Premiers Awards Nominees

Presented annually to six recipients, the Premier’s Awards for Ontario College graduates celebrate the outstanding contributions college graduates make to Ontario and throughout the world. Nominations are submitted from each of the 24 Ontario colleges in six categories: Business, Creative Arts and Design, Community Services, Health Sciences, Technology and Recent Graduate. The winners are announced in November at the Awards Gala in Toronto, Ontario. Representing Sault College for the 2011 Ontario Premier’s Awards are:

	TRACY BUCKLER PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ST. JOSEPH’S CARE GROUP, THUNDER BAY ONTARIO Tracy Buckler, President and CEO of one of the largest healthcare organizations in North Western Ontario, is truly an exemplary leader. After graduating as a nurse, Tracy quickly climbed the ranks to lead St. Joseph’s Care Group, a multi-site organization with 1,700 employees and an annual operating budget of over $125 million. A dynamic and inspirational leader who works to support her community through volunteer work and an unyielding dedication to quality healthcare in the north, Tracy’s motto is simple but powerful: “The client is our reason for being.”
Graduating Program: Nursing Category: Health Sciences
	LEE CHAMBERS FILM PROFESSOR & PRODUCER/DIRECTOR MAKE IT SHORT FILM PROJECT Lee Chambers, a world-renown writer, producer, director, and teacher, is an exceptional creative leader who deserves to be recognized for his contributions to community and creativity. Graduate of Advertising Art and Graphic Design, Lee is an avid film-maker who now teaches what he knows through his work as a highly dynamic College professor in the environment where he once thrived as a student. Admired by peers, colleagues, and academy award-winning professionals alike, Lee shares his knowledge and passion through a community project he has created to link film professionals with community members while raising money to donate to charitable causes.
Graduating Program: Advertising Art & Graphic Design Category: Creative Arts
	JESSICA WENDLING OWNER, FUZEDNOTIONS CREATIVE STUDIO INC. A recent graduate of the Graphic Design program, Jessica Wendling made the impressive leap from inspired student to successful entrepreneur because of her vision and drive, making her a leader to watch. Owner and creator of Fuzednotions, a highly successful creative design powerhouse that has doubled in profits with 100% growth over the past year, Jessica aims to grow her business to nearly double of what it is now by hiring additional College graduates to join her growing team. With a vast portfolio including large multinational clients, Jessica’s organization is a vibrant economic-driver, strengthening the economy of the north.
Graduating Program: Graphic Design Category: Recent Graduate
	MAYOR PETER POLITIS MAYOR OF COCHRANE, ONTARIO & PRESIDENT/ SENIOR CONSULTANT FOREVERGREEN INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES INC. Mayor Peter Politis, an inspired and innovative leader revered for his active role in creating historical break-through agreements in First Nations negotiations, is reviving his small Northern town of Cochrane, Ontario like never before. Having negotiated over $450 million in equitable agreements through his consulting practice, Peter assists Aboriginal communities in managing adversity and empowers them to build entrepreneurial partnerships with government and industry. Elected as the Mayor in 2010, Politis’ leading-edge approach lends itself well to developing an exciting course of growth and development that is leading Cochrane to experience one of the most notable growth-booms in Northern Ontario.
Graduating Program: Forestry Technician and Forestry Management Technology Category: Business
	DR. MATHEW ALEXANDER SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST/ HYDROGEOLOGIST, FUNDY ENGINEERING Dr. Matthew Alexander, graduate of the Environmental Engineering Technology program, is truly an extraordinary learner and leader who has applied all that he has been taught through post-secondary education to his passionate pursuit of protecting the world’s most valuable resource: water. Named one of the top 21 leaders of the 21st century by the Premier of New Brunswick, Dr. Matt has overcome substantial barriers, including the murder of his mother, to go on to reach the highest level of academic achievement, as well as have an undeniable impact on all aspects of water research in Canada and the world.
Graduating Program: Environmental Engineering Technology Category: Technology
	BRENDA COMBS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NIMKII-NAABKAWAGAN FAMILY CRISIS SHELTER Brenda Combs, granddaughter of residential school survivor Fanny Nolan, has been referred to as one of “Canada’s thought-leaders” for her impactful work as a change agent in justice issues related to Aboriginal women. Immediate past Chair of the National Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence – the largest organization in Canada aimed at the safety and well-being of Native children and families, and Executive Director of Nimkii-Naabkawagan, Combs works tirelessly towards a violence-free society as well as contributes countless volunteer hours giving voice to the hundreds of murdered and missing Aboriginal women in Canada who can no longer speak for themselves.
Graduating Program: Developmental Service Worker Category: Community Service

Past Nominees

• 2010 Premiers Awards Nominees