CYC Champion
Awards
Celebrating exceptional individuals and leaders who have made a profound, lasting impact on our society, breaking barriers and inspiring the next generation.
Honoring Role Models Across Canada
Originally founded and supported by visionary Chinese Canadian leaders to provide mentorship and opportunities, CYC has grown into a vibrant, multicultural organization open to all Canadians. The Champion Awards are divided into five distinct sub-categories to capture the full spectrum of leadership across the nation.
Canadian Champions Award
In its 5th year, Canadian Youth Champions (CYC) started the first Canadian Champions Award. This award is for great Canadians who help our communities in important ways. CYC is a group for all Canadians, but it was started by Chinese Canadian leaders. These leaders came together to help and guide young people in Canada. Today, this award honors these great people. Their hard work and leadership help and inspire young people across the country. Also, this award honors a very important helper of CYC, the late Honourable John McCallum (1950–2025) whose legacy continues to guide and inspire us.
Featured Award Presenters
Tim Hodgson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Canada
The Honourable Tim Hodgson is the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and MP for Markham-Thornhill. He is the former Chair of Hydro One and former CEO of Goldman Sachs Canada, bringing decades of leadership across the public and private sectors.
Award Winners
Hugh Chow
CEO of ventureLAB
Hugh Chow, CEO of ventureLAB, brings over 30 years of global executive experience in innovation, investment, and research. Previously the CEO of ASTRI and a co-founder of ViXS Systems and Pool Global Partners, he holds 12 international patents and numerous business accolades. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Hong Kong and a Master of Science from the University of Colorado.
Dr. Cindy Gouveia
President of Sheridan College
Dr. Cindy Gouveia, President and Vice Chancellor of Sheridan College, is a leader with over two decades of experience dedicated to equity, inclusion, and expanding educational access for under-represented groups. Prior to her current role, she served as Vice President of Global Strategic Projects at George Brown Polytechnic. Dr. Gouveia holds a Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Toronto and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Guelph.
Dr. Alan Shepard
President of Western University
Dr. Alan Shepard serves as Western University’s eleventh President, championing inclusive education and multidisciplinary research to solve global challenges. His extensive senior leadership background includes tenures as president of Concordia University and provost at Ryerson University. A past chair of the Council of Ontario Universities, Dr. Shepard holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College and a doctorate from the University of Virginia.