ALUMNI KEYSTONE AWARD
Celebrating Pickering College Young Alumni On May 24, Pickering College hosted a special celebration in recognition of the nominees, finalists and recipients of the inaugural Alumni Keystone Award and the Agent of Change Community Award. Pickering College is honoured to announce the 2023 Alumni Keystone Award Recipient, Nico Macias’14. We are also pleased to name four 2023 Alumni Keystone Finalists: Tara Bhardwaj ’11, Amanda Brissenden ’11, Josephine Kanu ’16, and Carter Powis ’10.
Amanda Brissenden ’11 Combining expertise in health sciences research and a passion for community service within clinical Tara is a dynamic community medicine. leader helping others give Amanda is a biomedical back to their communities engineering research through philanthropy and scientist pursuing a doctor volunteerism. She has an of medicine at the University impressive career in the of Alberta. Her impressive nonprofit sector, currently academic journey includes working with the Nature a doctor of philosophy in Conservancy of Canada applied science at Queen’s managing the donor University, where she services team. She is also achieved first place in the working towards a master’s Queen’s Three Minute Thesis degree in leadership and Competition and third place community engagement provincially. As a passionate with York University. Tara’s community volunteer, she impactful involvement was honoured with the includes volunteering as 2021 Ontario Volunteer a board and committee Service Award for her five member with Santropol Roulant and guest lecturing years of dedicated service at Kingston General Hospital. with various community engagements. Tara Bhardwaj ’11 Helping and inspiring others to create meaningful change in their communities.
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Josephine Kanu ’16 Striving to make a difference and positively impact the lives of others. Josephine is a dedicated professional committed to making a difference through work and volunteer service. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a vital role in a nationwide database project on emergency department admissions. Currently a clinical research coordinator at the BC Centre for Substance Use, Josephine focuses on evidence-based approaches to substance use and addiction. Josephine’s extensive history of volunteerism with her alma mater, University of British Columbia, contributed to a more inclusive, accessible campus, and helped inspire youth to become excited about learning.
Carter Powis ’10 Leading bold conversations around environmental change and sustainable practices. Carter currently serves as a senior advisor at McKinsey & Company’s Sustainability Practice while pursuing doctoral work in climate science at the University of Oxford. His expertise in climate science and its application to economic and business strategy extends beyond his work and academic studies. As a creator, producer and co-host of a Spotify podcast, Carter helps bring attention to climate change and mental health through conversations with worldleading experts such as former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore.
