Alumni

Developing Canada's top young leaders since 2014



Alumni Success Stories

Best-selling authors, non-profit founders, scholarship recipients, and more

Stephanie Li

Stephanie hails from Oakville having attended King's Christian Collegiate. Through her time at GLA, Stephanie launched Canada's first and only non-profit wheelchair tennis program, called Aces on Wheels, which brings the sport to hundreds of people across Ontario. She also became a finalist in the renowned TD Community Leadership scholarship and was a winner of a RBC Scholarship valued at $2,500. Scholarship for Stephanie currently attends the Queen's Commerce program and obtained an internship after first year with Cisco Systems. "Joel has shown me the results of passion combined with work. I now do what I love while striving the make a difference in the world."

Justin Kuppers

Justin attended the GLA program in 2017/18. During that time, he launched a social media consulting organization called Byte Social Media, began building a consumer fintech application, obtained the highest mark in his Graphics Design and Technological Design courses at school, and captained three sports teams. Justin won Queen's University's prestigious Chancellor's Award, valued at $36,000 over four years. "The GLA program is a very intensive process, but what you get out of it is truly invaluable, and will last a lifetime."

Harsh Chahal

Harsh completed the GLA program from 2017/18. During this time, he became an expert in personal finance. He wrote and self-published a book on Amazon titled "Moolah: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Finance for Teenagers". The book quickly became a best-seller across three categories. Harsh also obtained a role as the Partnerships Lead at a fast-growing Canadian fintech startup called MoneySmarts. Harsh was admitted to Queen's Commerce. "As a student I would limit myself to doing just what was asked of me, but as my mentor, Joel pushed me to think outside the box and gave me a platform to accomplish great things."

Noa Marley

Noa studied at Havergal College and took the GLA program in 2017/18. Noa discovered her passion for talent development, and as a budding HR professional, decided to launch her first e-course on renowned education marketplace Udemy. The course, "Success Strategies for the Modern Student", has over 1,500 total students enrolled and a 4.4 (out of five) star rating. Noa was successfully admitted to the Queen's Commerce program. "Joel’s consulting work with Noa was truly a game changer... I would recommend Joel’s services highly to anyone looking to give their son or daughter an edge above the competition." — John (Noa's Dad)

Melody Zheng

Melody graduated from the GLA program in 2016/17. During that time, she learned how to code, competed in a Rubik's Cube competition, climbed the CN Tower, and launched a small business: MXZ Hair & Makeup, where her work has been published several time in FEMME and Rebelle Magazines. Melody is currently studying Computer Science at Queen's University. "GLA has helped me establish goals that have meaning beyond a dollar value."

Robin Ketcheson

Robin is an elite hockey athlete, most recently has been playing in the Provincial Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) for the Burlington Barracuda’s while attending the GLA program. Robin was admitted into the Queen's Commerce program in 2016, where she currently plays for the Gaels Women's Hockey Team. In her spare time, she volunteers with Hockey HEROS and manages her own stock portfolio. "Working with Joel set me on the path to becoming the best leader I can be, he helped me recognize and appreciate the current and future value of my accomplishments as a student, athlete and a community member."

James Quinn

James is a second-year Smith School of Business student at Queen's University. James was a Varsity Rugby Captain, founder of a Stock Market Club, and Liaison to First Nations Metis and Inuit peoples for the York Catholic District School Board. He is an aspiring professional in the finance industry having completed a summer internship at CIBC Wood Gundy in Private Wealth Management. "While working with Joel, he helped me to realize the value of my accomplishments, enhancing my own self-awareness and helping me work towards becoming a better leader"

Vanini Lal

Vanini went through the GLA program in 2016/17 and now attends Queen's Commerce. During the program, she was Co- president of her school’s chapters of both jack.Org and Stand Up to Cancer, a team leader for DECA Executive, and founded a mental health initiative at her school called The Talk. She received the School Life Award at her school and several other distinctions.

“I learned a significant amount about myself and was able to achieve more in a year than in my whole life before GLA.”

Prannoy Lal

Over the year with GLA, Prannoy worked vigorously towards building his very own smart-home product. Prannoy used the GLA program as a stepping stone in his development and became addicted to the idea of being able to make a difference. His product is now selling on Amazon. Prannoy has also involved himself in a non-profit organization called the Brampton Multicultural Youth Council, which strives to create a world free of racism, cultural discrimination, and prejudice. "GLA has allowed me to expand my horizons and achieve what I could've only imagined, all in a really quick time-frame!"

Lexi Zhang

Lexi is originally from China and attended the 2016/17 GLA program as part of her gap year. During her time at GLA, she founded a popular food blog, obtained an internship in South Africa, and successfully summited Mt. Kilimanjaro. Lexi was accepted into the Queen's Commerce program, where she currently attends. “GLA helped me so much on discovering my career interests and redefining my career direction. With his unique experience, Joel became someone I can always look up to when facing critical decisions. “