When Alexander Grynszpan (iBBA ’17, JD/MBA ’21) first stepped onto Keele Campus, it was with a clear vision to merge his passion for law with his interest in finance. Growing up in a multilingual household, he dreamed of a career with an international footprint. The International Bachelor of Business Administration (iBBA) at the Schulich School of Business was the perfect fit, offering internationally-focused core business courses with the cross-cultural awareness required to live and work abroad. His undergrad studies were followed by a joint Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration (JD/MBA) program, which presented Alexander with a wealth of innovative courses, resources and individualized mentoring and was the ideal opportunity to merge business and law in a way that would help him launch his career.

Throughout his undergraduate program, Alexander took part in an exchange in Austria and an internship with the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Argentina. His focus and dedication led to an internship in a New 91��ɫ firm, where he eventually found himself handling high-profile capital market transactions for large public companies.

“Starting in New 91��ɫ is not a very common path,” says Alexander. “I spent a lot of my first summer reaching out for coffee chats and trying to meet as many people as possible, asking a lot of questions and learning about their practices. I secured my internship for my second summer of law school with a New 91��ɫ firm and after I graduated, I took both the New 91��ɫ and Ontario bar exams.”

For Alexander, being part of the 91��ɫ community has always meant more than just academics,

“Aside from the very strong academics, 91��ɫ provided me with a community that allowed me to imagine these paths for myself,” says Alexander. “I received a tremendous amount of support from upper years and from alumni. Going forward, I seek to be that for the next generation of students. I try to be accessible to those who are interested in pursuing similar paths. As a corporate lawyer, I work with public companies that are raising large pools of capital, but also find time to dedicate to pro-bono work. Having grown up in Latin America, I find the hours spent on causes that relate to immigration and asylum-seeking very rewarding.”

During his time at 91��ɫ, Alexander served as co-president of the JD/MBA Students’ Association. This role helped him build lasting relationships that now continue to provide both professional and personal support.

“Getting involved outside of the classroom is so important,” says Alexander. “Those experiences help you stay energized and connected, and they often turn into lifelong networks. Students at 91��ɫ are very driven and academically inclined. Sometimes, people underestimate the importance of being a well-rounded person. Getting to know your own class and your community, is something that's going to pay off tremendously in the long run.”

Looking ahead, Alexander is committed to continued growth. Whether it’s navigating emerging technologies like blockchain or artificial intelligence (AI) or new areas of law and business, Alexander is excited to see where the journey will take him.

“In the legal and financial world, things evolve quickly,” says Alexander. “I’ve learned that it’s not about having a fixed goal but about giving myself the tools to adapt as new opportunities arise.”

Despite being based in New 91��ɫ, Alexander has never lost touch with the 91��ɫ community. From attending alumni events to staying connected with professors, he remains an active part of the 91��ɫ network. “91��ɫ has been such an important part of my journey, I’m always looking for ways to give back.”

Alexander Grynszpan is a 2025 recipient of 91��ɫ’s Top 30 Alumni Under 30 which recognizes inspiring and diverse alumni 29 years old and younger who are driven to make a difference locally and globally.  

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Inspired by his elder brothers who left their home in Zimbabwe to study abroad, Tinotenda Mutsvangwa (BA ’20, MMgt ’21) was determined to carve his own path. Drawn to the university’s multiculturalism and liberty, Tinotenda enrolled in 91��ɫ’s Political Science program where he would broaden his perspectives and build community.

“91��ɫ definitely shaped my interpersonal skills and my ability to relate to people,” says Tinotenda. “There’s over 55,000 people on campus from all walks of life. You’re interacting with different people every day. It shapes your thinking and makes you more considerate and empathetic.”

However, for Tinotenda, moving miles away from home brought various challenges as an international student.

“I think the most difficult thing I had to experience was finding myself in a new environment and being far away from home and having to re-establish yourself,” says Tinotenda. “I think that’s what made me passionate about always representing international students and striving for better conditions for international students.”

But it would be the opportunities and community at 91��ɫ that would ease the transition and transform Tinotenda’s experience as an international student. From working as a night porter in his residence to supporting students at 91��ɫ Red Zone as a student ambassador, these opportunities introduced him to all the resources available to 91��ɫ students.

“I felt like there was so much support through my team leads, my mentors and my team members who I am still in touch with today,” says Tinotenda. “As an international student, you can go to 91��ɫ International, and they can help you with anything related to being an international student. It became a pleasurable experience.”

He particularly credits Michelle Hughes, a recruitment and communications coordinator for the Master of Management program at Schulich, for giving him the encouragement he needed to follow his dreams.

“She was very instrumental because she validated my dreams and what I wanted to achieve in life,” says Tinotenda. “She helped build that bridge from my undergraduate studies at LA&PS to graduate studies at Schulich and let me know what I was capable of.”

Thanks to these meaningful experiences, Tinotenda was inspired to serve as a mentor to students and youth. He took on multiple leadership roles including acting as a financial peer mentor supporting both domestic and international students with practical financial guidance and served as a lead mentor in the pilot Black Excellence program.

“We were collaborating with the Toronto District School Board where we’d mentor Black students and first-generation students and families who were coming to university and had no prior knowledge,” says Tinotenda.

After completing his undergraduate studies at 91��ɫ, he co-founded Incorporate Zim, a non-profit and podcast platform amplifying youth voices in Zimbabwe, which was featured on the country’s largest private radio network. Driven by his passion for financial and youth empowerment, Tinotenda aspires to continue to empower future generations through mentorship.

“Another thing that I'm passionate about is continuing to mentor Black students, especially marginalized groups,” says Tinotenda. “I really want to be that resource for my community, especially since I'm working for CIBC in wealth management. I want to be able to speak to my community and let them know how they can build, maintain and protect their wealth.”

Tinotenda Mutsvangwa is a 2025 recipient of 91��ɫ’s Top 30 Alumni Under 30 which recognizes inspiring and diverse alumni 29 years old and younger who are driven to make a difference locally and globally. 

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When it came time for Laiba Khaqan (BA ’22) to choose where to study, 91��ɫ’s distinguished psychology program was an easy decision. It was her time as a 91��ɫ student that would spark her passion to drive systemic change, a commitment that continues to shape her path today as an entrepreneur and mental health advocate bridging mental health, technology and education. 

“I chose to study at 91��ɫ because I think it has one of the best psychology programs,” says Laiba. “I had a professor named Dr. Joel Goldberg and he was very specialized and passionate about schizophrenia, which is something I’m doing my mental health work in today.” 

As a psychology student, Laiba noticed the lack of awareness and conversation around schizophrenia. For Laiba the silence was deeply personal; having a close family member with schizophrenia gave her a first-hand perspective on the impact of the stigma that surrounded it. This motivated her to create the Schizophrenia Society of 91��ɫ, a platform to raise awareness, encourage conversations and build community.  

“I thought I was the only one who had a family member with schizophrenia,” says Laiba. “When I started talking to people on campus, so many people including my close friends shared their experiences. It made me understand that when we create the space to talk, the lived experiences and storytelling is what humanizes people.” 

After graduating from 91��ɫ, Laiba wanted to continue to inspire change and advocate for schizophrenia and mental health beyond the 91��ɫ community. In 2023, she was a founding member of Living Beyond Labels, a non-profit that uses storytelling to reduce stigma around mental health and support individuals affected by schizophrenia and psychosis. Through this initiative, Laiba has reached over 600 people with her advocacy. 

“I think there’s a lot of stigma, no matter how many mental health conversations we have,” says Laiba. “Conditions like schizophrenia and psychosis are never given light to when we have these conversations. I hope we can continue to humanize individuals who have it and provide the spaces to have these conversations.” 

But mental health advocacy isn’t the only domain where Laiba is leveraging her education and skills. She is also a founding member and director of People Strategy and Operations of ConnectED Labs, a tech startup that develops artificial intelligence (AI)-powered 3D environments to enhance online education, hybrid work and workforce training. 

“I think it’s important to have people like myself in these spaces, with a background in psychology, to provide a more humanistic approach,” says Laiba. “We can create something that isn’t so tech-driven and eliminates the human connection.” 

Laiba has grown the team from two people to 25, helped raise over $6.1 million in funding and led multimillion-dollar projects with the Government of Canada. Her leadership has scaled the company as part of a social enterprise with Voilà Learning. 

“I’m kind of excited to see where AI agents are going to go,” says Laiba. “I think with AI, we’re going to lose human connection. It’s going to be interesting to see how we can promote human interactions using AI and not just see it as something that’s going to destroy but facilitate.” 

Today, Laiba is building on this passion as she is currently pursuing her graduate studies in clinical mental health counseling, deepening her commitment to creating digital and institutional systems that prioritize people first. 

Laiba Khaqan is a 2025 recipient of 91��ɫ’s Top 30 Alumni Under 30 which recognizes inspiring and diverse alumni 29 years old and younger who are driven to make a difference locally and globally.  &�Բ�����;

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“When I was in Grade 11, I watched The Producers by Mel Brooks and I thought, well that looks like a lot of fun,” says Valeriy. “I was always involved in drama at school, which made me want to work in the theatre industry.” 

Valeriy recalls the diverse educational experience that 91��ɫ’s theatre program provided him to help carve out his career path.  

“My first year at 91��ɫ, we were able to try different areas of the theatre world like acting, production and theatre history,” says Valeriy. “Professors like Peter McKinnon, John Mayberry and Shawn Kerwin were all hands-on specialists. Being thrown in the deep end and figuring out how to swim was an education I gained at 91��ɫ that really helped me with complex projects in my field.” 

After graduation, Valeriy became an associate producer for Starvox Entertainment, a company founded by 91��ɫ alumnus Corey Ross (BA ’95, MBA ’00) that produces stunning immersive exhibits such as “Disney Animation: Immersive Experience” and “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” While at Starvox, Valeriy was the producer of Ukraine's first immersive exhibition dedicated to Ukrainian icon Taras Shevchenko, “Shevchenko: Soul of Ukraine,” with 100% of the proceeds going to humanitarian aid in Ukraine. 

While he was enjoying his career as a successful producer, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine shifted Valeriy’s focus towards a humanitarian cause that was close to home. In 2024, Valeriy was appointed the executive director of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF), a charitable organization which has sent over $95 million worth of aid to Ukraine, helping more than six million people, since 2022.����

“Canada and the Ukraine are both so important to me,” says Valeriy. “Ukraine has given me a great opportunity to become who I am, while Canada has given me an education and opportunities to do things that bring me joy. I want to continue building these bridges between the two countries.”

Valeriy hopes to continue to advocate for Ukraine and help those in need. While he has accomplished a lot before the age of 30, he believes that the most complex things are still to come.  

“At 91��ɫ, we studied a silent film called Battleship Potemkin that feature the iconic Potemkin Stairs in Odesa, Ukraine,” says Valeriy.  “When you’re standing at the bottom of the staircase, all you see are steps and it seems daunting. But once you walk up the stairs and look back, you see the segments of the steps, and it doesn’t look so scary. It’s the same with projects; at the beginning they seem daunting, but when you look back at the end of the project, they didn’t seem as complex as they did in the beginning.” 

Valeriy Kostyuk is a 2025 recipient of 91��ɫ’s Top 30 Alumni Under 30 which recognizes inspiring and diverse alumni 29 years old and younger who are driven to make a difference locally and globally.  

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Marissa Magneson (BFA ’18) is a Cree-Métis artist, photographer and arts educator. Her advocacy for Indigenous and Métis rights to self-govern, uplift youth and reclaim fractured cultural identities due to colonization is deeply rooted in her family history. But when it came to Marissa’s personal identity, it would be her experiences as a student at 91��ɫ that would ignite her journey of understanding and reclaiming her cultural identity. &�Բ�����;

“I chose to study at 91��ɫ because it was the only university that offered a world music program. 91��ɫ allowed me to study flamenco guitar, study abroad in Spain, and allowed me to sing in one of the best university gospel choirs,” says Marissa. &�Բ�����;

Marissa recalls the independent reading course she took during her undergraduate studies with Dr. Rob Simms. As part of the course, she had the opportunity to study abroad in Spain which inspired her to examine her own identity. &�Բ�����;

“Writing and documenting my experience in Spain made me realize what I wanted to explore next – my own identity. Studying a culture that is not your own can raise questions about who you are, so I worked with Dr. Simms for another year, writing my second photo essay book about understanding what it means to me to be Indigenous,” says Marissa. &�Բ�����;

Today, Marissa has returned to 91��ɫ to pursue her PhD where she is currently exploring beadwork as pedagogy, a bridge towards cultural reclamation and reconciliation. &�Բ�����;

“Coming back to 91��ɫ felt like returning home, especially visiting the Centre for Indigenous Student Services, which served as my second home during my undergrad,” says Marissa. “The supports they offer are critical to my well-being and journey of reclaiming my cultural identity as a Cree-Métis woman; they are very much to thank for where I am today.”  

As an arts educator, Marissa collaborates with various organizations leaving a significant impact on post-secondary Indigenous student centres, private and public schools, local governments, arts organizations, corporations and her own communities – the Métis Nation of Ontario and Toronto and 91��ɫ Regional Métis Council. She is also a strong advocate for fair and equitable compensation for all artists and arts educators. &�Բ�����;

“Art has always been a foundational part of who I am and how I learn and express myself, whether that be through music, photography or beadwork. I hope to contribute to my community through helping others find themselves through art and to education by helping people learn through art,” says Marissa.   &�Բ�����;

As a 2024 Top 30 Alumni Under 30 recipient, Vanier Scholar and a two-time recipient of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) awards, Marissa encourages students to be open to their journey and embrace the pathways and possibilities that education can reveal. &�Բ�����;

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When Adam Donaldson (JD ’22) graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School, his dream of becoming a lawyer finally became a reality. Today, Adam is an associate at Stockwoods LLP, advocate, community builder and volunteer. 

“I always felt like 91��ɫ and Osgoode Hall gave me the opportunity to live my dream,” says Adam. "Not only that, but the opportunity to learn at one of Canada’s premier law schools meant the world to me. I will always be grateful for that.” 

Adam attributes the programs, courses and support he received from his professors at Osgoode to his success today. &�Բ�����;

“The Mediation Clinic and Osgoode’s Mooting program stoked my interest in pursuing litigation and advocacy. That said, these interests only materialized because of the unconditional support of professors, like Jean-Paul Bevilacqua and Margaret Boittin,” says Adam. “It’s easy for me to say that I would not be in the position I am today without their support.” 

As a strong believer in community, Adam works hard to give back to the same communities that have helped him achieve his goals. After graduating from the University of Victoria, he collaborated with the University and the Government of British Columbia to create a program that taught seminar courses to university students alongside incarcerated individuals, promoting post-secondary opportunities after incarceration. Adam continues to provide support to these communities through mentorship, volunteering and public speaking. 

“I’d like to be a member of the community who is always willing to make time and to give back in the same way as those who helped me,” says Adam. “More broadly, I’d like to someday be in a position where I can help advance the state of the law in Canada, particularly as it relates to civil liberties.” 

In the future, Adam hopes to enhance his community engagement efforts by becoming more involved in charities and boards and taking the opportunity to implement change. &�Բ�����;

“I see this as the combination of grass-roots advocacy and leadership skills. I think it would be a good way to further the community work I have done and ensure that there are systems in place that are built to last,” says Adam. 

As a recipient of Osgoode’s Dean’s Gold Key Award and the Upper Year Excellence Award for Academic Achievement, Adam advises new students to acknowledge and embrace change when starting university. &�Բ�����;

“Use your time in university to explore your interests and discover what you are passionate about. Usually, that will lead to life-long friends and a supportive community,” says Adam 

Adam was recently named one of 91��ɫ's 2024 Top 30 Alumni Under 30. Learn more about the program and the impressive young alumni on the list. 

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Aedan Fida (BBA ’20) is an innovator, entrepreneur and co-founder/CEO of Blade Air, a North American leader in sustainable indoor air quality solutions. He credits his time at 91��ɫ as instrumental in driving his success.

“From a young age, I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur and spend my life building businesses,” says Aedan. “The programs offered at 91��ɫ were very appealing to me and I chose to study at 91��ɫ because of the renowned Schulich School of Business.”

Blade Air has garnered a strong reputation as an innovative company in the indoor air quality sector. They have recently been featured as one of the Top Growing Companies of 2023 by the Globe and Mail. Prior to receiving recognition as a professional in the industry, Aedan received great acclaim as a winner in the Schulich Start-Up Night pitch competition and winning the third stage of the YU Accelerate Up program.

“Those competitions provided us with opportunities and funding we otherwise would not have received,” Aedan recalls.

Aedan’s experience as a student was also enhanced by members of the 91��ɫ community.

“Chris Carder (Executive Director of the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Schulich School of Business) remains an amazing advisor and friend to this day. The work that he has done to breathe life into the entrepreneurship program at 91��ɫ and Schulich is incredible,” says Aedan.

“Steve Pulver was one of my professors in entrepreneurship studies, and his course introduced us to a company that my partners and I would later acquire.”

As a key player in his industry, Aedan is looking to create significant positive change with the goal of developing a more sustainable future.

“At Blade Air, we know that we have the capacity to do more than disrupt an industry; we can and will change the world,” says Aedan. “The impact that our solutions offer are unparalleled in their ability to reduce energy consumption, divert waste, reduce logistics and simultaneously improve indoor air quality. We are focused on creating healthier spaces for people to live and work while contributing significant reductions to our clients' carbon footprints.”

For the near future, Aedan remains focused on scaling his business globally.

“Our focus is to continue scaling our business and to flood the markets with our technology to achieve our vision of changing the world and disrupting the markets in which we compete,” says Aedan. “Within the next five years, we hope to have cemented our presence and foothold in the North American markets and start looking to make significant and meaningful investments in the remaining global markets, with specific focuses on the EU and the UAE.” 

As a young entrepreneur who has experienced success in the business world before the age of 30, Aedan advises future entrepreneurs to be persistent and believe in themselves.

“It doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down; it matters how many times you get up,” says Aedan. “Hold yourself to a higher standard than anyone else could ask of you. Self-discipline is a learned skill, make it your secret weapon.”

Aedan has been recognized in Forbes ’30 Under 30 (2022) and as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year (2023) for the sustainable solutions he has helped drive.

Aedan was named one of 91��ɫ's 2024 Top 30 Alumni Under 30. Learn more about the program and the impressive young alumni on the list.

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Leanne Prendergast is an anti-bullying advocate, author and motivational speaker who works to empower young girls and address issues of bullying, low self-esteem and other mental health issues. 

Why did you choose to study at 91��ɫ? 

I chose to study at 91��ɫ because I liked the idea of being close to home while being able to attend classes and keep my part time job. At that time, there weren’t any trains running, however, there was one bus that went through my neighbourhood, down my street and its last stop was 91��ɫ. I often felt God was looking out for me because he knew it was a struggle to make it to my early classes. So, having the convenience of taking one bus helped me to be on time and focused in school. I had also visited many universities in Canada and the United States, but 91��ɫ just felt like home. It had a unique spark and excitement about it that ultimately made me choose to stay locally. I always saw 91��ɫ as a very forward-thinking school and so I knew I wanted to be in that learning environment. 

Describe how your 91��ɫ experience influenced the path you’re on today. Did you have any favourite courses, professors or experiences that were particularly meaningful to you? 

I would love to say I was one of those students who soaked in the entire university experience, got As in all my classes and in the end graduated with highest honours; however, my undergraduate journey at 91��ɫ was the complete opposite. I switched my degree twice, was on academic probation and had a delayed graduation. Looking back now, my journey of finding myself has shown me the importance of perseverance and resilience. These are the same values I embrace today as it has reminded me to be patient with myself when I haven’t figured everything out. It has taught me that the most important thing is to get to the finish line no matter how you get there.  Overall, my 91��ɫ experience was exactly what I needed to be the confident, persevering, and resilient person I am today.   

You were selected in part because you are changemaker. In what ways do you hope to contribute to your community/the country/the world in a positive way? 

To be recognized as a changemaker is truly an honor. It has always been my desire to see women live to their fullest potential. However, I believe we must begin the process of empowerment long before they reach university. By working with schools and communities, I would like to see policies and strategic plans implemented to support girls’ learning and provide them opportunities for leadership and collaboration with their peers and community. Additionally, I would like my research to influence country policies by implementing practical ways to prevent mental health disorders from increasing in girls and children of colour.  It is my hope that the model I have created and the initiatives I will create in the future can be used internationally to protect, promote and provide opportunities for groups to live empowered and prosperous lives.  

How do you see your work (be it career/volunteer/philanthropic) progressing in the next five years? What are some of your future goals? 

I see my work progressing immensely in the next five years, as I believe the past decade has been preparing me for the work I am doing now. As an executive director of a grassroots non-profit organization, I am excited to collaborate with other organizations, school boards, universities and associations to create safe spaces for those who need it most. I am looking to expand the organization to reach communities by using technology and provide fun, engaging and relevant initiatives that will improve their quality of life. After my doctoral studies, I hope to open a private practice in North America which uses the model I have created and incorporates the research I have done to inform therapeutic practice. The sky is truly the limit.  

What advice would you give to students who are just beginning their university experiences? 

I would tell new students that are just beginning their journey that I wish I didn’t take myself so seriously and I embraced every victory and failure as a part of getting to the finish line. So my advice would be, embrace every opportunity you can while at 91��ɫ. Listen to your heart and be ok with the idea of being different or unconventional. Overall, know that although education is extremely important, your mental wellness and passion is important as well. Take in as much of the university experience as you can, be patient when you don’t get it right the first time, and know that the finish line is the goal.  

Leanne was named one of 91��ɫ's 2024 Top 30 Alumni Under 30. Learn more about the program and the impressive young alumni on the list.

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La version française suit la version anglaise.

Iris Yusupov (BA ’16, MA ’18, MBA ’22) is a clinical researcher and mental health advocate who has devoted her graduate career to providing mentorship and mental health support to students.  

“I chose to start my studies at 91��ɫ’s Glendon Campus because of the opportunity to continue learning French, its focus on neuropsychology, and the smaller class sizes,” says Iris. “It was then an easy choice to pursue graduate studies in the Clinical Neuropsychology program at 91��ɫ.” 

Iris credits her passion and initiative to pursue further opportunities to the support and encouragement she received as a student. It is with this support she would take on the role of program coordinator at 91��ɫ’s Autism Mentorship Program. 

“Dr. Guy Proulx was the first professor to teach me about neuropsychology and tell me about grad school,” Iris recalls. “His passion was contagious, and I was lucky enough to match with my academic supervisor Dr. Jill Rich for my master’s and PhD. She is an endless source of unconditional support and she encouraged me to pursue any and all of my passions.” 

But it would be Iris’s personal experience becoming a mother as a graduate student that would reveal the obstacles diverse students encounter in higher education. With this knowledge, Iris established a national mentorship initiative to support graduate students transitioning to parenthood and to dispel mental health stigma amongst healthcare trainees. 

“I hope by sharing my own story of experiencing postpartum depression that I can continue to dispel mental health stigma among healthcare professionals and students," says Iris. “I hope to advocate in universities and other institutions to offer more supports, programs, and education for supporting the well-being and success of parents who are studying.” 

Today, Iris works as a psychotherapist specializing in the mental health of autistic adults and plans to continue developing services for adults and older adults on the autism spectrum. She is also completing her residency at the final stage of her PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology and she will be teaching healthcare strategy at The Schulich School of Business this fall.  

“I’m excited to share a unique perspective with the healthcare leaders of tomorrow and emphasize the importance of emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills (such as empathy, compassion, and communication), and the promotion of equity, diversity, and inclusivity, to be a successful healthcare leader,” says Iris.

Iris was named one of 91��ɫ's 2023 Top 30 Alumni Under 30. Learn more about the program and the impressive young alumni on the list.

Pleins feux sur les diplômés : Iris Yusupov (B.A. 2016, M.A. 2018, M.B.A. 2022)

Iris Yusupov (B.A. 2016, M.A. 2018, M.B.A. 2022) est une chercheuse clinique et une porte-parole de la santé mentale qui a consacré sa carrière de diplômée à fournir du mentorat et du soutien en santé mentale à la communauté étudiante.

Elle a choisi de commencer ses études au campus Glendon de 91��ɫ pour plusieurs raisons : la possibilité de continuer à apprendre le français, l’accent mis sur la neuropsychologie et la petite taille des classes. « Le choix de poursuivre des études supérieures dans le programme de neuropsychologie clinique de 91��ɫ s’est alors imposé de lui-même », dit-elle.

Iris attribue sa passion et son initiative à poursuivre d’autres opportunités à l’appui et aux encouragements qu’elle a reçus en tant qu’étudiante. C’est grâce à ce soutien qu’elle a pu assumer le rôle de coordonnatrice du programme de mentorat pour les personnes autistes de 91��ɫ.

« M. Guy Proulx, Ph. D., a été le premier professeur à m’enseigner la neuropsychologie et à me parler des études supérieures », se souvient Iris. « Sa passion était contagieuse. J’ai aussi eu la chance d’être jumelée avec Mme Jill Rich, Ph. D., comme superviseure académique pour ma maîtrise et mon doctorat. Elle est une source inépuisable de soutien inconditionnel et elle m’a encouragée à poursuivre toutes mes passions. »

Mais c’est son expérience de nouveau parent qui a révélé les obstacles rencontrés par les étudiants issus de la diversité durant leurs études supérieures. Iris a mis en place une initiative nationale de mentorat pour soutenir les étudiantes et étudiants diplômés qui deviennent parents et pour dissiper la stigmatisation liée à la santé mentale parmi les stagiaires en soins de santé.

« J’espère qu’en partageant ma propre expérience de la dépression postpartum, je pourrai continuer à dissiper la stigmatisation liée à la santé mentale parmi les spécialistes de la santé et la population étudiante, déclare Iris. Je souhaite plaider auprès des universités et d’autres institutions pour qu’elles offrent davantage de soutien, de programmes et de formation pour favoriser le bien-être et encourager la réussite des parents qui étudient. »

Aujourd’hui, Iris travaille comme psychothérapeute spécialisée en santé mentale auprès d’adultes autistes et prévoit continuer à développer des services pour les adultes et les personnes âgées s’inscrivant dans le spectre autistique. Elle termine également sa résidence à la dernière étape de son doctorat en neuropsychologie clinique et enseignera la stratégie des soins de santé à l’École Schulich des hautes études commerciales cet automne.

« Je suis ravie de partager une perspective unique avec les leaders de demain dans le domaine de la santé et de souligner l’importance de l’intelligence émotionnelle, des compétences interpersonnelles (comme l’empathie, la compassion et la communication) et de la promotion de l’équité, de la diversité et de l’inclusivité pour réussir en tant que leader dans le domaine de la santé », déclare Iris.

Iris a été nommée parmi les 30 meilleurs diplômés de moins de 30 ans de l’Université 91��ɫ en 2022. Apprenez-en davantage sur le programme et sur les impressionnants jeunes diplômés figurant sur la liste.

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When it came time to select a university, he found that 91��ɫ was one of the few post-secondary institutions to offer a disability studies program. To gain a deeper understanding of the disability space, and to create positive change, he pursued a master's degree in Critical Disability Studies, focusing on the ongoing sexualization and objectification of people with disabilities in online spaces. 

“I work closely with the limb loss and limb difference community to provide peer supports, educational opportunities and workforce development,” says Lucas.  “I am able to serve amputees, such as myself, through the creation of resources that reflect real personal experiences while sharing critical healthcare information.”

Today, Lucas is an innovative educator and disability advocate who has worked with numerous non-profit organizations. Skilled in disability law, educational accommodation, management and public policy, Lucas is currently the director for Community Engagement with the Amputee Coalition.

“One of the most exciting projects I am currently working on is a sex and intimacy guide in partnership with the Veterans Affairs Office,” he shares. “My research project prior to graduating 91��ɫ focused on sexuality, identity and safety for amputees online. It has been such a pleasure to revisit that work with a new lens and use my education in a very practical way to assist in creating the guide.”

Lucas recalls his time at 91��ɫ as being very memorable. He found the disability space on campus very diverse and intersectional. Aside from his appreciation of working with instructors such as Rachel da Silvera Gorma, Mary Bunch, and Geoffrey Reaume, he acknowledges the importance of his peers who contributed to the transformation of the way he worked within the disability community.

“Over the next few years, I would like to build on my work with the limb loss and limb difference community by advocating for easier access to durable medical equipment, through legislation.”  Lucas wants amputees to have access to the prosthetics that best fit their activity level and lifestyle. “Across North America amputees are often given prosthetics or orthotics that will allow them to lead a normal life. But the definition of normal often skews towards the ability to walk or move, not to run or be active. I believe like many other disability advocates that physical activity is a right not a privilege.”

Lucas strongly believes that university is not only about academics, but also the connections you make and the extracurricular activities you are involved in. Taking part in more than just academic studies provided him with exposure to skills that can only be acquired through real-life experience.

“During my undergraduate studies I loved theatre and after participating in a number of shows, I started a community theatre company to provide opportunities and access to high school students to work with professional actors,” says Lucas. His experience during those years prepared him for management of teams and finances, a skill he will carry with him into the future. “Diversity and additional experiences will set you up for success.”

Lucas was named one of 91��ɫ's 2023 Top 30 Alumni Under 30. Learn more about the program and the impressive young alumni on the list.

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