Foundation and Alumni
VCC Outstanding Alumni Awards
VCC's Outstanding Alumni Awards are designed to celebrate the career and community achievements of our graduates and supporters. These annual awards provide an opportunity to celebrate the quality and expertise of VCC's alumni and friends, and help us reconnect our alumni back to the College community. As well, showcasing these diverse success stories helps VCC raise its brand profile in the community. Since the awards' inception in 2005, we have recognized a total of 49 alumni from VCC programs, with seven honorary alumni and two lifetime achievement awards.
Our 2020/2021 winners
Congratulations to our most recent Outstanding Alumni Award winners! These are the latest in a long line of VCC alumni that have made significant contributions to their industries and communities. Honorees represent four distinct categories and each winner has distinguished themselves with unique stories of success, inspiration, and dedication.
Watch the video:
Bernie Johnson, Career Success
https://www.youtube.com/embed/yVoU6c48EfM
Bernie Johnson, Career Success
Director of HR, Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver
Bernie has proudly represented VCC over his two-decade rise through the hospitality industry. In addition to being a major employer, he continues to provide student mentorship and program advising.
Watch the video:
Demitri Kulik, Community Contribution
https://www.youtube.com/embed/OdHXw2ks4Pk
Demitri Kulik, Community Contribution
Utility Maintenance Worker, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
A role model in building services, Demitri offers career sessions and work experiences to VCC students. With a heart for his community, Demitri also redeployed to service low-income housing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Watch the video:
Julia Pavlova - Community Contribution
https://www.youtube.com/embed/cgjdIVIVJbc
Julia Pavlova, Community Contribution
General Duty Nurse, St. Paul’s Hospital
Since graduating, Julia has become a public face for those who work directly with COVID-19 patients. In addition to providing highly demanding health care, she has frequently represented her fellow workers in local media.
Watch the video:
Esther Winder - Changemaker
https://www.youtube.com/embed/p8CZVKA3t38
Esther Winder, Changemaker
Emergency Planning Technician, Secwepemc Health Caucus
Esther uses out-of-the-box thinking to help address the social determinants of health issues in her First Nations community and was a driving force behind a new Secwepemc Collaborative Emergency Management Agreement.
Watch the video:
Brandt Louie - Honorary Alumni Award
https://www.youtube.com/embed/KLMfs-hslh4
Brandt Louie, Honorary Alumni Award
VCC Foundation Donor
As a perennial volunteer, donor, and supporter of VCC students, Mr. Louie has served on the Foundation Board and chaired numerous committees that led highly impactful fundraising events for scholarships and bursaries.
Direct link: https://www.vcc.ca/about/foundation-and-alumni/alumni/outstanding-alumni/#q-8353069
Loni Yee - Community Contribution
Mishel Bouillet - One to Watch
Direct link: https://www.vcc.ca/about/foundation-and-alumni/alumni/outstanding-alumni/#q-8353071
Curtis Krahn - Community Contribution
Alan Matheson - Career Success
Kyoung Yong Lee - One to Watch
Direct link: https://www.vcc.ca/about/foundation-and-alumni/alumni/outstanding-alumni/#q-8353072
Jim Storie – Lifetime Achievement
Direct link: https://www.vcc.ca/about/foundation-and-alumni/alumni/outstanding-alumni/#q-8353073
Lloyd Arntzen – Honorary Alumnus
Rosemary Bartram – Changemaker
Roshni Kashyap – Community Contribution
Direct link: https://www.vcc.ca/about/foundation-and-alumni/alumni/outstanding-alumni/#q-8353074
Gyda Chud - Lifetime Achievement
Robert N. Brady – Honorary Alumnus
John Carlo (JC) Felicella – Changemaker
Amber Anderson – Community Contribution
Rick Hatswell – Career Success
Christoph von Riedemann – One to Watch
Direct link: https://www.vcc.ca/about/foundation-and-alumni/alumni/outstanding-alumni/#q-8353075
Gottfried (Guff) Muench – Honorary Alumnus
Brenda Stewart – Community Contribution