Top graduates driven by ambition, spirit of innovation, and desire to give back

On Oct. 26, 19 honourees with University of Calgary connections accepted their Avenue Magazine Top 40 Under 40 awards before a virtual crowd of co-workers, families and fans. Just before that, many of them took time to share their university memories with us.

• Read all the profiles of 2021 Top 40 Under 40 honourees from UCalgary. With files and photos from Avenue Magazine

This generation of movers and shakers are ambitious doctors, artists, researchers, entrepreneurs and innovative non-profit and civic leaders who still find time to give back and volunteer in their communities. 

Here’s the third set of profiles and links to 2021 Top 40 Under 40 honourees from UCalgary.

Georgina De Caigny

• Executive director, Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary

Why would an engineer abandon a rewarding and challenging career for something as risky as running a wolfdog sanctuary? Ten years ago, when Georgina De Caigny, BSc (Eng)’11, made that decision, she had no idea that she’d have nine permanent staff members and receive approximately 20,000 visitors a year. All she knew was that she was smitten with her own wolfdog, Kuna. Read the Q&A

Dr. Jason Weatherald, MD

• Assistant professor of medicine, University of Calgary; respirologist, researcher, clinic lead for patients with Long COVID

It’s easy to understand why Dr. Jason Weatherald, MD, 37, has been living in overdrive for the past 19 months. Not only has been on the front lines treating patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but he is co-leading an international clinical trial looking to improve outcomes for hospitalized patients with COVID and low oxygen levels. He also established the post-COVID clinic at Peter Lougheed Centre in Calgary for patients experiencing prolonged effects from the virus, a condition called Long COVID. Read the Q&A

Dr. Karim Manji, DPM

• Podiatric surgeon and director, Zivot Limb Preservation Centre, and clinical assistant professor of surgery, University of Calgary

Dr. Karim Manji, DPM, is a podiatric surgeon and researcher at UCalgary. Spearheading the development of the Zivot Limb Preservation Centre, the first centre of excellence in Canada dedicated to treating diabetes-related foot complications including foot ulcers, infections, poor circulation and deformities, the 35-year-old continues to push the Centre forward as its current director. Read the Q&A

Sandra Aigbinode Lange

• Litigation associate, McCarthy Tétrault; supervises pro bono initiatives with UCalgary; mentor with Black Law Students Association of Canada chapter, UCalgary

Currently on maternity leave from her law firm, Sandra Aigbinode Lange, 33, volunteers at UCalgary and admits to once writing a blog about Prince Harry, loving chess and being instrumental in recruiting BIPOC students to her firm. Read the Q&A

Dr. Victoria Hodgkinson-Brechenmacher, PhD

• Director, Patient Registries and Real-World Evidence, Lumiio Inc.; scientific director, Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, UCalgary

Once a formidable professional hockey player, Dr. Hodgkinson-Brechenmacher is now an international leader in patient data that’s used to improve life for those with rare and devastating diseases. The 38-year-old is also mad about stinky raclette cheese, Ticket to Ride (a board game) and is currently devouring Anderson Cooper’s latest book. Read the Q&A

Ọláwunmi (Wunmi) Idowu

• Graduate, Human Resources Management Program (2013), UCalgary; Haskayne School of Business Rozsa Arts Management Program (2019), UCalgary; guest lecturer, African Studies 301 Program (2021), UCalgary; founder and director, Woezo Africa Music and Dance Theatre Inc.

Ọláwunmi (Wunmi) Idowu, a 39-year-old irrepressible dancer and performer, has been igniting arts communities in Edmonton and Calgary with programs that provide opportunities for African, Caribbean and Black artists since 2006, the year she launched Woezo Africa Music and Dance Theatre Inc. Since then, more than 4,800 African, Caribbean and Black dancers have performed with Woezo Africa. Besides what you see on stage, Idowu has also turned Woezo Africa into a social enterprise, raising more than $2.5 million for philanthropic initiatives worldwide. Read the Q&A