The annual Alumni Awards of Excellence were created to recognize alumni who embody the essence of who we are and the impact of CapU locally, regionally and around the world.
As in past years, threads of our community’s values — spirit, passion, innovation, collaboration, pride and impact — are woven through each of our award categories.
Five awards will be given out to individuals who exemplify one of our brand essences. There will be one award for each CapU brand essence: Luminous, Unified, Enduring, Confident and Creative.
To ensure we have every opportunity to nominate and recognize the positive impact of our alumni in the communities in which they live and work, all alumni including past recipients may be nominated.
Do you know a CapU alum doing great things in the community? Nominate them for our 2024 Alumni Awards of Excellence:
Previous award recipients
On April 12, 2023 we celebrated five extraordinary alumni award recipients for each of our award categories that speak to the Capilano University brand essence.
Our in-person 'late-night talk show' event included special performances and an inspirational discussion with our incredible Award recipients.
Watch video highlights from the night.
Learn more about our 2023 Award recipients below.
Roy is an environmental educator, naturalist and author. For over three decades, Roy has helped educate the public about the importance of biodiversity and our human place within it.
He teaches courses in natural history, ecotourism and climate change at Capilano University.
Oumar is an award-winning social entrepreneur and founder of three companies which include Farafena, a social enterprise that imports and sells food products grown by women farmers in the African nations of Mali and Malawi; Chiwara Sportswear, an African-inspired clothing brand and Savanna Foods with a mission to reimagine the food system.
Doreen Manuel (Secwepemc/Ktunaxa) comes from a long line of Indigenous oral historians and factual storytellers.
She is an award-winning filmmaker and educator, the principal owner of Running Wolf Productions and the director of the Bosa Centre for Film and Animation at Capilano University.
A leader in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Akhavan is a founder and CEO of Global Women in STEM Inc., which promotes equality for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
She is also a senior engineer at De Havilland Aircraft of Canada and a Transport Canada designated engineer in Vancouver where she leads the support, structural repairs and more of the de Havilland legacy and CL water bomber aircraft.
Lonny Eagleton is a professional musician and bass guitarist for the band Black Veil Brides.
Boasting a seasoned career, Lonny has performed on several major arena and theatre tours all over the globe. Television appearances include performances on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the Juno Awards, The Today Show, MuchMusic Video Awards and more.
Your hosts
Gigi Saul Guerrero
Making headway as a horror film director, actor and writer, this Motion Picture Arts alum and previous Alumni Award recipient takes inspiration from her Mexican heritage, adding layers of family, love and culture to every project. Gigi has been praised as one of the top emerging directors in the horror genre and is co-founder of Luchagore Production.
Kaya Dorey
Kaya is the creator of Novel Supply Co., a sustainable apparel line made in her hometown of Vancouver, BC. Learning about textiles waste and synthetic fabrics that don’t biodegrade prompted Kaya to create a clothing option made from natural and organic fabrics. Through her company, Kaya is striving to create a zero-waste closed-loop model that takes responsibility for the products she creates. In 2017, Kaya received the Young Champion of the Earth prize by the UNEP and Coverstro for her work in sustainable fashion.
Thank you to our sponsors
Presenting award sponsors
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