2024 Arbor Award recipients

Ghazaleh Almeida

Ghazaleh has been a standout volunteer for the Rotman School of Management since her graduation from the Executive MBA program in 2017. Her efforts to engage new students and alumni include her key role in Discover Rotman’s EMBA event and participation in virtual fireside chats and the EMBA Alumna Ambassador initiative. She also enlists her network to increase engagement with these events.

James An

James was an engaged student at Innis College and continues to generously support Innis as a committed alumni volunteer. For the past four years, he has been part of the Innis Alumni Mentorship Program, providing students with valuable advice—both online and in-person—to support their undergraduate and post-graduate studies, and to assist with career planning.

Ronald Appleby

Ronnie is a driving force behind an ambitious research and training alliance between Hebrew University and U of T. As the volunteer lead, he has tirelessly engaged individuals and communities, promoted entrepreneurship, and advanced academic excellence. The impact of these contributions has been profound, contributing to global research and innovation, and creation of international partnerships with deep roots. The sustained intensity of Ronnie’s commitment embodies the selflessness and vision of the Arbor Awards.

Amílcar I. I. Barnett

Amilcar Barnett has been an outstanding volunteer at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education since 2018. He is generous with his time as a mentor, supporting aspiring educators and sharing his considerable knowledge of teaching. He is eager to contribute to speaker sessions and participated in alumni association meetings, as well as assisting with OISE’s first-ever New York City alumni delegation.

Nolan Bederman

Nolan is a stalwart volunteer for the Rotman School of Management. His contributions include participation in the Rotman LEADS Mentorship program, which enlists industry executives to provide guidance and insights to students. Nolan’s additional support includes serving as an alumni-contact for students in the Global Consulting Projects initiative, and speaking at events, such as his prominent appearance at Rotman’s Reunite event in 2021.

Michael Binette

Michael brings over 40 years of investment and portfolio management experience to his role as chair of the Investment Committee at St. Michael’s College. Under his leadership, the committee engages in education and professionalization and has developed strategies to enhance St. Mike’s financial sustainability. Michael also champions the college’s commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance investing, which includes divestment from fossil fuels.

Jennifer M. Boucher

Jennifer joined the Faculty of Information Alumni Association in 2019 and has served as vice-president and president. Under her leadership, the association actively upheld its mission of promoting alumni and supporting students, including during the pandemic when hosting events and connecting students to alumni was a challenge. Now as past-president, she offers valuable counsel to the current executive and represents the association at the College of Electors.

Brianne Bovell

Brianne is a dedicated volunteer with the Faculty of Law’s Black Future Lawyers program, also known as the BFL program. She was instrumental in establishing a court shadowing initiative and is very active in recruiting additional volunteers from the legal community. For over three years, she has also participated in the BFL mentorship program, which fosters supportive connections between undergraduate Black students and Black lawyers.

David N. Bowden

David is a long-standing champion of U of T who has served three terms on Governing Council as an Alumni Governor. His service on Council included membership on several boards and committees including the Audit, Elections, Pension, and Planning and Budget committees. David’s commitment to the wider community includes lending his expertise to the MaRS Discovery District.

Marion E. Breukelman

Marion played a key role in developing the Engineering Alumni Applicant Assessor program. Over the past eight years, she has continued to be a dedicated supporter, devoting countless hours to this alumni volunteer experience. Marion has also been instrumental in shaping the faculty’s admissions assessment process, providing her valuable insights on how this volunteer opportunity can be improved.

Jennifer L. Burt-Yanoff

Jennifer helps give Masters of Social Work students the real-world experience they need through her support for the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. Her volunteerism includes serving as a field instructor, recruiting others to these roles, and chairing the faculty’s Association of Teaching Centres. Currently, she is the Education Coordinator at North York General where she is renewing the hospital’s commitment to educating U of T Social Work students.

Jennifer E. J. Button

Jen is an exemplary volunteer and leader at the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. She is president of the T-Holder's Association, which represents all Varsity Blues athletic alumni, and is a long-time supporter of alumni outreach and fundraising for the Blues Swim Team. Jen also supports current student-athletes, particularly through her participation in the Black, Indigenous and People of Colour Varsity Blues Mentorship Program.

Barinderpal S. Chagger

Bobby has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to U of T Dentistry as part of the Dean's Advisory Council and the Faculty's Defy Gravity Campaign Cabinet. In these esteemed volunteer roles, he has helped advance the university's fundraising initiatives and strategic objectives while providing advocacy and philanthropic leadership to help ensure the continued excellence and impact of U of T Dentistry.

Nirvair Singh Chahal

Since 2017 Nirvair has devoted his time as a program builder, coach, mentor and friend to the soccer program at University of Toronto Scarborough. He is the cornerstone of the men's program, making a tremendous impact on many students over the years through his generous donations of time and energy and his close attention to quality of student experience.

Henry N. Cheung

Henry is a steadfast champion of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, and the U of T Hong Kong alumni community. He is a founding member of the Engineering Alumni Association Hong Kong Chapter, and served as its president for four years, beginning in 2018. Specific contributions include delivering an online talk during the pandemic and serving as moderator for the Fireside Chat Career Series, hosted by the engineering alumni chapter.

Melissa C. Cheung

After earning a bachelor of science and a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences from U of T, Melissa joined the New College Career Mentorship Program to help students interested in following her footsteps in STEM subjects. She also volunteered to meet with students as part of the Dinner@NEW Program, in which students from diverse disciplines learned about her path to success.

Norma Chou

Norma has fostered community and continuity among alumni at U of T Dentistry, particularly among her graduating class. As a reunion organizer for the Class of ’74. she has ensured that events are memorable, meaningful, and provide plenty of opportunities for classmates to reconnect and reminisce. With these efforts, Norma has forged a legacy of camaraderie and support among graduates of U of T Dentistry.

Clement Chung

Clement is deeply invested in nurturing future generations of pharmacists, providing rich learning experiences as a preceptor. For over five years, he has overseen first, second and fourth-year students as they complete the vital workplace rotations that are required for graduation. Clement is consistently rated very highly by the students that he supervises and was awarded Preceptor of the Year in 2021.

Dania Ciampini

Dania has been a dedicated volunteer at University of Toronto Mississauga for nearly eight years. She supports students as a mentor and speaker and served on UTM’s Alumni Association, including as president, and as a member of the Nominating Committee and the Alumni Awards of Distinction subcommittee. In these roles, she has contributed to countless initiatives that support students and forge closer connections to alumni.

Barbara Cifra

Since 2019, Barbara has served as a mentor in the placement programs for the Bachelor of Kinesiology and Master of Professional Kinesiology programs. Placement students praise her expertise in the Exercise Medicine Program, as well as her mentorship style. She has also generously shared her experiences and advice about mentorship on two industry panels for the master’s program.

Edmund Clark

Edmund is a longtime, generous U of T supporter. As Chair of the Board of Directors at the Vector Institute, he dedicates significant time and energy to identifying, recruiting and retaining research and teaching talent for U of T’s Faculty of Arts and Science. Edmund is also a generous donor who has supported the revitalization of University College, endowed two Chairs, and supported students and programs across the university.

Stacy Alexandra Costa

Stacy has volunteered for the OISE Alumni Association since 2018, offering strategic insights and contributing to an alumni focus group that was part of OISE’s academic planning. Stacy is also a tireless event planner who has delivered many distinct experiences during Alumni Reunion. These include a fascinating Stress-Free Degree lecture this past June on the history of puzzles and problem solving.

Jacqueline V. Csonka-Peeren

Jackie is a champion of Engineering Science who has volunteered many times to judge student competitions. Jackie also led a fundraising campaign to establish the ’88 Engineering Science Scholarship, in recognition of the 35th reunion of her graduating class. To date, over 75-thousand dollars has been raised for the endowed award, which supports summer research opportunities for one or more students each year.

Sara da Silva

Sara has been a dedicated volunteer to University of Toronto Mississauga for 11 years. During this time, she has helped advance countless initiatives that help students directly and indirectly by connecting them more closely to alumni. These efforts include Sara’s membership in the UTM Alumni Association and its Nominating Committee, as well as committees for the Alumni Awards of Distinction and the respected Snider Lecture series.

Tracey L. DasGupta

Tracey has been a generous volunteer for over 30 years to the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing. Her extensive support to students includes offering clinical placements at her workplace and helping future nurses apply what they have learned in the classroom. Tracey also mentors and inspires students at networking events and mentorship programs, generously sharing her vast experience and expertise in health care.

Akshika Dave

Since 2020, Akshika has provided thoughtful professional and personal guidance to students at Woodsworth College. Drawing on her senior-level experience in executive recruitment, Akshika has advised students as a dedicated volunteer for the college’s alumni mentorship program. She also generously offers her expertise at professional development sessions for Woodworth’s student association, drawing on her expertise in assessing talent and finding opportunities.

Ernesto Díaz Lozano Patiño

A deeply engaged student who became Engineering Society President, Ernesto continues to be heavily involved as an alum. He currently completed a four-year term on the College of Electors. His ongoing contributions to U of T Engineering include returning to speak to civil engineering students and rallying his fellow graduates from the Class of ’15 to fund a new scholarship.

Denise R. Dwyer

Denise is an inspiring educational leader who has generously shared her experience and expertise with the OISE community several times, including talks at graduate research events and for a lecture series. Denise is also a member of the OISE Academic Engagement Team and recipient of the prestigious InspirEd Award for her many contributions to the sector.

Chris Ferguson

Since 2010, Chris has made a tremendous impact at the Faculty of Information. He has collaborated with faculty members on design innovation research, and incorporates career development opportunities into mentoring design students. Chris’s additional contributions include spearheading a proposal to University Health Network that netted a $135,000 grant for student internships. He also enhances students’ learning through his close involvement with cutting-edge research groups.

Neil Eric Fleshner

Neil is a committed partner and volunteer with the Toronto Academic Health Science Network. He fostered a partnership between Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Temerty Medicine that resulted in the Hold'em for Life Oncology Fellowships, providing an exemplary experience to fifty fellows each year. As committee chair, Neil established terms of reference and recruited committee members, and he continues to work tirelessly to ensure the program’s integrity.

Laura K. Fric

Laura has supported the Faculty of Law’s Alumni Association since 2020 and is now in her second term as a council member. She has provided invaluable support for the alumni association and its mission to support the faculty in engaging its alumni community. Laura has also made important contributions as a volunteer on the Pearson Scholarship Review Panel, which assesses recipients for these highly prestigious international scholarships.

Karen Friedman

Karen has made a big impact since she joined the OISE Mentorship Program Committee in 2021. As a certified coach, she helped launch a Senior Mentor Coach initiative, for which she continues to oversee an alumni and student newsletter. Karen’s additional contributions include sharing her expertise in training sessions for mentors and leading a U of T lecture this year.

Christopher H. Gallimore

Chris is a valued mentor at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine who works hard to support underrepresented learners. He also plays an outsized role in recognizing other exceptional alumni as a member of the Dean's Alumni Awards selection committee. Chris’ generosity in sharing his personal experience and network with future physicians, helps prepare them to serve diverse populations.

Shannon R. Garden-Smith

Shannon has been an invaluable part of the Executive Committee for Trinity College’s Alumni Association for six years, including the past two years as president. She is a thoughtful and inclusive leader, with notable achievements during her tenure that include leading valuable efforts to reinvigorate alumni engagement, especially among young alumni, and successfully planning Reunion celebrations after the challenges of the pandemic.

Merle Goldman

Merle is a proud and dedicated alumna with many connections to U of T. These include her membership on the Dean's Jewish Studies Advisory Committee, where she has been a constant supporter of research, scholarly exchange, and academic excellence. Merle’s passionate volunteerism and fundraising expertise has also helped raise awareness and funding for the Anne Tanenbaum Centre for Jewish Studies, in support of visiting professors and postdoctoral fellows.

Catherine E. Graham

Catherine played a key role in creating the Rotman Women in Management Association, which champions women and gender equality in universities and the workplace. As an alumna, she remains actively involved with the association and continues to volunteer as a speaker, event host, mentor, and advisor, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to advancing the careers of women and entrepreneurs.

Louisa S. Greco

A senior business leader, Louisa brings tremendous experience and expertise to the Rotman School of Management. Her volunteer contributions include advising students in the Flexible Internship Program, serving as a panelist for events, providing frequent one-on-one and group guidance, and participating in information sessions. She also put her considerable charm to good use as host of the Reunite at Rotman Alumni Awards Gala.

Glen Greenwood

Glen has been a dedicated volunteer for the Emmanuel College Alumni Association for six years, consistently demonstrating his commitment and leadership. One notable example of his generosity occurred during the association’s transition back to in-person events following the pandemic. When the committee president unexpectedly stepped down, Glen promptly assumed the role, effectively leading the initiative with professionalism and enthusiasm.

Jesse A. Grimstead

Jesse provides thoughtful advice and career guidance as a devoted volunteer for the Woodsworth College Alumni-Students Mentorship program. Jesse also participates in mentorship events hosted by the Woodsworth students' association, as well as supporting students one-on-one. Additional contributions include volunteering for Backpack 2 Briefcase and Industry Night events, which are both organized by the Faculty of Arts & Science.

Ritikaa Gupta

Ritikaa is president of the Forestry Alumni Association, which helps forestry alumni contribute to the growth and development of the Forestry Department at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. Ritikaa’s dedicated volunteer service since 2020 has strengthened the forestry network and cultivated a strong sense of camaraderie among the forestry alumni community and the forestry sector.

Brady Carballo-Hambleton

New College greatly benefits from Brady’s volunteer contributions. He has generously shared his experiences as a highly engaged student and provided valuable insights through the college’s Career Mentorship Program. His recent hosting of a Dinner@NEW event was a notable contribution, where he outlined his career progression from academia to a senior leadership role at the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Huda Henry-Riyad

Huda's leadership, enthusiasm, and dedication have greatly impacted Woodsworth College. She joined the Woodsworth College Alumni Association's Board of Directors in 2021 and served as Vice President for the past two years, completing her term in 2024. During this time, she led key projects, including the 2024 alumni survey, and chaired the Alumni Café committee. Besides sitting on other sub-committees, she also represented the alumni association at numerous student and college events.

Krista F. Hill

Krista has been a committed volunteer with the Faculty of Law since 2021, currently serving her second term as a member of the Alumni Association. Her contributions include sharing her expertise on career panels with the Business Law Society and volunteering at Welcome Day, an annual event that introduces newly admitted law students to the community.

Maria M. Hunt

Maria is gracious with her time and talent as an exceptional volunteer and representative for St. Michael’s College. As a member of both the Investment and Executive Committees, she provides valuable strategic input regarding capital markets and finance. Her advice draws on her governance experience at other Basilian-founded institutions, as well as her deep understanding, as an alumna, of the university and St. Michael’s.

Sr. Evanne Hunter, IBVM

Sister Evanne represents one of the founding communities of St. Michael's College, infusing her volunteerism with youthful enthusiasm and passion as well as 65 years’ experience in Catholic education. Her contributions include tireless advocacy for St. Mike’s among leaders in Toronto and beyond and serving as a conduit between the college and the wider community to share talent, programming and other valuable resources.

Josh Hunter

Josh was secretary of U of T’s Alumni Association during a critical juncture. With a new Not-for-Profit act coming into force, the alumni association needed to overhaul its foundational governance document. Josh led this highly complex process, acting as liaison with legal counsel, shepherding the by-law through ratification, and ensuring that the new by-law was in compliance and reflected the mission of the alumni organization.

Mehran Hydary

Mehran believes in actively giving back to the Engineering community and to the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. Mehran shared his leadership perspectives at the Skule Lunch & Learn and BizSkule Speaker series, where he discussed cryptocurrency. Most recently, he sat on the Engineering Alumni Network Board, and chaired the Alumni Engagement subcommittee, which is building out a regional ambassadors program.

Sivan Ilangko

Sivan played a leading role in establishing a chair in Tamil Studies at the University of Toronto Scarborough. Inspired by his efforts, thousands of Tamils from around the world came together to raise over three-million dollars for the position. Ilangko has also forged closer ties between UTSC and the Tamil community by organizing the annual Tamil Heritage Month and using his network to stage cultural performances.

Instructors of U of T Judo Club at Hart House

Jorge Comrie
Bernard Letendre
Izidor Marinovic

The instructors of the U of T Judo Club at Hart House are dedicated and skilled volunteers that have made the club a success for some 40 years. The current group of instructors has been together for the past decade, ensuring the continued vitality and success of Judo at U of T.

Iron Dragons Alumni Volunteers

Desmond Chan
Hannah L. Fletcher
Michael Lucky
Yca Theresa Meriel
Courtney Siu

The Iron Dragons is one of the top university dragon boat programs in the country, providing access to high-performance athletics for the U of T community. The team's experienced coaches accommodate people new to the sport as well as those with years of experience, promoting personal growth through individual training and consultation.

Alysse M. A. Kennedy

Alysse has served the OISE Alumni Association since 2018. With knowledge from her Master of Teaching degree, she delivers great experiences for graduate students and alumni, sharing her commitment to environmental advocacy. Alysse’s contributions—always delivered with passion, rigor and a smile—include volunteering at climate justice events and serving as an exceptional co-lead of OISE Reunion since 2020.

Farah Khan

Farah is a dedicated volunteer for the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing. She welcomed students into her workplace and led them during clinical placements, helping future nurses translate theory into practice. Farah has also mentored and inspired students and alumni alike, by generously sharing her nursing experiences and insights. Another key contribution is her membership in a faculty committee to promote a more equitable and inclusive community of excellence.

Matthew E. Kieswetter

Matthew is a member of the Corporation of Trinity College and, for over six years, an integral part of the Divinity Associates Executive. As president of the executive, Matthew led efforts to broaden alumni outreach, increase engagement, and enhance integration with the Faculty of Divinity. These efforts include expansion beyond the annual conference to include events throughout the year, and creation of a new, targeted newsletter.

Annika Kohler

Annika is a committed mentor for the Alumni-Ambassador program in Computer Science and serves as a panelist for second-year learners in Mathematics. In these roles, she generously shares her career and life experiences, helping guide students as they pursue their academic and career goals, and serving as an inspiring model of the importance of paying it forward to future generations.

Shawn Konopinsky

Since 2020, Shawn has been a dedicated volunteer for the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study (JICS) Lab School, OISE. His contributions include serving as treasurer for the Parents’ Association for 3 years. Shawn was responsible for managing the donations that funded resources and programs which advanced the education of students and parents.

Robert Mark Krembil

Mark is an extraordinarily active volunteer for the University of Toronto in addition to his longstanding and generous philanthropic support at Temerty Medicine. His volunteer contributions include serving as a member of the Tanz Centre Steering Committee since 2017 and helping guide its fundraising efforts. Mark was also a valued member of U of T’s Governing Council for seven years and continues to support critical, university-wide initiatives as a member of the Defy Gravity Campaign Steering Committee.

Sharon Lewis

Sharon is a committed supporter at Innis College who has provided tremendous boosts to student experience by sharing her vision and craft across television and film. Her contributions include inspiring talks to graduating classes, as well as a keynote address in Convocation Hall. Sharon also shared her storytelling and artistic process during complementary screenings of two of her films and through a feature interview with Innis College’s magazine.

Leo Lin

Since 2015, Leo has diligently contributed his time and expertise as a volunteer with Rotman Commerce. His support for students includes practical insights at networking events and as a key part of the Alumni Mentorship Program. Leo’s commitment to nurturing future leaders can be seen clearly in his enthusiasm for facilitating connections and his eagerness to go above-and-beyond to help students reach their full potential.

Iris Liu

Iris has readily given her time and energy to Rotman Commerce and the University of Toronto as a committed alumni mentor and volunteer since 2008. As part of the Rotman Commerce Alumni Mentorship Program, Iris has offered much-needed expertise, wisdom and guidance to many students over the years, highlighting her profound commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders.

Joshua Lokko

Joshua Lokko is a dedicated volunteer with the Black Future Lawyers program in the Faculty of Law. Each year, his contributions include facilitating a workshop, serving as a conference panelist, and volunteering as a mentor. In addition, Josh supports the faculty’s annual Welcome Day and often works with the Career Development Office to help law students refine their networking and public speaking skills.

Alexia Loumankis

As a U of T librarian, Alexia brings expertise and institutional knowledge to the Faculty of Information Alumni Association. A volunteer since 2018, Alexia has served as both Chair and member of the Grants and Awards Committee, promoting grants to students, managing submissions, and maintaining communication with the faculty. Her contributions have significantly enhanced the alumni association’s ability to support students and foster a strong alumni community.

Jeffrey Luciano

Jeff has been a major contributor to community engagement at the University of Toronto Alumni Association. He was deeply involved with gathering and promoting stories of heroes among U of T alumni, and with an event series that enables alumni to make connections to not-for-profit agencies. Jeff also played a lead role in renaming the Carl Mitchell Community Impact Award, and presided over the award process itself, including creation of videos honoring recipients.

Sarah W. Mak

Sarah is one of the founding members of the Engineering Alumni Association Hong Kong Chapter, which launched in 2014. She continues to take an active leadership role with the association by helping with the planning, promotion and execution of all Chapter events as well as with administration. Sarah is also now co-leading the planning and rollout of a quarterly Fireside Chat series.

Avril Mansfield

At the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Avril has provided rich learning opportunities for placement students in the areas of neurological injury and disease. The students she supports consistently rate Avril highly for her expertise in clinical sciences and skills as a mentor. Avril has also appeared on a panel for a course about workplace trends, offering valuable insights about the organizational structure at hospitals.

Salvatore (Sam) Mantenuto

Sam Mantenuto is a passionate supporter of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. As a member of Faculty Council, Sam generously offers his time and advice, fostering strong connections within the community and industry. Meanwhile, as Chair of the Electrical & Computer Engineering Industry Advisory Board, Sam provides strategic advice and actively makes introductions to new donors and industry partners.

Kyro Maseh

Kyro is deeply committed to training future pharmacists. He has been a dedicated preceptor to first-, second- and fourth-year pharmacy students for over three years, providing outstanding learning experiences as they complete their rotations required for graduation. Students consistently rate Kyro very highly and he was awarded a Preceptor of the Year Award in 2021.

Maithili Mavinkurve Thambinayagam

Mai has inspired the next generation of engineering leaders as a committed volunteer at U of T Engineering. She has participated in various panels related to entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence and data, and has provided mentorship, advice and inspiration to female students in the Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical Engineering. Mai also generously shared her thoughts as a Convocation Speaker in 2022.

Terry McCullum

Terry has been a generous supporter of the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, both during his career and into retirement. While CEO of one of Ontario's largest community service providers, LOFT Community Services, Terry provided practicum placements to Master of Social Work students and frequently acted as co-supervisor. He resumed this role in retirement following a request from the faculty, and also volunteered for the faculty’s admissions committee and alumni association.

Ross McKean

Ross is a big part of the success of the John W. Graham Library at Trinity College. For years at the annual book sale, he has busily sorted, priced and displayed, while also taking on literal heavy lifting. Ross has also served for six years on the Friends of the Library executive and, most recently, accepted a challenging new role as a member of the managing committee.

Aleksandar Mitrovic

Since 2018, Aleks has been an exceptional volunteer with Rotman Commerce. His participation in the alumni mentorship program has greatly enriched the lives of students. He has also helped foster a vibrant Rotman Commerce community by engaging with students at networking events, and facilitating mentorship initiatives, such as the Reciprocity Ring.

Chelsea Murray

Chelsea has been a committed volunteer for Temerty Medicine for the past decade. As a member of the Nutritional Sciences Alumni Association Executive, she helps plan events and ensures that actions are tracked and meetings run effectively. Chelsea also generously contributes her time and expertise to students as a mentor, and is a popular speaker at career nights, sharing her experience working in nutrition policy for the Ontario government.

Tapfuma T. Musewe

Tapfuma has been part of the Black Alumni Mentorship Program at Innis College since the program launched in 2021. In fact, his participation that first year was so successful, that he and his mentee student were featured in the “Innis Alumni & Friends” magazine. That same year, Tapfuma shared further words of wisdom when he spoke at a graduation celebration for Innis students.

Appadurai Muttulingam

Muttu is an influential leader who has helped build a strong relationship between the Tamil community and University of Toronto Scarborough. One of his marquee achievements was helping to create a chair in Tamil Studies at UTSC. He rallied support from the Tamil community across Greater Toronto and beyond, which altogether raised more than $3 million for the prestigious academic post.

Herman M. H. Ng

Herman is an enthusiastic, longtime supporter of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. As an executive in data analytics, Herman has generously shared his expertise with students since 2007 as a mentor and guest speaker. His other roles include co-chair of a bootcamp about machine intelligence for fellow alumni and serving as a career and recruitment ambassador for U of T Engineering and the Rotman School of Management.

Matt Nichol

Matt has been a mentor to students in the Master of Professional Kinesiology program since 2018. Currently, he is a consultant for professional athletes, teams and organizations seeking to maximize athletic performance and health. Under Matt's direction, mentees work with high-level coaches and professional and youth athletes. Students benefit tremendously from these interactions and learn about working within the lens of equity and fairness.

Onyenyechukwu Nnorom

Onye is a champion for social justice and health equity who uses her professional expertise and community-based approach to advance these values across the university. She is also a committed supporter of the Summer Mentorship Program at Temerty Medicine, which enables high school students from under-represented backgrounds to explore health sciences. Onye is a dedicated volunteer, providing mentorship, job shadowing and networking opportunities.

Kathy Nolan-Garner

Since 2017, Kathy has been a leading supporter of Later Life Learning, which is an educational program for older adults at Innis College. As volunteer, treasurer, vice-president, and now president, Kathy has had a tremendous impact on program participants and Innis students. Under her leadership, scholarships supported by the Later Life Learning program have bloomed and the 40-year relationship with the College is stronger than ever.

Violeta Nusinoff

Since 2018, Violeta has been an integral part of the Rotman Commerce Alumni Mentorship Program. Violeta’s commitment to nurturing young talent shines through as she shares expertise and advice that shape students’ career paths. Her dedication to the success of her mentees highlights her impact on the future leaders emerging from Rotman Commerce.

Kelly M. O'Hanlon

Kelly has been an assistant coach for the Varsity Blues women’s hockey team since 2015. She has helped steer the Blues to two Ontario titles, one national silver medal and four trips to the national championships, among other achievements. As a student-athlete herself, Kelly served as team captain for the Blues for two of the five years she played, beginning in 2009.

Michael Orr

Mike has remained engaged with the Rotman School of Management since he graduated as class champion from the MBA program in 2009. His many contributions include serving as Reunion Ambassador, volunteering for the Reciprocity Ring, and mentoring students. Mike also offers guidance to students and alumni as part of the Rotman Connect Rendezvous program as well as speaking at student activities and industry events.

Ayotola Osigbogun

Ayotola is an accomplished professional statistician and since 2018, has shared her knowledge and experience with students in the Statistical Sciences Mentorship Program. Ayotola has been a dedicated mentor in the Woodsworth College Alumni-Students Mentorship program since 2021. In addition to being a supportive mentor for Woodsworth students, she provides valuable feedback for organizers to help keep the program engaging and supportive.

Nicola Pantaleo

Since 2021, Nick has mentored students in the Rotman Commerce Alumni Mentorship Program. With his wisdom, patience, and empathy, Nick is a valuable advisor to students as they navigate their educational, professional and life paths. Nick also contributes to the university as a whole, representing St. Michael’s College as a member of the College of Electors, which elects U of T’s chancellor and alumni members of Governing Council.

Nymisha Puri

After becoming aware of the tremendous impact of New College’s career mentorship program, Nymisha began volunteering in 2015, sharing her extensive senior-level expertise in the marketing of consumer packaged goods. For nearly ten years, students have benefited from Nisha’s help in building a professional network and from her advice in the areas of brand strategy, consumer insights, new product innovation and leadership.

Maina Rambali

Maina has served the University of Toronto and Woodsworth College in several demanding volunteer roles. She is president of the Board of Directors for the Woodsworth College Alumni Association, following a previous role as treasurer, in which she managed finances and assisted with various Board functions. Maina’s additional contributions include volunteering as a mentor with Woodsworth and Hart House, and also representing Woodsworth on the College of Electors.

Barbra D. Ratnam

For five years, Barbra has been an extremely dedicated volunteer for the alumni association at U of T Scarborough. After serving as secretary, she became director of alumni recognition, providing leadership that will have a long-lasting impact for the alumni association and the broader alumni community. Barbra is also to be commended for her eagerness to volunteer for any task and going above and beyond in everything she does.

Deepta Rayner

Deepta is a dedicated, longtime volunteer for the lab school at the Jackman Institute of Child Study, which is part of OISE. Her contributions since 2011 include leadership roles on the parents’ association and facilitating initiatives with parents, school leaders and alumni. Deepta’s other contributions over the years include providing content for publications, planning events, sitting on committees, and supporting parent education efforts, particularly around equity, diversity and inclusion.

Joel Mark Rosenbloom

For years, Joel has provided valuable support to the Faculty of Dentistry as coach of its hockey team. His role extends beyond skill development to offering mentorship and inspiration to hockey club members. Joel’s commitment to fostering a positive team environment resonates with players, staff, faculty, and alumni alike, enhancing the team's culture and enriching the experience of students on and off the ice.

Sandor Rott

Sandor has been instrumental in fostering engagement among the Class of ’87 at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. Through his fundraising leadership, Sandor rallied support to create a recreational room in the main hall, which has become a popular hub for students. Through this and other efforts, Sandor has significantly contributed to the legacy of the Class of ’87 at the Faculty.

Margaret (Molly) A. Rundle

Margaret has provided tremendous support as a volunteer leader at Temerty Medicine. She has served on three advisory committees since 2018: one for the Lawson Centre’s digital footprint, another focused on food as medicine, and lastly, a selection committee for the Dean's Alumni Awards. She is also a highly supportive mentor to MD students and is equally generous as a long-standing donor, supporting an annual lecture award and programs focused on Indigenous health.

Kristin A. Snoddon

Kristin joined the OISE Alumni Association in 2021, contributing her considerable talent and energy to steering the Leaders & Legends Awards Committee. These prestigious global awards celebrate OISE alumni and friends who exemplify excellence in education. Kristin also provided U of T with a milestone moment in 2022 when she became the first person ever to give a convocation keynote address in American Sign Language.

Chantal Sorhaindo

Chantal is a dedicated volunteer for the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing. She has provided valuable clinical placements, helping future nurses apply theory to practice. Chantal also inspires students by sharing her nursing experiences and insights at events and in mentorship programs. As a member of several advisory committees, her other contributions include helping the faculty raise funds for students and become a more equitable and inclusive community of excellence.

E. Jane Speakman

Jane is an extraordinary volunteer who has been giving back to Trinity College for decades. Over the past six years, she has served on the executive committee of Trinity’s alumni association—which is now her third term overall. Jane is also a member of the Corporation and a dedicated representative for her graduating Class of ’78, motivating her classmates to stay connected with each other and contribute to their class bursary.

François Tanguay-Renaud

Since 2018, François has been a dedicated friend of the lab school at OISE's Jackman Institute for Child Study. His support for the parents’ association includes terms as class representative, vice-president and president. He has also helped plan many events, including a gala, community skate, and events to support parents’ education, fundraising, and social events. In addition, Francois brings his professional interests in higher education, as well as criminal and public law, AI and the law, and legal philosophy to the parent social community.

UTSC Geography & City Studies Alumni Network

Ariel L. Banner
Da Chen
Aqsa Abid Malik
Rebecca A. Roach

These dedicated volunteers have helped build an engaged and vibrant alumni community by organizing events, supporting events hosted by the program’s student associations, and encouraging new graduates to stay connected to UTSC. Their steadfast leadership and dedication has built a strong UTSC Geography and City Studies alumni community that continues to grow and thrive.

Arno van Dijk

Arno is a tireless supporter of the Department of Geography and Planning. As the former chair of the alumni planning committee, he organized fundraising events to support scholarships, the mentorship program, student learning modules and workshops, student travel for conferences, and a graduate field trip. Altogether, with Arno’s help and leadership, the committee has raised over $110,000, greatly enriching the experience of students and graduates alike.

Catherine Vine

Cathy has been a stalwart volunteer for Innis College since 2016. As part of the mentorship program, she provides valuable one-on-one guidance to Innis students interested in social work and related fields. Cathy also generously supports students and recent graduates through coffee chats and networking conversations. Advancement is another important area, with Cathy regularly contributing to donor meetings and events, and promoting Innis College and its priorities.

C. Ann Wainwright

Ann has been an invaluable, longtime Trinity volunteer in many capacities. Her contributions over decades include serving on Corporation and as an integral member of the ’58 Reunion committee. In addition, she has helped in various roles with the Trinity College Book Sale, including managing the Sports section. Always cheerful and willing to help, Ann embodies the spirit of community that characterizes Trinity College.

Mark Wicken

Drawing on his lifelong passion for music and education, Mark played a pivotal role in the creation of The Jay Telfer Forum at the Faculty of Music. This state-of the-art performance space enables students, scholars, and world-renowned artists to share and develop their artistic talents with Toronto audiences. Mark’s extraordinary commitment also benefits the entire arts community by providing access to an innovative and dynamic artistic hub.

Julia Zarb

Julia has made significant contributions to Victoria University. Her commitment to governance includes her extensive work as a member of the Victoria University Board of Regents, and helping to restructure board committees to better serve the university. Julia has also made important contributions as a member of the nominations committee, including moving forward mandates to support initiatives in equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.