Grand Erie Alumni Hall of Distinction

Peter DeBoer, Dunville Secondary School

NHL hockey coach Peter DeBoer’s career in professional hockey started with the Dunnville Minor Sports program.

After graduating from Dunnville Secondary School in 1988, he played for the Windsor Compuware Spitfires while completing his B.A at the University of Windsor. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy as a graduate of the Dual JD Program.

He was picked by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 12th round in the 1988 NHL entry draft, but instead, spent two years playing with the Milwaukee Admirals of the International Hockey League.

Peter was head coach in the OHL for the Detroit Whalers, and the Plymouth Whalers, where he twice won the Coach of the Year Award. As head coach of the Kitchener Rangers, he led the team to the Memorial Cup Championship victory.

Throughout his career, Peter has coached the New Jersey Devils, the San Jose Sharks, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Dallas Stars. Earlier this year, he became head coach of the New York Islanders.

Peter and his wife Suan have three children and live in New York City. 

Brian Doyle, Caledonia High School

Brian Doyle, a 1978 graduate of Caledonia High School and current Chair of the Grand Erie District School Board milked Holstein cows on his family’s dairy farm for 28 years. In 1988, he moved to Selkirk, Ontario and served at a City of Nanticoke Councillor from 1991 to 1994, and was elected City Councillor in Haldimand County in October 2026.

In 2006, Brian was elected as a School Board Trustee for the Grand Erie District School Board, served as Board Vice Chair for 4 years, until being elected as Chair in 2025.

When he’s not serving the public, Brian is spending time with his family of five children and five grandchildren, and participates in the Caledonia Presbyterian Church Choir, where his wife Janice serves as Minister.

Brian is also a member of the Jarvis Lions Club and has worked in various organizations over the years such as Hewitt’s Dairy, Met Life Insurance, Blue Star Ford, Hagersville Recycling and JLM Metals.

Susan Gibson, Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School

A 1998 graduate of Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School in Brantford Ontario, Susan Gibson is a Registered Nurse whose 30-year career has been defined by compassionate care, collaborative leadership, and a commitment to improving the lives of others. 

Susan holds a Bachelor of Health Administration and a Master of Arts in Leadership and has served in progressive health care leadership roles across long-term care, community palliative care, home and community care, and primary care. She works to strengthen health systems, improve access to care, and lead teams dedicated to delivering high-quality, patient-centred services.

For 16 years, Susan was a volunteer Board member with the Brantford Aquatic Club, supporting an environment where athletes and coaches could achieve success. She also volunteered with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, helping place books into the hands of children from birth to age five.

A current resident of Brantford, Ontario Susan is a School Board Trustee for the Grand Erie District School Board for the past eight years.

Daryl Granger, Delhi District Secondary School

His films, Netting the Waters, Young Farmer and The Showmen, passionately commemorate the diverse industries, people and culture within Norfolk County. These documentary films have earned Daryl numerous nominations and awards both nationally and internationally.

Daryl is constantly learning about filmmaking techniques as he works on current productions and prepares for future projects. As a solo filmmaker, he is a leading force in his industry and inspires future artists and filmmakers with the message that you don't have to move to large urban centers to create an impact with art and film.

Annette Hamm, Valley Heights Secondary School

For over 40 years, Annette Hamm was a trusted source of information for the communities of southwestern Ontario. As the co-host of CHCH Morning Live for 21 years, Annette was widely respected for her professional integrity and commitment to the truth.

Annette grew up on a tobacco farm outside Langton and graduated from Valley Heights Secondary School In 1985. After studying broadcast journalism at Mohawk College, she joined CHCH News, as a crime reporter and eventually becoming co-host of CHCH Morning Live.

Annette’s accolades include the YWCA Hamilton Women of Distinction Award in Public Affairs, and Mohawk College's Alumni of Distinction Award. She served on boards such as Charlton Hall Child and Family Services, the Hamilton-Burlington SPCA, the gritLIT literary festival and Theatre Aquarius.  

Annette proves how a student from a rural Grand Erie community can rise through hard work to become one of the most celebrated voices in Canadian media.

Susanna Kearsley, Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School

Susanna Kearsley is a Globe and Mail, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author whose novels have sold over a million copies, translated and published in over 25 countries.

After graduating from Brantford Collegiate Institute, Susanna studied politics at university and became a museum curator before becoming a writer. In her books, she restores the lost voices of real people to the page, often in twin-stranded stories that interweave present and past. 

Susanna gives back to the community as a volunteer prize jury member, and keynote speaker at the biennial Laurier Stedman Prize competition, which is open to secondary students studying in the catchment area of the Grand Erie District School Board.

Susanna shares her experience, ideas, and inspiration at public speaking events and writers' workshops, delivering meaningful words of inspiration to young authors and their supporters. She stands as a symbol and inspiration to student authors that anyone from the local area can achieve their goals.

R. Stacey Laforme, Hagersville Secondary School

Born and raised on Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, R. Stacey LaForme is a former Chief, a notable storyteller, poet, and published author.

After graduating from Hagersville Secondary School in 1990, R. Stacey was elected to council for Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and served seven terms before becoming Chief until 2023.

Recently, he was appointed honorary senior fellow for Massey College.

He served as Chair of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Secretariat, as the inaugural First Nation official host of these games.

In 2018, De dwa da dehs nye (Aboriginal Health Centre) awarded Gimma (Chief) Laforme the Walter Cooke Wisdom Keeper Award in recognition of his community service and demonstration of integrity, generosity of spirit, humility, courage, collaboration, “The Good Mind”, and traditional ways of knowing and being.  

As a member of the Michii Saugii Delegation in 2023, Gimma Laforme met with King Charles in Edinburgh, marking the first Nation-to-Nation meeting between The Crown and The Michii Saugi since 1860. Gimma Laforme lives on Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

Kevin Magee, North Park Collegiate and Vocational School

Kevin Magee is one of Canada’s leading authorities on cybersecurity, cybercrime and cyber risk governance. A graduate of North Park Collegiate and Vocational School in Brantford, Kevin is currently the Global Director of Cybersecurity Startups at Microsoft.

Kevin earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Brock University, a Master of Arts at the University of Guelph and held senior leadership roles with Microsoft, Oracle, Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto Networks and Splunk.

Kevin’s industry leadership demonstrates a strong commitment to education, governance and the development of future cybersecurity professionals. He contributes to curriculum development on cybersecurity, governance, entrepreneurship and criminology for a variety of post-secondary schools such as Toronto Metropolitan University, the University of Guelph, George Brown College and the Royal Canadian Military Institute.

Kevin serves on the Board of Brock University, the University of Prince Edward Island and holds leadership positions in the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, Brant Community Healthcare System and the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts.

Brett Moodie, Dunville Secondary School

After graduating from Dunnville Secondary School in 2002, Brett Moodie pursued his law degree at Western University law school, eventually becoming the Crown Attorney in Brantford, Ontario. In 2025, Brett was called to the bench and now serves as the area judge.

When he’s not maintaining public confidence in the local criminal justice system, Brett likes to give back to the community by working with students. He speaks at local high schools, conferences and volunteers his time at student mock trials. He also coaches youth hockey and baseball, and served as chair of his children’s school parent council. 

In 2016, Brett sat on the board of the John Howard Society of Hamilton-Burlington and Area, serving as its chair from 2019 to 2022.  

A resident of Burlington, Ontario, Brett is also a director of the Hamilton Lawyers’ Club and serves on the board of Halton Food for Thought, a charity that provides nutritious meals and snacks to students. 

Tammy Sault, Hagersville Secondary School

Tammy Sault is an educator from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Turtle Clan. After graduating from Hagersville Secondary School in 1992, she obtained her diploma for Early Childhood Education at Sheridan College, attended Brock University for Child Studies, and received her teaching degree at York University.            

For most of her teaching career, Tammy has taught on the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, working with children from the beginning of their learning journey in child care, until Grade 8 graduation.

Tammy strives to build on the gifts that children possess, helping them overcome adversity and trauma, and having a sense of belonging in their learning environment.

Currently, Tammy is a Special Education Resource Teacher in her community school, Lloyd S. King Elementary. For the past three years she has served as a Trustee for Grand Erie District School Board, representing the students and families from Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. 

Morgan Smyth, Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School

Morgan Smyth is a leader in the field of digital technology, a 20th century pioneer whose influence in the technological revolution began when computers and the internet were in their formative years. A graduate of Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School, Morgan spent several decades teaching APL coding language at the university level and publishing books on computer programming language. 

In 1974, he and five colleagues formed Micro Computer Machines, and developed the world’s first personal computer, the MCM/70, of which a version currently resides in the Smithsonian Museum and the York University Museum.

Morgan’s accomplishments didn’t stop there. He went on to collaborate at the executive level in corporations that produced the precursor to the world wide web, and also headed his own highly successful computer services company. His contributions serve as an inspiration to future generations in Grand Erie.

Claudine VanEvery-Albert, Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School

For more than three decades, Claudine Vanevery Albert has been a pillar within Six Nations, contributing her time and skills to support the community’s growth.

Her credentials in the education field are impressive. She spent 17 years at Six Nations teaching and supporting students as a program consultant and second language consultant. She also served as a Trustee on the Grand Erie District School Board and worked as the Director of Education at Oneida First Nation.

Claudine was a Member of the Senate for Wilfred Laurier University, worked as a program co-ordinator in the Native Teacher Education Program at Brock University and served in leadership roles at Trent University, Chippewa of the Thames, and Lifelong Learning. 

For eight combined summers, Claudine worked as an instructor and Principal of the Native Classroom Assistant Program and an Instructor in the Native Teacher Education Program at Nipissing University.

Her commitment to leadership, community building and entrepreneurship within Six Nations includes serving on the Inaugural Boards of the Day Care Centre, Community Living, and Economic Development Business. She was the Inaugural Board Lead of Kawenniyo Immersion School and Chair of the Iroquois Lodge Family Council.

In addition to her professional work, Claudine volunteered her time for countless organizations such as Six Nations Recreation Commission, Mohawks of the Grand River and the Ontario Ministry of Education.

In recognition of her tireless contributions to education and community support, Claudine was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Medal.

Claudine received her B.A from Trent University, her B.Ed. from Queens University and her M. Ed. from the University of Toronto.

Tom Waldschmidt, Paris District High School

Tom Waldschmidt is a lifelong resident of Paris, Ontario, a dedicated community volunteer, educator advocate. Tom graduated with honours from Paris District High School in 1986.

Shortly after marrying his wife Nancy in 1988, Tom became a volunteer with the Paris Fire Department. In 2008, Tom earned his certification as a Fire Prevention Officer, and after studying at the Ontario Fire College, Mohawk College and Georgian College, now serves as a Fire Investigator with the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal.

Tom served as Chair of School Council at Paris Central School, and became one of the first parent members of the newly established Grand Erie Parent Engagement Committee in 2007–2008 where he later served as Chair.

In 2014, Tom was appointed as a Trustee of the Grand Erie District School Board after the former Trustee’s retirement, and was re-elected in 2014 and 2022. Tom lives in Paris with his family.