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Alumni Entrepreneur Toolkit launched at DC Talks: Alumni Series

At the latest DC Talks: Alumni Series event, Durham College (DC) welcomed a panel of five graduates who all have one thing in common – they leveraged their DC education to turn bold ideas into thriving ventures.

Hosted in the Rotary Global Classroom at DC, this event explored the lasting connection between education, business and community.

“I was able to make all kinds of contacts in the school,” explained Paul Fritzsch, a Horticulture – Food and Farming graduate whose business idea developed during his time as a student. “I was able to come back and get help with marketing ideas, stay connected with those coming out of the program, and access breaks on insurance – you need it when you’re starting a business!”

Panel moderator Ariel Sully, Associate Vice President, Advancement and Alumni Relations, also announced the new Alumni Entrepreneur Toolkit, which pulls together many of the valuable resources Paul and fellow alumni entrepreneurs tap into to support their business growth. The toolkit includes information about promotion and advertising, opportunities for startup funding and growth support, savings on business insurance, and programs available through DC’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship on topics including AI, cybersecurity, and intellectual property protection.

Hosted by the Durham College Alumni Association and supported by Kleurvision, this event was also a part of ‘Do It In Durham Entrepreneurship Week,’ Durham Region’s celebration of entrepreneurship held each November during Global Entrepreneurship Week.

Read on to get to know the panellists or watch the full recording of DC Talks: Alumni Series “From Education to Entrepreneur.”

  • Brittany Charlton

    Law Clerk Advanced, Class of 2016

    Brittany Charlton is a Forbes 30U30 entrepreneur and founder of Chocovate Labs. In 2017, Brittany started Ohh! Foods, a line of allergen-friendly, vegan, and gluten-free snacks inspired by her own food allergy. What started as a personal mission became a national brand, landing on shelves in Walmart, Costco, and 1,000+ retail doors across Canada. In 2025, she launched Chocovate Labs, a food-tech company developing cocoa-free chocolate that looks, tastes, and performs like traditional chocolate, without using a single cocoa bean. As cocoa prices skyrocket and supply chains strain, Chocovate Labs helps global food brands future-proof their chocolate products through scalable, sustainable alternatives.

  • Paul Fritzsch

    Horticulture – Food and Farming, Class of 2023

    After a 20-year career in software technology, Paul decided to follow a lifelong passion for agriculture and return to college. While at DC, he participated in the Student Work program, where he gained invaluable experience in his role as Community and Edible Gardens Ambassador representing the Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture. During his last semester, he founded Urban Farm Solutions, an urban agriculture company with a mission to help create holistic communities that are food-sovereign and connected to the health of their own environments. By transforming underutilized urban green spaces into productive and beautiful market gardens, much of the food grown can be donated to local food banks and care organizations.

  • Zenon Issel

    Mechanical Engineering Technology, Class of 1998

    Zenon is a mechanical engineer turned entrepreneur with a diverse career spanning engineering, business development, and brand leadership across industries and continents. After graduating from Durham College, Zenon spent over two decades with Solar Turbines where he designed turbomachinery products and managed a team supporting billions in annual revenue. Today, Zenon calls Hawai‘i home, where he blends his technical background with his entrepreneurial drive. Together with his wife, Cindy, he co-founded Surf-fur, a performance outerwear brand that pioneered a new product category in the watersports industry. For nearly 20 years, Surf-fur has provided warmth, safety, and protection to ocean enthusiasts and professionals worldwide, including members of the military and special operations.

  • Nicole Morais

    Hospitality Management – Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism, Class of 2016

    Nicole is the founder and CEO of Crave Doughnuts. Launched in 2018, Crave has become a local favourite in Durham Region with its first location in Whitby followed by a second in Oshawa, collectively selling approximately 5,000 doughnuts per week. Nicole has been passionate about hospitality for as long as she can remember and fell in love with the idea of creating memorable experiences through food while connecting with her community. With a focus on locally sourced, quality ingredients, Nicole and the team at Crave bring joy to people’s lives with doughnuts handmade with love from scratch.

  • Shanondoah Nicholson

    Event Management, Class of 2013

    Shanondoah is an award-winning event planner who makes magic happen. After 15 years of in-house roles in various industries, she has recently taken Beyond the BEO full time, offering not only her own event planning services, but career coaching and training for event professionals. Shanondoah has a unique ability to understand both her client’s, and her client’s clients’ needs, intuitively. These lead to her routinely producing experiences that attendees speak about for years to come. She is also the creator and host of the Beyond the BEO podcast, which routinely features notable industry guests discussing important topics to further educate listeners about all aspects of the events industry.

Durham College Alumni Association AGM & Social

Durham College grads are invited to attend the Durham College Alumni Association (DCAA) Annual General Meeting & Social.

This is your opportunity to meet the DCAA Board of Directors, socialize with DC alumni and employees, and be the first to see the association’s new Strategic Plan!

Alumni of Distinction’s Surviving Addiction docuseries returns with help from Social Impact Hub, DC community

For Durham College (DC) Alumni of Distinction Chris Cull, the second season of his Surviving Addiction docuseries has been a true team effort.

With funding from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Foundation and Mitacs and invaluable support from DC’s Social Impact Hub, the new season launched on YouTube on July 18. It consists of six episodes, with a new one premiering every Friday at noon.

Like the first season, the new episodes explore the different perspectives of those touched by addiction, from those in recovery to the family and friends who support them and the doctors who treat them.

“There are so many different dynamics to how substance use and addiction can affect somebody. Everybody’s journey is very different,” said Cull, who shared his own story of overcoming opioid addiction in the series’ first instalment. This season, subjects include a young man who overcame addiction as a teenager, a woman who held her family together in the face of her partner’s struggles, medical professionals at CAMH and Lakeridge Health, and more.

“The essence of the series is education through storytelling, and to try to help the broader public have a better understanding of substance use and addiction and see a little bit of themselves in the stories that they’re watching.”

To tell those stories, Cull had the support of Social Impact Hub Project Coordinator Sara-Ruth Allen and Faculty Project Lead K. Jennifer Bedford, as well as two DC students; May Friedman (Photography) and Hrithik Udani (Video Production). Over two long days of filming and weeks of post-production work, the DC contingent brought their experience and expertise to the process of delivering six impactful and educational episodes. Their tasks included conducting and filming interviews, shooting B-roll, editing the footage and more.

“Surviving Addiction is more than a docuseries—it’s a model for work-integrated learning in action. It gives solid footing for our students to go out into industry and succeed. It allows them to see how a real production works, not just in a classroom, but in real life,” explained Bedford, who teaches in the Faculty of Media, Art and Design. “A project like this has social impact, and I’m extremely pleased that we can offer students an opportunity to learn how they can make a difference within the world through their storytelling.”

Working on the series as a Social Impact Hub project lead was a valuable opportunity for Bedford as well, giving her the chance to exercise and hone the production skills she teaches in the classroom.

“It keeps me fresh; it keeps me relevant. I think that’s incredibly important to demonstrate to students who are coming to Durham College – that our faculty are the best, and this is one of the reasons why.”

As the season unfolds, the hard work of Cull, Bedford, the students and everyone else who had a hand in the project will shine a spotlight on emotional and inspiring stories that will make a difference.

“People connect emotionally with stories,” said Cull. “You can throw data on if you’re looking at overdose deaths and how many happened in the last month, and that’s a number on a screen. But if you take one of those numbers and tell the context and story behind it, then people get interested.”

DC alumni, speakers shine at TEDxOshawa

Durham College (DC) was well represented at the second annual TEDxOshawa event in May.

The co-founders and organizers of the event are both DC alumni. Faris Mahoon Siddiqui is a 2024 graduate of the Firefighter – Pre-Service Education and Training program, while Chad Andress recently completed the Electrical Engineering Technician program.

Together, they’ve created a stage for the changemakers of Durham Region to share their expertise. This year, that group included four members of the DC community.

“I’m DC proud,” said Siddiqui. “I love Durham College, and I wanted to give back to the school.”

Three of our DC faculty members – Corey Gill, Arjun Kashetty and Stan Zalewski – as well as Director of Corporate Training Services Robin Young, happily accepted the invitation and presented to the sold-out crowd at the event.

Siddiqui, who now works in industrial safety and rescue, sees the event as more than just a showcase — it's a platform for forward-thinking, practical dialogue on a multitude of important subjects.

“We’ve never had something like this in Oshawa that happens year over year,” he said. “It’s really good sharing these ideas with the community. I think we’re here to stay.”

Read on for more about the four DC speakers who entertained and informed the crowd at TEDxOshawa.

  • Corey Gill – “AI: Your Unexpected Child”

    Students in DC’s Human Resources programs are well acquainted with Faculty Member and Program Coordinator Corey Gill.

    “My focus is on equipping students with critical thinking, problem-solving, and practical application skills that are essential for their future careers in HR and business,” he said.

    His presentation at TEDx was all about artificial intelligence (AI); its profound impact and the importance of guiding its development intentionally.

    “AI is becoming increasingly integrated into our daily lives, and we must shape its evolution to reflect ethical values, diversity, and fairness. By engaging with AI thoughtfully, we can ensure it becomes a force for positive change rather than perpetuating biases and misinformation.”

    Watch Corey's TEDx talk.

  • Arjun Kashetty – “The Power of Supply Chain and Buying Local”

    DC’s Supply Chain students benefit from Arjun Kashetty’s expertise in the important field, having held key roles at large retailers like Walmart, Sobeys and Home Depot. At TEDx, he leveraged that experience to explain the importance of buying local and how it impacts the supply chain industry.

    “Buying local will make our supply chains stronger and resilient,” he explained.

    “I want to educate and empower the next generation to build massive supply chain infrastructures.”

    Watch Arjun's TEDx talk.

  • Robin Young – “The Ripple Effect of Kindness: Why Kindness is an Essential Leadership Competency”

    As DC’s Director of Corporate Training Services, Robin Young helps people and organizations boost performance and integrate change through workforce development.

    At TEDx, his presentation explored how small, compassionate actions can create a powerful ripple effect in personal and professional environments.

    “I encourage leaders to pause, reflect and choose kindness in times of stress and negativity, in order to create positive and lasting change in workplaces and communities.”

  • Stan Zalewski – “From Tent Cities to Thriving Communities: Rethinking Urban Housing”

    As Program Coordinator of Architectural Technology at DC, Stan Zalewski has inspired students to address important issues like sustainable building and the housing crisis. At TEDx, he spoke to these issues as they relate to Durham Region, as well as the rest of Canada

    “I described initiatives in various countries including Canada, Finland, and Austria, showing successes and setbacks in the fight against homelessness,” he said.

    “Homelessness is a structural ill of society and making housing available to all is possible. The means are available if we want to apply them.”

    Watch Stan's TEDx talk.

This year’s presentations will soon be available for viewing on the TEDxOshawa website, and plans for next year’s event are already underway.

DC grad Daylan Belsey places first in Animation at the Ubisoft Toronto NEXT Challenge

Durham College (DC) animation grad Daylan Belsey recently won top spot in the Ubisoft Toronto NEXT Challenge, landing him a coveted internship at Ubisoft Toronto.

More than 300 aspiring game developers from across the province participated in the annual event, submitting projects across nine categories.

Participants in the Animation category, including Belsey, were challenged to display an understanding of body mechanics and acting through body language. Belsey’s winning submission expertly captured the category’s theme of shock both literally and through the emotion of his characters.

A 2024 graduate of DC’s Animation – Digital Production program, he leveraged the skills and professional growth he acquired during his time as a student.

“There are so many different places to take inspiration from with this sort of project,” said Belsey. “I actually submitted a piece in last year’s competition, too, but at the time I didn’t have an eye for some of the mistakes I was making and didn’t quite know how to strengthen the theme in my piece.”

While participating in the Ubisoft Toronto NEXT Challenge is not a mandatory part of the program, it is encouraged and students are able to use their submission as a project in class.

“Regardless of how the competition went, my side goal was to improve my workflow, acting and body mechanics, and to have a great demo reel piece – my expectations were blown out of the water when I placed first,” he said. “Everybody at the studio was so kind and I’m excited for the opportunity to learn from them.”

Student’s in DC’s Animation – Digital Production program have access to state-of-the-art equipment including the Mixed Reality Capture Studio, as well as supportive, expert faculty. Belsey fondly remembered the pride and comradery he felt during the program’s final All-Years Screening where students debut their work to faculty and peers. He also highly values the essential soft skills he developed in the program such as collaboration and problem solving.

“I was happy, although not surprised, to see Daylan win,” said Faculty Member Gary Chapple. “He was always one of the hardest working students, he thrived on feedback, was very dedicated to pushing himself – and is also just a super nice person.”

D.G. Biddle visits Whitby campus to celebrate support for DC’s Civil Engineering Technician and Technology programs

Durham College (DC) welcomed local civil engineering and planning services consultancy, D.G. Biddle & Associates Limited, to the Whitby campus in March to celebrate their gift of $50,000.

D.G Biddle’s generous donation allowed the college to purchase a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) for use in the Civil Engineering Technician and Technology programs, greatly enhancing students’ hands-on learning experience.

During the visit, first-year Civil Engineering Technology students, James Gallagher-Conejo and Zain Khan, demonstrated a double shear test on aluminum and copper.

“A UTM can be used to perform tensile, compression, shear, double shear, hardness, and flexure tests on materials like steel, aluminum, brass and copper,” explained Myla Minelli, Program Coordinator. “These tests allow students to understand how materials behave under different loading and how they are applied in real-world construction scenarios.”

After the demonstration, guests visited the D.G. Biddle & Associates Limited Computer-Aided Design Lab, named in recognition of the firm’s generous support for capital equipment at DC – the college’s top fundraising priority at this time.

“We’re proud to support students at Durham College,” said Michael Carswell, Managing Principal, D.G. Biddle & Associates. “We like to hire local talent and believe that supporting DC’s programs is a great way to contribute to the education of those seeking satisfying and rewarding careers in civil engineering.”

In 2024, D.G. Biddle & Associates Limited marked the company’s 50th anniversary. Located in Oshawa, their team includes technicians, clerical, and field personnel providing civil, structural, mechanical, electrical engineering and planning services to both private and public clients. Over the years, D.G. Biddle has built a strong partnership with the college, offering co-op and field placements to students as well as hiring DC grads.

“I’d like to thank Michael and the team at D.G. Biddle for seeing the value of DC’s civil engineering tech programs,” said Ariel Sully, Associate Vice President, Advancement and Alumni Relations. “This investment in our programs and students ensures our students have access to the equipment and opportunities they need to acquire the experience employers are looking for.”

 

Becoming an Alumni Leader

Many alumni look for opportunities to give back to Durham College (DC), helping to support future generations of students through co-op opportunities, mentorship, and philanthropy. The Alumni Leaders category recognizes DC graduates who have made an annual donation to DC of $500 or more, further building upon the lasting impact they’ve had on the college.

We caught up with Alumni Leader and President of the Durham College Alumni Association (DCAA) Board of Directors, Drew Samuels to ask him about why he chose to give back to DC and what philanthropy means to him. A 2011 graduate of the Paralegal graduate certificate program, Drew is a licensed paralegal as well as a part-time professor at DC.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GIVE TO DC?

Often when you go through life and experience a challenging time, you ask yourself, “Why me?” I think you should also ask yourself the same question when you experience good times. For that reason, I feel it is imperative that I give back to DC. During your post-secondary educational journey, you may experience difficult times. There is a sense of urgency and with that urgency comes stress. However, some of the best times are experienced at school as well. Giving to DC can help students who are in need and allow them to fully embrace the student experience.

BEYOND YOUR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS AS A DONOR, YOU GIVE BACK TO DC THROUGH VOLUNTEERISM ON THE DCAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ARE ASLO A PART-TIME PROFESSOR. HOW HAVE THESE ROLES BENEFITED YOUR CAREER OR YOU PERSONALLY?

Money is an important factor in giving back but time can be impactful too. On the DCAA Board of Directors, I have the privilege of speaking with alumni about their experiences and helping to define the vision of how we engage with alumni. Through teaching in DC’s Paralegal program, I get to be the professor I always wanted to be and am able to assist others on their pathways to success.

My volunteerism and my time as a part-time professor has enriched both my career and personal life. There are numerous benefits, including professional development, networking opportunities, visibility in the community, personal fulfilment, and also skill diversification.

HOW DO YOU FEEL YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COLLEGE HAVE IMPACTED STUDENTS?

One of the most important things we can pass on to students is information. I often meet students who just want to know how to galvanize their education and create a career path. Part of that journey is understanding that someone before them had similar concerns and fears, as well as similar hopes and dreams. To know a person just like them overcame odds and achieved success is a burden lifted from them and can inspire hope. I think it propels the students I speak with to go on and achieve far greater success than I have. I cannot think of a greater feeling than trying to provide a student with inspiration by providing them information, mentorship, and/or sponsorship and then watching that student execute and achieve their dreams.

WHAT ROLE DOES PHILANTHROPY PLAY IN YOUR LIFE?

With the resources I am fortunate enough to have – both time and money – I am able to influence social change which will outlive me. Your legacy can certainly be your family, but it can also be accompanied by your philanthropic endeavours. What you do today will have an effect on tomorrow and quite possibly generations to follow. I believe my legacy is intricately tied to the good I do with the resources I can provide.

If you’re interested in becoming an Alumni Leader, contact the Advancement & Alumni Relations team for more information or make a donation online. A contribution of $50 a month to the Student Experience Fund can help ensure students have access to new and industry standard equipment in their field.  

Career Launch event series prepares soon-to-be grads and alumni for their next step

Durham College (DC) helps students gain not only industry-specific skills, but also provides invaluable opportunities to hone soft skills, make connections and prepare for life beyond the classroom.

Over the past three months, soon-to-be grads and alumni participated in Career Launch, a series of events to help them develop confidence and smoothly transition from college to the workplace.

“These activities are designed to complement classroom learning and ensure that they are ready to enter professional environments,” said Mary Weller, Alumni Development Officer. “It’s wonderful to see students and alumni make connections that will open doors and leverage opportunities for personal and professional development.”

Building your brand

During the LinkedIn Mastery Seminar, PUNCH media’s Leslie Hughes shared tips for optimizing a presence on LinkedIn. Guests received new, professional headshots, taken by students in DC’s Photography program. Students also practiced their elevator pitches at three Pitch Perfect sessions.

Learning new skills

Representatives from TD Wealth Financial Planning were on hand at the Financial Literacy Session to answer questions about budgeting, investing and debt management during the Financial Literacy Session.

Back by popular demand was DC’s Etiquette Dinner. Led by etiquette consultant Susy Fossati, guests participated in a practical lab to gain dining tips to use at their next interview or meeting – all while enjoying a three-course meal at DC’s own Bistro ’67.

“There is a lot to think about during a formal dinner,” said Computer Programming and Analysis student Christian Weersink. “I learned a lot and was even recognized for my honesty in the number of mistakes I made! What a fun way to pick up tips and guidance.

Making connections

Events focused on networking included the campus Job Fairs, Student Leadership Summit, and International DC Talks. These events allowed students to build relationships with potential employers, industry leaders and alumni.

The Career Launch program is organized by Career Development, Student Development, International Education and the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations.

After graduation, alumni also have lifetime access to career development services through the college’s Hired Portal where they can to search for job listings, explore career resources, or book an appointment with a Career Coach.

Exploring the zigzag career path at DC Talks: Alumni Series

No career path is the same and the path to success is not always a straightforward one.

To demonstrate this, four Durham College (DC) alumni from varying industries recently returned for a DC Talks: Alumni Series titled, The Zigzag Career Path. They shared with students, employees and fellow alumni how they leveraged the skills and connections they made during their time at DC to help propel them into the next, sometimes unexpected, chapters of their careers.

Karey Anne Large, CEO, Whitby Chamber of Commerce, and 1997 graduate of Legal Administration (now named Law Clerk), shared that when she didn’t make the move to work full-time in a law firm, she thought she would never use what she learned in college. “But my office role evolved,” she said, “And I ended up being the point person for executing contracts – and I still use those skills today! I wouldn’t change what I studied because it puts a different lens on the things I do now.”

The conversation covered the importance of building resiliency and adaptability, as well as embracing the opportunities in front of you.

“Younger me didn’t know it was okay to change the dream,” said Adam Hare, President of Petley-Hare Insurance Brokers, Co-founder of Bread & Butter Creative Agency and 2006 graduate of Multimedia Design (now named Interactive Media Design). “You all have a dream right now, but things are constantly evolving. Be okay with that.”

The DC Talks: Alumni Series is hosted by the Durham College Alumni Association and aims to inspire current students, facilitate networking among alumni, and highlight success stories. Hosted twice a year, this event welcomes panellists and guests to join online or in person in the Rotary Global Classroom.

Read on to get to know the panellists and learn from their experiences. Watch the full recording of DC Talks: Alumni Series “The Zigzag Career Path.”

  • Adam Hare

    Multimedia Design, Class of 2006

    Adam’s career journey began as a young entrepreneur, launching his own clothing line, and later evolved into managing a creative team at Universal Music Canada, one of the world’s top entertainment companies. More recently, Adam has made a significant impact in the insurance industry, modernizing a century-old business model into a cutting-edge, culture first, technology-driven operation. In addition, he co-founded a full-service digital marketing and consulting agency, Bread & Butter Creative Agency, helping large brands and small businesses across Canada elevate their presence and achieve success.

  • Karey Anne Large

    Legal Administration, Class of 1997

    While working in the corporate world in 2005, Karey Anne started making cakes out of her home kitchen. After discovering her passion for cake decorating, she dove in headfirst, leaving her corporate career behind and opening her first retail location in 2011. She saw many sweet successes during her cake decorating journey, claiming a number of awards, including first runner up on Food Network’s Cake Wars. In 2017, she became the Executive Director of the Downtown Whitby Business Improvement Area, combining her experience as a small business owner with her love for the Town of Whitby. In recent years, Karey Anne has continued to serve the business community as the Executive Director of the Scugog Chamber of Commerce, and has now returned to Whitby as the CEO of the Whitby Chamber of Commerce.

  • Leslie Seeley

    Sports Administration, Class of 1986

    Leslie’s extensive career with General Motors of Canada spanned multiple roles, including Senior Community Leader and Business Manager. With over 30 years of experience in operations, project management, and safety oversight, Leslie retired from GM and opened Pure + Simple Oshawa, a premium wellness spa franchise. In addition to her role as manager and owner of Pure + Simple, she is also a part-time professor at DC, where she continues to focus on driving results, fostering innovation, and supporting others in achieving their potential.

  • Kirsten Walker

    Human Resource Management, Class of 2010

    In 2011, Kirsten moved to the UK to play professional football but stayed to pursue a Master’s degree in Business Psychology and now calls London home. Kirsten has over 10 years’ experience of leading, supporting and embedding large-scale transformation initiatives. A strong relationship manager, this has taken her cross-industry in the transport, pharmaceutical, energy, financial services and public sectors and has worked with various levels of executives to embed change. In her role as Business Manager at Newton Europe, she is currently leading a team of Operations and Digital consultants to improve people’s health and social care outcomes in Dorset by transforming their Urgent and Emergency Care pathways.

DC Alumni reconnect while cheering on the Oshawa Generals

It’s always a good time when Durham College (DC) alumni get together – especially when the home team gets the win. With the Oshawa Generals taking the lead in the third period, it was good cheer all around at the annual DC Alumni Hockey Night on January 24.

Hosted by the Durham College Alumni Association (DCAA), the event welcomed DC alumni, employees, and their friends and family to watch the Oshawa Generals take on the Peterborough Petes at the Tribute Communities Centre (TCC). Guests reconnected while enjoying dinner and the game in the TCC’s Medallion Lounge.

“Durham College Alumni Hockey Night brought together more than 170 attendees this year, showcasing the incredible strength of our alumni community,” said Mary Weller, Alumni Officer at DC. “A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsor, TD Insurance – their support makes nights like this possible!”

At the top of the game, DC’s Vice President, People, Equity and External Relations, Bonnie St. George; DCAA President, Drew Samuels; and DC’s mascot, Lou, represented the college during the ceremonial puck drop.

Next year, the DCAA will be celebrating the 10th DC Alumni Hockey Night. DC grads are encouraged to watch for more information about this and upcoming events in the digital Alumni Newsletter or on DCAA’s Instagram account.