Celebrating excellence: Loyalist College graduates shine as nominees at 2023 Premier’s Awards

Belleville, Ontario, Nov. 28, 2023 – This week, three distinguished Loyalist College alumni were recognized among the exceptional Ontario college graduates nominated for the 2023 Premier’s Awards. This prestigious annual celebration at the colleges Ontario’s Higher Education Summit honoured the former Loyalist students for their contributions as leaders, advocates and innovators in their fields.

The Premier’s Awards is an annual event presented by Colleges Ontario to recognize the essential role college graduates play in advancing our society and economy. Colleges may nominate alumni across various categories, highlighting their achievements and the impact they’ve had, both provincially and globally.

“We are immensely proud of our 2023 Premier’s Awards nominees for their visionary contributions to the fields of technology, business and community service,” says Loyalist College President and CEO Mark Kirkpatrick. “Janak, Lisa and Mike each had their own unique journey to success, and they share a passion for pursuing big ideas and advocating for a better world. Their stories inspire our students, demonstrating the limitless possibilities that come with a Loyalist College education.”

This year, Loyalist College’s nominees included:

Technology Category – Janak Alford
Architectural Technician, 2004

In a world where technology outpaces human understanding, Janak Alford is fighting to help us keep up. A highly accomplished and innovative technology leader, Alford’s career spans the public, non-profit and private sectors. He is currently the chief technology officer and enterprise architect for the Government of Canada. In this role, he serves as the foremost expert assisting the federal government in improving, transforming, and modernizing its IT systems to support a more secure and efficient Canada.

Business Category – Lisa Kirbie
Public Relations, 2007

Lisa Kirbie’s career journey is a story of determination, passion and the pursuit of excellence. A single mother devoted to creating a better life for her children, Kirbie found her calling in public relations and government affairs. From her early years as a legislative assistant on Parliament Hill to her current work as founder and CEO of Blackbird Strategies, Kirbie has established herself as a respected voice in Canadian politics. A passionate advocate for reconciliation and social justice, Kirbie uses her influence and expertise to lobby for the rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in Canada.

Community Service Category – Mike Shoreman
Public Relations, 2007; Advertising, 2006

When Ramsay Hunt Syndrome – a rare neurological condition – left Mike Shoreman paralyzed and suffering from vertigo, hearing and vision loss, he descended into a mental health crisis. Fighting back from that place of despair fundamentally changed his life’s trajectory. As he undertook a healing journey, both mental and physical, Shoreman found his calling – to use his skills as a paddleboarder and his experience in public relations to be an advocate for accessibility justice and mental health supports. By sharing his story of resilience in the face of adversity, Shoreman inspires others to strive for excellence and achieve their potential.

About Loyalist College

Loyalist College is built upon the lands governed by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement. We affirm and thank the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabeg and Huron-Wendat nations for their continued caretaking of the land. At Loyalist, we empower our students with wraparound support services and hands-on training to succeed on any path they choose. Our academic programs are responsive and innovative, designed to solve pressing social and economic challenges and meet the evolving needs of our regional industry and community partners. Our graduates enter the workforce equipped with the knowledge they need to be better global citizens, and with future-focused skills to lead change in their fields. With a presence in Belleville, Bancroft, Port Hope, Tyendinaga and Toronto, we believe our institutional responsibility extends beyond the classroom to seeing the big picture for the communities we serve. Our expertise in applied research and deep connections to local industry support economic development, to the benefit of businesses, entrepreneurs, changemakers and innovators. Our commitment to decolonization, and the pursuit of a more inclusive, equitable world, means we hold ourselves accountable to the diverse perspectives, cultures and experiences that shape our communities.

– 30 –

Contact:
Hannah Brown
Director of Marketing and Communications
613-921-0784
hbrown@loyalistcollege.com