Luminous. Unified. Enduring. Confident. Creative.
Congratulations to the recipients of Capilano University’s Alumni Awards of Excellence, which recognize extraordinary alumni who exemplify the university’s brand essence.
These five award recipients are shining examples of how hard work and passion can inspire others and positively influence communities.
Luminous Award
NEELAMJIT DHILLON Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies, 2003
Neelamjit Dhillon’s early interest in music was inspired by listening to tabla on recordings at home. Introduced to the tabla through his parents, he took to the instrument immediately, drawn to the highly technical complicated rhythms but also deeply expressive melody it produced.
Neelamjit is skilled in both North Indian classical and American jazz music. Studying under world-renowned maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, Neelamjit has performed at prestigious events around the world receiving outstanding achievements in music including a Grammy nomination and contributing to Disney’s Animal Kingdom show “Jungle Book Alive.”
Neelamjit regularly uses his art and expression to contribute to a larger social discussion, whether it’s reflecting on the shooting at a Wisconsin gurdwara, human rights abuse in Punjab, or the Komagata Maru incident in B.C.
He is currently pursuing a doctorate in performance at the California Institute of the Arts and continues to give back to his community by volunteering for the Vancouver Independent Music Centre Society and BC Arts Council.
Neelamjit Dhillon exemplifies the CapU brand essence, Luminous, by using his artistic work to reflect on social issues and encourage listeners to become more aware and empathetic to the events, situations and people around them.
Unified Award
JENNY KONKIN Associate of Arts Degree, 2005
Jenny Konkin had a successful corporate career when she learned of her father’s diagnosis of cancer. The news had a profound impact that led her to shift the priorities in her life.
Jenny began to focus on non-profit charity work in some of B.C.’s most in-need communities. She saw that many seniors and veterans were facing issues such as isolation and loneliness and wanted to create a sense of support and community for them.
In Partnership with BC Housing, Jenny founded Whole Way House Society, which provides community-building programs and tenant-support services for vulnerable seniors and veterans living in the Downtown Eastside at Veterans Manor.
Jenny is dedicated to providing individuals with support and healing in a safe and welcoming community.
Jenny Konkin epitomizes the CapU brand essence, Unified. Known for bringing communities together, she is a connector and passionate leader who is empowering individuals to recognize their inherent worth and purpose
Enduring Award
CANDACE CAMPO Academic Studies Diploma, 2002
Candace Campo’s ancestral name is xets’emfts’a (to always be there). She is a member of the shíshálh Nation and was born and raised in her native community in Sechelt, B.C.
In 2002, Candace founded Talaysay Tours, a pioneer Indigenous eco-tourism business, committed to providing outdoor adventure with authentic First Nations themes.
Through her company, she formed a partnership with Fairmont Hotels to offer a Talking Trees Tour in Stanley Park. The tour offers visitors a chance to explore the lands, stories and ways of living of the Coast Salish people and discover the ancient and sacred medicinal plants and food sources found in the area.
Candace was also instrumental in the organization of cultural events at the Longhouse in Sechelt featuring traditional Coast Salish-shíshálh performances. These events were part of the Canada 150 Celebration, which recognized the resilience of Indigenous people who have survived the impacts of Canadian colonial policies and practices.
In addition to being a successful entrepreneur, Candace’s work includes teaching elementary students the shashishalhem language.
Candace Campo embodies the CapU brand essence, Enduring, through her commitment to educating people about the history and s-wfyo (land) of Indigenous people so that the knowledge can be passed down to other generations.
Confident Award
MARTIN MCNISH Bachelor of Business Administration, 2008
As a dedicated student at Capilano University, Martin McNish made an effort to pursue every experience available to him, including participating in a student exchange program at Hogeschool New Zealand and becoming a founding committee member for Capilano University’s business alumni chapter.
His drive and dedication continued into his career, where he pursued his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and excelled with a 10-year tenure as a portfolio manager at Odlum Brown.
Martin cares deeply about the causes and issues affecting individuals within his community. He established Give a Damn, a charity-giving group that to date has hosted 13 events and raised over $240,000 for charities contributing to important issues such as homelessness and mental health.
He regularly volunteers with Camp Kerry Society, a bereavement retreat for families dealing with loss and grief, and with Handsworth Secondary School and Hollyburn Country Club as a hockey and football coach.
Martin McNish epitomizes the CapU brand essence, Confident, with his dedication to providing support and raising awareness for important issues affecting members within his community.
Creative Award
AMIE NGUYEN Business Administration Diploma, 2014
Growing up, Amie Nguyen was heavily involved in sports and felt it had a positive impact on her life.
Having spent over a decade teaching public swimming lessons, Amie wanted to improve that experience for others. She set out to break from the status quo in the aquatics industry by creating access to affordable and effective private swimming lessons that would introduce more children to the sport she loves.
In 2016, she founded PropelHQ, a platform for scheduling private swimming lessons using a network of underutilized hotel pools. To date, the company has facilitated 8,000 lessons using pools across Ontario and B.C.
Amie is passionate about giving back to the community she loves and has worked to build charity campaigns that empower men and women to raise money and awareness for different causes including Movember, Canucks Autism Network and Right to Play International.
Amie Nyugen exemplifies the CapU brand essence, Creative, by developing innovative programs to remove barriers in sport and encourage accessibility.
