as an instructor at Niagara College.

He is chair of the Carol and George Fletcher Foundation, board member of the PenFinancial Credit Union and sales representative at Peak Performers Realty. David is a member of ACTRA Toronto (an actors’ union) and continues auditioning for commercial and television shows.

Niagara College nominated David for a 2007 Premier’s Award in the Technology category.

A.Sc.T. – Applied Science Technologist
CMM III – Ontario Municipal Management Institute

Jennifer is currently Digital Strategist with PenFinancial Credit Union. With over a decade of experience in marketing and brand development, she has found a passion for helping organizations unify their brand and user experience, and engage audiences with digital strategies that convert.

As a student of the Niagara College Business Administration program, Jennifer served as the student representative on the College’s Board of Governors, and as a member of the Student Administrative Council (NCSAC). She was part of the founding student council for the U-Pass (Universal Student Bus Pass) and redesigned the NCSAC Student Bursary Program to its current format. Prior to her graduation in 2008, she was a recipient of the National Millennium Excellence Award (2006), and a nominee for the Colleges Ontario Student Leadership Award (2007). As a member of the 2006 NCSAC executive, she also received the Colleges Ontario Student Innovation Award (2007) and is a NC SAC Hall of Fame Member (2007).

Jennifer has had a life long passion for accessible education, poverty reduction, and women’s issues. She currently sits on the Niagara College Alumni Council, YWCA Board of Directors, and is a Student Parent Mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters Niagara Falls.

A lifelong Niagara resident, Jennifer lives in St. Catharines with her husband and two sons.

Doug Willford was born and raised in the Niagara Region and resides in Welland. After graduation, Doug accepted a position at Humber College working as a supervisor in the Reference department of the Library for 31 years, retiring in 2003.

Since retiring and moving back to Niagara, Doug has become actively involved with the following: Niagara College Alumni Council, Wesley United Church, Humber College Retirees Board of Directors and the Wainfleet Historical Society Board of Directors. When not travelling, Doug is a part-time delivery driver for Boggio’s Fonthill Pharmacy.

A graduate of Sheridan College’s Marketing and Business Administration program in 1995, Matthew spent seven years in the heavy equipment industry as a Sales Representative for Toromont/Caterpillar Heavy Equipment.

In 2005, Matthew enrolled as a mature student in Niagara College’s Police Foundations program. He graduated in 2007 with Honours and on the Presidents List. Shortly after graduation Matthew accepted a position with the Canada Border Services Agency and is stationed in Niagara as a Border Services Officer.

When not spending time with his family, Matthew volunteers in the community at Niagara College with the Police Foundations programs and at a local high school helping coach various sports. He has also been a coach with the Niagara Spears football league since the franchise’s inaugural season in 2005.

Joanna was born and raised in the Niagara Region. After graduation, she accepted a position with the former Welland County Roman Catholic Separate Board, now the Niagara Catholic District School Board. During her 34 years as a library technician, Joanna worked in numerous schools in the Niagara Region and retired in November 2010.

She was also in the first graduating class of the Library Computer Network Operations Post-Graduate Program. Joanna was instrumental in organizing a reunion for her fellow Niagara College Library Technicians, which led her to joining the Alumni Council. In 2009 she was officially recognized for her long term commitment and involvement as a key member of the council.

Joanna is an avid crossword puzzle player, enjoys traveling and volunteers regularly at her local church.