Alumni Updates: Spring 2025

Rachel Phan (BA '11) published her memoir Restaurant Kid: A memoir of family and belonging.

Jenna M. Prestidge (BA '07) published her children's book series, Rosie the Hockey Player in partnership with the PWHL, PWHLPA, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and the Women’s Sports Foundation.

Eileen Beltzner (MSW '98) published her book Two Times as Much Love: A Separation and Divorce Story for Parents & Children.

Eric Davis (BBA '01) was named a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Ben Jesseau (BBA '24) received the Canadian Association of Business Students' Alumni of the Year Award.

Carrie Rodgers-Rowley (MBA '15) was appointed as Director, Institutional Planning & Finance at King's University College.

Justin MacDonald (BBA '03) was appointed as Director of Finance and Administration for the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

Jessica Racovali (BA '12) was featured in Women in Construction, for role with Dufferin construction – she was the company’s first female operations manager, appointed in March 2024.

Dr. James Mandigo (BA '94) has been appointed as President and Vice-Chancellor, at the University of the Fraser Valley.

Grant Fraser (BBA '87) was inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame as a builder of the game in Ontario and across Canada.

Shahrukh (Shak) Shah (BBA '05) published his book Mental Illness: Don’t Let It Define You

Jeff Boich (BA '88) won a 2025 Laurier Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence.

Lisa Kuron (BA '10) won a 2025 Laurier Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence.

Sarah Willey-Thomas (BA '09, MIPP '10) was named Secretary of York University.

Dan Muys (BA '93) was elected as a Member of the 45th Canadian Parliament.

Charles Sousa (BBA '82) was elected as a Member of the 45th Canadian Parliament.

Dean Allison (BA '92) was elected as a Member of the 45th Canadian Parliament.

Several Laurier alumni were named to The Peak Emerging Leaders for 2025:

Politics and Government
-Jordan Zaitchik (BA ’17), Director Government and Public Sector, EY-Parthenon

Finance and Investing
-Jordan Hill (BBA ’12), Managing Director & Founder, Growth Partners
-Mackenzie Young (BBA ’15), Senior Manager, Marketing, Fig 

Marketing and Advertising
-Dan Gray (BBA ’15), CEO & Co-Founder, Vendry

Tech
-Danielle Brewin Graham (MBA ’14), Co-Founder, The Firehood
-Samantha Campana (BA ’12), Head of Communications, Cisco Canada

Social Impact
-Elizabeth (Liz) Thompson (BA ’17), Founder, Double X Health Collective
-Gilad Cohen (BA ’07), Founder, CEO, Golden Child Studio, and Interim Executive Director, EPIC Leadership (Recognized with role, Founder of JAYU)

Legal & Industry
-Daniel Moll (BBA ’20), Founder & CEO, EarthSuds

Media, Entertainment and Sports
-Shaiyan Khan (BBA ’17), Head Of Partnerships Operations, Substack

People and Culture
-Abhishek Sarathy (BBA ’10), AVP, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging - Strategy & Integration, Canadian Tire Corporation
-Leigh Farlow (MBA ’14), Partner, Artemis Canada

Sales
-Jana Ramesh (BBA ’15), Regional Sales Manager, Salesforce
-Emily Tan (BA ’10), Global Account Director, Enterprise Financial Services, Salesford