BEng Civil ’95
Senior Vice President & Chief Transition Officer, Enbridge
Michelle George is Senior Vice President and Chief Transition Officer at Enbridge Gas Inc. and a member of Enbridge’s Executive Leadership Team. She is responsible for driving organizational change and initiatives that enable growth, position the company to capture new opportunities, and ensure we continue to add value to our customers and stakeholders. She works closely with senior leadership and across businesses to streamline business processes, enhance competitiveness and sustain high performance in service of Enbridge’s mission to be the first choice for energy delivery in North America and beyond.
George was elected as a Fellow into the Canadian Academy of Engineering in 2022 and was named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 by the Women’s Executive Network in 2019. She is a Professional Engineer and holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and Management degree from McMaster University.
BEng Civil & Mgmt ’90
Founder & CEO, Crozier Consulting
Since founding his engineering firm C.F. Crozier & Associates in 2004, Crozier wanted to disrupt the traditional workplace by creating a unique experience for his employees. With the goal of changing the workplace in a positive, socially responsible and caring way, Crozier has provided employees with a range of innovative human resources offerings.
His passion to do things in a new way earned his firm the recognition as one of Canada’s Top 100 Small & Medium Employers by Mediacorp and The Globe and Mail.
BEng Mechanical ’85
President and CEO, OLG
Duncan Hannay is the president of OLG and the former President and Chief Executive Officer at Street Capital Bank of Canada and Street Capital Group Inc. Prior to joining Street Capital in September 2017, Duncan held the position of Chief Operating Officer at FINASTRA, the third largest fintech provider in the world. Duncan has more than 25 years of experience building and growing businesses in the financial services and technology sectors with roles including: President, Global Lending Solutions at D+H; Senior Vice President and Head of Marketing at Scotiabank; Managing Director and Head of Online Brokerage at Scotiabank; and President and CEO at E*TRADE Canada Securities.
BEng Mechanical ’88
Vice President Business Integration and Transition Management, Decarbonization, ArcelorMittal Dofasco
Angela Pappin is known for her strong industry leadership and expertise in market and product development, engineering, energy management, manufacturing and corporate strategy. In 2014, Pappin was appointed to ArcelorMittal Dofasco’s Executive Team, as VP Technology, after having held senior roles throughout technology including General Manager, Metallurgy and Quality, and Business Unit Manager of Cold Roll and Tinplate Technology. Then in 2018, she was appointed VP Manufacturing at ArcelorMittal Dofasco – the first female to ever hold the role in the company’s history.
She now serves as Chief Transformation Officer, where she works to accelerate the company’s adoption of technology and challenge assumptions about work processes. She’s also an involved mentor for women and girls pursuing a career in STEM and is also a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board, offering input and guidance on choosing future directions for McMaster’s Faculty of Engineering.
BEng Electrical Engineering ’93
CEO, Guavus: A Thales Company(at time of award); currently CEO, APIsec.ai
Faizel Lakhani was the CEO of Guavus: a Thales Company. Guavus is a streaming analytics and artificial intelligence company based in Silicon Valley, Montreal, and Gurgaon, India. Prior to Guavus, Faizel was the President, COO, and Board Member of SS8; a network intelligence company. Before SS8, Faizel was the vice president of Data Loss Prevention at McAfee, responsible for the DLP business worldwide. Faizel joined McAfee through the acquisition of Reconnex, where he was the vice president of products and marketing.
BEng Mechanical & Mgmt ’92
Group President at Sears Holdings (at time of award); currently President, DCL Supply Ltd.
James Politeski is the President of DCL Supply Ltd. and a recognized leader in North America’s consumer electronics industry. With past leadership roles at Sears Holdings and Samsung Electronics Canada, he has driven innovation and growth through strategic vision and strong team development. Throughout his career, he has showcased Canadian engineering and design on the global stage. Now focused on scaling small businesses, James promotes Canadian innovation and helps them reach international markets. He is also a dedicated philanthropist and actively supports education through board service.
BEng Electrical ’77
Chief Executive, Hitachi Canada
Howard Shearer, the son of Jamaica’s third Prime Minister the late Hugh Shearer, came to Canada as an International student to study at McMaster University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1977.
After working at a number of high-tech firms after graduation, Howard moved in 1984 to Hitachi Canada Limited, an International Japanese firm. He moved through the ranks to Chief Executive Officer and President to Chief Executive today. He served on the McMaster Board of Governors and is currently on the Faculty of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Board.
BEng Metallurgical ’81
President & CEO, ArcelorMittal Dofasco (at time of award)
Sean Donnelly is the former President & CEO of ArcelorMittal Dofasco after serving previously as Vice President, Manufacturing and Vice President, Technology, and a series of other positions since he joined the company in 1981.
Tireless advocate for the steel industry, Sean was at the forefront of the steel-making renaissance in Canada. Identifying a need for future qualified engineers and technology, he was, and continues to be a strong promoter in the development of academic partnerships. Sean believes that it is important to blend the strengths of industry and universities to train skilled human resources for the current and future needs of Canada.
BEng Mechanical ’83
President, Thornley Fallis Communication (at time of award); currently an award-winning novelist and author
Terry Fallis is a McMaster Engineering graduate and award-winning Canadian author best known for his novels The Best Laid Plans and The High Road. Before becoming a full-time writer, he co-founded Thornley Fallis Communications, where he spent over two decades advising corporate and government clients on strategic communications, crisis management, and public affairs. His work has included speechwriting for CEOs and cabinet ministers, as well as co-hosting the popular business podcast Inside PR. Terry’s unique career journey reflects a blend of technical thinking, creativity, and leadership.
PhD Chemical Engineering ’93
Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science, Queen’s University (at time of award); currently Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Queen’s University
Dr. Kimberly Woodhouse is a professional engineer and professor in Chemical Engineering at Queen’s University, with over a decade of industry experience in manufacturing and management consulting. She served as Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science from 2007 to 2017 and later as Interim Vice-Principal of Research at Queen’s University. Known for her expertise in leadership, design thinking, and strategic planning, she has taught and mentored students across engineering and business faculties. Dr. Woodhouse is also a published author and a Fellow of both the Canadian Academy of Engineering and Biomaterials Science and Engineering. Her impactful career reflects a deep commitment to advancing engineering education and innovation in Canada.
BEng Civil ’62 & MEng ’65
Former President & CEO, Timberland Group of Companies
Walter Booth was a visionary business and community leader who served as owner and president of The Timberland Group, building it into a globally successful company. A strong advocate for giving back, he supported numerous organizations including the Salvation Army, the Loran Scholars Foundation, and Woodstock Hospital. His deep connection to McMaster University, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, inspired his transformative contributions to the school. Most notably, he established the W. Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology to support the development of future engineering leaders. His legacy lives on through the impact he made in industry, education, and his community.
BEng Civil ’79 & MScA ’79
President, Côté Membrane Separation Ltd.
Dr. Pierre Côté is a trailblazing engineer and inventor whose work has transformed global water treatment. As the principal inventor of the ZeeWeed membrane, now widely used in drinking water, wastewater, and desalination systems, he has made a lasting impact on public health and sustainability. A McMaster PhD graduate, Dr. Côté has held senior technology roles at ZENON Environmental, Veolia, and Vaperma, and holds more than 50 patents. He was awarded the Manning Principal Award and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering. Today, he continues to lead innovation as co-founder of Algafilm Technologies, advancing sustainable solutions in water and energy.
BEng Engineering Physics & Mgmt ’82
Executive Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer, OpenText (at time of award); currently Chair of the Board, OpenText
Tom Jenkins is Chair of the Board of OpenText, where he previously served as President, CEO, and Chief Strategy Officer. A long-standing leader in Canada’s innovation economy, he has also held prominent roles as Chair of the National Research Council, Chancellor of the University of Waterloo, and board member of major organizations including Manulife, Thomson Reuters, and TransAlta. He is Chair of the World Wide Web Foundation and a Commissioner of the Trilateral Commission. Jenkins has been widely recognized for his contributions to business and public service, including appointments as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and Officer of the Order of Canada.
Vladimir – BEng Civil ’80
Chedo – BEng Civil & Mgmt ’85
Co-Owners, Sobotec Ltd.
Vladimir and Chedo Sobot are co-founders of Sobotec Ltd., one of North America’s largest manufacturers of engineered metal panel systems. Through their leadership and innovation, Sobotec introduced the continent’s first Alucobond rainscreen wall panel system, revolutionizing the architectural cladding industry. The Hamilton-based firm is known for its end-to-end engineering, design, and installation capabilities, and has delivered iconic projects across North America. Lifelong supporters of McMaster, the Sobots have hired countless co-op students and graduates, and in 2024 contributed $500,000 to establish the Design Projects Studio for first-year engineering students. Their lasting impact spans business, education, and the built environment.
PhD Mechanical Eng ’73
President and CEO, Hatch (at time of award)
Kurt Strobele is a mechanical engineer and former President and CEO of Hatch, a global engineering consultancy. Over his career, he led professional teams in the development and execution of large-scale capital projects, many exceeding $1 billion, and played a key role in expanding Hatch from a Canadian firm to a global operation with thousands of employees. A strong supporter of McMaster, he was instrumental in the development of the Gerald Hatch Centre for Engineering Experiential Learning, which provides a collaborative hub for student teams, clubs, and hands-on learning. His dedication to innovation and engineering education has left a lasting impact on both industry and the McMaster community.
BEng Electrical & Mgmt ’86
President, Microsoft Business Division (at time of award); currently Member, McMaster University Board of Governors
Stephen Elop is a renowned technology executive who has held senior leadership roles at global companies including Microsoft, Nokia, Adobe, and Juniper Networks. As President of Microsoft’s Business Division and later CEO of Nokia, he played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of mobile and enterprise technology. A strong advocate for experiential learning, Elop has remained deeply connected to McMaster Engineering, recently supporting the Pivot initiative through a generous lead gift. He currently serves on McMaster University’s Board of Governors and continues to advise and lead within the tech industry through various board roles. Elop’s career reflects a commitment to innovation, leadership, and giving back to the next generation of engineers.
BEng Electrical & Mgmt ’83
President, COM DEV (at time of award); currently Consultant, McMaster Engineering Dean’s Advisory Board
Michael Pley is a respected leader in Canada’s aerospace sector, having served on the Government of Canada’s Space Advisory Board and as Chair of the Space Committee for the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada. He held executive roles at COM DEV for over 15 years, including CEO, overseeing the development of space hardware used on more than 900 spacecraft, including the James Webb Space Telescope. Since retiring in 2016, he has supported startups in the space and tech sectors through his consulting practice. A dedicated McMaster alumni, Pley has served on the Faculty of Engineering’s Dean’s Advisory Board since 2002 and was its Chair from 2016 to 2022. He continues to showcase engineering education and innovation in Canada.