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
Immediate Past Chair – Melissa MacAdam B.S.S (Hons. Crim.), LLB
Bronze, Silver & Gold Award Achiever – 2001
Lawyer, Blackburn Law Inc.
Directors-at-large
Gold Award Achiever
Business Change and Process Consultant / Reserve Officer
City of Calgary / Canadian Armed Forces Reserves
Bronze, Silver and Gold Award Achiever
Senior Legal Counsel – British Columbia Ministry of Attorney General
Bronze, Silver & Gold Award Achiever – 2012
Business Management Specialist – TD Asset Management
Board Director, Audit Committee Chair, Chair Pension Board of Trustees – CBC/Radio-Canada
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.
Vice Chair – Paul E. Henry OStJ, CD, M.Éd., ECCM, MRHSC
Gold Award Achiever – 1988
Director of Education and Secretary-Treasurer – Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario
Since 1984, I have been involved with the Award in Canada, through the Canadian Cadet System as a Reserve Officer and a community member. The adventurous component in the High Arctic that I lived in Baffin Island way back in 1984, has always served me well in leadership situations, determination and grit, resilience and inspirational mentoring. Giving back to the program as a National Board and Ontario Council Member, is a testimonial of the impact that the Gold Award has had on my personal and professional life. Long life to The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Canada and around the world.
Immediate Past Chair – Melissa MacAdam B.S.S (Hons. Crim.), LLB
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.
Treasurer – Sarah deGuzman
Partner (Audit) – KPMG
I stepped into the role of Treasurer for Award Canada in April 2015 to help with overall challenges of overseeing the finances of the Award, including directing the transition to digital accounting and managing the merger of 11 entities into a single consolidated not-for-profit organization.
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.
Erin Garner CFA
Gold Award Achiever – 2006
Director-at-large
Managing Director – Scotiabank
I’ve been involved with the Award in Canada in a volunteer capacity since completing my Gold Award in 2006. The experience created a foundation for lifelong service, which continues to shape my personal and professional values. Supporting the Award in Canada is my way of paying it forward. I’m passionate about creating opportunities for youth to grow, challenge themselves, and discover their potential. I believe in the ability of the Award to empower young people to achieve personal milestones and make a positive impact on society as a whole. It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to a program that fosters the leaders of tomorrow.
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.
Marian Jones
Director-at-large
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.
Peter Lawless MGC, KC,CD
Bronze, Silver and Gold Award Achiever
Director-at-large
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.
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.
Ashley Lorette MPA, CPHR
Director-at-large
Bronze, Silver & Gold Award Achiever – 2002
My own positive experience as an Award achiever has inspired me to help advance the Award across Canada. First getting involved by supporting a local Air Cadet unit with Adventurous Journeys, and then serving on a Provincial Council and National Board.
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.
Gregory C. Ludlow
Director-at-large
Of Counsel – PCK IP Lawyers PC
Back in 1998, my nephew, who was the National Treasurer of the Award at the time, encouraged me to get involved given the positive efforts on behalf of the youth of Canada that he extolled to me. I put forward my resume to the President and Executive Director for Ontario, and was invited to join the Ontario Board.
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.
Sandra Mason CPA, CA
Director-at-large
Board Director, Audit Committee Chair, Chair Pension Board of Trustees – CBC/Radio-Canada
I am a long a 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.
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!
Kevin Pashuk MBA-ITM
Director-at-large
Interim Technology Executive
I have a long history in education, and have personally witnessed the advantage that young people can achieve by participating. It adds essential experiences and skills to their adult lives. I feel it is an offering that should be available to all of Canada’s youth.
Rochelle Prasad
Bronze, Silver and Gold Award Achiever
Youth & Alumni Director
I got involved with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award because it aligns perfectly with my mission—empowering youth to break barriers, build leadership skills, and create impact. Having spent over a decade working with young people through SPARK Foundation and as a teacher, I’ve seen how access to the right opportunities can change lives. The Award does exactly that.
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As someone who has faced barriers to education and leadership, I know firsthand how critical programs like this are. The Award gives youth a chance to push their limits, grow as leaders, and gain real-world skills that prepare them for the future. It’s more than just an achievement—it’s a mindset shift. It teaches young people that they are capable, resilient, and powerful.
Joining the Board of Directors allows me to take this work to the next level. I want to ensure that more young people, especially those from underrepresented communities, have access to this life-changing program. My goal is to help strengthen and expand its reach so that youth across Canada can unlock their full potential, just like I did.
Neil Thompson M.Sc.Ed.
Director-at-large
Director of International Student Affairs – Grace Christian School
Since 2002, I have been blessed to mentor and support students in our Award Centre realize their potential in achieving their personal goals. Because of the positive outcomes for my students, I am eager to engage teachers and other adults who support youth to embrace the potential in the Award. Seeing students, who might not be recognized in school for outstanding academic, athletic or artistic accomplishments, receive their Award and enjoy the recognition is extremely rewarding.
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I have been involved in our Local PEI Council and was instrumental in creating our first DOE external credits for all PEI high school students. Knowing that I can help students see their potential growth through the Award motivates me to see the Award flourish. The Award provides experiential learning growth which opens skill sets for students to take into their future careers and opportunities. Award holders develop resilience and adaptability in their collaborative efforts through the Adventurous Journey and Gold Project which in turn develops a growth mindset necessary for future success. This is especially true for newcomers to Canada who wish to engage in language learning and community immersion. Having the Award framework has allowed me to encourage students to push themselves to be involved in community activities resulting in better life experiences in their new home. Watching the pride on the face of parents seeing their child recognized for this prestigious International Award.
