Congratulations to 2021 King's Alumni Award Recipients

Congratulations to King's 2021 Alumni Award recipients Nancy Sutherland ’85, and Joe MacDonald ’80, recipients of the Alumni Award of Distinction, and Monica Ciriello ’09, Recent Graduate Award recipient. The 2021 Award Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday, September 24, during the annual Homecoming celebrations.

Alumni Award of Distinction Recipients

The Alumni Award of Distinction recognizes King’s alumni who are an inspiration to others, have made a significant contribution to the community or society, or who have reached a high level of accomplishment in his or her field.

Nancy Sutherland ’85 (BA Psychology)

President and CEO, The Sunshine Foundation of Canada
Nancy Sutherland is a highly respected business leader, coach, and mentor, who serves as President & CEO of The Sunshine Foundation of Canada, a national charity that changes lives for Canadian children and youth living with severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses. Through this role, Nancy has built connections with local and national politicians, business owners, corporate leaders, labour organizations, and community influencers, to educate and advocate for the underserved and underrepresented disability population. Engaging the community and maintaining these relationships remains a key pillar in her life as she strives to facilitate meaningful connections that put the needs of others above her own. She attributes this to the Catholic and scholastic values that were present during her time at King’s. Along with serving as a field supervisor with the School of Social Work and participating in Life After King’s speaker panels, Nancy is a sought-after guest speaker at numerous events and conferences across Canada. 

Joseph MacDonald ’80 (BA Economics and Political Science)

President, Monticello Capital Partners

Joe MacDonald was a loyal alumnus and passionate ambassador who exemplified his deep caring for King’s by giving back as both a dedicated volunteer and a generous donor. For more than 20 years, Joe participated annually in the School of MEM (formerly EBM) Career Day, sharing his wisdom and experience with countless students. He also served on the Finance and Investment Committee of the King’s University College Foundation Board, where his professionalism and knowledge of the investment management industry helped safeguard the funds used to build the Darryl J. King Student Life Centre, as well as those endowed to scholarships and bursaries. Joe was nominated for the Alumni Award of Distinction posthumously by faculty from the School of MEM who were inspired by his passion for his work in the fast-paced finance sector, his love of sharing knowledge with King’s students, and his ability to be a role model for so many.

Recent Graduate Award Recipient

The Recent Graduate Award recognizes the accomplishments of someone who has graduated from King’s within the last 15 years. It celebrates achievement in such areas as: service to humanity, professional accomplishment, community service, the advancement of knowledge, or service to King’s.

Monica Ciriello ’09 (BA Hons Political Science)

Director, Licensing and Bylaw Services, City of Hamilton

As the Director of Licensing and Bylaw Services with the City of Hamilton, Monica Ciriello is well on her way to breaking the glass ceiling. Monica uses her expertise as a municipal and planning lawyer, legal author, certified mediator, and Member of the Ontario Bar Association to provide leadership for a multi-functional workforce. She manages a team of over a hundred, a multi-million-dollar budget, and some of the most challenging issues facing her community today. Throughout the pandemic, she has demonstrated her leadership by establishing local priorities including new bylaws, regulations and operating procedures to keep her community safe. These regulatory reforms have been emulated by municipalities across the province. Crediting her experience at King's for helping to shape and solidify her aspirations to fight for women's leadership and empowerment, Monica is a role model to many who strive to balance higher educational pursuits with a steep career trajectory. She provides mentorship to King’s students through Life After King’s speaker panels, contributes to lectures at McMaster University, has published numerous articles in national and international journals, and was recently appointed to the Tribunals Ontario Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.

For more information about the Alumni Awards Ceremony and Homecoming 2021, visit www.kings.uwo.ca/homecoming.  

For more information about King’s Alumni Awards, visit www.kings.uwo.ca/alumni/events-and-chapters/awards/.