Part 1 of 3
Every year, the Telfer School of Management presents the R. Trudeau Medal to remarkable alumni who have achieved exceptional success in their careers over many years, demonstrated leadership within their communities, and shown sustained engagement with their alma mater. This is the highest honour an alumnus or alumna can receive from the school.
This year, in part one of our award series, we are proud to present the three 2025 R. Trudeau Medal recipients and celebrate their impact as trailblazing leaders in their communities.
Janice Siddons (EMBA ‘20): Empowering people, redefining leadership
How did your experience at Telfer contribute to your success?
Telfer was a turning point in my leadership journey. The EMBA gave me the space to step back, reflect, and realign with my ‘North Star.’ It challenged me to think more strategically, lead more intentionally and build with both clarity and heart. Beyond the business acumen, it strengthened my confidence to scale companies without losing sight of what matters most—people, purpose and well-being. I left the program not just with sharper tools, but with a deeper sense of responsibility to lead with authenticity. That compass still guides me today.
What is your leadership philosophy, and how do you embody it in your daily interactions with your team?
My philosophy is simple: align vision with action, and empower people to do their best work in an environment of trust. I prioritize transparency, listen deeply, and create space for real conversations, even when they’re hard. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about setting the course, asking the right questions, and walking alongside your team through the unknown.
If you could give your younger self advice today, what would it be?
Take the leap. Don’t wait to feel “ready” because growth often begins on the other side of uncertainty. Trust your instincts. Protect your energy. Prioritize your well-being; it’s not separate from success, it’s what fuels it. And above all, know that joy and ambition can—and should—coexist.
Sarah Riopelle, CFA (BCom ‘96): Championing success through the diversity lens
How did your experience at Telfer contribute to your success?
Well, it was a long time ago… almost 30 years! What I do remember are the connections that I made, both students and faculty, the variety of classes and skills that I learned (I still use my organizational management flowcharts today!) and, most importantly, the opportunity to travel abroad in my fourth year. My current role involves working with a lot of different people, tackling a variety of different subjects and managing a global investment team, so all those elements of my university experience taught me skills that I needed to be successful in my career.
What is your leadership philosophy and how do you embody it in your daily interactions with your team?
I manage the firm’s suite of multi-asset solutions. The key investment principle behind these is diversification. I am sometimes called the Queen of Diversification. I believe this concept is an important aspect of many parts of our lives. At work, I want to build diversified teams in terms of skills, experience, gender, ethnicity, etc. In decision-making, I strive to gather diverse views, so I am considering problems from all angles and perspectives. When I am delegating tasks, I diversify the project team to ensure a fair allocation of responsibilities.
If you could give your younger self advice today, what would it be?
Get outside your comfort zone. I was very shy when I was younger. I avoided social gatherings with work colleagues. I didn’t reach out for coffee chats or connect with others within the organization. As a result, I missed out on a lot of opportunities to grow my network and learn from others. I am trying to fix that now, and I am sharing that learning as a mentor to young people today.
Nick Quain (BCom ‘93): Lighting the path for Canada’s startup landscape
How did your experience at Telfer contribute to your success?
Telfer gave me my first exposure to the fundamentals of business and, more importantly, it ignited my entrepreneurial instincts. I started a window washing business and a promotional company while still in school, and the support and flexibility I received gave me the confidence to keep building. Courses in marketing and being forced to work in teams were especially formative and became the foundation of my first ventures. Today, whether mentoring founders or launching new programs, I still draw from lessons that were first sparked at Telfer.
What is your leadership philosophy and how do you embody it in your daily interactions with your team?
My leadership philosophy is leading by example, grounded in transparency and ownership. I believe the most impactful leaders remove obstacles and create the conditions for others to thrive. Early in my career, I thought being a founder meant having all the answers—until I realized my real job was building a high-performing team that could challenge me and grow with me. At Invest Ottawa, we flipped a struggling team culture into one of Ottawa Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in 2024 thanks to our focus on clarity, care and continuous feedback. Leadership is less about control and more about creating momentum for others.
If you could give your younger self advice today, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self not to fear failure—because that’s where the real learning lives. I used to think every decision had to be perfect, especially as a founder. But over time I’ve learned that the speed of learning is more valuable than perfection. I’d also remind myself that relationships are the real ROI: your peers, mentors and partners shape your journey more than any business plan ever could. Finally, seek out as much advice, insight, and perspective from others as you can—not to follow it all, but to sharpen your own thinking, knowing that in the end the best decisions will come from trusting your own judgment.
Congratulations to all of the 2025 R. Trudeau Medal recipients! The enduring impact you have created as leaders, along with your humility, commitment and legacy of business excellence, is a source of inspiration for future generations. Your success serves as a great example of the Telfer effect—our alumni community sharing their strengths, energy, and expertise with the world.
The awards moments don’t end here. Read about the remarkable achievements of the Young Achiever’s award recipients and community builders.
