College of Arts and Science Alumni of Influence recipients are shaping the future

Three individuals who are prominent leaders in their respective fields have been selected as recipients of the 2026 College of Arts and Science Alumni of Influence (AOI) Awards. 

This year’s AOI recipients are Canadian business leader and CEO Dale Botting (BSc’75, BSc’75, BEd’77), biotech entrepreneur David Rabuka (BSc’97), and NHL team operations director Vukie Mpofu (BA’18). 

The AOI Awards recognize and celebrate outstanding alumni from the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Arts and Science. The recipients’ remarkable achievements and contributions have an impact on their respective fields, communities and USask.

“This year’s Alumni of Influence Award winners share a defining quality—leadership,” said Dr. Brooke Milne (PhD), dean of the College of Arts and Science.

“Each recipient has made a meaningful impact in their field by introducing innovative ideas, enhancing operations in complex organizations, and supporting research and development at the local, national, and international levels. I am proud to honour these outstanding individuals with the college’s highest alumni distinction.”

The three 2026 AOI recipients join the ranks of nearly 200 College of Arts and Science graduates inducted since 2009.

This year’s recipients will be presented with their awards at individualized celebratory events that include family, friends, colleagues and other invited guests.

If there is a College of Arts and Science graduate who is making an impact in their community, submit a nomination. Nominations can be submitted at any time during the year.

Dale Botting (BSc'75, BSc'75, BEd'77) is a high-profile Canadian business leader and CEO with a 50-year diverse and rewarding career in the public sector, environment and leadership across the private, institutional and non-profit sectors.

Born in Prince Albert, Sask., Botting moved with his family to Saskatoon when he was young to attend high school at Evan Hardy Collegiate. At USask, he earned a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biology and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Geography in 1975 and completed a Bachelor of Education in 1977. Botting began his career as an ecologist and environmental planner prior to becoming a business leader.

Describing himself as a “serial CEO,” Botting served as the founding CEO of Enterprise Saskatchewan, appointed after first serving as deputy minister of the former Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation beginning in 2007. He led the “design‑build” phase of the new agency and later guided its early strategic direction and restructuring efforts when it formally launched in 2008.

He is a past vice-president for Western Canada with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and a former CEO of several major Saskatchewan organizations, including the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority, the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP), the Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres, and SARCAN Recycling. He is the founder of Botting Leadership Inc. and the Global Alliance for Professional Leadership Development, where he coaches CEOs, university leadership, and executives across North America, Europe and Africa.

He is the author of Nobody from Nowhere: A Story of Leadership, Resilience and Legacy (Benchmark Press, 2025) and the co‑author of March Forth (Benchmark Press, 2026).

David Rabuka (BSc’97) is an innovative leader and entrepreneur in chemical biology, biopharmaceuticals, and biotechnology industries.

Rabuka is currently the co-founder, CEO and president of Acrigen Biosciences Inc., a cutting-edge biotech company focused on developing safe, efficient and novel precision gene-editing technologies.

His areas of scientific expertise include chemical synthesis, drug delivery, translational research, chemistry manufacturing and control, protein chemistry, and bioconjugation.

Rabuka was raised in Prince Albert, Sask., where he lived with his parents and two sisters. At USask, Rabuka earned his Bachelor of Science (Honours) in chemistry in 1997, receiving the Dean’s Science Award and the Society of Chemical Industry Merit Award. He earned his Master of Science in chemistry at the University of Alberta in 1999. In 2008, he completed his PhD in chemistry/chemical biology at the University of California, Berkeley.

That year, David founded Redwood Bioscience Inc., where he also acted as president and chief scientific officer. The company was acquired by Catalent Biologics in 2014.

Rabuka became the global head of research and development, chemical biology at Catalent Biologics, where he oversaw the continued research and development of biotherapeutics. He also oversaw strategy, resource allocation, and preclinical and clinical studies. He is also the founder and director of the companies Carbaform and Afternoon Cup.

He is recognized in the business community as a consultant or on the board of directors of multiple companies and organizations, including LDV Capital, Biosciences, Glyconet, Berkeley Catalyst Fund Management LLC and the ABS Institute.

Rabuka is an author of more than 65 peer-reviewed publications, including book chapters, and owns more than 90 patents.

A former Western Hockey League (WHL) athlete, Vukie Mpofu (BA’18) is now using his expertise in political studies and law to oversee National Hockey League (NHL) team operations.

Mpofu is currently the director of hockey operations and legal affairs with the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team.

Mpofu’s responsibilities include advising and assisting the Pittsburgh hockey operations department with contract negotiations, complying with the collective bargaining agreement and salary cap. He also has an active role in leading the Penguins hockey research and development department.

Born in the United Arab Emirates and raised in Saskatoon, Mpofu attended the University of Saskatchewan where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political studies in 2018. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor at the UCLA School of Law, with a specialization in media, entertainment, technology and sports law. He served as president of the UCLA’s Sports Law Federation from 2020-21.

While in Saskatchewan, Mpofu played with the Saskatoon Contacts and went on to play parts of two seasons with the Red Deer Rebels in the WHL from 2012-14. He accumulated 15 points (nine goals, six assists) in 69 regular-season games.

He spent two seasons with the Los Angeles Kings from 2021-23, where he was the manager of hockey operations and legal affairs. He also assisted with player contract negotiations, managed salary cap and collective bargaining issues. Mpofu managed the Kings’ analytics staff and assisted with employment contracts for the Kings, and Ontario Reign, their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.