Conestoga has been recognizing outstanding graduates as Alumni of Distinction since 1997. Chosen by a nomination process, recipients demonstrate professional success, achieve public recognition or contribute to their industry or community. All Conestoga graduates are eligible to be nominated.
2023 Alumni of Distinction recipients
Avery Brohman
Program: Public Relations
Graduating year: 2007
Avery Brohman is a champion for change and impact. For nearly twenty years, she has been committed to making a positive difference in non-profit organizations. Since graduating with distinction from Conestoga, where she won a Capstone Award, and completing the Fundraising Management program at Toronto Metropolitan University (formally Ryerson University), she has worked at some of the most respected national organizations, including Ovarian Cancer Canada, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
In 2018, Avery joined the Victoria Hospitals Foundation where she serves as the chief executive officer. Since then, she has led the foundation to double its annual fundraising revenue, ensuring more resources are provided for Royal Jubilee and Victoria General Hospital, the referral centres for Vancouver Island. Her contributions have earned her two "Top 40 Under 40" awards: one from the Guelph Mercury, a beloved local newspaper from her hometown, and one from the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy.
Avery is also an active mentor with the Association of Fundraising Professionals and takes great pride in supporting emerging leaders in the non-profit sector.
Dan Chen
Program: Respiratory Therapy
Graduating year: 2019
Dan Chen saves lives every day. His work extends beyond his role as a critical care respiratory therapist at Toronto’s SickKids Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital; he also acts as an educator, clinical researcher and personal hero to many.
Raised by a single mother who is his greatest supporter and source of inspiration, Dan earned his degree in biomedical science from the University of Guelph before enrolling at Conestoga to acquire specialized technical skills. Since then, he has served in various capacities at esteemed Ontario institutions like St. Michael's Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital.
Dan's deep compassion for patient care and his strong commitment to enhancing health care have led him to explore other dimensions of his profession. He delivers training to help parents better manage their child's cardiac and respiratory emergencies and has educated close to 400 caregivers and clinicians at the SickKids Learning Institute. He is also a contributor to studies with the Department of Respiratory Medicine at SickKids and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, which aim to increase awareness of the profession and its impact on health care across Ontario.
Dan also invests time in the community as a volunteer mentor for high school students.
Dave Lamers
Program: Food & Beverage Management (Co-op)
Graduating year: 2001
Dave Lamers creates top-notch dining experiences while fostering an environment where his team can unleash their creativity and refine their culinary skills. His passion for cooking began on his parents' farm on Prince Edward Island. Life brought him to Ontario at a young age where he chose Conestoga for his studies.
Dave soon after planted roots in London, Ontario, and became a key figure in the local restaurant scene. In 2010, he channeled his desires for quality dishes and exceptional hospitality as co-owner of Abruzzi. Known for its focus on locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, this Italian eatery has catered to celebrities such as Rachel McAdams and Michael Bublé. Ten years later, he co-founded Taverna 13thirtyone, an upscale tavern that quickly became one of the city's top dining spots.
Today, he is the executive chef for both establishments and stays involved in local food and beverage communities through initiatives like Londonlicious and Tourism London Canada. His commitment to using local and sustainable ingredients earned him five consecutive Good Food Innovation Awards from Food Day Canada and the University of Guelph, and he was invited to represent Canada at the James Beard House in New York City.
Fiona Coughlin
Program: Business Administration - Management Studies
Graduating year: 2000
Fiona Coughlin is a driven advocate of affordable housing and food security who has dedicated her time and energy to supporting some of Ontario's most marginalized communities. Leveraging her education from Conestoga and Athabasca University, Fiona has contributed to the Windsor-Essex's Housing & Homelessness strategy and played an important role in shaping the strategic direction of Tarion as a board member.
As the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex since 2017, Fiona has shown a deep understanding of the challenges low-income families face and developed innovative solutions. She led the construction and restoration of 52 affordable houses, including the first-ever 3D-printed residential homes in Canada; launched one of the most successful ReStores in Canada; reimagined the Windsor Furniture Bank to help more than 650 community members annually; and offers skilled training opportunities to 220 youth each year.
With more than 20 years in the non-profit sector, Fiona has received notable recognition, including the YMCA Peace Medal and the BizX Magazine Powerhouse Professional Award. In 2022, she was named the Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce Professional of the Year for her contributions and leadership in the affordable housing sector.
James (Jim) Edwards
Program: Lan Installation & Administration
Graduating year: 1996
Jim Edwards is a multi-talented professional and seasoned leader with experience spanning music, military, information and communication technology (ICT) and higher education. In addition to his studies at Conestoga, Jim holds a bachelor of arts, a master of science in information systems, an MBA with a focus on executive management and multiple military training certifications.
Jim began his career with the Canadian military and transitioned to the ICT industry after nine years of service following his graduation from Conestoga. He advanced to senior leadership roles, including at Research in Motion (BlackBerry) and Agfa HealthCare.
After spending two decades in ICT, Jim then pivoted to the educational sector where he has held various leadership roles for nearly 15 years. More recently, he joined Conestoga, where he is the dean of the School of Applied Computer Science & Information Technology.
Today, Jim is known for his mentorship managing a team of academic chairs and 700 faculty members who deliver more than 40 programs.
Karl Fellbaum
Program: Biotechnology Technician
Graduating year: 2014
Karl Fellbaum is on a quest to offer high-quality produce to the community while minimizing its carbon footprint. With experience from different sectors, he was drawn to Conestoga where he deepened his understanding of climate change and how to address these challenges within the food sector. He graduated with distinction and, along with his college peers, received the Teamwork and Research Achievement Award for their project assessing the effects of farming tilling on carbon dioxide emissions.
Karl then ventured into the environmental and chemistry fields, accumulating valuable professional experience that ultimately paved the way for his next career move: co-founding Noki Farms with his partner and fellow Conestoga graduate Nykole Crevits. Noki Farms is an indoor mushroom and microgreen farm growing and serving food in Guelph, Ontario. Utilizing skills gained through participation in the Conestoga Entrepreneurship Collective's Venture Lab, Noki Farms emphasizes circular systems to minimize environmental impact while offering accessible and nutritious food grown year-round in the heart of their community. Since opening Noki Farms, they've earned recognition locally and beyond: in 2021, they won first place in the Win This Space business pitch competition from the Business Centre Guelph-Wellington; in 2023, they were finalists for the Meridian Small Business Big Impact Awards and, in 2024, they were recipients of the Desjardins GoodSpark Grant.
To raise awareness about agricultural practices and consumption, Karl is always eager to share his knowledge about indoor, urban farming with a belief that this technology is crucial to mitigate climate change. He welcomes everyone into the farm to have a conversation about how each of us can help the planet in our own way.
Kim Decker
Program: Recreation Leadership
Graduating year: 1980
Kim Decker is a passionate advocate for gender equity and a leading voice for women, girls and gender-diverse individuals in Cambridge and North Dumfries. Before she began her 37-year journey as the CEO of the YWCA Cambridge, she completed her studies at Conestoga, where she now serves on a Program Advisory Committee.
Determined to break down equity barriers, Kim started her career at Anselma House, a shelter for survivors of intimate partner violence. Since then, she has become a prominent figure in her community, spearheading programs such as "Small Steps to Success," which provides pre-employment and life skills support; "The W," delivering workshops on gender-based violence prevention; and "TechGyrls," fostering a nonjudgmental environment for girls and gender-diverse youth to explore STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
Kim addresses every challenge with a kind and caring leadership style. She is known for identifying opportunities others may overlook, empowering her team to take action and cultivating local support. Kim has received several accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce and the Carolyn B. Bray Award from the YWCA Canada. Locally, she serves on various committees, including the Children & Youth Planning Table, the Victim Advocate Case Review Committee, and the Gender-Based Violence Leadership Table, among others.
Natasha Stoyakovich
Program: Hospitality and Tourism Management, Event Management
Graduating years: 2015, 2016
Natasha Stoyakovich leads with a focus on community and fostering local pride as she shares her expertise in project management. A proud Conestoga graduate who excelled academically, Natasha received scholarships from the Canadian Hospitality Foundation and CAA South Central Ontario.
Natasha's career started in the hospitality sector as an events coordinator in the Kitchener-Waterloo region, contributing to organizations including THEMUSEUM, Langdon Hall and The City of Kitchener. Driven by a desire to continue learning and better serve the teams she collaborated with, Natasha pursued various credentials, including a Project Management certificate from Laurentian University, an Economic Development certificate from the University of Waterloo, and a Digital Innovation Skills certificate from Wilfrid Laurier University.
In 2018, she relocated to Kenora, Ontario, where she settled in a community that inspires her daily. Taking on a management role at Lake of the Woods Brewing Company, Ontario’s northernmost brewery, her dedication and leadership soon earned her a nomination for the Northwestern Ontario Visionary Awards.
Currently, Natasha is the project and communications manager at FSET. She remains actively engaged in community service, currently contributing her expertise to the Northwest Training & Adjustment Board and the Kenora & District Chamber of Commerce.
Nykole Crevits
Program: Biotechnology Technician
Graduating year: 2015
Nykole Crevits channels her passion for learning to continually expand her skillset as an entrepreneur in modern agriculture. After completing her program at Conestoga, she earned her bachelor's degree in molecular biology and genetics, and more recently, her master's in bioinformatics, both from the University of Guelph.
Merging her experience in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), agriculture, entrepreneurship, research, and environmental science, she co-founded Noki Farms, alongside her partner and fellow alumnus, Karl Fellbaum. Noki Farms is an indoor mushroom and microgreen farm in Guelph, Ontario, that emphasizes transparency and knowledge-sharing around food systems, from farm to fork.
Utilizing skills gained as past participants of the Conestoga Entrepreneurship Collective's Venture Lab, Nykole and Karl focus on minimizing environmental impact while providing accessible and nutritious food grown year-round. Since opening Noki Farms, they've earned recognition locally and beyond: in 2021, they won first place in the Win This Space business pitch competition from the Business Centre Guelph-Wellington; in 2023, they were finalists for the Meridian Small Business Big Impact Awards and, in 2024, they were recipients of the Desjardins GoodSpark Grant.
Nykole has maintained a strong connection with Conestoga since graduating, which has included participating as a guest speaker, a Program Advisory Committee member, and a teacher assistant and laboratory technologist within the Biotechnology Technician program. More recently, she joined as part-time faculty in the Biotechnology Technician and Bachelor of Applied Biotechnology programs with the goal to empower future scientists to thrive in dynamic and ever-changing STEM careers.
Sarah Colvin
Program: Construction Engineering Technology
Graduating year: 2005
Sarah Colvin is on a mission to accelerate the adoption of clean energy worldwide. For the past 20 years and since graduating from Conestoga, Sarah has built an international career specializing in advancing a decarbonized electricity system.
After earning an advanced professional certificate in energy management from the University of Windsor and a master's certificate in energy sector leadership from York University, she went on to hold executive leadership positions at prominent energy technology companies, including Ecobee, Opus One, GE, and most recently, Camus Energy. Her passion for challenging the status quo in the electricity sector has resulted in utility companies worldwide implementing more renewable and distributed energy solutions.
Sarah is also an active community member, holding board roles with the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation, as well as the Association of Energy Services Professionals, which awarded her the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Taylor Jackson
Program: Design Foundations, Bachelor of Design (Honours)
Graduating years: 2017, 2021
Taylor Jackson is a multi-disciplinary designer who is passionate about human-centered design. Her work spans product design, advocacy for mental health, and trades-based technologies.
Early on in her studies at Conestoga, Taylor combined her creative and entrepreneurial pursuits through the launch of "Press Pause." Originally designed as an evidence-based journal and wellness kit, she leveraged the Conestoga Entrepreneurship Collective’s Venture Lab tools and guidance to develop the prototype and was recognized with a second-place win at the college's Pitch Day competition. She then went on to partner with organizations like the Canadian Mental Health Association to reach more people. Since then, over 25,000 accessible wellness kits have been delivered to individuals. The company also evolved to provide user experience consulting and graphic design services for organizations across Canada.
Taylor remains involved in the Conestoga community, having also participated in Conestoga's Gig Lab and as faculty within the School of Creative Industries, supporting emerging talent. She is currently an in-house senior product designer where she continues to build on her professional experience.
Tyler Van Dyke
Program: Plumber Apprentice
Graduating years: 2008
Tyler Van Dyke is a resolute leader in power generation, distribution and control who invests in community, locally and nationally. His post-secondary education began at Conestoga and, with a desire to take on business challenges, he went on to graduate from the QuantumShift program at Ivey Business School at Western University.
Since 2010, Tyler has served as the president of T&T Power Group, a company that focuses on building relationships and solving problems across Canada. In this role, he has developed a strong understanding of the Canadian market and successfully integrated his leadership and management skills related to strategy, planning, and execution. T&T Power Group has received notable accolades, including being a six-time winner of the Canadian Business Excellence Award, a Growth 500 Recipient as one of the country’s fastest growing companies, and a QuantumShift Led Company.
T&T is also committed to helping communities in which they do business. To celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary, the T&T team led efforts to support 40 food banks across Canada, one for each year of business. Personally, Tyler has been a long-time volunteer at organizations, including the Stratford Perth Hospice Foundation, the Newton Athletic Association, and the Milverton Burns Presbyterian Church as well as being a supporter of the Millbank Heritage and Arts Society.
