Winners of UPEI’s 2025 Distinguished and Inspiring Young Alumni Awards recognized for outstanding contributions and successes
A celebration on September 24, 2025, at UPEI’s Alumni Hall recognized the recipients of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards and the 2025 Inspiring Young Alumni Awards.
“We are proud to celebrate this year’s outstanding alumni whose achievements bring great honour to the University,” said Dr. Wendy Rodgers, president and vice-chancellor of UPEI. “They truly embody the spirit and values of UPEI, and their success stands as powerful inspiration for our students to pursue their own dreams and realize their potential.”
The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to one or more UPEI alumni for their outstanding contributions to knowledge, the arts, the community, the University, or humanity. The criteria for these awards are based on UPEI’s motto: faith, knowledge, service. The two recipients for 2025 are Dr. Janice Keefe, BA 1984, and Dr. Lesley Steele, DVM 1997.
The Inspiring Young Alumni Award was established in 2011 to honour alumni under the age of 40 who have shown outstanding determination in achieving success at a young age. The three recipients for 2025 are Alexia Riche, BA 2020; Dr. Derek Schipper, BSc 2006; and Katie Arsenault, BBA 2007.
Dr. Janice Keefe, BA 1984:
Dr. Keefe is a nationally recognized expert on aging, long-term care, and caregiving. Her research spans continuing care policy, dementia, and rural aging, and she has led numerous Tri-Council–funded projects on home and community care. She currently leads a $2.1 million Canadian Institutes of Health Research study examining how workplace conditions in long-term care affect the quality of care across Atlantic Canada.
A Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and the Gerontological Society of America, Dr. Keefe also serves as vice-president of the Canadian Association of Gerontology. Her many honours from national and global organizations reflect her exceptional contributions to healthy aging research and public policy.
Dr. Lesley Steele, DVM 1997:
Dr. Steele is celebrated for her visionary leadership and lasting impact on veterinary medicine across North America. She is a distinguished veterinarian, entrepreneur, and leader of Steele Veterinary Group, Atlantic Canada’s largest independently owned network of veterinary hospitals. As CEO, she oversees multiple clinics and businesses employing more than 150 people, fostering a workplace known for exceptional care and strong support for women in veterinary leadership.
Passionate about mental health and community service, Dr. Steele founded the “Not One More Vet” ambassador program to raise awareness and promote wellness in the profession. She has also expanded access to veterinary care through outreach on Fogo Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and international volunteer work with PAWS International and the Animal Welfare Alliance Aruba.
Alexia Riche, BA 2020:
Alexia is admired for her compassion, resilience, and dedication to strengthening PEI’s non-profit sector. Originally from Mauritius, she came to UPEI in 2016 to study Diversity and Social Justice Studies, later adding a second major in Applied Communication, Leadership, and Culture. The tragic loss of her brother in 2017 became a turning point, inspiring her to excel academically and give back to others.
As a student, Alexia supported international and first-year students through mentoring and tutoring, helping them adjust to life in Canada and their university studies. After graduating in 2020, she began her career as a marketing specialist with the Canadian Police Knowledge Network. Following the sudden passing of her father in 2022, she channelled her grief into leadership as the first executive director of the Community Sector Network of PEI.
Now pursuing a master’s degree in organizational leadership, Alexia continues to volunteer with organizations such as the Women’s Network of PEI, the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women, and the provincial Francophone Advisory Council, furthering her commitment to advocacy and community empowerment.
Dr. Derek Schipper, BSc 2006:
Dr. Schipper is known for his remarkable achievements as both a researcher and educator. A proud UPEI chemistry graduate, he excelled as a student, earning multiple Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) awards and the Honourable Gordon L. Bennett Award.
Today, he is an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Waterloo and formerly held a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Organic Material Synthesis. His innovative research, supported by more than $2.7 million in funding, focuses on creating sustainable materials for lighter, more affordable electronic devices. Beyond his research, Dr. Schipper is passionate about mentoring students, collaborating with scientists around the world, and turning his discoveries into real-world applications.
Katie Arsenault, BBA 2007:
Katie has made an outstanding impact on PEI’s business and entrepreneurial community as an investor, leader, and mentor. A prominent figure in the province’s venture capital sector, she actively shares her expertise through conferences and professional networks. Beyond her corporate leadership, Katie gives back through extensive community service. She is vice-chair of the Confederation Centre of the Arts Board and chairs its finance committee. She also serves on the boards of the PEI BioAlliance, Maritime Electric, and UPEI’s Student Entrepreneurship Hub. Dedicated to nurturing future leaders, she regularly lectures at UPEI and spent over a decade teaching in the national CPA program.
“It was a great honour to help recognize deserving alumni with these awards in front of their families, friends, colleagues, and distinguished guests,” said Ronnie McPhee, president of the UPEI Alumni Association. “From groundbreaking research, mentorship of young entrepreneurs, leadership in the community sector, advances in animal health, and shaping public policy on aging, they all had different paths, but they all share a commitment to making a lasting impact in their fields and beyond. And they are doing it all with Panther Pride!”
