Alumni Events

Conversations With Alumni

Philippe Larouche - Class of 2011  

Phillippe Larouche is an award-winning artist and distinguished graduate, and Valedictorian of the Faculty of Kinesiology at The University of Winnipeg.  He has worked as a professional dancer, choreographer, and international stager.  He originally hails from Laval, Quebec, but has been living in Winnipeg with his husband for the past 10 years. He originally made the move to attend the ballet school at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, where he trained rigorously while attending the Collegiate. Since then, his journey has taken him all over the world and we feel fortunate that he returned to The Collegiate to share his story. 

Saira Rahman - Class of 1991 

Saira is an independent filmmaker based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 2005, she wrote a three-part documentary series and accompanying teachers guide about Muslim Canadians called A New Life in a New Land (Milo Productions), which aired nationally on television and was part of a diplomatic cultural exchange organized by the Canadian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. After completing the digital film production program at Langara College in Vancouver, Saira, and her sister, Nilufer, established Snow Angel Films Inc. In 2010, producing their first feature documentary, Arctic Mosque (CBC, APTN). A story about a mosque that travels to the Arctic to become the most northern most in the Western Hemisphere. Later, they both produced Prairie Mosque (Bell), a story about the first mosque established in Winnipeg in 1976. As Muslim women of Bangladeshi descent, Saira, and her sister Nilufer, continue to work on projects that aim to amplify compelling stories of diverse and marginalized voices that encourage constructive conversations toward shaping a more sustainable and compassionate world.  

Before entering the world of filmmaking, Saira was a teacher and principal. She received both a BEd and MEd and helped found two private schools – Alhijra Islamic School (1996) in Winnipeg, and Olive Grove School (2006) in Mississauga. Saira is also a voice and theatre actor. Some of her local stage productions include, The Game (with Sarasvati Productions), Murder by Poe (with PTE Adult Company and the Winnipeg Fringe Festival), Boundry Avenue (with Trunk Theatre), Baby Box (with Sarasvati Productions).  

For the past three years, Saira has been working with her other sister, Jennifer, the founder and medical director of GEM Clinic, a leading eye clinic in Manitoba, specializing in glaucoma and cataracts.

Farah Perelmuter - Class of 1987 

We held a Conversation with Alumni event with Farah Perelmuter, class of 1987. She is an award-winning entrepreneur. She is the CEO and Co-Founder of Speakers Spotlight, one of the largest and most respected speakers' bureaus in the world that represents the most fascinating personalities from celebrities to former Prime Ministers. 

Robyn Boulanger – Class of 2017 

Robyn’s Indigenous spirit name is Swirling Butterfly Woman. She was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and her family is originally from Beren’s River First Nation. She's a proud Indigenous woman, who is looking forward to starting her journey as an educator. Robyn has completed a three-year Bachelor Degree in Physical Health Education and minor in Indigenous Studies at The University of Winnipeg. She has been involved with sports her whole life and played with The University of Winnipeg women's basketball team. Work[EA1]  has taught Robin the importance of teamwork, communication, self-discipline, and determination. Sport has taught Robyn the importance of teamwork, communication, self-discipline, hard work, and determination. She has coached and taught children multiple sports like basketball, hockey, soccer, lacrosse and many more. She developed most of her teaching qualities through coaching with the Anishinaabe Pride Basketball Club. Robyn and her parents created this program to give opportunities to at risk youth to play the sport at a higher level. Anishinaabe Pride does not only provide basketball skills, but also incorporates Indigenous teachings into the game of basketball.

Patricia Nosal - Class of 2014

Patricia is a graduate of both the Collegiate and The University of Winnipeg. At the Collegiate, she received the Special Faculty Award and was actively involved in many student clubs and committees. She has a strong background in building relationships with diverse stakeholders through her internship work with the United Nations, the Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV / AIDS, and the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, and her extensive experience in the fine dining hospitality industry. Patricia currently works at the University of Winnipeg Foundation as the Collegiate Engagement Officer.

Adam Budowski - Class of 2006

Adam Budowski is a civil engineer and city planner that works with Winnipeg Transit for their new unveiling of the Winnipeg Transit system. He came to speak to students, and explained some of the changes that will be made in the proposed 2025 plan. He spoke about the importance of city planning and public transportation as cities grow and prosper.

Rylee Gerrard - Class of 2023

Rylee Gerard Returned to The Collegiate to do a presentation for students regarding her post-graduate travels to the Galapagos islands!

Amy Mann - Class of 2021

Amy Mann, a brilliant member of the Collegiate Alumni Class of 2021, delivered a fast-paced and engaging Zoom presentation to current Collegiate students. Now living in Toronto, where she studies at the University of Toronto, Amy is a rising star in the field of geophysics and mathematical modeling, integrating principles from physics, statistics, and computer science. At just twenty years old, she is already applying to PhD programs and has won prestigious awards, including the University of Toronto National Scholarship, a full-ride award valued at over $100,000.

Adam Pollock - Class of 2005 

Introducing one of the newest members to The Collegiate Alumni Association, he has recently joined as a voting Director. Adam graduated from The Collegiate in 2005, and afterwards he obtained his Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) and Juris Doctor from the University of Manitoba, where he received awards for highest standing in Human Rights Law and Children & The Law and served as an Editor for the Canadian Journal of Human Rights. He was called to the Manitoba Bar in 2015.  Adam previously worked at two large Western Canadian law firms before joining Duboff Edwards Schachter Law Corporation as a Partner in 2021. Adam volunteers his time as a mentor for the Manitoba Bar Association, annually acts as an instructor in high schools for MBA Law Day and has a lengthy history as a volunteer for the Canadian Cancer Society. We are proud to call him an Alumni, would you please help me welcome Adam Pollock!