Recognizing the significant contributions made by alumni to their local communities and beyond for which they have been recognized regionally, nationally or internationally.
Ms. Kerry O’Reilly Wilks (LLB’01) is the Head of Legal, North America & UK, at Vale’s Base Metals Business, one of the largest mining companies in the world. In this role, she oversees a wide range of legal issues in North America and the UK, including litigation, operations, strategic planning and health and safety. She has also filled a senior strategic advisory role with Vale's Asia-Pacific affiliates, where she faced many challenges legally representing a publically traded, multinational dealing with foreign governments, foreign regulators and significant business partners. A displaced Newfoundlander living in Toronto, O’Reilly Wilks was previously a partner with Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP in Toronto. O’Reilly Wilks has received recognition for her outstanding work, including being named one of Lexpert's Rising Stars - Top 40 under 40 lawyers in Canada in 2012.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, O’Reilly Wilks has contributed prominently in her local community. In July 2015, O’Reilly Wilks and her husband, Lloyd, spearheaded an extraordinary fundraising benefit in support of St. Michael’s hospital in Toronto. Inspired by the incredible care their premature son Malachy received while in hospital, the benefit raised $250,000 for the neo-natal intensive care unit. The fundraiser is O’Reilly Wilks’ way of giving back and thanking the St. Michael’s team for the miracles they create for so many families, like her own. An ardent supporter of St. Michael's, O'Reilly Wilks also currently sits on the hospital's Board of Directors.
