Two Acadia students win prestigious Frank H Sobey Awards in recognition of their business accomplishments and potential
The 2024 winners of the prestigious Frank H Sobey Awards were recently announced, and for the first time in the award’s history, Acadia has emerged with two recipients.
Alex Dulay and Cole Sanford were among eight winners selected from a pool of 32 high-quality nominees for the honour. The Sobey Awards are given to Atlantic Canadian business students who have demonstrated a high level of entrepreneurship, a commitment to supporting the communities in which they live and work, and relevant employment experience. In addition to the distinction, each winner receives a prize of $45,000.
Acadia’s Director of the Manning School of Business Administration, Dr. Kristin Williams, had the pleasure of endorsing the successful nominations.
“Alex and Cole are bright, passionate, and thoughtful students who are very deserving of this honour,” said Dr. Williams. “They both demonstrate tenacity and great entrepreneurial instincts, characteristics that we’re thrilled to foster at the F.C. Manning School of Business and through Acadia’s immersive education and unbeatable access to engaged industry leaders and professors.”
Previous Acadia winners of the Frank H Sobey Award include Kirsten Lawrence (2023), Guy Harrison-Murray (2021), and Jenna Robertson (2019).
Meet Acadia’s 2024 Frank H Sobey Award Winners
Alex Dulay, 21
Major: Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Expected year of graduation: 2026
Alex Dulay’s story is one that includes overcoming hardships while also demonstrating a compassionate drive to help those around her.
Alex’s first foray into business was born out of necessity. Her mother was diagnosed with cervical cancer and healthcare in the Philippines isn’t subsidized to the extent it is in Canada. To help cover the chemotherapy costs, Alex – then just 10 years old – created a fundraiser that involved making 3D rainbow looms and selling them through a Facebook page. The fundraiser covered a significant amount of her mom’s medical bills, and taught Alex about resilience, determination, and the impact a small initiative can have. She’s carried this important life lesson with her and has since developed a fundraiser for a small underprivileged school in the Philippines.
By the age of 14, both of her parents had tragically passed away. Along with enduring that massive loss, Alex had to navigate the challenges of starting life again in a new country after her aunt and uncle in Canada adopted her.
Alex harnessed an adaptability and strength that has carried her far in her young life. She’s tapping into those traits and her experiences at Acadia as she establishes her new start-up called Touching Hearts. Set to launch in September, Touching Hearts is a social enterprise fair-trade organization dedicated to empowering underprivileged communities and families in Asia. Alex will be exporting handmade, sustainable, and naturally sourced products from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, which she plans to sell in the Canadian market through an e-commerce platform. Additionally, she will utilize the platform to share the stories behind the hands that crafted the products, aiming to create awareness of the challenges faced by these communities and families.
"I’ve always lived by the quote, 'Touch the hearts of others while it lasts,'" says Alex. "This has become a compass in everything I do and has led me to where I am now."
Alex has demonstrated this as the President of Enactus Acadia, a student-led organization committed to applying a social impact lens to entrepreneurship. By taking a leadership role in the group, Alex is heading up the Enactus Café, an initiative where student entrepreneurs and local businesses can showcase and sell their products within the university, allowing them to build a loyal customer base.
When not working on her start-up, classes, or Enactus activities, Alex has also generously given her time on campus as an active member of Launchbox, the Business Society, Acadia Mental Health, The Path, Business Banquet, the Student Union, and Experience Acadia Days.
Cole Sanford, 22
Major: Accounting
Expected year of graduation: 2024
Cole Sanford’s early introduction to business mirrored the kinds of experiences many young people in the area have – such as jobs where he shoveled neighbours’ driveways and later worked at a local pizza joint. But it wasn’t long before Cole’s natural business acumen revealed itself and he began to take on entrepreneurial endeavors that were leaps ahead of people his age.
At the age of 14, Cole purchased, cleaned and tuned up, and sold his first vehicle for a small profit. Over the course of five years, Cole flipped upwards of 100 vehicles. He was able to use the profits to fund both his studies at Acadia and his latest venture, Mountainview Rentals Inc., a small business that provides heavy duty trailer rentals and mobile self-storage.
His experience with vehicles has not always been a positive one. When Cole was 16, he was involved in a life-altering car accident that resulted in severe head and spinal injuries. His recovery required him to work through incredible challenges like physical pain, memory loss, and depression. He pushed back against suggestions that he repeat the school year and instead insisted on attending classes, even if it meant showing up in bandages and a brace.
“It was a journey of resilience and personal growth, teaching me the value of perseverance,” said Cole. “The accident will always be a part of my story, but it no longer defines who I’ve become.”
In addition to the work he’s doing with Mountainview Rentals Inc. – which is one of the few businesses of its kind in the Valley – the accounting major continues to spot opportunities to fill needs in the community. Cole will be bringing his business savvy and Acadia learnings to yet another venture this summer when he plans to open the Kentville Memorial Park Shop. The company will operate a canteen and local merchandise store within the popular park, with a percentage of profits earmarked for donation to the local recreation department.
If this isn’t enough, the go-getter has also notably been an active member of Enactus Acadia, a volunteer firefighter for the Halls Harbour Fire Department, and an assistant coach with Kings West Soccer.
Media Contact
Robyn McBain
Director, Marketing and Communicationsmedia.relations@acadiau.ca 902-585-1705