Member of Provincial Parliament and Chief Government Whip, epitomizes the values of leadership, dedication, and community service. His transition from student leader to member of provincial parliament (MPP) reflects his unwavering commitment to positively impacting his community and always coming back to his roots.

Ross graduated from Algoma University with a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Justice in 2001. During his years at Algoma U, he was deeply engaged in campus life and contributed significantly to student initiatives. 

He played an integral role in the Students’ Union, particularly in organizing orientation week and advocating for the expansion of the iconic T-Bird Lounge. Ross’s close connections with staff and faculty, including figures like Bruno Barban, Don Jackson, and Justice Greco, underscore his collaborative spirit and personable demeanour.

After completing his undergraduate studies, Ross pursued further education at the University of Windsor, earning his Bachelor of Laws in 2004. He then returned to Sault Ste. Marie to embark on his legal career. 

As a lawyer, Ross served with distinction at Legal Aid Ontario and later transitioned to the Sault Ste. Marie Crown Attorney’s Office before venturing into private practice. Alongside his legal pursuits, Ross dedicated himself to community service, volunteering with organizations like the Rotary Club and coaching youth soccer teams.

In 2014, Ross ventured into politics, serving as a city councillor before becoming the Member of Provincial Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie in 2017. Throughout his tenure, Ross championed Northern Ontario’s interests, securing funding for vital projects and advocating for educational opportunities.

In 2019, Ross was appointed Minister of Colleges and Universities. As Minister, Ross spearheaded transformative initiatives, including expanding Algoma University’s degree-granting authority. Amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, his proactive measures, including the provision of emergency funding and the expansion of online learning resources, underscored his commitment to educational resilience and student success.

In subsequent ministerial roles, including serving as minister of Government and Consumer Services, Ross continued to demonstrate his dedication to public service, leading critical programs and initiatives that enhanced accessibility and efficiency for Ontarians.

Recognized for his leadership, Ross was appointed chief government whip, a testament to his ability to foster unity and drive common goals forward.

Ross’s exemplary leadership, dedication, and commitment to his community exemplify the values instilled by Algoma University. He serves as an inspiration to fellow alumni, demonstrating the profound impact individuals can have through public service and community engagement. Ross Romano truly embodies the spirit of the inspiring Thunderbird legacy.

Meaghan Kent completed her Honours Bachelor of Art, History & English (Cum Laude) in 2011. Following her time at Algoma University, Meaghan earned her Master of Arts in History from Western University in 2012. A firm believer that a degree in English and History has endless opportunities, Meaghan used the skills she learned at her post-secondary education to become a successful entrepreneur. It was her love for Art History that inspired her to pick up a camera and ultimately led her to become a self-taught photographer. Today, she owns Meaghan Kent Photography INC., one of the leading photography businesses in the Algoma region.

Meaghan completes 500-600 photo sessions annually, which take her all over Canada and across the globe. This past year, Meaghan worked on her largest project to date for Algoma Country and Superior Country to highlight the 2SLGBTQ+ communities in the North, photographing couples and families taking part in tourist activities along Lake Superior. While photographing, Meaghan had the opportunity to discuss how to make the North safer and more attractive for 2SLGBTQ+ members, as well as what photographers can do to help make them feel safer.

Meaghan is a big believer in community over competition and is a mentor to other regional photographers. She has given many presentations on her work and on her trajectory to becoming an award-winning photographer. She also holds numerous fundraisers, including her most successful fundraiser for the Sault Area Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. To date, she has donated over $7,400 to the local NICU through various photo initiatives. Due to her love for history, she is also a proud supporter of the Canadian Armed Forces and holds an annual free portrait initiative for past and present servicemen and women each Remembrance Day. She has photographed those who have served in World War II, the Korean War, the Iraq War, and both Afghanistan conflicts through this project of heart.

Meaghan has earned a number of accolades, including, but not limited to:

• Best Photographer by the Sault Star from 2019 – 2022
• Best Photographer by Community Votes in 2020 and 2022
• Three awards by Strive 2021 and 2022, including the (1) Arts, Culture, and Music Industry Award, (2) Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award, and (3) Leadership Award
• Photography featured in global publications Women’s World and Maclean’s
• Client base includes David Suzuki’s Blue Dot Movement, Metro, and the equivalent of Finland’s Bachelor

Lil Silvano graduated from Algoma University in 1996 with a Bachelors of Business Administration, specializing in Accounting. Through a co-operative program, Lil articled at BDO and went on to complete her CPA in 1998.

Lil would go on to start her career at the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation here in Sault Ste. Marie in financial planning and analysis, operational accounting and reporting, and strategic planning. She became the Director, Gaming Financial Planning and Analysis for four years.

After a 14 year career at OLG, Lil moved onto the Sault Area Hospital where she has held high level positions such as Director, Finance and Director, Clinical Care and Cardiology before becoming the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in September of 2018. In this role, Lil is accountable for finance, information technology, and facility services. As a key member of the senior management team, Lil actively participates and leads the development, execution and monitoring of hospital strategic and operational plans. 

Outside of her career, Lil sits on several boards and associations in Sault Ste. Marie, including being the current President of the Sault Ste. Marie Chartered Professional Accountants Association, and board member of Algoma Family Services, and Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic. 

Lil’s experience in the Government and Health sector along with her involvement in the community have shown her reputation for financial, business and strategic acumen.

As an Algoma University student, Elise Ahenkorah was actively involved in the Student Union. Elise was instrumental in initiating the first Black History Month celebration at Algoma U in 2004. She also established a Diversity Advisory Committee, comprised of students, staff, faculty and Board members supported by past Algoma University President, Dr. Celia Ross. Elise graduated from Algoma University in 2008 with a BA in Law & Justice and has completed a Post Graduate Certificate from Cornell University in Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Planning & Risk Mitigation. She is currently completing her MBA at Aston University.

Elise has covered diverse ground in progressively senior roles in crisis communications, marketing, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and DE&I for public and private sector organizations in her career.   She worked in some notable roles as a Business Development Coordinator for Halton Region, Communications Supervisor for a global oil and gas company. Also, as a Program Manager for the University of Calgary, leading and designing the first university female-entrepreneurship program and pitch competition for female-identifying students across all levels and faculties.

As an entrepreneur and Inclusion Strategist for inclusion FACTOR, she designs data-driven strategies to build inclusive workplaces and communities for public and private sector-based clients across North America and the UK. Her clients include IBM, Saje Natural Wellness, Hootsuite, Calgary Police Commission, Alberta Theatre Projects, Calgary International Film Festival, University of Texas, City of Toronto, HRD International, University of Calgary, IABC, Law Society of Saskatchewan, Alberta Urban Municipalities Association – to name a few.

Building on her past career experiences and as a prominent local community builder, Ahenkorah founded #shemeets four years ago and hasn’t looked back since. Her goal was to build a supportive resource for women of colour (WOC) entrepreneurs across the country while offering valuable experiences, mentorship, resources, and guidance. 

She has recently been named a 2021 L’Oréal Paris Canada Women of Worth Honouree due to her contributions in supporting the next generation of women of colour and racialized entrepreneurs and DE&I subject matter expertise.

Adam Carpenter’s ties to Algoma University and his community run deep and remain strongly rooted today.  He has built a lifelong commitment to his alma mater since the first day he stepped onto campus as a freshman. Adam joined the Algoma University Alumni Council in 2013. He has served in a variety of roles, including member, Chair and Past Chair of the Alumni Council.

He continues to be actively involved with the Alumni Council and serves on a variety of committees, including; the Thunderbird Wall of Fame, Awards Committee, Homecoming, Alumni Strategic Planning Committee, as well as being a member of the Algoma U Classic Golf Tournament Planning Committee, raising money for post-secondary student scholarships.

James Caicco began his career path into the world of business after graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) degree from Algoma University College in 1995. Even then he had his sights set on building community, as he continued his education through the Appraisal Institute of Canada, and trained as a residential appraiser.  That same year, James began his career as a full-time realtor.

To say that James has built a very successful career in an understatement.  His success in the industry has propelled him from a Realtor, to a Broker of Record and Owner.  Today James proudly leads a team of realtors and appraisers in his own businesses: Century 21 Choice Realty, Property One Management and Centrum Mortgage Approval Centre.

Building community has meant more than building successful businesses.  James prides himself on community involvement and he is committed to serving Sault Ste. Marie and the greater community of Northern Ontario.  He believes that the key to a full life is a strong community – an environment that creates opportunities for all to succeed and thrive. To that end, James has been very involved in his community.

He served as a City Counsellor for Ward One residents from 2000 – 2010.  During his time on City Council he served on a number of committees, including; the Olympic Torch Committee, Sault Ste. Marie Economic and Development Corporation, International Relations Committee, and was the driving force behind several initiatives, including the building of the Essar Centre (soon to be the GFL Memorial Gardens), and the Physician Recruitment Program.

James has extensive experience with Government agencies, and business and community partners.  He has served on numerous committees and boards, including, the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, PUC Board of Directors, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, Algoma University Board of Governors and the John Rhodes Scholarship Dinner Committee, Sault College Board of Governors and in 2015 took on the role of Chair of the United Way of Sault Ste. Marie & District campaign.

Dr. John Willinsky is the founder of the Public Knowledge Project, more commonly known as the PKP. The PKP makes research available to all by creating a sophisticated open-source scholarly publishing system. The PKP is used by more journals today than any other system in the world. With over 2.3 million articles published, the PKP continues to facilitate the global sharing of scholarly research and data.

In 2016, Dr. Willinsky was awarded with the prestigious Connection Award from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada for his work with the PKP. With a prize of $50,000, the Connection Award acknowledges those who facilitate the exchange of research knowledge, and creating intellectual, cultural, social, and economic impact.

Today, Dr. Willinsky is a Khosla Family Professor of Education at Stanford University and directs the Program in Science, Technology, and Society, as well as the Honours in Education Program. He is also a part-time Professor in the School of Publishing at Simon Fraser University where he directs the PKP in partnership with Simon Fraser’s Library.

Dr. Willinsky graduated from Algoma University College in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. He earned his Master’s of Education from the University of Toronto in 1979 and his PhD in Education Foundation from Dalhousie University in 1982.

Unfortunately, Dr. Willinsky could not be with us to receive his award but he wanted to share his reflections with the Class of 2017 today. He expresses his deepest thanks and honour for receiving this award. Dr. Willinsky gives some of the credit for founding the PKP to the Sundays spent browsing scholarly journals in the Arthur A. Wishart Library in the 1970s.

He says, “I fell into the habit of visiting the Wishart Library on weekends. I’d sit among stacks of journals and periodicals, going from one intriguing study or review to another. Two decades later, with the arrival of the Internet, I saw a chance to offer that Wishart experience to a wider world. Fortunately, I was not alone in thinking that it was time for scholarship to be more public… Today, another two decades on, and nearly half the recently published research and scholarship is freely available online. My hope is that the graduating class will use some of that literature, at least when they can’t make it back to Wishart. Either way, I heartily congratulate the students on their well-earned degrees. I’m here to assure them that an education at Algoma is warranted for life.”

Charles Vaillancourt began his career as an elementary school teacher. He studied part-time at Algoma University College, while he continued to teach, earning a BA in Geography/History. He continued his studies, attending Law School at Western University.

Charles Vaillancourt practiced criminal law in Sault Ste. Marie for 16 years, and team-taught criminal jurisprudence at Algoma University College and Lake Superior State University from 1980 to 1990 with Judge James Greco.

Justice Vaillancourt was a small-claims court judge in Sault Ste Marie before being appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice in 1990.

During his 25 year career, Justice Vaillancourt has heard more than his fair share of interesting cases in the courts.

• In 1998, Justice Vaillancourt was assigned to hear R. V. Powley, a highly publicized and landmark case that took place in Sault Ste. Marie, involving Metis hunting and fishing rights that went all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada.

• In 2014, Justice Vaillancourt came up with a compromise solution for a niqab-wearing woman who was a complainant in a sexual assault case, allowing only the back of her head to be shown to most of the courtroom, while the accused, Crown lawyers, court staff and judge saw her without a veil.
• Most recently Justice Vaillancourt was assigned to the case that attracted national attention, the Senator Mike Duffy trial.

He has been described as, “Bold.  Not being affected by public sentiment. He plays no favourites in the courtroom. Very patient. Balanced with no shortage of common sense”.

Justice Vaillancourt responds by saying, “To say that I enjoy my current career immensely would be a gross understatement. I can say that there is never a dull moment and I have been fortunate to have more than my fair share of interesting cases. Judges are not in the happiness business”.

Justice Vaillancourt maintains his teaching connections by lecturing for the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Criminal Lawyers Association, and Osgoode Hall Law School.

Greg Punch received his BA (Economics) in 1975 from Algoma University College.

Now a private consultant specializing in primary healthcare, business and program development, governance and strategic planning, Greg has enjoyed a long and rewarding career in both the public and private sectors. He was Senior Financial Officer with the North Regional Office of the Ministry of Community and Social Services, and Manager of Accounting for Bailey Hoogovens Canada.

Greg went on to join the Group Health Centre and for the next 23 years served in a variety of capacities including: Director of Corporate Development, Director of the Comprehensive Health Organization Feasibility Study, Director of Finance and Administration and Chief Operating Officer. He retired in 2012 as the President and CEO of the Group Health Centre.

A longtime resident of Sault Ste. Marie, Greg is very involved in the community. He is a member and Past President of the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation, and President and Board Chair of Algoma University’s Health Informatics Institute. Previously, he held the positions of Director of the Group Health Centre Trust Fund, Director of the Group Health Centre Scholarship Fund, President and Chair of the Board of Algoma Child and Youth Services, Vice-chair of the Algoma District Network (Adnet), Chair of the Fundraising Committee for the Algoma Residential Community Hospice, and Treasurer of Lakeshore Kiwanis.

Terry Rainone received his BA (Economics) in 1973 from Algoma University College.  He later went on to complete his Master of Business Administration degree from Lake Superior State University in May 1992.

A well-known and respected businessman and developer, Terry is the President of Palmer Group which is comprised of four companies in the construction, development and aggregate sectors.  He is also the President of Rain-One Investments and Secretary-Treasurer of McRain Developments Inc.

Active in the community, Terry served as President of the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce, Vice-Chairman of the Sault Ste. Marie General Hospital, Chairman of Finance of the Sault Ste. Marie General Hospital and Chairman of the Planning Committee of the Sault Ste. Marie General Hospital. He also served as Secretary of Sault Ste. Marie Homebuilders’ Association. Terry served as Executive Director of the Community Development Corporation from October 1995 until April 1996 and was recently appointed to the Sault Ste Marie Economic and Development Corporation Board of Directors.

Terry was awarded the Sault Ste Marie Chamber of Commerce President’s Award in 1993.  This award recognizes someone who makes an exceptional effort, which goes above and beyond the call of duty in any area of business and community development.  In 2013 the Chamber of Commerce awarded Palmer Construction Group with the Safe Work, Sound Business Award. This award recognizes a business that uses a safe work management system, participates in workplace and/or community injury prevention programs and has exceptionally good injury frequency and injury severity performance.

A strong supporter of post-secondary education, Terry has supported both Algoma University and Sault College with very generous gifts to their respective capital campaigns.  Terry cites both institutions as being essential to the growth and development of Sault Ste Marie and believes that it is important to give back to the community. Palmer Construction Group has also been a sponsor of the Algoma U Classic Golf Tournament, which helps students by raising funds for the Algoma University Scholarships & Bursaries Program.

Terry graduated from the Bachelor of Business Administration program in 1997.

Currently the CEO of the Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation, Terry began his career back in February of 1999 when he was hired as an Intern. With a one year contract in his hand, his job was to assist in the preparation of the Business and Land Use Master Plan. After the completion of his contract he was retained in a marketing position until being promoted to the Manager of Finance and Administration in 2002, Airport Manager in 2004, and later to the position of CEO in July 2010.

Terry attained his Airport Administration and Services certificate from Sault College in 2003. He was bestowed the title of Certified Member (CM) designation from the International Association of Airport Executive (IAAE) in 2009 and is currently writing his thesis paper in the process of attaining the Accredited Airport Executive status with the IAAE.

Terry is active in his community, having volunteered his time with the Sault Ste Marie and District Scouts Canada, as well as serving in the capacity of assistant coach with a number of Sault Minor Baseball teams.

Terry is a member of the Airport Management Council of Ontario (AMCO). He was elected President of AMCO in 2010 and re-elected as President for a second consecutive term in 2011. Terry is also involved with the SSMADC Board as CEO.

Robert graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree (Accounting Specialization). His stellar achievements were acknowledged by being awarded the Gold Medal Business Award (for graduating with the highest grade in the business program) and the BBA Accounting Gold Medal Award (for graduating with the highest grade in the accounting program).

Robert’s talents were quickly recognized and he was hired in July 2000 by DuPont Canada Inc., a position that he held for 3 years. During this time he began working on his Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation which he achieved in 2004. Continuing with his pursuit for higher education, he went on to receive his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2005 and the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation in 2006.

Since graduating from Algoma U, Robert’s career has taken him to an array of large companies in industry sectors ranging from Manufacturing and Chemicals, Financial Services, Retail, to his current position as the Director, Treasury Operations at Research In Motion, a company that he has worked for since 2006.

Robert is a Director on the Association for Financial Professionals Canada (AFP Canada) and a Board Member with the Bank of America CashPro Advisory Board. He has been invited to share his knowledge on various financial topics at a number of speaking engagements including the EuroFinance conference in Miami and the AFP of Canada Treasurers forum in Toronto.

Mike Cachagee was forced to attend three Indian Residential Schools – St John in Chapleau, Bishop Horden in Moose Factory and Shingwauk as a child.

After having worked in the automotive sector for 30 years, he returned to Shingwauk Hall in the 1980’s and enrolled at Algoma U to complete his dream of obtaining his university degree in Political Science.

After graduating, Mike became a Native Student Advisor at Algoma U, helping to increase First Nations enrolment to over 100 students. Mike moved to Thunder Bay where he became Dean of Native Education at Confederation College, administering programs and services for 600 students at several campuses.

“Leadership roles at all levels have dominated Mike’s life for 25 years. He was Chief of his community, the Chapleau Cree First Nation and was subsequently appointed to important roles as Treaty negotiator and political advisor to the Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation”.

Mike was instrumental in establishing the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association and has been President of the National Residential School Survivors’ Society since 2003. He has served on the Algoma U Board of Governors, as the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association representative.

In 2006 Mike helped to secure the landmark Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.

On June 11, 2008, Mike Cachagee was one of several dignitaries present on the floor in the House of Commons to hear the historic apology to all former students of Indian Residential School delivered by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Eric Groulx graduated from Algoma U in 1986 with a BA in Psychology. He went on to obtain his BA Honours in Public Policy Administration from York University in 1988.

Upon completion of his studies, Eric began his career working for the Ministry of Community and Social Services and over the next 20 years he held a number of positions within the Provincial Government including serving as a Policy Analyst, Caseworker, Technology Services Manager and later as a Liquor Inspector with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission.

While a student at Algoma U, Eric joined the Royal Canadian Artillery 49th Field Regiment (Reserve) in Sault Ste Marie. His career with the military which began part time has spanned 26 years.

In 2002, after rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Eric became the Commanding Officer of the 49th Field Regiment, a position he held for five years. In 2007, LCol Groulx left to serve with the International Security Assistance Force headquartered in Kabul, Afghanistan as a Liaison Officer. LCol Groulx served as SooToday.com’s Special Correspondent in Afghanistan, providing updates back home about the work that Canadian soldiers were doing in Afghanistan.

Since completing his first mission, LCol Groulx has returned to Afghanistan two more times. His missions involved developing courses and exercises to train the Afghan Army and Police Officers to work in active operational headquarters. While there has been significant development since his first tour, LCol Groulx believes that training the Afghan National Security Forces to be able to maintain security throughout the country is key to ending the need for Coalition Forces.

Les graduated from Algoma U with BA (Economics) in 1980, while working full-time at Algoma Steel. He continued his studies at Lake Superior State University, earning his MBA.

Changing careers in the early 1990’s, Les entered the world of finance as an Investment Advisor. He became Edward Jones’ first Limited Partner in Canada in 1995 and was one of 20 people selected (out of 9000 candidates) to receive Edward Jones’ Extraordinaire Mentor Award.

A strong community volunteer, Les believes in giving back to his community. Les has been actively involved with many organizations including the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Downtown Rotary Club, and the United Way. His volunteer activity has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Trillium National Award and the City of Sault Ste. Marie Mayor’s Award.

After attending an alumni event in 2004, Les joined the Algoma U Alumni Council and was instrumental in rebuilding the Alumni Council. He helped to organize the Algoma U Reunion in 2005 and has been deeply committed to the University ever since. Les currently sits on the Algoma U Foundation Board of Directors, the Algoma U Board of Governors, Chair of the Finance Committee and Chair of the annual Foundation Dinner Planning Committee.

David Jones is the founder of Turtle Concepts. He is presently an entrepreneur, researcher and motivational speaker.

Dave strongly believes in his traditional Aboriginal teachings. Since 1999, Turtle Concepts has traveled worldwide with the message that “you have a right to feel good about yourself” and to “celebrate your successes”

Dave holds a degree in sociology from Algoma U and a degree in Education that empowers him to speak confidently. He is currently applying to be a Ph.D. candidate with a plan to research the effects of gaining confidence and how difficult that may be, especially for Aboriginal People.

Dave is a founding member and moderator for the Youth Panel for the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers, The Director for the Canadian Aboriginal Fashion Show, a Board member of the National Aboriginal Music Awards and a former elected member of the Garden River First National Council.

Diane Marshall is well known for her outstanding service and career with the Algoma District School Board. As an educator, Mrs. Marshall developed programs for special needs and gifted children. She later became the Administrator of Special Education with the ADSB and was first female Superintendent.

Diane continues to be active in the community, serving with such organizations as the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie, Christmas Cheer program, Sault Area Hospital Board, Canadian Cancer Society, United Way, Algoma University College Foundation, and the Central United Church.