Georgian College (logo) Flourish uniting for student success wordmark on blue background surrounded by gold swirling waves

Georgian Gala

Georgian’s biennial signature gala event is Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.

About the Georgian gala

Georgian’s Gala, a signature biennial event, has raised more than $1.4 million since 2006. These critical proceeds provide vital support and have impacted thousands of students in financial need by providing bursaries, scholarships, awards, and boosting the support available through essential services like the Georgian FoodLocker.

Georgian College’s 2025 Gala, Flourish: uniting for student success, will carry this proud tradition forward. Standing as a cornerstone in our upcoming philanthropic endeavours, the 2025Gala, Flourish: uniting for student success, will serve as a pivotal fundraising initiative with a far-reaching impact and directly fuel the academic aspirations of our most promising students who may struggle with financial insecurity.

The carefully chosen 2025 theme, “Flourish,” underscores Georgian’s unwavering commitment to cultivating a nurturing ecosystem where every student’s unique potential can fully blossom. Georgian’s 2025 event will showcase Georgian’s holistic approach to education, emphasizing academic excellence, personal growth, and professional development. By attending the 2025 Flourish Gala, guests will directly invest in the college’s mission to create an environment where students don’t merely succeed, but truly flourish and thrive.

Contact us

Sponsorship opportunities

Exclusive sponsorship opportunities are available.

Email Miranda McSorley or call 249.388.0781

General event inquiries

Email Jessica Finos or call 249.388.1248

2025 Gala Committee

Ali Khonsari (class of 1997 and hon. degree 2024), Co-chair

Owner and Vice President, Image Dental Laboratory
Past Chair, Georgian College Board of Governors 2022-23

Addison Wallwin (class of 2015 and 2019), Co-chair

Controller, Wallwin Electric Services Ltd.


Chris Adams

Founder and Managing Director, Adams Hamilton

David Bell

Associate Vice President, Advancement and Alumni Relations, Georgian College

Patty Bradley (class of 1995)

Senior Presidential Advisor and Government Relations, Georgian College

Alex Cardno

Wealth Advisor, Scotia Wealth Management

Parker Coulter

Broker of Record, Parker Coulter Realty

Courtney Duthie (class of 2014 and 2017)

Research Analyst, Institutional Research and Strategic Insights, Support Staff Representative, Georgian College

Jessica Finos

Annual and Legacy Giving Officer, Georgian College

Ali Houston (class of 2007)

M GROUP

Brianna McKenna

Manager, Conference and Event Services, Georgian College

Miranda McSorley (class of 2012)

Senior Development Officer, Georgian College

June Martin

Georgian retiree

Rob Mauro

President, Flags Unlimited and Georgian College Board of Governors

Marilyn Nigro

Faculty, School of Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation, Georgian College

Kelly Pottage

Associate Director, Engagement, Georgian College

Mira Ray

Executive Director, Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Georgian College

Astrid Vig-Bergsma

Executive Assistant to the Vice President, Student Success, Georgian College

Mary-Anne Willsey

Past Chair of Georgian College Board of Governors, General Manager of Business Operations, Economic Development, Chippewas of Rama First Nation

Lynne Wood

Executive Director, Information Technology, Georgian College

Looking back at 2023

Georgian’s most recent gala, Ignite the Night: An Unrivaled Gala Experience, presented by BMO was a record-breaking success, raising more than $410,000 (net proceeds) for student success initiatives. The event, sold-out and hosted at Casino Rama Resort, welcomed 300 friends of Georgian, community leaders and industry partners for an unforgettable evening of fun and fundraising.

Enjoy this look back at Ignite the Night.

Thank you

Several students expressed their gratitude for the support they received and described how Georgian’s awards, scholarships and bursaries program helped them in these short videos presented by Deloitte. Gala guests also heard a special video message from Georgian alumnus Jon Montgomery, Canadian Olympian, Georgian alumnus (Canadian Automotive Institute class of 2000) and The Amazing Race Canada host along with a video appeal for contributions to the Georgian Food Locker from student life coordinator, Chris White.

Wendie McBurnie
Inna Kyrylenko
Paul Dyck
Jon Montgomery
Chris White

Unrivaled student experience 

Thank you for helping students overcome financial barriers to access Georgian’s unrivaled learning experience. Read more about these stories in the latest edition of GeorgianView magazine.

Kevin Weaver collaborating with students. Delivering an unrivaled experience
Yael Katz. Unrivaled innovation. Setting Georgian students apart by setting a new standard for higher education.

Thank you to our generous 2023 sponsors

Presenting sponsor


BMO Bank of Montreal

Venue sponsor


Casino Rama Resort (logo)

Radio and media sponsor


107.5 Kool FM Barrie's Best Mix
Rock 95
Barrie 360 What Barrie's talking about

Impact-level sponsors


AutoIQ.com visit us locally logos
Deloitte logo

Combustion-level sponsors


Orsi Group
guard.me logo
ILAC Education Group logo

Blaze-level sponsors


Georgian College Alumni Association logo
Georgian International logo
belairdirect logo
Rogers Business logo

Ignite-level sponsors


Gallivan student health and wellness logo
Panasonic logo

Spark-level sponsors


Magna logo
Miller Waste logo
Powell Jones LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants
Business Advisors
The Wallwin Family