Distinguished Alumna Award | Trafalgar School for Girls

An Impressive Lot

Established in 2007, the Distinguished Alumna Award recognizes annually the achievements of a particularly accomplished Trafalgar Old Girl, a woman whose career or activities have made a difference in the world and can serve to inspire our students today. Based on nominations received from Traf alumnae, the award criteria are these:

She is a role model and inspiration to others
She embodies the courage to break new ground and to reach for her full potential
She is seen by others to have demonstrated excellence and/or has distinguished herself in her chosen field
She has made a difference in the lives of others/has contributed to her local or the global community;
She has demonstrated leadership through her vision or acceptance of responsibility.

Previous Award Winners

List of 12 items.

2018 – Alix Ohlin '88

Author and Educator
2017 – Jennifer Moroz ’90, Carolyn Taylor ’90

Traf Friends - Comedian & Journalist
2016 – Nilima Gulrajani ’95

Research Fellow
2015 – Leticia Artola Cox ’48

Pioneer in the field of family pschiatry, hygiene, and medicine
2014 – LCDR (Ret.) Sherry Daws-Knowles Richardson CD ’53

First female ship commander, Canadian Navy
2013 – Lola Sheppard ’88

Award-Winning Architect
2012 – Caryl Churchill ’55

Playwright
2011 – Lynne Echenberg ’89

Lawyer & Foster Care Advocate
2010 – Ruth Simons '75

Palliative Care Physician and Educator
2009 – Rhona "Grace" Wurtele Gillis '40, Rhoda "Isabella" Wurtele Eaves '40

Olympic Skiing Pioneers
2008 – Anne Wood '76

International Relief Worker
2007 – Cathy Ferguson Burrows '75

Bank Marketing and Information Pioneer

This Year's Award Winner

Susan Senecal '76 is President and Chief Executive Officer of A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. With over 900 restaurants from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland, A&W is the second largest hamburger restaurant chain in Canada and is one of Canada’s leading franchisors.

Since joining the company as an Area Manager in 1992, Susan has held the positions of Regional Director of Operations, General Manager Quebec, Vice President of Operations, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Operating Officer. In February 2018, Susan Senecal became President and CEO, becoming the fifth CEO in the Company's 62-year history, and the first-ever fully bilingual CEO and woman in the role.

Throughout her time at A&W the company has undergone many significant, strategic changes, including most recently its 2018 Strategy Renewal. At the core of the strategy is the mission "To be loved for our natural ingredients, great taste, convenience, and for doing what’s right, making A&W the #1 choice for millennial burger lovers.” A&W is a leader in quality ingredients. Among many firsts were the launches of beef raised without the use of hormones or steroids, chicken and pork raised without the use of antibiotics, and organic, Fairtrade coffee. A&W Root Beer served in the restaurants is now made from natural cane sugar and all-natural flavours.
Most recently, under Susan’s leadership, A&W introduced Canada to the Beyond Meat burger made using 100% plant-based protein.

Susan is a former Director and Past Chair of Restaurants Canada (formerly the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association). She also serves as a Director of the National Board of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

After graduating from Trafalgar, Susan completed her Bachelor of Science degree at McGill University. Susan moved out west to Vancouver where she lives with her husband, Francis. They have two grown sons, Matthew and Noah.