On April 7, 2022, Capilano University will honour five alumni who lead by example, drive environmental change and inspire fresh thinking.
CapU is pleased to recognize the recipients of the 2022 Alumni Awards of Excellence: Maryam Antikchi, Unified Award; Karen Roussy, Luminous Award; Dennis Thomas-Whonoak, Enduring Award; Gigi Saul Guerrero, Confident Award; and Andrew Kopecki, Creative Award.
Mo Amir, host of the podcast ‘This Is VANCOLOUR,’ will MC the livestream talk show style event and introduce the individuals behind the awards.
Winners of the 2022 Alumni Awards of Excellence
Maryam Antikchi is dedicated to developing Canada’s CleanTech economy, supporting family-owned businesses, and amplifying the voice of women in leadership. She is co-founder & chief technology officer of Ecoation Innovative Solutions Inc., an innovative company combining robotics and AI platforms to support farmers for a more sustainable food system.
Karen Roussy is passionate about taking care of families and supporting them through difficult transitions. After raising her own children, Roussy made a career change and completed CapU’s Paralegal Diploma program. Today, she is a family law advocate with North Shore Community Resources, an instructor at CapU’s School of Legal Studies and a contributing author of the Family Law Deskbook.
Indigenous values are embedded into everything Dennis Thomas-Whonoak accomplishes. The senior business development manager and elected council member of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN) proudly represented his nation as a coordinator of the Four Host Nations for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver and has provided leadership to the award-winning company Takaya Tours. Leading the way, he recently oversaw the installation of 350 solar panels at the TWN administrative building, the largest ground-mount solar array in Metro Vancouver, a project that demonstrates the nation’s values and support for renewable energy.
Actor, writer, and filmmaker Gigi Saul Guerrero brings Mexican culture to audiences through social horror films. Having gained international recognition for her 2017 series La Quinceañera, Saul Guerrero is breaking barriers and stereotypes and elevating the place of women in the horror film genre. She finds horror films a creative storytelling medium for tackling intense subject matter and contributing to the social commentary on global or political issues – while still making it fun to watch. In addition to her film work, Saul Guerrero today also teaches film directing at Vancouver Film School.
With his love of gadgets and passion for technology, business alum Andrew Kopecki founded and built Advantage Asset Tracking and Connected Coverage Systems. His company helps freight companies across North America keep drivers safe and uses technology to create a more sustainable approach to transportation. As an expert in fleet vehicle operations or connected vehicle technology, Kopecki helps transportation companies become more efficient in their core operations.
Attend the live stream awards talk show
Meet the award winners and be inspired by the impact of their actions.
Tune in to the livestream Capilano University Alumni Awards of Excellence at 7 pm on April 7, 2022. Proudly sponsored by Neptune Terminals, the North Shore News, and DIALOG.
