Founder – His Royal Highness The Prince Philip
Patron – His Royal Highness The Prince Edward The Duke of Edinburgh
Honorary Chair – Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., O.Q., C.D., The Governor General of Canada
Officers
Chair – Peter Lawless MGC, KC,CD
Bronze, Silver and Gold Award Achiever
Senior Legal Counsel – British Columbia Ministry of Attorney General
Board Director, Audit Committee Chair, Chair Pension Board of Trustees – CBC/Radio-Canada
Directors-at-large
Gold Award Achiever
Business Change and Process Consultant / Reserve Officer
City of Calgary / Canadian Armed Forces Reserves
Bronze, Silver & Gold Award Achiever – 2012
Business Management Specialist – TD Asset Management
Melissa MacAdam B.S.S (Hons. Crim.), LLB
Bronze, Silver & Gold Award Achiever – 2001
Lawyer, Blackburn Law Inc.
Chair – Peter Lawless MGC, KC,CD
Bronze, Silver and Gold Award Achiever
Senior Legal Counsel – British Columbia Ministry of Attorney General
I first learned about the Award as a cadet in the 1980s, where I was immediately motivated to complete the various levels, and I am proud to be a Gold Award holder. After many years away from the Award, I reconnected with it in 2017, when I was privileged to speak to the national Gold Award recipients alongside the Duke of Sussex as part of my involvement with the Invictus Games in Toronto. Since then, I have been engaged in a variety of ways, including speaking to the global alumni network about my journey after the Award. The Award was incredibly impactful in my life, and it is a real privilege to now contribute to a program that gave me so much.
Immediate Past Chair – Amy Langhorne M.Sc. ICD.D
Gold Award Achiever – 1987
As a life long learner and volunteer, I’m passionate about helping future generations access the opportunities for personal growth and development available through the Award program.
Treasurer Sandra Mason CPA, CA
Board Director, Audit Committee Chair, Chair Pension Board of Trustees – CBC/Radio-Canada
I am a longtime believer in the power of education to change outcomes and improve lives, and am inspired by the Award’s unique program which prepares our young people for adulthood and truly amplifies their opportunities and contributions to society.
Chris Blackwell
Director-at-large
Partner – Access Holdings
My son Carson completed all three levels, achieving his Gold Award in 2024. He really enjoyed and benefited from the Award program, and his involvement in it was entirely at his own initiative. I was so impressed by what I saw and learned about the Award program and the positive impact that it had on him, that I wanted to get involved.
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The Award program does a great job of building self confidence and a sense of achievement for young people across a broad spectrum of activities. I particularly liked the emphasis on outdoor activities and the drive to get involved and try new things. In a world of screens and social media dependence, this Award program reinforces essential life skills and self-esteem, which I think is rare and missed amongst other programs available to young people.
Laura Elliott
Director-at-large
Former Executive Director, Council of Ontario Directors of Education
Lou Gizzarelli PEng, MEng, ICD
Director-at-large
President – Quadient Canada
When I first became involved with the Award my daughters were quite young and although I initially had to encourage them to participate, it proved wonderfully beneficial for both as they completed their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. Through my time on the Board of Directors I have seen first-hand the positive impact the Award has on young people, not only in my own home, but across the country and around the world. I remain excited about the Award and the potential it has to grow and impact the lives of young people in Canada from coast to coast to coast.
Eugene Kushnir CD, AdeC, MBA, PEng
Gold Award Achiever
Director-at-large
Business Change and Process Consultant / Reserve Officer
City of Calgary / Canadian Armed Forces Reserves
I completed my Award in 2000 and was presented my Gold Award in 2001 by HRH Prince Edward. Since then I have been an Award Leader, mentoring and assisting youth to enroll and complete the various levels of the program. I feel that the Award is such an amazing program that helps young people work towards something tangible, expand their horizons, do things they may never have before, and best of all, be recognized for it! The program helps to teach life skills useful for 14-25 year old youth to take on the challenges of today’s world.
Alexander Li BCom, MBA
Director-at-large
Bronze, Silver & Gold Award Achiever – 2012
Business Management Specialist – TD Asset Management
Being involved with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – Canada has inspired my belief to continue to invest in youth to become tomorrow’s leaders. As someone who found the experience formative in my own life, I recognize the profound impact it can have. It helped shaped my character, instilling values of perseverance, teamwork and a commitment to giving back. Supporting growth of the Award in Canada is my way of ensuring that more young Canadians have access to the same transformative opportunities.
Bernice-Marie Kalubiaka BCom, JD
Bronze and Silver Award Achiever
Director-at-large
The Award has helped me become a more resilient person, teaching me to embrace challenges, stay committed, and trust in my ability to adapt. This transformative experience has shaped how I approach obstacles and has inspired lasting personal growth, which is what keeps me involved today. I’m passionate about making the Award more accessible so that more young people can discover their strengths and realize they’re capable of achieving far more than they ever imagined. Everyone deserves the opportunity to grow, push their limits, and uncover their full potential. I’m eager to help make this life-changing opportunity available to others.
Melissa MacAdam B.S.S (Hons. Crim.), LLB
Director-at-large
Bronze, Silver and Gold Award Achiever – 2001
Lawyer – Blackburn Law Inc.
My Award journey gave me experiences that I never would have had if I had not being working on the Award. It gave me a belief in myself – that I could achieve things even if they were hard or took a long time – which has served me well throughout my life. I want all young people to have that same opportunity to develop their inner strengths and see how far they can go.
Kevin Malone
Director-at-large
Gold Award Achiever – 1976
Managing Director – BMO Financial Group
As a Gold Award Achiever, I am passionate about youth and supporting youth in preparing them for to help make a difference.
Randall Mang
Director-at-large
Engel & Volkers Vancouver Island
I was inspired to get involved in the Award after witnessing its profound and impressive impact on my youngest daughter’s personal development.
Thomas Morin–Cabana MStJ, A de C
Director-at-large
Gold Award Achiever – 2014
Officer – Canadian Armed Forces
It can be difficult for doors to open for young people seeking opportunities. Through participating in The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, it shows them that there is no limit to their dreams when they trust in their #Infinite Potential!
Fouzia Younis
Director-at-large
British Consul General – Toronto
I am a big fan of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, having observed its positive impact internationally and within my own family. One of my children is a Gold Award Holder. I am excited that the Award is being welcomed as a cocurricular option in more schools and look forward to its continued expansion into diverse communities across Canada. My hope is to bring the Award to life in all Canadian households.
