Award category: Business
Seneca programs: Law Enforcement, 1984

In an industry dominated by men, Kris Boyce became the first-ever female CEO of two large Ontario property management firms. Over the last 40 years, she has held senior executive positions with such companies as Greenwin Corporation, Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT, and Ontario Housing Corporation. Ms. Boyce was CEO of Greenwin from 2012 to 2021 and is currently the CEO of Signet Group Inc. She has mentored women for the Women’s Executive Network (WXN), Scotiabank and the Institute of Housing Management. Ms. Boyce was named one of Toronto’s Top Women Leaders in 2024 and has also been honoured as one of WXN’s Top 100 Canada's Most Powerful Woman.

Award category: Recent Graduate
Seneca program: Fashion Arts, 2023

Eunice Sik Tung Chow was one of four young designers chosen to represent Toronto at the Fashion Graduate Italia, an international show in Milan in 2023. This honour occurred after she won the Avant-Garde Award at Seneca Polytechnic’s renowned spring fashion show for her “Tied With Denim” collection. Ms. Chow was also nominated for the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards’ Fashion Design Student Award in 2023. She now has her own brand and has teamed with three fashion graduates to create their own label, MACEL. They presented their first collection at Fashion Art Toronto, as part of Fashion Week 2023.

Award category: Health Sciences
Seneca program: Veterinary Technician, 1999

Kirsti Clarida is playing a leading role in the transformation of veterinary care in Ontario. The registered veterinary technician, former professor and past president of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians was the driving force behind that organization’s push to work with the Ontario government to modernize the legislation governing veterinary professionals. The resulting Enhancing Professional Care for Animals Act officially recognizes the vital role that veterinary technicians play in veterinary clinics and expands access to veterinary care across the province. In her new position with the Toronto Humane Society, she will provide aspiring veterinary technicians with a better education due to curriculum enhancements and experiential opportunities at the society.

Award category: Creative Arts and Design
Seneca program: Broadcast Journalism, 2010

Ginella Massa made history as Canada’s first hijab-wearing television reporter in 2015 while working for CTV News, and North America’s first news anchor in a hijab on CityNews the following year. In 2020, Ms. Massa joined CBC News as a special correspondent for The National and as host of her own prime-time show on CBC News Network, “Canada Tonight with Ginella Massa”. Ms. Massa continues to further the cause of diversity in Canadian media as the owner of a PR company, Massa Media and Communication Inc. , and as a postsecondary journalism instructor.

Award category: Technology
Seneca program: Computer Systems Technology, 2006

Shawn McBurnie is a cybersecurity expert focused on ensuring critical infrastructure is protected, which is especially important as ransomware and other cyberattacks represent a large and fast-growing threat. With more than 17 years’ experience in IT operations and security in the electricity and financial services sectors, Mr. McBurnie is an acknowledged leader in the field. He currently leads a team at Northland Power – an international developer and operator of renewable power generation – where he manages security programs for the company’s information and operational technology. Mr. McBurnie also spent five years at Toronto Hydro, where he helped modernize the cybersecurity protection systems in Toronto’s electricity distribution system.

Award category: Community Services
Seneca program: Early Childhood Education 2014, Honours Bachelor of Child Development 2016

Josephine Muhaya has maintained her connection to the institution as a professor in the School of Early Childhood Education. After George Floyd was murdered in 2020, Ms. Muhaya set out to provide Black students a “second home” where they could feel safe and heard. The Ugandan immigrant founded the Early Childhood Educators Black Student Association (SEEBSA) and invited Black students enrolled in Early Children Education programs to become members. SEEBSA’s primary goal is to develop initiatives that help Black students succeed, such as involvement in a curriculum review of the ECE program that was led by Ms. Muhaya. In a short time, this small but mighty student association has helped connect a student community, supported their unique needs and influenced Seneca’s curriculum to make it more inclusive.