Alumni Anita Erskine and Ken Hartwick Honoured with Distinguished Alumni Awards

Awards presented during a special 2022 Alumni Lecture presentation

January 27, 2022

The Trent University Alumni Association has honoured alumni Anita Erskine ’99 and Ken Hartwick ’81 with Trent University Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni awards. The presentation took place during the 2022 Trent Alumni lecture, Leading by Example: The Importance of Values-Driven Leadership in our Ever-Evolving Technical World, in which they both took part. Recipients of Distinguished Alumni awards demonstrate leadership in business, industry, a profession or in public life. These honoured members of the Trent community have earned prominence in their field (or beyond) with vision, commitment, creativity and leadership.

Ms. Erskine is ranked one of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Africa, one of the Top 100 Most Inspirational Women in Ghana, a 2020 Power Influencer in Ghana and one of the most inspirational Ghanaian public figures. Wearing a host of hats, she is a strategic communications specialist, broadcast journalist, television producer and host. This diversity has cemented her reputation as one of the most versatile communication professionals from West Africa.

Since 2003, Ms. Erskine has been managing director of Anita Erskine Media, Africa, with a mission to enhance change and support the creation of socioeconomic opportunities for Africans everywhere. This multi-faceted consultancy uniquely blends audio/visual content, motivational events, business and entrepreneurship training sessions, interactive social media programs, specialized and specific public relations projects and brand partnerships, all in the hopes of driving an ultimate agenda of empowering people, showcasing products, and marketing services of African origin, both on the continent and in the diaspora.

Since 2015, she has been host and executive producer of Sheroes Of Our Time, a multi-facetted global platform that showcases and celebrates strong and unique women around the world. Since 2012, she has been host and executive producer of Making of a Mogul, focussing on African entrepreneurship.

Ms. Erskine’s work and leadership have been recognized through numerous awards and honours, including the 2017 Radio Host of the Year, 2015 TV Hostess of the year (City People Awards, Nigeria), and 2014 TV Female Entertainment Host of the Year (Radio & TV Personality Awards).




Mr. Hartwick is president & CEO of the Ontario Power Generation (OPG), one of the most diverse electricity generators in North America.
 
He has played a strong leadership role since joining OPG in 2016. As CFO and SVP Finance, he led all operations under the finance portfolio, including strategy and risk management. He is an officer of the corporation and a member of the OPG Enterprise Leadership Team. Under Ken’s leadership, OPG launched Canada’s first utility green bond, expanded to the U.S. through the acquisition of Eagle Creek Renewable Energy LLC, and initiated an energy storage partnership. Also under his leadership, the company was the recipient of the 2020 Canadian Electricity Association’s Sustainability Award for their strong commitment to external collaboration and partnerships with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and other stakeholders, and the 2019 Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce Sustainability Award for creating carbon-free power, with a diverse generation portfolio that is ranked among the cleanest in the world. 

Mr. Hartwick was Chair of Trent University’s $50M Campaign - Unleash the Potential – the most ambitious and successful campaign in Trent’s history, raising over a record $56.8 million for student support, innovative research and teaching. 
 
He is also a former member of the Trent Board of Governors, serving on several committees.  

You can watch the 2022 Alumni Lecture, Leading by Example: The Importance of Values-Driven Leadership in our Ever-Evolving Technical World panel conversation with Ms. Erskine and Mr. Hartwick here.

For more information on the Trent University Alumni Association Alumni Awards, a full list of honourees, and how you can nominate an alum, please visit our awards page.