Duane Parnham is the winner of the 2017 Premier’s Award (Business) for outstanding Ontario college graduates. With a successful business track record, Duane is a prominent entrepreneur who champions the high-risk development of mineral resource companies. Since 1996, Duane’s companies have generated over C$1.2-billion in investor returns. In 2011, The Parnham Foundation was established by Duane and his family to support academically talented—yet economically disadvantaged or underprivileged—students from Namibia, Africa in pursuing a diploma at an Ontario college. Duane’s charitable support to Fleming College includes a gift of C$1-million which was the largest single gift to an Ontario college by an alumnus.