Hallie Wedge and Sandy Hiltz
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Ambitious, community-minded and studious are some of the many ways to describe two award-winning Sobey School of Business Bachelor of Commerce students—third-year finance and economics major Hallie Wedge and second-year finance and accounting major Sandy Hiltz. They are two of only eight undergraduate students from across Atlantic Canada to win this year’s Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies.
All full-time business students attending Atlantic Canadian universities are eligible for consideration for the award. Deans at each university nominate candidates based on their experience with entrepreneurship, supporting the communities in which they live and work and their employment. Each award winner receives $45,000 in recognition of their achievements and gains access to mentorship support from members of the business community across the Atlantic region.
“We are very proud of Hallie and Sandy for being recognized for their excellence and earning this award,” says Dr. Harjeet Bhabra, Dean of the Sobey School of Business. “Our business school is fostering the next generation of leaders who are taking their education forward to lead entrepreneurial and sustainable businesses and communities. Hallie and Sandy’s award recognition highlights the dedication our students demonstrate to their studies and communities.”
Since 1989, the Frank H. Sobey Awards have been awarded to 215 emerging business leaders from Atlantic Canada. These award recipients are selected by the Frank H. Sobey Awards Board of Trustees comprised of Atlantic Canadian business and academic leaders.
Meet the winners
Hallie Wedge
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Hallie Wedge is a highly motivated young woman. When she’s not in the classroom, you can find her captaining Saint Mary’s women’s field hockey team or volunteering with one of three organizations close to her heart: Kaleidoscope Social Impact, the National Collective for Women in Business and Square Roots Bundle. She credits her late father, who passed away three years ago, with instilling a strong sense of community and drive to succeed. More than being her father, he was her best friend.
“He was my biggest supporter and always encouraged me to go after whatever I wanted and to do my best,” says Hallie. “He’s still my biggest motivator, and I still feel him with me.”
In high school, Hallie knew having an education in finance would help open doors to more opportunities. At Saint Mary’s, she quickly learned she could combine her passion for the environment, activism, and social concerns with her education and have an impact.
“This summer I’m starting my own regenerative food and flower farm,” says Hallie. “After I graduate, I would like to expand the business and turn it into a social enterprise where I’m growing food for people who are underprivileged or wouldn’t otherwise have access to good quality food.”
In addition to growing her business, she is interested in sustainability consulting and teaching financial literacy. In 2020, Hallie was a recipient of the Sobey National Innovator Award. Winning the Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies is something for which she is equally grateful.
“It’s incredible to be a part of such an amazing group of accomplished people,” she says. “I am very honoured to be a part of this community.”
In her free time, Hallie enjoys being outside with her dogs and boyfriend, gardening and spending time with friends.
Sandy Hiltz
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Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, Sandy Hiltz could not help but feel motivated by his parents. His mother owns a film catering company, and his father has been working in various retail involvements over the years. Being surrounded by antiques as a young boy, Sandy was inspired. At the tender age of eight, he used his innovative ambition and started his own business by selling antiques at shows and later getting involved in estate sales.
“I am inspired by great entrepreneurs like Frank Sobey,” says Sandy. “I’m passionate about small business, Atlantic Canada and history, and it was great to merge these interests.”
On Sundays, he operates A. H. MacMillan & Family Antiques and Fine Furniture in East Chezzetcook–a 3000-foot store that sells a mixture of art, silver and furniture. Additionally, he is involved with a local production company working on a show called “The Past and the Curious” similar to “The Antiques Roadshow.”
Sandy understands the importance of giving back to his community and volunteers with the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Dartmouth at St. Peter’s Church and sits on a committee: the Parish and Pastoral Council. One of their projects involves amalgamating some churches.
Previously, Sandy had received the Sobey National Innovator Scholarship, something he considers a great source of pride. He is equally appreciative for being recognized with a Frank. H Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies.
“It’s a great honour to receive this award and meet the other recipients who are passionate about improving Atlantic Canada,” he says. “I think this place is the greatest in the world, and the other recipients have shown a great passion for it as well–I’m excited about that.”
In his free time, Sandy enjoys being in the great outdoors, spending time with his dogs and being in the countryside.