PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Congratulations Student Bursary Winners 2025!

MISSISSAUGA, ON / July 17, 2025 – The Ontario Restaurant, Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA) and its workforce development arm, OHI – We Are Hospitality, proudly celebrate the achievements of seven outstanding students selected as recipients of the 2025 OHI Student Bursaries.

These future leaders have shown exceptional passion, dedication, and potential to contribute meaningfully to the hospitality and tourism industry. We are thrilled to support their academic journeys and professional growth.

“At OHI – We Are Hospitality, we believe in investing in people. These bursaries are more than just financial support — they are a recognition of potential, passion, and perseverance,” said Fatima Finnegan, VP of Workforce Initiatives and Industry Relations at ORHMA. “We are proud to support students who are driven to make a difference in our industry, and we are deeply grateful to our donors for helping us nurture the next generation of hospitality leaders.”

Bursary Winners:

Ana Lucia Gutierrez

A passionate Tourism Management graduate from Peru, is currently pursuing a postgraduate certificate in Hospitality Management at Lambton College. With years of experience in travel design, event coordination, she combines creativity with strong organizational skills to deliver unforgettable experiences. Inspired by her cultural roots Ana Lucia aims to launch her own hospitality business, contributing meaningfully to the industry she loves.

Breanna Hebbard

Is a dedicated Food and Beverage Management student at George Brown College. With hands-on experience as a bartender and server, along with volunteer work at large-scale events like Grape and Wine in St. Catharines, she brings a strong work ethic, leadership potential, and customer-focused mindset to her career. Breanna aspires to manage and eventually own her own restaurant, combining great food with exceptional service and atmosphere.

Precious Cave

Is a passionate Hospitality student dedicated to creating welcoming environments and memorable guest experiences. With hands-on experience in various hospitality roles and a strong commitment to service excellence, Precious is focused on developing leadership skills and advancing a career in hotel and resort management. This bursary will support Precious in completing studies and pursuing long-term goals in the hospitality industry.

Luther Sunday Igbang

Is a passionate Tourism & Hospitality Management student at George Brown College, driven by a commitment to environmental sustainability and community outreach within the hospitality industry. With diverse international experience in luxury hotels across South Korea and volunteer leadership in sustainable agriculture in Nigeria, He aspires to lead operations at an eco-lodge or nature-based resort. This bursary will help Luther complete his studies and advance his impactful career.

Sarita Pandit

Is a first-semester Tourism and Hospitality student at Georgian College with hands-on experience as a Front Desk Officer at Aventura Trek Nepal. Sarita aspires to become a Guest Relations Manager who leads with empathy and cross-cultural understanding. Now focused on sustainable service design and strategic hospitality practices, she is building the skills to lead diverse teams. This bursary will help Sarita continue her education and pursue industry certifications to support her goal of becoming a hospitality leader.

Shaun Aiden Somi

Is a Hospitality Hotel & Restaurant Operations student at Humber College, driven by a lifelong passion for service rooted in his family’s multicultural restaurant business. With hands-on experience as an Operations Associate at South Street Burger and Assistant Server at Desi Bar & Grill, Shaun excels in customer service. Fluent in four languages and equipped with industry certifications, Shaun aspires to become a hospitality leader who blends cultural richness with service excellence. This bursary supports his journey toward managing top-tier hospitality operations in Canada.

Vidhi Mehta

Is an Honours Bachelor of Commerce student in Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of Guelph. With professional experience across Mozambique, South Africa, and Canada, she brings a global perspective to guest service and event operations. Vidhi has held roles as a Banquet Server, Hotel Receptionist, and Travel Consultant, and currently volunteers as Social Media Manager for two student clubs. Fluent in multiple languages Vidhi is passionate about creating meaningful guest experiences and building community through hospitality.

Thank You to Our Donors

This year’s bursaries would not have been possible without the generous support of individuals and organizations committed to investing in future talent. ORHMA and OHI extend sincere thanks to the following changemakers:

• OHI - We Are Hospitality
• Chef John Higgins
• Finlayson Hospitality
• The Sutton Place Hotels / Northland Properties
• George Brown College – Centre for Hospitality & Culinary Arts

Your support empowers the next generation of hospitality professionals and helps shape the future of industry across Ontario.

About ORHMA & OHI We Are Hospitality

The Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA) is the largest provincial hospitality association in Canada, representing 11,000 hospitality establishments across Ontario. Through advocacy, education, and workforce development, ORHMA is committed to supporting the growth and success of Ontario’s hospitality industry. Its initiative, OHI – We Are Hospitality, is dedicated to empowering students and young professionals through mentorship, training, and bursaries.

Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA)

2600 Skymark Ave, Suite 8-201 Mississauga, ON L4W 5B2

905-361-0268 / 1-800 -668-8906

info@orhma.com | www.orhma.com