Distinguished Alumni Award
The purpose of these awards is to recognize KPU Alumni who have enhanced the reputation of the university through their outstanding career, public service, community service, athletic, arts and culture, or academic achievements.
Andrew Code
Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting
Tuesday, June 9 - Afternoon Ceremony
Work hard, be curious and meet people. Twelve years after graduating from KPU and launching a successful international finance career, Andrew Code offers that straightforward advice to today’s graduating students.
Andrew is a director within the strategic capital markets team at PJT Partners, a global advisory-focused investment bank with key offices in New York and London and satellite offices globally, where he advises companies and shareholders on all things related to capital structures and financings.
When he enrolled at KPU, he wasn’t sure what he wanted to achieve, although small class sizes, practical coursework and supportive faculty helped him find traction. A turning point came in a finance class taught by instructor Dr. Robert Ironside, who challenged Andrew to think big. Other instructors reinforced the practical and hands-on approach that distinguished KPU. The school’s co-op program was another catalyst, allowing Andrew to gain experience while paying his tuition.
After graduating from KPU, Andrew landed a job at PwC, and from there, CIBC’s mid-market leveraged finance team. Although CIBC was one of the best learning experiences of his career, for Andrew, this was a stepping stone. Most mornings, he’d wake up and call investment banks in New York and London, trying to convince someone to take a meeting. Finally, someone answered.
That someone was at Houlihan Lokey, a global investment bank with a strong financial restructuring group. Andrew took a gamble and chased the dream, paying his own way to London in hopes he could interview there. It worked, and Houlihan Lokey became Andrew’s first real foothold in international finance. He was later recruited to PJT in London, where he now advises clients on everything from acquisitions and take-over financings, to leveraged buy-outs and dividend recaps.
Andrew says that few other professions offer the same combination of upward mobility, international flexibility and intellectual challenge as finance. But he also says all of that is essentially worthless unless he’s enjoying the ride along the way.
Alumni Excellence Award
The Alumni Excellence Award recognizes specific accomplishments of KPU alumni, including major awards, national or international honours, major championships, appointment to high office, and so on.
Dr. Farah Rattansi
Associate of Arts, General Studies
Thursday, June 11 - Afternoon Ceremony
Farah is a compassionate leader and innovator in the field of pediatric and neurodevelopmental care. Since graduating from KPU in 2013, she has dedicated her career to improving access to support for children with autism and developmental disabilities.
As the founder and clinical director of My Empower Therapy, a pediatric therapy clinic based in Surrey, B.C., Farah developed a leading integrated model that brings together speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, behavioural intervention, counselling, and developmental supports under one organization. Under her leadership, the company has expanded to six locations across the Lower Mainland, helping reduce barriers and wait times for families seeking specialized care.
In addition to her clinical work, Farah also established the Neuro Brain Treatment Center Vancouver, focused on advancing personalized neurological and mental health treatment through evidence-based neurotechnology.
Farah’s impact also extends to the broader community through various initiatives related to education and advocacy. She has led autism awareness and support campaigns, conducted free screenings, created speech therapy workshops and more. She is also actively involved in numerous organizations in her field, including the Society for Social Work and Research, Autism BC and Wave Neuroscience.
Her work has been recognized with multiple awards at both the local and international scale, including two International Stevie Awards for Women in Business and a Surrey Women in Business Award.
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
The Outstanding Young Alumni Award recognizes KPU alumni under the age of 30 who have demonstrated sustained levels of community service while making a significant or innovative impact in their chosen profession. Recipients lead with purpose and have maintained involvement with KPU or alumni activities since graduation.
Argel Monte de Ramos
Diploma in Arts, General Studies
Tuesday, June 9 - Morning Ceremony
Argel is a Filipino-Canadian singer-songwriter, actor, playwright and producer who has dedicated his career to advocating for representation and creating inclusive spaces in the performing arts.
Originally from the Philippines, Argel immigrated to Canada at the age of 15. Following his high school graduation, he enrolled at KPU, where he became actively involved in various campus initiatives, including serving as a student ambassador for the Future Students’ Office and an orientation team leader.
Uncertain of which path he wanted to pursue, Argel explored a number of different subjects through KPU’s general studies program. It wasn’t until he took an Interdisciplinary Expressive Arts class that he discovered his passion for storytelling, and decided to pursue it with dedication. After graduating from KPU, he went on to pursue a Bachelor of Performing Arts at Capilano University, graduating with distinction as class valedictorian.
Throughout his career, Argel has received several accolades for his work, including being named a top 10 finalist in CBC Music’s Toyota Searchlight, an Excellence Award by a BIPOC Artist at the Fraser Valley Music Awards, and an OVATION! Award for his performance in Elf! The Musical.
He also co-created a writing and performance initiative called The Parallel Project, which commissions monologues by and for IBPOC artists to address systemic gaps in theatre training and representation.
Argel currently works with Arts Umbrella, a not-for-profit arts education centre that provides accessible arts programming for children and youth across Metro Vancouver.