Kati grew up in Kensington where she participated in both sport and community activities. After high school, she attended UPEI to obtain a business degree. While she was at UPEI, she was a Canadian Interuniversity Sport Academic All Canadian, Atlantic University Sport All Star, and captain of the varsity rugby team. After graduating, she went to work for Grant Thornton, in pursuit of a chartered accountant designation, and then made a big change, transferring to the company’s head office in Toronto. She served as VP, Finance for AudienceView Ticketing Corporation. Before joining AudienceView, she was National Manager, Corporate Finance and Taxation for Mazda Canada.
Kati is appreciative of her experience in Toronto, but she always felt the tug of her east coast ties. When the pandemic hit in 2020, she travelled home with a single suitcase, not realizing at the time that she was back in PEI to stay. After 10 years away, Kati realized that there really is, as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz said, “no place like home.”
Kati started donating to the Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵFoundation when discussions about the student wellness centre began. She was inspired by the tremendous impact that the centre would have, not only on our students at a critical time in their lives, but also on the broader community. She felt motivated to be a part of the vision, and says it is gratifying to drive by and see the building taking shape, knowing that she is playing a part in the project.
“When I was away, I was always impressed when I returned home for a visit, seeing the growth of Holland College. When I thought about the scope and breadth of the college’s reach across the Island, I was compelled to join the growing community of staff and faculty who give to the Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵFoundation,” Kati said. “Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵtouches just about every aspect of Island living and I am proud to be part of such a great team.”
“Alison Ann and I are really pleased to be able to make this gift to the Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵFoundation and establish this award,” said Ken, who noted that he had a first-hand appreciation for the impact that gifts like this made to post-secondary students. “When I was in university, scholarships, bursaries, and awards helped me significantly, and I know that there are many promising students out there who may simply need a financial boost as well.”
The Heckberts have been long-time annual donors to the Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵFoundation, and their endowment gift marked Ken Heckbert’s retirement from Holland College, following 22 years as the CFO and more than a decade serving as treasurer of the Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵFoundation Board. Alison Ann has recently retired from a career with the P.E.I. public school system and is now a member of the Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵteam, teaching in the Early Childhood program.
Applicants for the Heckbert Family Entrance Award must be full-time students entering first year in any Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵpost-secondary programs, demonstrate financial need, and have a minimum 70% academic average. Consistent with the Heckbert family’s interest in sport, recipients must also be incoming players on either the men’s or women’s basketball, soccer, or volleyball teams.
“Ken and I have always been strong advocates for education, sport, and community involvement,” said Alison Ann. “We believe that this award touches on all of those values.”
The Heckberts see Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵas an institution that is making a positive impact on the lives and journeys of our students while also supporting the needs of industry.
“Alison Ann and I hope that our gift will inspire others,” said Ken. “Collectively, we can make an incredible impact, not just on our current and future students, but on our community as a whole.”
“My classmates called me ‘the old man with the briefcase’ – I was 23 years old and in grade eight”, recalled Lou.
With some extra help from his teachers, Lou graduated high school, went on to attend post-secondary training at Prince of Wales College, and then to Dalhousie University where he studied commerce. He moved to Calgary, Alberta in 1964 and with his combination of determination, ambition, a keen business sense, and an education, Lou worked hard to establish himself as a leader in the business community.
His first business venture was launching a cleaning company – Servpro. Today, Lou is president and owner of Fortune Industries Ltd. At 88 years young, Lou certainly hasn’t slowed down; he still arrives at his office at about 6 a.m. each day.
Throughout his life Lou has never forgotten the important role that his education played in creating a fulfilling and successful career, and that, along with his strong sense of community, led Lou to become involved with many charitable organizations and educational institutions across the country. The Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵFoundation and Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵare grateful for his long-time support.
In 2015 Lou created a unique opportunity for hard-working Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵstudents called 'Earn a Car'. Each year, Lou donates a brand-new car and four cash awards of $1,000 each to the Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵFoundation, to be awarded to five deserving students who are nominated by faculty and staff based on merit, character, and academic achievement.
“Ultimately, I hope to motivate students to keep striving to reach their goals, to roll up their sleeves and put the work in, and to give back to their communities,” explained Lou.
Lou takes the time to meet with the finalists each year and continues to be a mentor to many, as they move forward in their chosen educational paths and careers. In addition to this, Lou supports Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵstudents, through the Louis W. MacEachern Bursaries for Aspiring Business Leaders, for which he has donated $70,000 in student bursaries over the last seven years.
“Our gratitude to Lou is immense,” said Jo-Ann Campbell-Boutilier, Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵFoundation Executive Director. “His generosity to our students, our college, and our community as a whole, is nothing short of inspiring.”
Jamie also has a first-hand appreciation for Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵas a proud alumnus, having graduated from the Programmer/Analyst program in 1984 before going on to establish and lead a number of successful technology companies.
“I got my start at Holland College,” he said. “It’s where I launched my career, and I see daily the positive impact it had on my life and work. I’m glad to give back.”
Ultimately, the Hill’s hope is to ease the financial burden for single parents.
“The financial pressures students face during their college or university years, coupled with the added responsibility to provide for children, must simply be overwhelming,” said Tracy. “We really applaud those who take that step.”
In 2015, the Duffys made a leadership contribution toward the construction of a performance hall in the former Prince of Wales »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵauditorium, now named the Florence Simmons Performance Hall.
Additionally, the Duffy’s have chosen to support the revitalization of The Culinary Institute of Canada through the Nourish campaign, and they have generously given to student financial aid over many years.
It would be fair to say that Regis and Joan’s inspiring leadership has been transformational, both in the lives of our students and across our campuses.
