Alumni Director Profiles
Robyn Bews (’97)
Robyn is the Chief Business Development and Marketing Officer at Burnet Duckworth and Palmer (BD&P) Law. A proud Calgarian, she is passionate about supporting the city’s growth and staying closely connected to the people and community she calls home.
Before joining BD&P, Robyn spent time at Calgary Economic Development, where she worked on a range of initiatives focused on bringing investment and opportunity to the city. Her work has centered on building connections, telling Calgary’s story, and supporting the city’s position as a place where businesses and people can grow and thrive. Robyn is also the founder of WORKshift, a national initiative focused on the future of work, and the author of Workshift: Future-Proof Your Organization for the 21st Century.
She is a proud Acadia University alum and values the friendships and connections she built there, many of which continue today. Her family also has strong Acadia ties, with both her mother and brother having attended the university.
Outside of work, Robyn is a mom to two sons and spends as much time as she can skiing in the Rockies with her family or travelling and experiencing new places (to après ski!).
Fiona McGuinty ('17)
Fiona McGuinty (’17) was born and raised in Ottawa, ON. She graduated from Acadia University with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Economics and Political Science. While at Acadia, Fiona was a member and captain of the Acadia women’s volleyball team and an Academic All-Canadian in all four years of study. She was also a volunteer with the Kinderskills and S.M.I.L.E. programs. Her time in Wolfville left a lasting impression, and she is proud to remain connected to the Acadia community as a passionate alumna.
Following her graduation, Fiona pursued a Master’s degree in International Relations at Central European University in Budapest, Hungary, as well as a dual common and civil law degree from McGill University. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 2023 and currently works as a Competition & Foreign Investment Lawyer at Stikeman Elliott LLP in Toronto. Her practice focuses primarily on the review of transactions under the Competition Act and the Investment Canada Act.
Fiona has also worked as a Competition Law Officer at Canada’s Competition Bureau and as an assistant to a panel member for a Canada-United States-Mexico (CUSMA) hearing at the Canadian International Trade Tribunal.
Outside of work, Fiona volunteers as a volleyball coach and enjoys running marathons, discovering new coffee shops and travelling.
Board of Directors
Paul Black (’00) – President Payton Wood (’18) – Vice-President Matthew Saunders (’09) – Treasurer Eric Levy (’05, ’07) – Secretary Christine Luckasavitch (’11) – Past President Barb Anderson (’77) Kelli Armstrong (’12) Robyn Bews (’97) Quincy Cochrane (’23) Allison Dean (’14) Rebecca Earle (’00) Keelan Green (’98) Heather Hemphill (’87) Randall Koops (’93) Moira MacLean (’85) Ron Malcolm (’82, ’83) Fiona McGuinty (’17) Olivia Shive (’21) Kaining Wang (’16) Emily Wooder MacLeod (’17) Sophie Vertanness (’26) – Ex-officio Emma Pinsent (’27) – Ex-officio
Celebrate the Achievements of Acadia’s Alumni, Faculty, Staff, and Students
The Acadia Alumni Association recognizes individuals whose accomplishments, leadership, and service bring honour to Acadia and make a positive impact in their professions, communities, and beyond.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD Recognizes an Acadia alum who has achieved outstanding professional or community success and brought honour to the University. Intended for alumni who graduated more than 10 years ago.
GOLD ALUMNI AWARD Honours a Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) whose achievements and contributions have made a significant impact in their profession or community while bringing distinction to Acadia.
ISAAC CHIPMAN AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ALUMNI SERVICE Recognizes an Acadia alum whose exceptional volunteer service has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the University and its alumni through their dedication, time, and support.
NOMINATION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 1st
Learn more about these and other Acadia Alumni awards HERE