On March 5, in celebration of International Women’s Day, Durham College (DC) faculty member and alumna, Shauna Bookal, was recognized by the Toronto Raptors and Tangerine Bank for her role as a community sports leader who has inspired, motivated and encouraged positive change in the lives of girls throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

For Shauna, the best part of this recognition was having an opportunity to give some of the female athletes she works with a once and a lifetime experience when she invited them along to a meet and greet with some of the top executives of the Toronto Raptors and Tangerine Bank.

This is the second time the Toronto Raptors has recognized Shauna, a graduate from the Sport Administration program, for her role as a leader in sports, having received their State Farm, Exist to Assist Community leaders Recognition Award in 2016.

Also a teacher for the School of Business, IT & Management in the program she graduated from, Shauna’s involvement in the industry ranges from grassroots activities, like volunteering for basketball clinics and house leagues, to national-level activities, having assisted in running the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Americas Championships as a member of their games organizing committee.

Shauna also volunteers her time and expertise by sitting on large sporting event organizing committees like the Pan Am Games, Invictus Games, North American Indigenous Games and Ontario ParaSport Games.

Growing up she was fortunate to have role models that encouraged her to get involved and give back to the community. Seeing kids laugh, smile and having the time of their lives makes all the sacrifices and the long days worth it for Shauna.