HAFA/HFTM Alumni Award Winners
Yearly, the HAFA/HFTM Alumni Association recognizes exceptional Alumni for their outstanding achievements and commitment within the Hospitality and Tourism Industry. Three prestigious awards are presented during the Annual Fall Social. All nominations are welcome and will be reviewed and selected by the HAFA/HFTM Alumni Awards Committee.
George D. Bedell Alumni Award
This prestigious award has been revived to honour distinguished alumni of The School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management who have consistently shown professionalism, outstanding achievement, and personal contribution to the school and to the field. The recipient served as an inspiration to the industry as well as the school and its communities.
2023 Winner - Michel-Eric (Eric) Fournelle, HAFA'92, President - Fondation Famille
- 2022 Winner - Bruce McAdams, HAFA'89, MA'09, Professor, Hospitality, Food & Tourism Management, U of G
- 2021 Winner - Michelle Caine, HAFA '00, MBA '06, Chair, Hospitality Management, Centennial College
- 2020 Winner - Bob Desautels, HAFA '74, Group Director & Chair, The Neighbourhood Group
- 2019 Winner - Adam Fikis, HAFA ’02, MBA ’07
- 2018 Winner - Ken Otto, HAFA '87
- 2017 Winner - Jeff Dover, HAFA '89
- 2016 Winner - Heidi Wilker, HAFA '76
- 2015 Winner - Joanne Gellatly, MBA '02
- 2014 Winner - Martin Stitt, HAFA '87, MBA '10
- 2013 Winner - David Larone, HAFA '75
- 2012 Winner - Geoff Wilson, FACS HAFA BComm '76
- 1995 Winner - Iain Murray, HAFA '76
- 1990 Winner - David J. Houghton, HAFA '75
- 1989 Winner - Susan Hasler, HAFA '74
- 1988 Winner - Roy Paul, HAFA '74
- 1987 Winner - Phillip Chan, HAFA '75
- 1986 Winner - Keith Appleton, HAFA '75
Leadership/Entrepreneurial Alumni Award
This award identifies alumni who have demonstrated success within the diverse world of hospitality and tourism. The recipient has displayed excellence, innovation and leadership in his or her field and continues to contribute both to the school and the industry in years ahead.
2023 Winner - Lora Bender, HAFA'01, Editor & Associate Publisher - Progressive Publishing
- 2022 Winner - Nicholas Pearce, HAFA '04, Founder, Nicholas Pearce Wines
- 2021 Winner - Cayley Dow, HAFA'02 (Co-op), Founder & CEO, Thrivity HR Consulting & Coaching
- 2020 Winner - Wil Leung, HAFA ’00, Director of Culinary Operations, Cactus Club Café
- 2019 Winner - Richard Rubin, HAFA'84
- 2018 Winner - Jerrett Young, BSc, MBA Hospitality Management '00
- 2017 Winner - David Humphrey, HTM'11
- 2016 Winner - Paul Henderson,HAFA'95
- 2015 Winner - Matt Cornell, HAFA '04
- 2014 Winner - Jeff Hyslop, HAFA '04
- 2013 Winner - Darcy MacDonell, CME BComm '02, MA '10
- 2012 Winner - Frank and Elizabeth Ihrig, FACS HAFA BComm, '06
Leader of Tomorrow Award
The Leader of Tomorrow Award recognizes a recent graduate who embodies the culture of the industry and the school. The recipient displays outstanding potential in his or her attitude and passion for the industry and will have a bright and shining future ahead. Recipients have acted as an ambassador for the school and are eager to continue their participation with students and alumni as they grow in their career.
2023 Winner - Travis Traini, HAFA'12, Principal - fsSTRATEGY
- 2022 Winner - Rebecca Gordon, HFTM'15, TRMH MSc'22, Anita Stewart Memorial Food Lab Coordinator/Graduate Research Assistant, HFTM - University of Guelph
- 2021 Winner - Christian Cross, HAFA '17, Vice President, Consulting & Valuation, HVS
- 2020 Winner - Danielle Gaudet, HAFA '08, Event Specialist, Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada
- 2019 Winner - Amy Gratton
- 2018 Winner - Sarah Hall, HAFA '09
- 2017 Winner - Duncan Chiu, HTM'13
- 2016 Winner - Vicki Ly
- 2015 Winner - Iris Lam, HAFA Co-op '08
- 2014 Winner - Sam Prentice, HTM '12
- 2013 Winner - Becky Campbell, HTM '09
- 2012 Winner - Adrian Niman, HTM '07 and Jody Chrobak, HTM '06