CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Conestoga graduate honoured with Premier's award

Fiona Coughlin, a 2000 Business Administration - Management Studies graduate, was honoured with a Premier's Award during a gala celebration on November 25.

"Colleges play an important role in shaping Ontario's future by educating industry leaders, fostering ground-breaking innovation, and creating good paying jobs in our communities," said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges and Universities, in a news release. "This year's award winners have not only contributed greatly to their college, but to the social and economic success of all Ontario."

A passionate advocate of affordable housing and food security, Coughlin has leveraged her college education to revitalize her community. As the chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex, she's led the construction of 52 affordable houses, including the first ever 3D-printed home in Canada; launched one of the most successful ReStores in Canada; and reimagined the Windsor Furniture Bank to help more than 650 people a year remain housed. Fiona also offers skilled training opportunities for 220 youth every year and champions the renewal of Windsor's marginalized communities.

This December, Coughlin will be building homes in Nepal with Habitat for Humanity and is raising money for that effort to give families safe and comfortable dwellings.

"On behalf of Conestoga, I extend congratulations to Fiona on this well-deserved recognition. Her dedication and passion for community building exemplifies the standards our graduates bring to the workforce. This award is a testament to hard work and an example of what our graduates can achieve," said President John Tibbits.

Coughlin is one of Conestoga's more than 200,000 alumni making contributions to the local community and the world. More than 5,200 graduates are local entrepreneurs, and according to the 2023 Conestoga: Adapting for Prosperity report, the college's alumni contribute over $6.2 billion to the provincial economy annually.

"Conestoga graduates are using their skills and knowledge to make positive change in their communities. They foster innovation and inspire action here and abroad and we are proud of their achievements," added President Tibbits.

Coughlin is among several Conestoga graduates who have been recognized with Premier's Awards:

• Jehan Salim (Community Services, 2023)
• Jennifer Green (Apprenticeship, 2022)
• Massi Basiri (Business, 2021)
• Meti Basiri (Business, 2021)
• Clarice Ward (Apprenticeship, 2019)
• William Werth (Recent Graduate, 2019)
• Kevin King (Health Sciences, 2019)
• Don Gosen (Apprenticeship, 2018)
• Allie Libertini (Recent Graduate, 2018)
• Marianne Walker (Health Sciences, 2015)
• Tahani Aburaneh (Business, 2013)
• Charmeli Naraine (Business, 2012)

Other Conestoga graduates nominated for a 2024 Premier's Award include:

• Business nominee: Troy Miller, Business Administration - Marketing, 1993
• Creative Arts and Design nominee: Jolene MacDonald, Graphic Design, 1999
• Health Sciences nominee: Daniel Chen, Respiratory Therapy, 2019
• Recent Graduate nominee: Dima Aldera, Graphic Design, 2022; General Arts and Science: English Language Studies, 2019
• Science, Technology & Engineering nominee: Alison Carden, Software Engineering Technician, 2006
• Skilled Trades nominee: Brandi Ferenc, Women in Skilled Trades (WIST), 2005

Visit the Alumni website for more information about Conestoga's past Premier's Award winners and full profiles of the 2024 nominees.

More information about the other 2024 Premier's Awards winners is available through the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.