Four exceptional members of the Niagara College community have been named among the recipients of the 2026 Niagara 40 Under Forty Business Achievement Awards.
Launched in 2004, the awards celebrate Niagara’s brightest professionals under the age of 40 who are making a difference in their fields and communities while leaving a lasting mark on the region’s economic, cultural, and social development.
The College’s recipients include Orel Ruiz, Director, Partnerships, Partnerships & Enterprises Division; Scott Golem, Associate Director, Horticultural and Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre (HESIC); Ashley Paling, HESIC Research Lead; and Andrea Fujarczuk, Professor and Program Coordinator, Artisan Distilling. They were recognized at the awards ceremony held May 28 at the Holiday Inn & Suites in St. Catharines.
Orel Ruiz – Director, Partnerships, Partnerships & Enterprises Division
A graduate of NC’s Business Administration – International Business program (2011), Ruiz began his journey as a student ambassador and contributed to several student-facing roles within the NC community.
From 2014 to 2020, he held leadership roles of increasing responsibilities within NC’s operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where he contributed to the development of the College’s first overseas campus. Since returning to Canada, he has continued to make impactful contributions to the NC community. Currently, Ruiz serves as a Governor on Niagara College’s Board of Governors (2025-2028), following a previous term from 2023-2025.
“This recognition is deeply meaningful to me. I arrived in Niagara as a newcomer and began my journey as a student at Niagara College,” said Ruiz. “Since then, I have had the opportunity to grow into leadership roles, work across more than 15 countries, and contribute to initiatives that expand access to education and create opportunities for others. I am grateful to the mentors, colleagues, and teams I have worked with along the way — this recognition is very much shared.”
Scott Golem – Associate Director, Horticultural and Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre
An alumnus of NC’s Commercial Cannabis Production program (2019), Golem has been working at NC for more than three years. He began teaching in the Commercial Cannabis Production program before transitioning into Research and Innovation, where he now serves as Associate Director with HESIC.
“Receiving this award is incredibly meaningful because Niagara has shaped so much of my personal and professional journey, from my time as a student to my career in research and education,” said Golem. “It’s an honour to be recognized alongside so many inspiring leaders, and I’m proud to represent the incredible work happening at Niagara College and within Niagara’s agricultural sector.”
The recognition inspires him to continue strengthening connections between education, research, and industry to help solve real-world challenges in agriculture.
“At Niagara College, we have an incredible opportunity to develop future talent while driving innovation, and I’m excited to continue helping position Niagara as a leader in horticultural research and agricultural innovation,” he said.
Ashley Paling – Research Lead, Horticultural and Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre
Paling, a graduate of NC’s Horticultural Technician (Co-op) program (2023), first began working at NC in 2021 as a part-time Research Assistant with HESIC while she was still a student. Since graduating, she has held several roles at the College, including teaching as a part-time professor in NC’s Horticulture, Greenhouse, and Landscape programs since 2024. She has served in her current role as Research Lead with HESIC since February 2025.
“This award is a reminder that hard work and persistence pay off,” said Paling. “It’s reassuring to see the work our team has been doing at HESIC recognized, and it reinforces that we’re making meaningful progress in supporting innovation and applied research in the horticulture industry.”
Receiving the award motivates Paling to continue advancing applied research initiatives that support industry partners and innovation in the horticulture sector.
“Being able to work on horticultural research trials that provide practical, real-world data and feedback is incredibly rewarding, and this recognition is a nice reminder that the work we’re doing is making an impact,” she said.
Andrea Fujarczuk – Professor and Program Coordinator, Artisan Distilling
Fujarczuk has been with NC for nearly seven years after first studying in the College’s Wine and Viticulture Technician program (2012). As Professor and Program Coordinator for the College’s Artisan Distilling program, she has focused on bridging the gap between academic research and the evolving needs of the spirits industry.
“This award is a wonderful moment of reflection,” said Fujarczuk. “Balancing doctoral research, teaching, and family life requires a lot of organization and commitment, so being recognized by my own community in Niagara is incredibly touching.”
To Fujarczuk, the award also validates the importance of a “pracademic” approach that combines academic research with industry application.
“It signals that the work we are doing at the College isn’t just academic; it has a real-world impact on the economic and cultural identity of our region,” she said. “It’s an honour to represent the distilling industry alongside such a diverse group of talented local leaders.”
In addition to the 40 Under Forty recognition, Fujarczuk was recently named one of six recipients of the 2026 Les Dames d’Escoffier International Legacy Awards, presented by Les Dames d’Escoffier International and The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and Culinary Arts. The award recognizes women making outstanding contributions to the food, beverage, and hospitality industries.
NC alumni recognized among Forty Under Forty recipients
Several other distinguished NC alumni were also recognized among the 2026 Niagara Forty Under Forty Business Achievement Awards recipients, including:
- Adriann Knight, Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (International Commerce and Global Development) (2017)
- Amanda Norrad, Recreation and Leisure Services (2007)
- Devin Kaulback, Police Foundations (2010)
- Olena Iavkina, Hospitality and Tourism Management (2014) and General Arts and Science (2016)
- Shanna Jarvis, Fitness and Health Promotion (2010)
