Many private schools in Canada have numerous graduates who have gone on to great things. Learn about a school’s most influential, important, successful, and famous alumni.
Feore honed his skills as a member of the Stratford Festival of Canada, has had notable roles on series, such as House of Cards, and has on performed on Broadway.
Greg has had a record-setting career in public and private sport, and is now the Head of CBC Sports as well as General Manager of the Olympics for Canada.
Georgina Black
1985
Ridley’s Chair of the Board of Governors and Old Ridleian, was recently and unequivocally named one of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women of 2016
Geordie Walker
1990
Walker is the President and CEO of Walker Industries.
Jay Willmot
2003
Willmot is the CEO and Founder of Haven Greens.
Joseph Zawadzki
1992
Zawadzki is the Founder and former CEO of MediaMath. He currently serves as General Partner at Aperiam Ventures and as Chairman of the Board at FxM.
Pingue is an actor and filmmaker who has had roles in feature films, such as The Book of Eli and Pompeii.
Qualitative insights
These insights are based on conversations with parents, alumni, and school leadership. Handpicked and curated by our editor, they offer a close look at how the school is experienced and perceived by those who know it best.
The alumni community is enduring and vibrant.
Conversations with Ridley College alumni and current students reveal a strong, lasting connection to the institution, characterized by active engagement, shared history, and mutual support across generations.
Even as a student at Ridley College, through various roles, there are plenty of opportunities to engage with the community, and even within the community. I know, for example, there's that online platform. Ridley College has its own online alumni networking platform. I've used that to connect with past alumni. I know there are international retreats. I know there are cohort reunions, but there's even a chance to engage in intergenerational meetings and connections.
‘O.R.’ is the term we use for alumni; it stands for Old Ridlian. There's a part of Ridley College that is so ingrained within our identities, but it's really hard to miss when you do come across it. I would say that Ridley College doesn't harbour a ‘one and done’ type of relationship or culture. I think it's definitely a culture that continuously fosters relationships across the board.
Ridley has Homecoming every fall and spring. You see alumni return proudly, with their patched cardigans. When we first visited, we ran into an Old Ridleian who told our kids, "I live in New York now, but I came to visit because I just got engaged, and I can’t imagine getting married anywhere else. This is where my best memories were. Value what your parents sow into this experience—it’s worth it for your future." That was amazing to hear.
Ridley College integrates community with St. Catharines.
Insider perspectives from students, parents, and town residents depict a community atmosphere at Ridley College that is inclusive and deeply intertwined with the broader St. Catharines community.
I don't know what it is, but it seems as though when you physically leave Ridley College at the end of the day, you really don't mentally part. I think there's always this piece of you that is still at Ridley College. Even now, I can say there's always a sense of loyalty that you feel to Ridley College, whether that's deliberately or undeliberately expressed, there's always going to be that sense of loyalty and connection that you feel and that sense of belonging.
