“Recipients continue to make a positive impact across our communities”
The most striking aspect of NAIT Celebrates, the polytechnic’s annual alumni, industry partners and friends awards program, isn’t necessarily the award recipients themselves.
What stands out even more is the breadth of their impact – the many aspects of society that the recipients influence for the better.
“They are champions of skilled trades and education, innovators in media and health care, and are dedicated advocates for inclusion and Indigenous representation,” says Daryl Silzer, NAIT’s vice-president external relations and chief development officer.
“Our award recipients have and continue to make a positive impact across our communities through their leadership, generosity and advocacy. As mentors, they inspire and guide the next generation by fostering a more inclusive, skilled and empowered future for all.”
That is, they put others first – a fact that was recognized at an April 2 event at Ernest’s, the campus’s fine-dining restaurant. Here’s a snapshot of the impact of the NAIT Celebrates Class of 2025. (In the actual snapshots, NAIT president and CEO Laura Jo Gunter is at left and Board of Governors Chair Jasmin Jivraj is at right.)
The awards
Distinguished Friend of the Institute – an individual or family who has shown exceptional commitment to the welfare and advancement of NAIT through their contributions and advocacy
Distinguished Industry Partner – an organization that has shown an ongoing commitment to NAIT and played a crucial role in supporting its vision and mandate
Distinguished Alumni Award – for lifetime achievement recognizing individuals renowned for their leadership roles, industry expertise and merit
Alumni Award of Excellence – for significant contributions in recent years by alumni to their profession or community
Spirit of NAIT Alumni Award – for exceptional advances or achievements in their career within 12 years of graduation
Leroy Fontaine
Alumni Award of Excellence
Personal Fitness Trainer ’05
Firefighter, motivational speaker, reality TV star, author
Fontaine wants to inspire others to follow their passions. He feels that was done for him when he was given the chance to reconnect with his Indigenous culture and to participate in sports as a boy. Now, in a variety of ways – including writing a kids’ book – Fontaine is paying it forward.
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Amy Gerlinsky
Spirit of NAIT Alumni Award
Diagnostic Medical Sonography ’19
Founder and owner of Lakeland Diagnostic Imaging
In 2022, Gerlinsky opened her own medical imaging clinic in her hometown of St. Paul, Alberta, bringing an essential element of health care within easy access for locals. She did it without any business experience, and is seeing it thrive today.
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Bean Gill
Alumni Award of Excellence
Medical Radiologic Technology ’03
Cofounder of the ReYu Paralysis Recovery Centre, public speaker, reality TV star, runway model
When Gill suffered the health episode that led to her paralysis in 2012, one of her first questions was, “‘Why me?’” In time, the answer became clear to her: She was meant to be a voice for those who often go unheard.
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Heavy Metal Equipment & Rentals
Distinguished Industry Partner
One of North America’s largest privately owned heavy equipment rental companies
Since 2019, Heavy Metal Equipment & Rentals has donated $740,000 to student awards and in-kind rentals and maintenance to help the aspiring mechanics, machinists and welders who it sees as potential future employees.
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Rob LeLacheur
Distinguished Alumni Award
Marketing ’94
Marketer, entrepreneur, mentor
Rob LeLacheur sees himself as a connector. The only thing he likes as much as bringing people together to do great work is building community. Those desires also happen to have shaped his approach to entrepreneurship and marketing, which continues to evolve since his start in newspapers.
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Keeley Prockiw
Spirit of NAIT Alumni Award
Welder ’15
Welder, trailblazer, advocate, mentor
As a project coordinator at PCL Industrial Management – and one of North America’s few rope-access welders – Prockiw is an advocate for underrepresented groups in the trades. She knows it’s not always easy for such people in the trades but, being among them, she also knows it will be worth it.
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Jay Westman
Distinguished Friend of the Institute
Cofounder and chairman of Jayman BUILT and Westman Charitable Foundation, and the creator of the BILD Alberta Scholarship for Construction Careers
Westman made his career in the homebuilding industry and knows it holds opportunities for others too. Since launching the BILD Alberta Scholarship in 2022 on his 65th birthday, it has supported the education of more than 260 students – and strengthened a key industry.
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