Three innovative leaders from Niagara College have been announced as finalists for the 2025 Women in Business Awards.
Hosted by the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, the awards recognize women who exemplify innovation, resilience, and excellence in their fields. The Women in Business Awards applaud outstanding women – and their businesses – and provide a platform to foster growth, collaboration, and a shared vision for Niagara’s future.
Three finalists are NC employees while numerous members of the Colleges alumni community are also on the list.
Dr. Amy Proulx: STEM AWARD finalist
Professor and Program Coordinator, Culinary Innovation and Food Technology
Dr. Amy Proulx
Proulx has been making her mark on the College since she joined in 2011 with the launch of the Culinary and Innovation and Food Technology program. In addition to her faculty position at NC, Proulx serves as a Global Research and Innovation Systems Leader with Research and Innovation
“The women honoured in this awards program are impressive. These are people who want to make Niagara a great place to live and do business,” said Proulx. “There are women who are friends, mentors and role models that I adore on this list.”
Over the past few years, Proulx has been active in College projects providing capacity building in agriculture, food systems and sustainability around the world. She has been providing extensive leadership on major projects such as Skills to Access the Green Economy in Jamaica, Applied Research Leadership Training in Colombia, Vietnam Skills for Employment, and Canadian initiatives such as the Food Processing Learning Recognition Framework, and now the Sustainable Food Systems for Canada project.
“I am fortunate to have the innovative space and supports from Niagara College to perform globally relevant research and capacity building. It’s been amazing working with organizations such as UNESCO UNEVOC, and UN Food and Agriculture Organization on technical and vocational education committees,” said Proulx.
“We have a really rich ecosystem for food systems innovation in Niagara and I’m honoured to help others around the world through collaborative and participatory capacity building.”
Proulx founded and led the federally funded Technology Access Centre for Food and Beverage Innovation, supporting small businesses and advancing applied research in food manufacturing. Her work spans national and international initiatives, including leadership in the NSERC Sustainable Food Systems for Canada project and mentorship roles with the United Nations FAO and UNESCO. A past president of the Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology and current board member with Food Processing Skills Canada, Proulx’s nomination noted how she exemplifies NC’s leadership in applied research, sustainability, and global innovation in the agri-food sector.
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Dr. Ana Christina Vega Lugo: STEM Award finalist
Associate Director of Food and Beverage Sciences, Research and Innovation
Vega-Lugo is a highly accomplished food scientist and leader at Niagara College’s Food and Beverage Innovation Centre where she oversees research teams that drive product and process innovation, food safety, analytical testing, and packaging science for companies across the food and beverage sector. Her work directly supports small- and medium-sized businesses launching new products, solving technical challenges, and fostering economic growth.
Vega-Lugo noted that she was nominated by her team in Research and Innovation.
“I am so grateful for my team; it just means that we work together synergistically and efficiently for the better possible outcomes; and the proof is in the fruit of our work, which is the impact of the numerous successful research projects in our economy and our community,” said Vega-Lugo. “To me, this is not a personal award, it is a team award, and we are all winners.”
With over 20 years of experience and advanced degrees in food science and engineering, Vega-Lugo has served as a speaker, panelist, and president of the SIAL pitch competition jury since 2021.
She is dedicated to mentorship and education, connecting students with industry partners through applied research while building on their skill development. She also promotes STEM to women and girls by volunteering in workshops that inspire them to explore the world of food science. Vega-Lugo’s nomination noted her lasting impact on both the scientific and local business communities.
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Christine Wilkinson: Health Care Hero Finalist
Research Lead, Research and Innovation Division
Christine Wilkinson
Wilkinson has a 30-year history with NC. She was a full-time Recreation Therapy faculty member and Program Coordinator before joining the College’s Research and Innovation team as a Research Lead in 2024.
“As someone who spent 30 years teaching therapeutic recreation in the post-secondary sector and made the move over to the Research and Innovation Department at NC following my retirement, a nomination for a Women in Business Award feels like stepping on new and unfamiliar ground at this stage in my career,” said Wilkinson. “I am, however, grateful for the nomination in the Health Care Hero category which I think blends my ongoing passion for recreation therapy with my new role as Research Lead in NC’s Healthy Aging and Wellness Innovation Centre.
While the nominator requested to remain anonymous, the nomination applauded Wilkinson’s contributions to the rec therapy world, her impact as an active volunteer and her advocacy for healthy aging.
Wilkinson has received multiple teaching awards – including NCAC’s 2022-2023 Educator of the Year – as well as NC’s 2020 Faculty Award of Excellence. developed strong partnerships with long-term care homes and currently leads dementia-focused research including projects using robotic animals as therapeutic tools in collaboration with Niagara Region and community partners.
Wilkinson is also a graduate of NC’s Spanish as a Second Language program.
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Alumni nominees
Members of the College’s alumni community were strongly represented on the GNCC’s list of nominees in the following categories. The following finalists on the list were identified by NC Alumni Relations as graduates from the College.
Corporate Leadership
Christina Atkinson (Management of Human Resources, 2008)
Cultural arts
Lisa Kelley-DiPalma (Interior Design, 1988)
Entrepreneurship
Amanda Doucette-Lachapelle (Social Service Worker, 2006)
Stephanie Lakeit-Hall (Business Administration – Operations Management Co-op (2007)
Excellence in Environmental Leadership
Lindsay Taylor (Business – General, Environmental Technician – Field and Laboratory (Co-op), Ecosystem Restoration, 2021/2022/2023)
Darby McGrath (Ecosystem Restoration, 2005)
Excellence in Hospitality and Tourism
Corinne (Maund) Witusik (Culinary Skills – Chef Training, 2015)
Karen (Bannister) Doyle (Broadcasting – Radio Television and Film, 1997)
Kristen Groom (Human Resources Management, 2013)
Excellence in the Not-for-Profit Sector
Margaret Beaupre (Business – Accounting, 1989)
Amy Klassen (Human Resources Management, 2005)
Excellence in the Public Sector
Jill Croteau (Law & Security Administration, 1987)
Excellence in Trades
Helena Arsenault (Hairstylist Apprenticeship, Basic/Hair Stylist/Hairdresser-Advanced, 2003/2004)
Erica Karbelnik (Cook II Apprenticeship, Basic/Cook II Apprenticeship, Advanced/Culinary Management Apprenticeship -Co-op, 2010-2011)
Health Care Hero
Amanda Fidler (Educational Assistant – Special Needs Support, 2004)
Christine Wilkinson (Spanish as a Second Language, 2001)
Young Professional Award
Olivia Franko (Honours Bachelor of Business Administration -Human Resources, 2022)
Kelly Frechette (Business Administration – Marketing, 2010)
Women in Business Awards
This year will mark the 25th year of the annual WIBAs. Winners will be announced at an awards luncheon on November 13 (Sheraton Fallsview Hotel, Niagara Falls). For information visit Women in Business Awards 2025.
View the full list of 2025 WIBA finalists here.
