The Alumni Association Board of Directors (AALU) is a board of alumni volunteers who work to support the mission and vision of the Alumni Association.
The 2025/2026 Board Members are:
Paul Popo-Ola
President
Honours Bachelor of Commerce, 2010
Paul Popo-Ola is originally from London ON, and a proud Alumnus of Lakehead University, who chose Lakehead University to pursue both his academic and athletic career. Paul graduated from the H.B. Commerce Program in 2010, and while attending Lakehead University he played for the Thunderwolves. More information about Paul Popo-Ola
Mike Walton
Vice-President
Honours Bachelor Outdoor Recreation, 1983
Landing in Thunder Bay from Toronto to start at LU in 1979, Mike fell in love with the idea of wilderness and Lake Superior. He has spent his life hiking, paddling and camping in some of the most beautiful places in Canada, including the north shore of Lake Superior... More information about Mike Walton
Jamie Dennison
Vice-President
Civil Engineering Technology, 1995
Honours
Bachelor of Commerce, 1999
Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario and now residing in Oakville, Ontario, James joined Great West Life in 2016 and is the Vice President & Global Head of Operational Risk. James has worked in the financial services industry since graduating from the Bachelor of Commerce program at Lakehead University in 1999, and has since held various roles in risk management and regulatory organizations including the Bank of Montreal and the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI)... More information about Jamie Dennison
Debbie Balika
Treasurer
HASEd.'11
MSc'14
I moved to Conservation Ontario in July 2020, to the role of Drinking Water Source Protection Manager. Previously, I worked at Kawartha Conservation, in Lindsay, Ontario, in the role of the Water Quality Specialist, for 5 years, but have been working in the field of water quality since 2008. Other experience includes teaching at Lakehead University in Orillia as a Laboratory Instructor and Contract Lecturer... More information about Debbie Balika
Maureen Cava
Director
Director Emerita
Bachelor of Science (Nursing) 1977
Maureen Cava’s nursing career has developed over 40 plus years, 30 of which was in public health practice in Ontario. She retired in 2018 from Toronto Public Health as the Manager of Professional Development and Education. She holds an undergraduate in Nursing from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and a graduate... More information about Maureen Cava
Nancy Luckai
Board of Governors Representative
Director Emerita
Bachelor of Science in Forestry, 1981
Dr. Luckai began her career at Lakehead just over 40 years ago when she enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Forestry degree.As a member of the Faculty of Natural Resources Management, she developed the Forest Resources and Soil Testing laboratory and served as Chair of the Honours Bachelor of... More information about Nancy Luckai
Carmen Pekkarinen
Director
Carmen was born and raised in northern Ontario and has lived and worked in Finland since 1998. She currently works as a Documentation Specialist at Trimble Solution in Espoo, Finland. She also holds an Honours Bachelor of Physical and Health Education (Laurentian, 1997) and an MA in Integrated Studies (Athabasca, 2013)... More information about Carmen Pekkarinen
Mark Tilbury
Executive Director, Alumni Association
Honours Bachelor of
Commerce, 1994
Mark Tilbury believes that you get out of something what you put into it. Following this philosophy has made him an exceptional Lakehead supporter for 27 years.From the moment he set foot on the Thunder Bay campus, Mark has epitomized the spirit of volunteerism.“Lakehead was my first choice,” he... More information about Mark Tilbury
Cameron Holmstrom
Director
BA/BEd.'02
Cameron was born and raised in Kenora, Ontario, he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in French with a minor in History, and a Bachelor of Education through the Concurrent Education program at Lakehead University. He is a... More information about Cameron Holmstrom
Chris Blueman
Director
BA'99
Graduating from Lakehead University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and born in Toronto, Christopher Blueman is an entrepreneur at heart with experience in finance, adult education and local politics. Currently advancing an independent & diverse team of highly skilled Financial Assurance Professionals, Christopher has... More information about Chris Blueman
Masoud Manzouri
Director
MSc '19
Masoud, an international student from Shiraz, Iran, earned his Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Lakehead University in 2019. During his time at Lakehead, he actively served the student body, including a term as the Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU) president. He also sat on the Alumni Association Board as a Director from 2019 to 2020... More information about Masoud Manzouri
Liz Murray
Director
HBSc.'88
Liz is an accomplished life sciences researcher and safety co-ordinator at Earthmaster Environmental Strategies Inc., a consulting firm in Calgary, Alberta that offers multi-disciplinary environmental services and is a world leader in plant-based soil remediation solutions. Liz was always interested in medical science and obtained a Bachelor of Science and an Honours Bachelor of Science in biology from Lakehead. She continued her studies... More information about Liz Murray
Therese Lim
Director
HBScN'91 / BA'93
Therese is currently the Clinical Information Analyst for St Joseph’s Care Group in Thunder Bay. As a Registered Nurse, she is a proud alumna of Lakehead University, holding both an Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Professional interests centre on care of the older adult, use of data to support best practice, quality improvement and electronic documentation systems in healthcare. She has been active in the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, serving as chapter president in 2006...More information about Thesrese Lim
There are more than 70,000 alumni around the world. Working in partnership with the Alumni Association, we create and deliver programs, services and communications to engage alumni, encouraging life long relationships between them and Lakehead University.
Lakehead University’s Alumni and Annual Giving Office is responsible for establishing and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with our Alumni, friends, and community partners. We act as an engagement and outreach resource for students, staff and faculty, and welcome the opportunity to engage with our alumni & friends via publications, reunions, gatherings, fundraising projects and the like.
Mark
Tilbury
Alumni and Annual Giving Director
Campus: Thunder Bay
Office Location: NO 1012
Phone Number: 807-343-8010 ext. 8916
Email: mark.tilbury@lakeheadu.ca
Meghan
Hanbury
Associate Director, Annual Giving and Student Aid
Campus: Thunder Bay
Office Location: NO 1011
Phone Number: 807-343-8010 ext. 8910
Email: meghan.hanbury@lakeheadu.ca
Jacquie
Kent
University Advancement Associate
Campus: Orillia
Office Location: OA 3006
Phone Number: 705-330-4010 ext. 2080
Email: jkent@lakeheadu.ca
Samantha
Lennon
Alumni and Annual Giving Associate, GTA
Campus: Toronto Office
Phone Number: 705-330-4010 ext. 2083
Email: associategta.er@lakeheadu.ca
Diane
Robnik
Alumni Engagement Specialist
Campus: Thunder Bay
Office Location: Alumni House
Email: drobnik@lakeheadu.ca
Anna
Sampson
Alumni Engagement Associate
Campus: Thunder Bay
Office Location: NO 1010A
Phone Number: 807-343-8010 ext. 8972
Email: anna.sampson@lakeheadu.ca
Amy
Silvaggio
Research Analyst
Campus: Thunder Bay
Office Location: Remote
Phone Number: 807-343-8010 ext. 8899
Email: research.er@lakeheadu.ca