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.

Grand Erie Alumni Hall of Distinction

Grand Erie District School Board alumni are innovators, leaders, artists, educators, entrepreneurs and community builders and changemakers. Across the diverse regions of Grand Erie, alumni make a difference in Brantford, Brant County, Haldimand County, Norfolk County and far beyond its boundaries.

The Grand Erie Hall of Distinction celebrates alumni who use their education as a foundation for positive change. Chosen by a nomination process, recipients are a living example of learning, leading and inspiring.

“The Hall of Distinction invites us to celebrate individuals whose journeys and contributions embody our shared values of excellence, leadership, and innovation, inspiring others to learn and lead"
-Dr. JoAnna Roberto

Great stories start with you, so nominate someone today.

Eligible nominees must:

Have graduated* from a school within the Grand Erie District School Board

* Eligible nominees may have graduated from the Norfolk Board of Education, Brant County Board of Education or Haldimand Board of Education. Amalgamation of these boards took place in 1998, forming the Grand Erie District School Board.
* Students who pursued an alternative education path or did not graduate from a Grand Erie secondary school may be considered as an honourary alum.

Have completed school a minimum of 10 years prior to nomination
Clearly demonstrate Grand Erie’s collective priorities, mission and vision
Positively impact or influence communities (examples: outstanding contributions in serving students, staff or Grand Erie as a whole; demonstrates examples of learning, leading and inspiring in their work; exemplifies qualities such as leadership, community building, entrepreneurship, integrity and commitment)
Be living at the time of nomination – no posthumous appointments

Timeline

Nominations are currently closed.

2026 Inductees

Susanna Kearsley

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.

Kevin Magee

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.

Morgan Smyth

A photo of Morgan Smyth

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.