Alyssa Lai, Terry Cooke to be honoured with Community Impact Awards
'Hamilton is where I have built my life, career and connections as a young adult,' says alumna Alyssa Lai (left), a graduate from the Class of 2012. 'As a newcomer, I'm glad I have met and worked with many who make Hamilton and McMaster a better community.' This year's Alumni Hamilton Community Impact Awards ceremony will take place Sept. 23 at the Art Gallery of Hamilton.
Two more esteemed members of the McMaster family are being recognized with Alumni Hamilton Community Impact Awards.
Alyssa Lai and Terry Cooke will be feted during a luncheon at the Art Gallery of Hamilton on Wednesday, Sept. 23, along with longtime GSA Softball League commissioners Andy Duncan and Curt Heckaman.
More: Softball organizers, community champions to be honoured with Impact Awards
Cooke, an alumnus from the Class of 1983, joined the Hamilton Community Foundation (HCF) as president & CEO in January, 2010.
The HCF is known for contributing time, leadership and financial support to initiatives that benefit the greater Hamilton community, based on an innate understanding of local needs and opportunities.
“I am really touched and gratified to be recognized by an institution that has remained a daily part of my life since I was kid, learning to play basketball in the McMaster gym,” says Cooke, who earned a degree in history from the Faculty of Humanities.
“I am especially pleased to be recognized along with my HCF colleague Alyssa Lai. She is a talented and highly motivated young woman who is destined to leave a very positive legacy in Hamilton.”
Prior to joining HCF, Cooke was president of Cooke Capital Corporation — a management consulting firm focused on leadership, strategic planning and government relations.
He previously served as president and chief operating officer with the Foxcroft Group of Companies in Hamilton, and is perhaps best known for his term as chairman and CEO of the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth, a position he held from 1994-2000.
Alyssa Lai graduated from the Faculty of Humanities in 2012 with a degree in communication studies and theatre and film studies.
She’s spent the past year as a part-time community relations coordinator with the HCF, and the past 18 months as outreach coordinator with Information Hamilton.
Lai also serves as vice-chair of Hamilton HIVE — a popular resource network for young professionals in the area. Since 2013, she has held the position of web and graphics manager with the Hamilton Media Guild.
“I’m honoured and humbled to receive this award,” says Lai. “Hamilton is where I have built my life, career and connections as a young adult. As a newcomer, I’m glad I have met and worked with many who make Hamilton and McMaster a better community.
“McMaster is part of a larger community and ecosystem that make Hamilton a great place to be,” she continues. “By staying involved, you find out where you belong and how you can contribute to your community. I think this is important for any individual looking to grow roots in a community — there is a place and space for everyone in the city.”
An opening reception for the Alumni Community Impact Awards will commence at 11:30 a.m., followed by the luncheon and awards presentation from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Tickets are $25 per person or $180 for a reserved table of eight. Purchase tickets online.
Questions or comments can be directed to Amber Stuckey, 905-525-9140 ext. 21908 or email stuckey@mcmaster.ca.
