Katherine Westwood first joined Relish Ideas as an intern.

Little more than a decade later, they’re stepping up to big responsibilities as a principal and Director of Product Development with the Winnipeg design and digital-strategy firm.

“It happened gradually, then all at once,” quipped Westwood, a 2013 Digital Media Design honours graduate, reflecting on the still-fresh promotion. “It’s a little surreal.”

“I advanced in fits and starts. I took on tutorials and then more duties as a junior and then senior web-developer.”

Hired off their internship, Westwood knew right away Relish was the place for them.

“When I filled out my work-placement form at Red River, I said I wanted to go someplace quiet. That’s Relish; everyone is focused, using headphones. It was my dream workplace. It was where I belonged.”

“From the start, I was given my own project as an intern. I was fortunate to get coaching from (Relish principal) James Black.”

It was during their annual review two years ago that Westwood was asked what they wanted to accomplish at Relish.

“I turned it around and asked ‘What do YOU want to see from me. What is YOUR long-term goal for me?’”

So began the career-development conversation that led to Westwood assuming new roles this past August.

Westwood has worked more closely with Black during their time with the firm. Now, as a principal, Westwood is also collaborating with Suzanne Braun, who founded Relish as a one-person studio in 1998.

The firm has grown since then, expanding its business from graphic design to a broader set of digital capabilities. Relish now employs 29 people.

Westwood will aim to keep that momentum going. As Director of Product Development, they are working to commercialize technology, lead special projects, and develop unique applications for Relish clients.

Kevin Wasylenko has the ability to reach into the future through his life’s work.

The Winnipeg-based landscape horticulturalist has turned his lifelong passion for plants and trees into a rewarding – one might even say blossoming – career with the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), the National Government of the Red River Métis.

“In the realm of horticulture, and with positions in the green industry, you get this really profound chance to leave a legacy,” Wasylenko explained, seated in a trendy coffee shop.

“As long as you’re planting things and following the right systems or protocol to make sure those plants are able to succeed, you can leave a mark that may last hundreds of years. I think that’s powerful for the entire green industry, and anyone who works with plants,” he said.

“Trees aren’t going out of style anytime soon,” he said with a smile.

Wasylenko is a 2019 graduate of RRC Polytech’s Landscape Horticulturalist apprenticeship program. He earned his Red Seal designation with Apprenticeship Manitoba the following year.

Today, as Green Initiatives Coordinator for the Energy, Infrastructure, and Resource Management Department of MMF, he is leading the Métis government’s ambitious pledge to plant 2 million trees and shrubs across the Red River Métis national homeland. He also sits on the Board of Directors for the Manitoba Nursery Landscape Association, and even teaches horticulture workshops.

In November of 2024, Apprenticeship Manitoba recognized Wasylenko as Rural Journeyperson of the Year at its 18^th annual Awards of Distinction at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg, celebrating the work he has done to educate and develop Manitoba’s skilled trades workforce.

Red Seal apprenticeship appealing

Wasylenko grew up near Richer and Ste-Geneviève, southeast of Winnipeg.

“I’ve always had a close connection to nature,” he said. He remembers many daytrips berry-picking with family and neighbours, many of whom were also Métis.

In his youth, Wasylenko grew up in the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets program and had plans to join the Royal Canadian Navy. “But, at 18, I wanted to take some time to see what was out there,” he remembered.

He picked up a landscaping job and worked it for a year or so. “A family member reached out and told me the landscape work I was doing actually qualified me for the Apprenticeship Manitoba Landscape Horticulturist trade. My hours could be put towards eligibility for technical training,” he said.

RRC Polytech is proud to recognize Ron Drepaul, General Manager of Magellan Aerospace Winnipeg, as the 2024 recipient of the Distinguished Graduate Award, one of the College’s highest honours. The award was presented last week at the Manitoba Aerospace All-Star Awards dinner, where Ron’s career achievements and dedication to mentorship were celebrated by colleagues, friends, and industry leaders.

“Receiving this award from RRC Polytech feels like a full-circle moment,” Drepaul said. “The College gave me my start and instilled values I carry with me to this day—collaboration, hard work, and a willingness to learn. I hope this recognition encourages students to see that they, too, can build careers that go beyond what they might imagine.”

Drepaul graduated from RRC Polytech’s Business Administration program in 1987 and joined Magellan Aerospace Winnipeg the following year. Starting out on the shop floor, he took on roles in production control, material planning, contracts, and procurement, eventually leading him to his current role as General Manager, overseeing 700 employees.

RRC Polytech President and CEO Fred Meier commended Drepaul’s impact on the industry and the College community. “Ron’s journey is a powerful example of what RRC Polytech graduates can achieve,” said Meier. “His dedication to his team, industry, and community speaks volumes, and his support for RRC Polytech’s mission is unwavering. He reminds us of the value of hard work, resilience, and a deep sense of community.”

Raised in Winnipeg after immigrating from Belize, Drepaul credits RRC Polytech with giving him a foundation that’s supported him throughout his career. For him, the Distinguished Graduate Award is not just a personal milestone but a celebration of the mentors, colleagues, and community who have supported him along the way – and a reminder of the importance of paying it forward.

Throughout his career, Drepaul has remained closely connected to RRC Polytech, giving back through partnerships, mentorship, and advocacy for new graduates entering the workforce. Under his leadership, Magellan Aerospace has become a valuable partner to the College, offering co-op placements and career pathways for graduates and collaborating on research initiatives, such as the Advanced Composites Manufacturing Centre.

“I look at RRC Polytech graduates as a pipeline of fresh talent with the skills and dedication we need for the future of aerospace in Manitoba,” said Drepaul.

Drepaul is particularly excited about the opportunities for RRC Polytech graduates in Manitoba’s aerospace sector, especially in space exploration and propulsion. “The sky is the limit for graduates entering this field,” he shared. “With the right skills and a drive to keep learning, today’s students can help shape the future of aerospace—and we’re counting on them to do just that.”

He offered the following advice to graduates entering the workforce: “Your education will get you through the door. Hard work and a good attitude are what set you apart. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Just keep learning, stay curious, and be ready to embrace what comes your way.”

RRC Polytech is proud to recognize aerospace leader Ron Drepaul (Business Administration, 1987) with a Distinguished Graduate Award.

This award recognizes the outstanding personal and professional achievements of RRC Polytech’s most accomplished alumni.

A graduate of RRC Polytech’s Business Administration program, Ron Drepaul joined Magellan Aerospace Winnipeg in 1988, “pretty much right out of Red River,” taking a job on the shop floor. Since then, he’s held roles in production control, material planning, contracts, and procurement – roles that have taken him across the globe. Now, he’s General Manager, leading 700 employees.

Drepaul’s experience at RRC Polytech not only equipped him with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for success, but also instilled in him a strong work ethic and a passion for continuous learning. He loved his time at the College and now he’s looking ahead to the future – to the new graduates that serve as a pipeline of young talent to Magellan.

“We all bring our education. Hard work and a good attitude will help you stand out. Those are the two things I brought with me,” Drepaul said in a recent interview as one of 41 phenomenal graduates featured in the College’s Polytechnic Proud campaign.

Drepaul’s journey from RRC Polytech grad to industry leader showcases the power of education, dedication, and community support, and also demonstrates the endless possibilities that await those with passion and determination.

Current RRC Polytech Dental Assisting instructors. Top row (left to right): Charlene Howe, Michelle Hannesson, Janet Neduzak. Bottom row (left to right): Athena Wilford, Sina Allegro-Sacco, June Kraushar.

In early 1973, an exciting collaborative vision was born when the Department of Education, the Manitoba Dental Association, and RRC Polytech came together to create a dental assisting program at the College.

Today, RRC Polytech is proud to mark an incredible milestone: half a century of elevating the field of dental care and ensuring exceptional training for dental assisting professionals in Manitoba. As we look back on the program’s history and progress, we also look forward to the future, as we continue to deliver dental assisting education that’s in front of what’s ahead.

Building a Foundation

The program, which broke new ground for dental assisting training in Manitoba, would be 10 months long and offer two certificate options: a Chairside Dental Assisting Certificate, which learners could attain after seven months of comprehensive training; or the coveted, 10-month Dental Assisting Expanded Duties Certificate. This marked a new era of choice around how students entered the workforce after their studies and the program remains a cornerstone of dental education in Manitoba to this day. 

The program was slated for kick off in September 1973. Tokeep everything on track and ensure the wheels of progress kept turning, the College hired Iris Gold as program coordinator and Diane Porter as instructor. The pair developed the curriculum from scratch and led the program with passion, determination, and a willingness to throw themselves into any task. They even oversaw the construction of a two-chair dental clinic and a platform where students would take notes. As luck would have it, construction delays gave them an extra month to refine the program curriculum.

Gavin Taylor is not only “Polytechnic Proud” – he’s Portage la Prairie proud as well.

“Portage la Prairie produces lots of bright, young people who can make a positive impact on this community,” said Taylor, 27, of his hometown.

“Some chase their dreams elsewhere but they can always come back and make this community a great place to live. We need them here.”

You can say as much of Taylor, a 2021 graduate of RRC Polytech’s Business/Technology Teacher Education program.

He’s now in his fourth year as an Applied Commerce Teacher at Portage Collegiate Institute (PCI), where he was once a student.

“I always said I’d take the best job available that suited me. I wanted to be a full-time business teacher. I wanted something rural. I thought it would be somewhere else; it turned out to be Portage.

“My second year, I became the lead business teacher. And the room I inherited was the same room where I studied when I was a student. A lot of the staff were also the same – except now I was calling them by their first name.”

More than 1,100 students attend PCI. As Portage la Prairie’s lone public high school, it reflects all the challenges, opportunities and potential of the city itself.

“Our students are from all walks of life. The demographics are similar to those of Winnipeg’s inner-city schools. We have challenges but there are really great things coming out of our classrooms.”

Taylor teaches a range of business courses for grades nine through 12. The school store plays a big role in the learning. Students order products, take inventory, launch promotions and generally learn how a business operates.

Meanwhile, a venture development course has students seeing their own business ideas to fruition. The course builds up to a tradeshow day in May when students show off their work to the public, including local media.

“We make things as real-world as possible. And whether a student goes on to establish their own enterprise or become an employee, they’re gaining skills that really transcend business.”

2024 marks half a century of excellence in Dental Assisting education at RRC Polytech. An incredible milestone and a historic moment for the College, we invite members of the RRC Polytech Dental Assisting community to join us in November to celebrate this milestone. 

Date:         Thursday, November 14, 2024
Time:         7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location:  RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame Campus (2055 Notre Dame Ave.)
Menu:       Refreshments will be served

Please share with any RRC Polytech Dental Assisting grads in your network!

A confirmation email will be sent out with event and parking details a couple of days prior to the event. If you have any questions, please email lifesciences@rrc.ca. 

We look forward to seeing you on November 14!

Family and nature have profoundly influenced RRC Polytech grad Erin Ringland’s artistic journey. Drawing from these inspirations, she partnered with the College to design the 2024 Orange Shirt in support of the Mínwastánikéwin Award and to honour the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, otherwise known as Orange Shirt Day.

Ringland, born and raised in Winnipeg and a member of Kistiganwacheeng (Garden Hill) First Nation, is a Digital Media Design alumna and currently works as a front-end application developer for the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba. Her work in graphic design and layout programming is rooted in her love of art, recreating scenes from nature, and following in the footsteps of many family members.

“I was surrounded by art growing up – whoever’s house I was at, whether it was my parents’, my kookoom’s, my cousins’ – there were always paintings hanging on the walls along with family portraits,” said Ringland.

She credits her auntie Irene Miller for nurturing her passion for drawing at an early age. She spent hours with her auntie, watching her sketch images and providing prompts for what she wanted to see on paper. Miller died in 2003 when Ringland was six years old – the time she spent with her, though, profoundly impacted Ringland, and she continued to draw even after the loss.

“She was the driving force behind my art,” said Ringland. “I always think of her when I draw – in a way, it’s how I keep her with me.”

Jacques Lavergne was on a snowboard in Whistler, BC, when he fell in love with the hospitality and tourism industry.

“It caught me by surprise to be honest,” admitted the 2001 graduate of Red River College Polytechnic’s popular Business Administration program. “Growing up, working in a hotel just wasn’t on my radar.”

Now the General Manager of Delta Hotels by Marriott Winnipeg, Lavergne left his hometown of Winnipeg for the slopes of Whistler after finishing high school at École Précieux-Sang in St. Boniface.

“I decided to head to Whistler for a season of snowboarding, and I stayed for four years,” said Lavergne with a wink, seated in the Blaze Restaurant and Lounge off the Delta Winnipeg’s lobby.

To cover his rent and living expenses, Lavergne found a job bussing tables at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler resort and spa. “It’s a beautiful hotel in a nice setting,” he remembered. “That job was my first taste of hospitality and tourism, and I quickly became completely enamored. I fell in love with the industry.”

His passion still burns brightly after some 30 years in the business. “I love the fact that every day in my job is completely different from the last. You get to meet some phenomenal people,” he said.

The Delta Winnipeg welcomes more than 200,000 guests on an annual basis. “We host sports teams, people from the film industry and big concerts; we host international conferences,” he said.

“I know it’s a cliché expression, but again, every day is different here,” said Lavergne, who started in his current leadership role in 2022.

As head of the hotel’s five-member executive management team, Lavergne oversees approximately 220 staff. Associate engagement is a top priority at all Marriott Hotels, he said.

“Making sure our staff are happy and want to work here is paramount. Everything we do focuses on making them happy first, with the idea that everything else will follow.”

Business Administration program the best fit

Lavergne packed up his snowboard and returned to Winnipeg in 1998, working for a year as a bartender. He came home with his eye on the Business Administration program at RRC Polytech, although he considered the Hospitality and Tourism Management program as well.

“I had some great hospitality experience from my time in Whistler, but I felt like I needed some more education,” he said. “I wanted to get into something more at a hotel management level.”

Golf can be a relaxing pastime for some and a frustrating obsession for others. But for Business Administration grad Guido Cerasani, golf has been the beating heart behind 31 years of community and family at Shooters Family Golf Centre.

Shooters is well-known in Winnipeg as the city’s only privately-owned 18-hole course. Open year-round, it features a par-57 course, a driving range that includes grass tees, a miniature golf course, and a pro shop. The 2731 Main Street location sits at the edge of the city and also boasts a restaurant and outdoor patio.

It’s an impressively diverse business. For Cerasani, though, having family involved at every level is the best part. His son Eason runs the pro shop and daughter Amy leads the restaurant operations and food services. Both are also RRC Polytech graduates.  Cerasani’s wife, Sue, is also a big part of the family aspect behind the ‘Family Golf Centre’.

“We’re fortunate because our kids were born and raised at the golf course, so they spend every day of their lives with us,” said Cerasani. “One of the pre-requisites of them taking over management operations is that they had to graduate from the Business Administration program at RRC Polytech, and they both did. So yeah, it’s a family affair.”

Cerasani graduated from the College’s Business Administration program in 1978. Shortly after, he began a successful 20-year banking career with TD. While he originally thought of himself as handy man in high school and envisioned a future as an electrician, success in early computing — and a bit of luck — changed everything for Cerasani when he decided to divert from a friend group attending university and instead opted to fast-track his financial career with hands-on learning at RRC Polytech.

“Everybody says ‘you know what you’re going to do’, but I really had no idea what I was going to do,” he said. “In high school, I took typing classes and it turns out it was the best class I ever took in my life because I could type 65 words per minute. Then when I got into banking, we had to do a lot of our own typing.”

“That said, I like to fix things and build things, I like to tinker and make electronic devices, and because of that I thought I’d be something of a mechanical guy, doing something with my hands and not working in an office. But you just never know – at least, I didn’t know right away.”

“Going to RRC Polytech was the best decision I ever made, because if I hadn’t gone there, I don’t think I would be the businessman I am today.”

Guido Cerasani, RRC Polytech graduate (Business Administration, 1978)