Several Conestoga alumni were honoured at the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce 2025 Business Excellence Awards gala held at Bingemans on Thursday, March 20.
Recipients of the 2025 Business Excellence Awards include two Conestoga alumni-owned and led companies.
This year, fourteen awards were presented to chamber members who have made exceptional contributions through their involvement and leadership in the community.
Two Conestoga alumni-owned and led companies received awards.
AET Group Inc., founded by managing director and CEO Scott Freiburger, a graduate of the Environmental Engineering Applications program, won in the Health and Wellness in the Workplace category. Working alongside founder Freiburger is his father Larry Freiburger, also a Conestoga alumnus.
Cass Construction & Renovation Inc., founded by Renovation Technician graduate Jon Cassaubon, won in the Business of the Year (11-50 employees) category.
“Conestoga is immensely proud of the college alumni who were recognized with both nominations and awards for their outstanding contributions to the local community. Conestoga graduates have a long history of giving back to the community where they studied, many starting successful businesses,” said Alumni Experience associated director Melissa Kelly.
More than 5,200 Conestoga graduates are local entrepreneurs.
Alumni nominations for the Young Professional of the Year award included Luke Schulz, graduate of the Broadcast -- Radio program and reporter and anchor at CityNews 570; Conestoga employee Kathy Dapal, graduate of both the Public Relations -- Integrated Communications program and Event Management program; and Business Administration -- Management graduate Monica Caudle, a human resources and marketing manager at Caudle’s Catch Seafood.
Nominated in the New Business of the Year category was Bookmytherapy.ca, created by Neha Juwale, a Sustainable Business Management graduate and Conestoga Entrepreneurship Collective alumna.
The Conestoga Talent Hub was honoured with a nomination in the Community Builder of the Year category, recognizing an outstanding business or organization that supports charitable or not-for-profit organizations, demonstrates a vision of a better community and takes steps to make it happen, practises good corporate citizenship, and makes exceptional contributions by promoting community betterment.
The Business Excellence Awards Gala is attended by more than 900 members every year.