2024 Alumni Award Recipients

A fierce and inspiring changemaker, Rebecca McSheffery is an unyielding positive force in addressing complex social issues. Since graduating from NBCC's Business Administration: Marketing program in 2015, Rebecca has embarked on a multifaceted journey to tackle some of New Brunswick's most pressing challenges. A firm believer in human-centered approaches to social innovation, she's a social sleuth at unraveling systemic issues to uncover root causes, who is breaking down barriers through empathy and collaboration.

A pivotal moment in Rebecca's career occurred when she joined the Government of New Brunswick and spearheaded the Mosaïk program. This groundbreaking initiative not only created employment opportunities but also provided essential support services—such as language training and mentorship—for over 250 newcomers, transforming the public service workforce into a more inclusive and diverse space. "It wasn't just about offering a job; it was about ensuring the whole person, and their family were taken care of and truly set up for success," Rebecca reflects. Her leadership ensured the program evolved to be run by newcomers themselves, exemplifying her commitment to empowerment and sustainability.

Today, Rebecca continues to lead innovative, collaborative problem-solving efforts as the Director of Innovation & NouLAB at the Pond-Deshpande Centre. In this role, she addresses complex social challenges, from helping small and medium enterprises become greener to supporting the construction sector in welcoming immigrants into their workforce. Her passion for social innovation also drives her work through She Consults, a consultancy she founded in 2021 that focuses on empowering individuals and communities through strategic facilitation and creative problem-solving. Her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to community continue to make a positive impact in her hometown of St. Stephen and across New Brunswick.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Rebecca is a dedicated volunteer and community leader. Over the years, she has actively supported initiatives like Big Brothers Big Sisters and Rocmaura Nursing Home, reflecting her deep belief in the power of community and the importance of supporting one another. Her unwavering commitment to building inclusive and resilient communities drives everything she does, guided by the belief that true change happens when people come together to lift each other up. Her dedication to inclusivity, empowerment, and social change has transformed lives and communities, inspiring others to lead with purpose and compassion.

Rebecca’s charity of choice is Charlotte County Family Resource Centre.

A proud Mi'kmaq from Ugpi'Ganjig First Nation, Daniel Smith is deeply connected to his heritage and fueled by a desire to help others. His passion to make a difference is evident in his work and is transforming the way cultural support is provided within Correctional Service Canada (CSC). His smile immediately brightens as he shares, "I have a passion for helping people out.”

Since graduating from NBCC’s Justice Studies: Police Foundations program in 2014, he has been a driving force in advocating for Indigenous rights and cultural awareness within the justice system. Starting as a correctional officer in provincial corrections, Daniel recognized the limited access to cultural services for offenders. Determined to create change, he began asking insightful questions and seeking solutions towards advancing traditional healing paths. This dedication led him to join CSC as an Indigenous Liaison Officer, where he worked closely with Elders and Indigenous staff to help offenders reconnect with their cultural roots. By supporting individuals on a traditional healing path, Daniel guided them toward successful reintegration into their home communities.

Today, Daniel is a Project Officer for Indigenous Initiatives (Atlantic Region) at CSC, a role that combines his passion for his heritage with his commitment to serving the community. He oversees a dozen Indigenous staff members who work directly with Elders to provide cultural supports to Indigenous, Metis and Inuit offenders. These services include ceremonies, one-on-one counseling, and building meaningful connections from the institution to their home communities. “We are not just assisting; we’re supporting Indigenous offenders along their healing journey” Daniel reflects. “What we're doing is helping them heal from that intergenerational trauma and the lasting impacts of the residential school system.” 

As part of this purposeful work, Daniel believes education is key to being successful in the work they do. As a national trainer for CSC, he trains new correctional officers on the impacts of intergenerational trauma, equipping them to better understand and respond appropriately to offenders’ needs. Daniel also delivers presentations at NBCC, sharing insights about Indigenous history, culture, and the overrepresentation of Indigenous people within our federal institution. “We want to educate, we want people to learn, and ask questions,” he shares.

Beyond his professional life, Daniel’s passion for helping others extends into all aspects of his life and community. He works with the Ugpi'Ganjig First Nation Band Council and the Social Development Officer to secure housing for community members. He also volunteers with the Miramichi Ground Search & Rescue, further giving back to his community and making a positive impact where he can.

Daniel’s career path and volunteer work demonstrates how he consistently uses each day to uplift and empower those around him. He’s not only making a difference—he's fostering hope, restoring cultural pride, and transforming lives and communities.

Daniel’s charity of choice is Gitpo Spirit Lodge.

A seasoned professional, Adam Wilson’s leadership and innovation are making a lasting impact on both the engineering field and his community.

After graduating from NBCC's Electronics Engineering Technology program in 1997, Adam didn’t just follow a career path—he blazed a trail. Today, as Associate Teaching Professor and Chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at the University of New Brunswick (UNB), he’s contributed to life-changing advancements in biomedical engineering. His work on low-power embedded systems and biomedical instrumentation has revolutionized rehabilitation technology, particularly in the development of prosthetic limbs like the UNB Prosthetic Hand. Adam was the primary electronics developer of three licensed biomedical-engineering products: The UNB Smart Electrode, the UNB Advanced Myoelectric Control System, and the UNB Translator Board.

While working as a biomedical engineer and completing his master’s degree, Adam’s fervent love for biomedical-engineering found a new path to make an impact—through teaching. “It was at that time that I realized, oh, I really love teaching. And from that point forward, my plans were all to try to align myself to get a faculty position where I could teach full time,” Adam reflects.

Adam’s commitment to teaching and his community is equally impressive. Whether he’s coaching local youth sports teams, volunteering for neighbourhood watch programs, or serving on many committees like the UNB Sustainability Advisory Committee, Adam’s dedication to giving back is evident in all he does. “My job as an educator has me teaching primarily electrical and software engineering students. The vast majority of those students will stay employed here in New Brunswick. So, it's really important to me that students, future engineers, leave our programs as competent, well-rounded engineers that are able to solve problems, have a bit of hands-on skills, and are good colleagues to work with,” Adam shares.

His exceptional contributions to both engineering and the community have had a positive impact on the lives of many, setting an inspiring example to current and future NBCC learners. Adam’s career journey is a testament to the transformative impact of combining technical expertise with a passion for educating others.

Adam’s charity of choice is War Amps Canada.

Using her heart as her compass, Kathleen ‘Kat’ LeBlanc’s compassionate drive has led her on a journey that is transforming how New Brunswick, and beyond, supports individuals experiencing homelessness.

Growing up in a close-knit family, Kat's deep-rooted values around family fueled her decision to pursue higher education at NBCC. Reflecting on this choice, she shares, “I wanted to do something that she [my daughter] could be proud of and be excited to tell her friends about what her mom does.”

In December 2020, while still in school, Kat’s world was turned upside down when her nephew, Kyle, went missing. The bond they shared was sibling-like, making the tragedy all the more devastating. This heartbreaking experience, coupled with her nonprofit work at Brilliant Labs, redefined meaningful work for her and awakened an innate calling. “Family is very important to me, and that’s why the tragedy with my nephew really impacted me so greatly,” she recalls with emotion.

After graduating from NBCC’s Information Technology: Programmer Analyst (ITPA) program in 2021, Kat initially envisioned a career aligned with her studies. However, her heart, still gripped by the memory of Kyle, led her to the Human Development Council (HDC). When she saw a job posting to assist in a system that tracked homelessness, she knew this was her true vocation. “When I saw the posting, I thought, if I could stop one family from going through what ours did, it would be worth it.”

Kat’s role at the HDC began with managing user accounts as a Homelessness Information System Specialist, but she quickly identified an opportunity to make a deeper impact. Leveraging the programming skills she developed at NBCC, she transformed the existing database into a comprehensive tool for managing homelessness across New Brunswick. This innovative system enabled real-time tracking and data-driven decision-making, significantly improving how the province addressed homelessness.

Since joining the HDC, Kat’s work has become instrumental in shaping homelessness policy and strategy across the province. As the Lead Homelessness Information System (HIFIS) Administrator, her efforts have led to hundreds of individuals finding housing, a deeper understanding of homelessness in our province, and how to best allocate resources.

Looking to the future, Kat is eager to continue using data to paint vivid pictures that will educate and advocate for resources where they are needed most. The ripple effect of Kat’s work is inspiring, and its transformative power can be felt throughout communities across the province.

Kat’s charity of choice is Romero House, Saint John.