NAYGN Q2 Excellence Award Winners

Each quarter, NAYGN celebrates members who go above and beyond in demonstrating leadership, innovation, and community impact across the nuclear industry. The Q2 Excellence Award winners embody these values through initiatives that foster collaboration, outreach, and professional growth. We’re proud to highlight their achievements and the meaningful contributions they’ve made this past quarter.

NAYGN X CNS Networking Event Planning Committee -

Luke Dolenc (Kinectrics/Canadian Operating Officer); Keval Dalwadi (Westinghouse Canada); Huzaifah Younus (Candu Energy Inc.); Kellise Williams (Candu Energy Inc.); Rusham Ahmad (Candu Energy Inc.); Shraddha Pandey (Candu Energy Inc.)

The NAYGN X CNS regional networking event was sold out with around 75 attendees from many different nuclear organizations in the greater Toronto area. This was a collaboration with the CNS which permitted knowledge retention/transfer between technical experts and students and early career professionals in the industry. The team took excellent initiative and put in a lot of hard work prior to the event and on the day of the event, which was key to making this a massive success! Feedback from participants was also extremely positive.

Nathen Sebaratnam

Nathen led an excellent initiative to put together a NAYGN Canada team for the Heart & Stroke Foundation Ride for Heart campaign. This was established to encourage fitness and a team spirit among the Canada region while also permitting fundraising for a great cause. Nathen coordinated with the H&S Foundation to create the team and prepare promotional materials, and he is the primary contact for help with registration.

Ontario Power Generation – Durham Chapter - Calista Jonah, Alexandra Hynes, Beth Gill, Lakysha Moonemalle, Garrie Colley and Guvraj Gosal

In June, this group demonstrated outstanding professionalism and leadership during the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) hearings for the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station (DNGS) 30-year Power Reactor Operating License extension by delivering  a unified and impactful oral intervention and comprehensive written submission that reflected the voice of young professionals in the nuclear industry and embodied the values of teamwork, adaptability, and community stewardship. From April to June, the team also set a new record for the NAYGN Durham chapter by conducting three school visits, reaching both elementary and high school students. Through interactive presentations on nuclear science, radiation, and career opportunities, they collectively contributed over 320 metric hours of outreach. This achievement is a testament to their commitment to inspiring the next generation and fostering public understanding of nuclear energy. Their work exemplifies what it means to be a Nuclear Professional, demonstrating excellence, leadership, and a deep commitment to community. Congratulations to the entire team for their remarkable achievements this quarter!

Liam Greer and Blake Hudson

Liam and Blake, as organizers and co-captains of the NAYGN Durham Atomic Power Dragon Boat team, took the initiative to form and train the team, guiding members through rigorous preparation that ultimately led to a first-place victory at the Pickering Dragon Boat Festival. Their dedication not only brought pride to the NAYGN Durham chapter but also fostered a strong sense of teamwork, camaraderie, and inclusivity among participants. In addition to their athletic achievements, Liam and Blake used the Dragon Boat team as a platform for public outreach, engaging in conversations to demystify nuclear energy and radiation myths with both team members and the broader community. Their collective efforts resulted in approximately 350 metric hours devoted to social and networking activities, making a significant impact on both the chapter and the community.