
- Business Administration Marketing, Class of 1986
- President, John Duff Ltd.
- Premier's Award Category: Business
Tara Duff-Cloes is the President of John Duff Ltd, a custom metal fabricating business that has prospered for 50 years. At the age of 22, she immersed herself in the steel business and overcame the prejudice she encountered as a woman in a male-dominated industry. Under her leadership, the firm has acquired specialized tools and welding certifications to fabricate unique steel projects, including the Canadian Arrow rocket ship and the emission-free energy producing Atmospheric Vortex Engine. Using a framework of respect, charity, and honesty to run her business, Duff-Cloes enjoys a positive reputation among clients and boasts numerous long-serving employees.

- Child and Youth Worker, Class of 1997
- Professor, Child & Youth Care, Lambton College
- Premier’s Award Category: Community Services
For 20 years, Richard Teskey has created unique educational and recreational programs to help youth build resilience and self-esteem. In 2009, Teskey founded the ACT II Theatre Program, a free therapeutic arts initiative, which has empowered more than 500 youth dealing with mental health and self-confidence issues. Teskey’s innovative use of milieu therapy has helped hundreds of high-risk youth graduate from high school. In 2006, he authored the Therapeutic Classroom Curriculum that continues to be used in group homes and classrooms today. Teskey also contributes countless volunteer hours to various youth-oriented organizations in Sarnia-Lambton lending his expertise and counselling skills.

- Law and Security, Class of 1991
- Clinical Psychologist, Owner and Director, DC Waterstone Services
- Premier’s Award Category: Health Sciences
Dr. Castaldi holds a doctorate in clinical psychology with specializations in trauma, attachment, and forensics. He has over 25 years of experience working with people of all ages with severe psychopathology, brain injury, neuro-developmental challenges, addictive/obsessive behaviours, and with people who have endured and perpetrated traumatic events. In both Canada and the United States, Dr. Castaldi has been celebrated for his knowledge, insight and ability to understand complex cases and transform how professionals think about the people they engage and support. Dr. Castaldi's SIVA holistic, relationship-based approach has guided professionals in their support of individuals with complex needs.

- Business, Class of 2014
- Public Speaker, Self-employed
- Premier’s Award Category: Recent Graduate
Motivational speaker, accessibility advocate and author Dan Edwards wants to make the world a better place. He does this by sharing his personal story of becoming paralyzed at the age of 18 and the emotional challenges he encountered afterwards. His public awareness initiatives have raised $75,000 to support mental health services in the community, contributed to the installation of 30 accessible ramps at local businesses, and informed thousands of youth about the mental health resources available to them. A passionate advocate for inspiring positive change, Edwards serves on various committees that support mental health and accessibility issues.