SAIT Alumni Awards
About the Alumni Awards
Introduced in 1988, the Alumni Awards are presented annually by SAIT and recognize the outstanding achievements of SAIT graduates.
SAIT is proud to recognize graduates — community builders, innovators and leaders in their industries — who are making an impact in the community, on the national stage and worldwide.
2026 Alumni Awards recipients
From Calgary boardrooms and hotel lobbies to aircraft hangars, classrooms and the global stage, the 2026 Alumni Award recipients are redefining what's possible. Their accomplishments showcase the power of applied learning, bold leadership and a drive to create meaningful change in their industries and communities.
Mark Wilson
2026 Distinguished Alumni Award
Hospitality Management '84
General Manager and Vice President, Hotel Arts Group
Mark Wilson's exceptional career in Calgary's hospitality and tourism industry spans four decades. Starting as an 11-year-old bus boy, he went on to manage the iconic Owl's Nest restaurant before playing leadership roles in the opening of the Hyatt Regency Calgary and Hotel Arts. Throughout his career, Wilson has shaped the hospitality sector, including his role as General Manager and Vice President of Hotel Arts Group, his service on the boards of Tourism Calgary and the Calgary Hotel Association, and on SAIT's Hospitality and Tourism Advisory Council. A lifelong Calgarian, a father and grandfather, Wilson has dedicated himself to his industry, his family and his community.
- 2025 — Craig Skauge (Business Administration '01)
- 2025 — Dean Bottomley (Architectural Technologies '02)
- 2024 — Terrance Malkinson (Bachelor of Applied Information Systems Technology '01, Information Technology Professional '99)
- 2023 — Janice Krissa-Moore (Business Administration '98)
- 2022 — Linda Olsen (Cinema, TV, Stage and Radio '88)
- 2021 — Shelley Kuipers (Petroleum Engineering Technology '87)
- 2021 — Mike Lamacchia (Emergency Medical Technology Paramedic '90)
- 2019 — Deanna Burgart (Chemical Engineering Technology '00)
- 2019 — Trevor Lamb (Petroleum Engineering Technology '97)
- 2018 — Connie De Sousa (Professional Cooking '00)
- 2018 — Ryan Scott (Business Administration '01)
- 2017 — Victor Buffalo (Chemical Technology '64)
- 2017 — David Sartorelli (Emergency Medical Technology Paramedic '82)
- 2016 — Jennifer Carlson (Business Administration '99)
- 2016 — Lorenzo Donadeo (Welding Engineering Technology '77)
- 2015 — Tom Sampson (Emergency Medical Technology Paramedic '85)
- 2014 — Stephen Harke (Avionics Technology '89)
- 2014 — Paul Rogalski (Professional Cooking '86)
- 2013 — Joanne Johnson (Cinema, TV, Stage and Radio '82)
- 2012 — Doug Ramsay (Petroleum Engineering Technology '77)
- 2011 — Dennis Chorney (Petroleum Engineering Technology '75)
- 2011 — Norma Carroll (Honorary Distinguished Alumni)
- 2010 — Pat Morrow (Journalism '73)
- 2009 — Tom Mauro (Carpenter '77)
- 2008 — Al Browne (Hotel and Restaurant Management '72)
- 2007 — Keith MacPhail (Petroleum Engineering Technology '81)
- 2006 — Bev Longstaff (Engineering Graphics Technology '78)
- 2005 — Clayton Carroll (Automotive Service Technology '40)
- 2004 — Al Short (Bachelor of Applied Technology Petroleum Engineering '99)
- 2003 — Heather Culbert (Computer Technology '79)
- 2002 — Murray Cobbe (Petroleum Engineering Technology '70)
- 2001 — Paul Caney (Cinema, TV, Stage and Radio '89)
- 2001 — Frank Duffin (Heavy Duty Mechanic '68)
- 2001 — Bill Hartman (Petroleum Engineering Technology '66)
- 2000 — Erich Binder (Building Mechanical Systems '74)
- 2000 — Roger Jarvis (Honorary Distinguished Alumni)
- 1999 — Don Gray (Building Mechanical Systems '71)
- 1999 — David Johnson (Petroleum Engineering Technology '76)
- 1999 — Hank Swartout (Petroleum Engineering Technology '72)
- 1998 — Doug Currie (Merchandising Administration '70)
- 1998 — Doug Fraser (Industrial Instrumentation '54)
- 1998 — Jay Westman (Business Skills '84)
- 1996 — Mel Svendsen (Automotive Service Technology '68)
- 1995 — Stan Grad (Petroleum Engineering Technology '67)
- 1994 — Ed Tickles (Electrical Engineering Technology '60)
- 1993 — Syd Loeppky (Surveying and Mapping Technology '65)
- 1992 — Dorothy Lawrence (Dental Assisting '80)
- 1991 — Gary Sawkins (Computer Technology '69)
- 1990 — Hugh Craig (Industrial Electronics Technology '30)
- 1989 — Ken King (Emergency Medical Technology Paramedic '82)
- 1988 — Art Dixon (Wireless Operator '42)
Cassandra Derks
2026 Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Technology '16
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) Program Developer and Instructor, Alliance Maintenance Services
Cassandra Derks is an emerging leader in Canada's aviation industry and a champion for inclusion, mentorship and excellence. At just 30 years of age, she has kept planes flying in some of Canada's harshest places: apprenticing in Fort Smith, N.W.T., earning her M1 and M2 licences in Yellowknife with a 96% exam score, and serving as the base engineer at Canadian North, leading Elevate Aviation's all-women skills competition teams, and telling girls everywhere that the hangar floor belongs to them, too.
- 2025 — Nadine Niba (Bachelor of Applied Business Administration — Accounting '16)
- 2025 — Zak Madell (Architectural Technologies '19)
- 2024 — Shelby Banera (Bachelor of Business Administration — Financial Services '21)
- 2024 — Tyler Carr (Radio, Television and Broadcast News '15)
- 2023 — Tejeshwar Grewal (Bachelor of Applied Technology Petroleum Engineering '18)
- 2023 — Danielle Murrison (Architectural Technologies '17)
- 2022 — Kyle Bukauskas (Radio, Television and Broadcast News '13)
- 2022 — Madeleine MacDonald (Hospitality Management '14)
- 2021 — Doug Braden (Mechanical Engineering Technology '11)
- 2019 — Gursh Bal (Electrician '16)
- 2019 — Kai Fahrion (Electrician '15)
- 2018 — Jenn Dalen (Radio, Television and Broadcast News '12)
- 2017 — Avree Bujaczek (Bachelor of Science in Construction Project Management '15)
- 2017 — Albert Myles Mejia (Business Administration '14, Aircraft Structures Technician '10)
- 2017 — Nicky Nash (Business Administration '08)
- 2016 — Levi Kuta (Mechanical Design Technology '12)
- 2016 — Ron Tarrant (Radio, Television and Broadcast News '08)
- 2016 — Josh Traptow (Administrative Information Management '11)
- 2015 — Sarah Erasmus (Digital Graphics Communication '10)
- 2015 — Matt Watterworth (Film and Video Production '08)
- 2014 — Rosalyn Ediger (Professional Cooking '05)
- 2014 — Adam Loria (Emergency Medical Technology Paramedic '05)
- 2014 — Catherine Oshanek (Journalism '05)
- 2013 — Cristi Adams (Geomatics Engineering Technology '10)
- 2012 — Des Nwaerondu (Business Administration '06)
- 2011 — Shiva Jahanshah (Cinema, TV, Stage and Radio '03)
- 2010 — Matt Squires (Hotel and Restaurant Management '01)
- 2009 — Smita Acharyya (Cinema, TV, Stage and Radio '00)
Justin Kilb
2026 International Impact Alumni Award
Petroleum Engineering Technology '15, New Media Production and Design '10
Artificial Intelligence Technical Advisor and Consultant
Justin Kilb has built a career grounded in a deep connection to applied learning. After completing two SAIT programs, he charted a path in engineering technology, artificial intelligence and energy systems. Today, he advises Fortune 500 companies and international governments on AI strategy, contributes to humanitarian logistics, and explores ethical applications of machine learning in fields ranging from energy to music. An award-winning researcher and former Trojans athlete who graduated at the top of his class, Justin is currently pursuing his PhD in Operations Research. Working at the intersection of art and innovation, he is passionate about making complex ideas accessible to help solve real-world challenges.
- 2024 — Matko Papic (Mechanical Engineering Technology '99)
- 2023 — Roger Haddad (Automotive Service Technical '07)
Harold Bergmann
2026 Clarence Hollingworth Alumni Employee Award of Excellence
Cabinetmaker '91
Academic Chair, SAIT School of Construction
For more than 20 years, Harold Bergmann has exemplified the very best of SAIT through his craftsmanship, unwavering humility and quiet commitment to student success. As Cabinetmaker instructor and Academic Chair with SAIT's School of Construction, he has shaped learners, built community and helped others grow both personally and professionally. As Canada's WorldSkills Expert in Cabinetmaking, Harold has coached six WorldSkills competitors since 2015. He continues to elevate SAIT's reputation on the provincial, national and international stage through his role as Expert Lead on the Skills Management Team for WorldSkills 2026. Without ever seeking the spotlight, Harold has been transformational in the lives of many.
- 2025 — Lynda Holden (Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Technology '93)
- 2024 — Janis Rapchuk (Library Information Technology '95)
- 2023 — Cindy Humphries (Medical Radiologic Technology '05)
- 2019 — Richard Stroobant (Cinema, Television, Stage & Radio)
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Contact us
SAIT Alumni
AA305, Heritage Hall, SAIT Main Campus
- Phone
- 403.284.7010
- Phone
- 1.888.284.8399
- alumni@sait.ca
Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.