Current Recipients

Barry Harte is a longtime Vaughan resident, advocate, and prominent figure in the athletics community. With over 30 years of community service, his leadership as President and Coach of the City of Vaughan Hockey Association has inspired and nurtured talent that has achieved global recognition, including Stanley Cup winner Andrew Cogliano, who began his career under Barry's mentorship.

In his professional life, Barry is a dedicated public servant, working across communities in the GTA. Driven by a commitment to supporting youth and vulnerable sectors, Barry co-founded and launched the Vaughan Muslim Hockey Program. His mission is to break down barriers and provide opportunities for children and youth to participate in and develop through sport, and demonstrated this again as a community lead and ambassador for the City of Vaughan at the Rogers Hometown Hockey Event.

Barry's dedication has been recognized with multiple honours, including the Greater Toronto Hockey League’s George Chamandy Memorial Award and Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee Pin, in recognition of his 30 years of service to the Vaughan community. Beloved by thousands of hockey players and community members, Barry’s contributions continue to elevate Vaughan’s presence in the hockey world.

Erlinda lnsigne was born on August 12, 1946, in Naguilian, La Union, Philippines. She studied Secretarial Science at the University of Baguio, graduating as a college scholar in 1968. Erlinda earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of the Philippines in 1974, where she was recognized on the Dean's list. Erlinda continued to enhance her skills with a diploma in computer programming at Ryerson University (formerly Polytechnic Institute) in 1980 and later took some courses at York University. 

Erlinda lnsigne built a successful career in information technology and business analysis. She began her professional journey at Sears Canada Inc. 197 4 as a Staff Assistant. Over the years, she advanced through various roles, including Programmer, Programmer/Analyst, and eventually Business Analyst, a position she has held since 2004. Throughout her tenure at Sears, Erlinda developed a reputation for her analytical skills and her dedication to improving business processes. Erlinda is Realtor at Re/max West Realty since 2005 which assist families in finding home where they can build their futures and helping people find a place where they can establish roots and become part of a thriving community. 

Erlinda has significantly contributed to her community, particularly within the Filipino-Canadian community in Vaughan, ON. As a founding director & long-term president of the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV), Erlinda was key in establishing a Friendship Agreement between Vaughan and Baguio City, Philippines, in October 1997 facilitating cultural, social, & educational exchanges that have enriched both communities. She coordinated an educational exchange program between St. Elizabeth Catholic High School in Vaughan and Baguio City High School, enabling students and teachers to experience each other's academic environments in 2001. She has been instrumental in developing numerous programs and services including Caregiver seminars, Taxation for newcomers and low-income group, cultural and recreational activities for health and wellness for seniors and youth like basketball, line and cultural dancing, and language classes, aimed at promoting heritage & fostering community spirit. In June 2004, Erlinda initiated the declaration of the Filipino Day in Vaughan to celebrate Philippine Independence. In October 2012, Erlinda signed a 20-year lease agreement with the City of Vaughan to use PKCC for FCAV. In 2018, Erlinda co-organized the Vaughan Fiesta Extravaganza (VFE) to celebrate Filipino Heritage. 

Erlinda's dedication to her community has earned her numerous accolades. She was featured in the Thornhill Liberal newspaper in 2003 as a community advocate. She received the Civic Hero Award for Ward 5 for her community leadership, volunteerism and active involvement in the Filipino community in 2014. She was honored with the Queen's Golden Jubilee commemorative medal in 2002, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Award in 2022 for her outstanding work with the FCAV. Her contributions have also been recognized by the Government of Canada as a volunteer in 2001, International Year of Volunteers; the Philippine Government Certificate of Distinction as one of the 100 Outstanding Filipino-Canadians by Philippine Joseph Estrada and Prime Minister Jean Chretien (June 1999), and various community organizations, highlighting her impact as a volunteer and leader. 

Erlinda lnsigne is married to Antonio lnsigne, and they have two children, Timothy and Anthony. Her personal and professional life reflects her commitment to fostering connections and promoting cultural understanding between Canada and the Philippines. Her extensive travel experience, including frequent visits to the Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong, and Hawaii, further underscores her global perspective and dedication to community service. Erlinda used to serve as a Trustee for Vaughan Public Libraries (2001-2003); a Member of the Arts & Culture Committee, City of Vaughan (1999-2000); Member of the Community Relations Committee, City of Vaughan (1995-1998); President of Lakeview Ratepayers Association (2004-2008); Member, Safe City Committee (2004), Member of the 4th District Liaison Community,York Regional Police (2004 - 2013) and Director of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce in Toronto (PCCT) in 1998-2007. She chaperoned City of Vaughan officials and guests to visit its sister city, Baguio City, Philippines in 1997, 2009, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2023. She played an important role in establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Niagara University (NU) in Ontario and University of Baguio (UB) in February 2023. Erlinda remains active in various community and cultural committees, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of those around her. 

Gina Balseca-Aguirre is a dedicated champion of the Latino community in Vaughan. Her advocacy efforts for the Latino community have focused on people-centric, affordable, and free programs and events that empower the community to celebrate its culture.

To support the community, Gina founded Fuerza Latina Community Services where she serves as the the organization's Chief Executive Officer. She also operates the Vaughan Latin Festival (VLF). The VLF has become a platform for inclusivity, engaging the multicultural community in Vaughan and beyond, attracting youth and families, and raising awareness about cultural preservation, unity and diversity.

Gina has exemplified and will continue to demonstrate selfless community service. In our experience, she conducts herself with the highest level of integrity, dedication, and respect.

Gina is driven by her commitment to helping the Latin community. Her motivation comes from a desire to provide youth with constructive, alternative programs to direct them away from harmful behavior and encourage them to embrace a second chance.

The vision behind Gina's work is to create a vibrant and inclusive community where Fuerza Latina is a leading provider of affordable services for youth and their families. She empowers youth and families by promoting well-being through Culture, Support Groups, and Sports in Vaughan, and its surroundings.

Gina has led several successful initiatives over the years. These include:

• The VLF, which celebrated its tenth year in 2024. In 2023, the festival hosted 10,000 people, including 2,000 tourists. Activations represented cultural offerings from twenty Latin American countries. The VLF's estimated 2023 economic impact on Vaughan was $119,048, with induced visitors' spending of $155,529.

In 2024, the event was held in Maple at Mackenzie Glen Park. The festival featured dozens of exhibitors and vendors as well as nationally renowned Latin musical artists. The VLF has become the premier celebration for the Latin community in York Region and a highlight in the Toronto Region's Latin community calendar.

The event showcases the community and adds to Vaughan's vibrant, international culture:

• The founding and launch of the Fuerza Latina Social Entrepreneurship initiative, which trains youth in marketing and design while serving local entrepreneurs with media production.
• Launched a youth mentorship program in 2024.
• Founded the Mujeres Latinas Networks and will host a Small Business Expo in September 2024.
• Organized a delegation of Latin American diplomats to Vaughan in 2019.
• Additionally, Gina leads annual youth initiatives including holiday celebrations that gifted children.

Furthermore, Gina has also spearheaded the Latin American-Hispanic Flag Ceremony & Parade since 2016, produced the Latin Excellence Awards, and is the Founder, Producer, and Host of the GoLive TV Show: Adelante con Gina Balseca.

Gina has already received numerous accolades recognizing her accomplishments, including, but not limited to, the Federal Government Volunteer Appreciation Award, a Certificate of Recognition from the Consulate of Ecuador, a Certificate of Recognition from the Canadian Hispanic Congress, and the City of Vaughan's Volunteer of the Year Award.

Jade Crystal is an inspired change leader and enthusiastic educator. I am very pleased to nominate her for the Order of Vaughan. Her work with Women’s Brain Health Initiative (WBHI) is of particular note that I would like to introduce and highlight in consideration of her contributions to Vaughan. 

WBHI transfers brain and mental health knowledge and practices through targeted evidence-based programs and tools responding to the diversity of culture, race, economics, along with gender-specific realities. These programs are free, accessible and age responsive. The Brainable Program, of which Jade is the Founder and Director, is an innovative example of relevant programming to support brain health and cognitive longevity. Born from Jade's visionary approach, Brainable targets youth at a critical juncture where transformative behavioural changes can be most effective and sustainable. 

After immersing herself in WBHI’s brain health programs, Jade recognized a critical gap in the health curriculum—it lacked a comprehensive overview of the behaviors that both nurture and harm the brain. Jade understood that early intervention builds a strong foundation for lifelong patterns of positive behaviour and knowledge assimilation. Leveraging her experience as an educator and her ability to effectively interpret and present evidence, Jade approached WBHI’s executives with a bold idea: to translate the valuable insights she gained into engaging, age-appropriate lessons for her Grade 8 students in Vaughan. To ensure she could effectively reach all students, Jade was also determined to provide all resources in French, knowing from experience that such materials were not readily available. The WBHI Board was eager to support Jade’s initiative, recognizing its potential not just for her students, but for all students across Vaughan.

Jade collaborated with a panel of subject matter experts whose cutting-edge research and innovative thinking drove the development of processes, practical applications and accessible tools. The outcome was Brainable, an interactive brain health educational program for grade 5-8 students which mitigates mental and brain health challenges and risks by disseminating evidence-based information in a 75-minutes session delivered (in English and French) in diverse classrooms and communities. Jade has always been inspired by her student’s thirst for knowledge. Students and teachers also receive take away materials to support the ongoing implementation of lessons learned. 

The youth-focused program (10-14-year-olds) introduces the WBHI Six Pillars of Brain Health: physical exercise, healthy eating, mental exercise, sleep, social interaction, and stress reduction. This engaging student mental wellness program supplements the middle school health curriculum in which students also learn about the activities that harm their brain health including untreated mental illness, excessive social media, trauma and substance abuse. Brainable is culturally inclusive, age-appropriate, and open to many learning styles, so each student is immersed in participatory knowledge exchanges. In Vaughan during the 2023-24 school year, 5,000 students from 187 different classrooms and their teachers participated in sessions which demonstrates a thirst for and relevancy of the information shared. The session’s objective is to reach the primary cohort of youth and a secondary cohort of their families, who receive a specific Brainable booklet that complements the information presented in the classroom. 

The goal is to provide ongoing support for the integration of lessons into action. In other words, the lessons become a part of everyday activities and conversations in the playground and around the kitchen table. This promotes better health and build stronger communities, a sustainable contribution to Vaughan. Jade has established enduring partnerships within the community, solidifying her reputation as a trusted educator in health promotion. This collaborative effort is not just about pushing the boundaries of knowledge but also ensuring that it is available and beneficial to all members of the community. In the case of Brainable, the students, their families and teachers are the underpinning for community impact and improvement. 

Through a well-thought-out strategy that integrates regular evaluation with evidence-based health communication materials and tools, Jade exploits the opportunity to improve the effectiveness of health information and elevate the public's understanding of brain health and empower individuals with valuable health skills and knowledge. In the three years of Brainable, that would have been approximately 12,500 people in the community of Vaughan, with a potential increasing trajectory annually.

The youth she teaches will become ambassadors of brain health within their families and their community. As one student said, “The presenter’s presentation was amazing! She spoke very clear so all the information would catch our attention and keep us educated about our brains. She taught me so much and moving forward I will start healthier habits for my brain to be mentally and physically more active and healthy. Now that I know what’s wrong and what’s right for my brain, I know I’ll be better.” This was echoed by another, “It was so fun I hope there’s another few presentations like this in the future, thank you for making my life better.”

One of the fundamental challenges change leaders, such as Jade, face is impacting systemic practices and public policies. Through Jade’s collaborative leadership, she has ensured that WBHI initiatives are person-centred, and it’s a strong testament to her commitment to advancing mental and brain health for the betterment of all, and youth in particular. She is shifting and expanding the discussion around mental health, a current mainstream issue, to also include brain health, as there is a symbiotic connection. In time, it is hoped that brain and mental health will be said in one breath, which will have significant implications for community consensus, knowledge exchange and behavioural changes. This demonstrates her vibrancy as an active and committed member of the Vaughan community.

Brainable underscores the fundamental principle that healthy children become healthy adults, laying a foundation for lifelong well-being. This is a significant contribution to the individual, family and the community at large. Jade understands that the tools and activities shared in the classroom will help reverse current negative social trends (excessive social media) for youth while at the same time increase awareness of effective strategies to reduce excess screen time, increase sleep time, and promote physical activity. 

In the realm of societal transformation, progress is often measured in incremental steps, where the tireless efforts of those involved often go unnoticed and uncelebrated. This reality fuels my full confidence for recognizing Jade’s remarkable contributions. However, what truly sets her apart is not only her work in Vaughan but the profound inspiration she ignites within countless others to join hands, innovate, and become catalysts for change in a social movement for mental and brain health.

Rabbi Avram Rothman, together with his life partner Ruth and their children were brought to the City of Vaughan in 1990 by the late Philanthropist Mr Joseph Tanenbaum to establish an organization whose mission was to assist members of the Jewish faith to become better acquainted with Jewish beliefs and practices. 

Over the next five years Rabbi Rothman and with his associates built an organization and Synagogue of over a hundred families and effected the lives of hundreds of others. To this day, one can easily meet individuals whose grandparents, parents or they themselves directly benefited from the efforts of Rabbi Rothman. 

Following this success, Rabbi Rothman was asked to assume the leadership of a new fledgling Synagogue just a kilometre from his original institution. 

For the past 25 years, Rabbi Rothman has been the Senior Rabbi of what is known throughout the GTA as the Aish Thornhill Community Shul. The Shul, which started with sixteen families has blossomed into a major institution in the Thornhill community with over 240 families. 

While it is common for over one thousand people to participate in the annual High Holidays program and services, what makes the " Shul" unique is the purposeful inclusiveness of its community. 
One regularly meets members and participants whose backgrounds vary as broadly as to not only encompass every shade of Jewish religious observance, but also Jews of all races, be they Asian, Black, Latino or of any other national or ethnic background. As well, while the Shul services an elderly population, it is also one of the largest centres for young families & singles in the Thornhill area. 
The spirit of the Shul, under Rabbi Rothman' s tutelage is one of " unity, not uniformity" also 
expressed by the Rabbi as " a community that does not hide its differences, but rather celebrates 
them". Age, race, nationality, gender & religious practices do not separate those whom attend, they unite them. This spirit carries over to the entire community. 

The years of COVID were difficult for everyone. Perhaps more acutely for running public institutions and in Rabbi Rothman' s case, he created innovative ways to stay in touch, to connect, provide necessary religious and personal assistance while adhering to the ever changing procedures of the government and medical professionals. 

We are proud to say that under Rabbi Rothman's leadership the Shul followed every proscribed procedure of the Ministry of Health, but still provided for the personal and communal needs of the community. All done within the ever-changing guidelines proscribed, while creatively offering every service possible. 
Then came Oct 7 and so much changed. Suddenly our quiet community became the target of protest, while at the same time that same community needed to heal from the atrocities against our brothers and sisters. 

Rabbi Rothman saw the need and took a leading role in working with elected and appointed officials to minimize the damage from the aggressive, loud and fear inducing "protests". 

The Rabbi not only was there internally for the community, but he stood tall in the face of aggression, anger and protest and in partnership with elected leaders and law enforcement worked towards returning Vaughan to the peaceful, inter-racial community it always has been. 

Rather than what seems to be ignoring the threat to the peace and the Jewish community, the City of Vaughan took a stand. Rabbi Rothman led our community in his work with all parts of the government from City to Federal and his leadership, together with like minded people, as his Worship, the Mayor and the City Council, it paid off for the best of all. 

For the past quarter century: 

• Rabbi Rothman built our community. 
• Rabbi Rothman cared for and treated every individual as important 
• Rabbi Rothman led us through the good times, the hard times and the frightening times. 

In the end, he has been and continues to be a community spiritual leader who has played a significant role in the City of Vaughan and unquestionably is one of those people who makes our city the special, welcoming and wonderful city it is. 

His personal demeanour and his strong commitment to mutual respect and inclusiveness reflect the same values that guide and shape the City of Vaughan. 

Rabbi Avram Rothman is surely a most worthy recipient of the Order of Vaughan. His selection will, no doubt, bring honour to him and to the wonderful city in which he has built his own personal home and helped build the spiritual home of so many others. 

As an inspiring and deeply passionate leader, Maria (Mary) Tatangelo has enriched our community through her unwavering dedication to support Hospice Vaughan (HV).    Mary created a movement, focusing on awareness, enlisting support, and mobilizing countless volunteers and donors over many years.  Her contributions are vast and fundamental to the success of Hospice Vaughan, and range from her role as a Board member, Chairing multiple galas, and leading the HV Hike.   Most notably this includes her efforts in raising the $12M capital for the new Hospice Vaughan facility, and over $1.1M raised at the recent Hearts Gala in February 2024.  

Mary has always recognized the profound impact hospice palliative care, centered on dignity and compassion, has on its community.   This understanding anchored her passion and drove her efforts, knowing these services were needed and so vital to the City of Vaughan.  She also appreciated the critical importance of fundraising as a key enabler, not only for the new 12-bed residential facility, but also for the ongoing delivery of services which are provided for free.  

Mary's outreach and tireless advocacy stretched to her many personal contacts throughout our community, and at every turn she made many new contacts and friends.   Her efforts were instrumental in strengthening and enhancing fundraising efforts.  She also raised awareness about key services, including end-of-life hospice palliative care, home support, and programs that support those caring for their loved ones.  Her approach embodies her leadership style, demonstrating inclusivity, kindness, and fun while staying laser focused on the needs for HV.  

Mary has been an incredible advocate and friend to Hospice Vaughan, as she is with so many others in her life, always showing up, always ready to help, and always going above and beyond what you could have imagined.    She gives so much of herself, exudes fun and happiness, that is straight from the heart, making her so very special to our community.   She has a tireless spirit and a profound gift of caring, being open to all, and sharing happiness with all she encounters.  She has served HV selflessly, and proudly.  

Mary is a long-time resident of Vaughan, having moved here in 1975 as a teenager, and where she completed elementary school and attended high school at Woodbridge High School.   She later attended York University and received a degree in Business Administration.  After graduating she worked at Peat Marwick, and in 1989 Mary joined the family business, Ganiva Construction.   She has proudly worked in the residential construction industry for 35 years and was on the Board of the Trim Association of Ontario for a number of years.    

Along with her professional accomplishments, Mary is extraordinarily proud of her family life.   She and her husband Frank raised their 3 boys in Vaughan.   For many years, Mary was an active hockey & soccer mom, and now as adults she proudly supports her sons' professional lives as they are unfolding.    Throughout the years, Mary & Frank have been active in the community, having been involved in a number of charities.   Along with Frank, she has been an example to her children of the importance of volunteerism.  

As well, for over 30 years, Mary has operated pop-up fireworks stores in Vaughan to celebrate Victoria & Canada Day, and for this reason she is fondly referred to as the “Fireworks Queen”.   

Maureen Leshem is a life-long volunteer who believes communities can be transformed through volunteering. For over 30 years, she has volunteered her time to a variety of community services including crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and working with children who are living with terminal illness.

From an early start in her teens—working at various correctional facilities with adult inmates and young offenders—Maureen eventually switched her focus to victims’ services as a way to champion victims’ rights and safety. Armed with little more than a vision, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference, Maureen transformed her garage into a makeshift warehouse where she began laying the foundation for the 482 Collective. This humble endeavour quickly blossomed into a full-fledged registered charity located in the City of Vaughan, that serves as a hub for positive change, and a beacon of hope for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.

Maureen’s uniquely responsive approach to helping vulnerable people is transforming the landscape of the non-profit sector and charitable giving. Her willingness to collaborate and embrace creative thinking has led to many community and corporate partnerships, as well as several awards of distinction, including: Victim Services of York Region’s Recruit of the Year award, a City of Vaughan Outstanding Volunteerism Award, the Business Achievement Award of Excellence, Non-profit/Charity from the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, and most recently, the Attorney General’s Victim Services Award of Distinction.

Maureen volunteers 60+ hours/week as Executive Director of the 482 Collective, where she actively mobilizes individuals, organizations, and community leaders. Every day, she challenges the status quo and seeks out powerful solutions to age-old problems in an effort to fill gaps in services.

Through her Community Collection Drive program (CCD), Maureen has created a new model for fundraising that is less wasteful and more impactful. CCD is a turnkey program that empowers clients, donors, and volunteers. The program engages people of all ages and abilities, encourages corporate team building, and creates opportunities for students to learn while earning high school volunteer hours. Most importantly, it alleviates an enormous amount of work for the charity and keeps the shelves stocked for clients, even during the lean months when donations typically drop off. By harnessing the power of collective giving and community partnership, the CCD program generates high quality, high-yield in-kind donations of $250,000/year for the 482 Collective, reducing the need to invest costly time and resources into planning and hosting frequent fundraising events. 

Maureen also created SAGE—a multi-stage referral program that removes barriers to services and provides equitable access to mental health support and valuable life skills. SAGE is a healing framework that brings together the collective wisdom of experts such as trauma-informed therapists, financial guides, career coaches, and other professionals—to help abuse survivors navigate the complex challenges of life after violence. Access to these services, which are cost-prohibitive for victims of abuse, can play a pivotal role in helping an abuse survivor heal, rebuild, and become financially independent.

Maureen has a unique ability to understand the needs of both clients and donors—to connect those who can with those who need—in a way that is meaningful for all involved. A rare combination of passion, compassion, and instinct allows her to continually adapt and respond to the changing needs in our community. Whether she is challenging people to think differently; helping the police locate missing people (which she has successfully accomplished three times); influencing future business women through the Prosperity Project’s Rosie Mentoring Program; or advocating against sexual violence alongside prominent Canadian leaders, Maureen embodies the very essence of advocacy and kindness; making a significant and enduring contribution to the Vaughan community and the world.

The Honourable Maurizio Bevilacqua served three terms as Mayor of the City of Vaughan. Prior to becoming Mayor, he was a Member of Parliament for 22 years, serving in several roles, including Minister of State for Finance, Minister of State for Science, Research and Development, and Chairman of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance.

He was Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee for the Regional Municipality of York, Chair of the Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board and Vice Chair of York Region Rapid Transit Corporation. Maurizio Bevilacqua also served as a Director on the Alectra Inc. Board and a member of Alectra's Human Resources and Compensation Committee. He was a member of the Global City Leaders Advisory Board for the World Council on City Data and the Advisory Council for the Post-Graduate Certificate in Business Administration at York University's School of Continuing Studies. He was the former Chair of the Alectra Integration Committee, past Chair of PowerStream Energy Services, past Vice Chair of VersaBank and former member of the Trilateral Commission. He is a board member of The Abraham Global Peace Initiative.

He was the Chair of the City of Vaughan Smart City Task Force and Chair of the Ready Resilient and Resourceful Committee. Maurizio Bevilacqua was also Chair of the Vaughan Healthcare Precinct Advisory Task Force and Chair of the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Sub-Committee.

Maurizio Bevilacqua was Chair of Mackenzie Health Foundation's $250-million Ultimate Campaign which he successfully completed in 2022. He was also the Chair of the Hospice Vaughan Capital Campaign and Co-Chair of the Lou Fruitman Reena Residence Capital Campaign. He is the Chair of the Vaughan International Film Festival Fundraising Campaign.

Maurizio Bevilacqua is a founding director of The Abraham Global Peace Initiative, a Canadian charity that promotes human rights on a local and global level.

He holds the record for most votes received by a federal candidate in Canadian political history and most votes received by any municipal candidate in the history of the City of Vaughan. Maurizio Bevilacqua is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee Pin. Among his many recognitions, Maurizio Bevilacqua also received the Premio ltaliani nel Mondo award, which is presented by the Italian government to individuals of Italian heritage who have served as a role model within the international community. The State of Israel Bonds Canada honoured Maurizio Bevilacqua for his contribution to improving labour-management relations. He is also an honouree of the hmuel Zahavy Cheder Chabad and the Joe Dwek Ohr HaEmet Sepl1ardic School in Thornhill, Ontario. He was also awarded The Community Leadership Award from the Chabad Israeli Community for his compassionate concern for others and his dedication to charitable causes in the community. Maurizio is also the recipient of the Rabbi Kelman Humanitarian Award for his exemplary leadership and is a proven innovator and true role model to others.

In recognition of his work toward advancing Canada/US relations, Maurizio Bevilacqua was presented with the Key to the City of Dallas. He was also presented with a medal from the Royal Canadian Legion to commemorate Canada's 150th anniversary as well as a certificate of appreciation from the Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Command in recognition of his services rendered to the Legion. Maurizio Bevilacqua was presented with the Building Industry and Land Development Association Courageous Leadership Award in recognition of his courageous work to make the City of Vaughan a better place to live. He is also a recipient of the Quincentennial Award in recognition of his exemplary leadership, inspiration support to the Filipino Community and the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto. 

He was also presented with the Founders Award and Legacy of Service Award from Niagara University for his extraordinary energy, vision and steadfast support of the University and the education of students in Canada and the United States. Maurizio Bevilacqua was also awarded the Courage to Inspire Award from Hospice Vaughan for his long-standing commitment to philanthropic work in the community. He also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce for his years of service to the community. 

Through his Spirit of Generosity Initiative, millions of dollars were raised and more than 200 charitable and not-for-profit organizations in Vaughan and beyond are supported. This initiative continues to help bring about positive change to hundreds of thousands of people's lives. 

Maurizio Bevilacqua holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from York University, a Master of Arts degree from Fordham, the Jesuit University of New York City, as well as a Master of Laws degree from the University of Toronto and an ICD.D designation from University of Toronto Rotman School of Management.