The Women’s Executive Network’s (WXN) held its annual event, Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards. The awards, launched in 2003, celebrate women whose accomplishments have left a lasting mark on their professions and communities across the country.  

Among the honourees were three alumni from the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS):��Irene Zaguskin, an economics graduate;��Johanna Faigelman, who completed a master's degree in social anthropology; and��Lena Azzou, a graduate of the Department of English. Learn more about their accomplishments below:��

A technology executive and board director, Irene Zaguskin (BA ’09) serves as PwC Americas’ co-chief information officer as well as PwC Canada’s chief information and transformation officer, chief data and analytics officer, and partner. The LA&PS alum has led digital transformation, technology innovation and business reinvention across the professional services, retail, telecommunications and energy sectors. 

Trained as an anthropologist, Johanna Faigelman (MA ’00) founded��HumanBranding��in 2006 and has since expanded the behavioural insights consultancy to Toronto and New Jersey. The LA&PS alum developed��a methodology��that helps pharmaceutical, biotechnology and consumer companies better understand the cultural and emotional factors influencing behaviour. Faigelman was named a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur��of��the��Year 2026 Ontario program and was part of the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women North America class of 2025.��

At Metrolinx, Lena Azzou (BA ’05) oversees enterprise strategy and transformation, operational excellence, enterprise project management and enterprise risk management. The LA&PS graduate is a certified change management and strategy implementation practitioner who has held senior leadership positions including chief of staff and Chair of the Metrolinx Women’s Network. She has also served as vice-Chair of the Women’s Centre of 91��ɫ Region and contributes to her community as a mentor, volunteer and advocate for women and families. 

Congratulations to the LA&PS alumni recognized at this year’s event.  

Read the full article in��YFile.����

Faculty members of the Department of Economics extend a heartfelt congratulations to the graduating class of 2026, wishing every success to their students as they proceed in their academic and professional journeys. Recognizing the achievement of students who have completed their degree, faculty in the department are proud to see many of them continuing their studies in graduate programs at 91��ɫ, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia and McMaster University.  

"My studies in economics at 91��ɫ provided me with valuable insights into real-world economic challenges and the quantitative tools necessary to comprehend them. With this knowledge, I will be pursuing my Master of Arts in Economics at the University of Toronto this fall," says Ava Beck-Leone, who earned a B.A., Honours, Double Major Economics & Information Technology. 

Students commented on how the sense of community in the department enhanced their experience. Ritvik Jain, who earned an Honours BA says, "In spite of being a transfer student, I didn't have any difficulty connecting with both faculty and peers during my undergraduate studies in Economics at 91��ɫ. It led me to find a passion for economics and inspired me to further my studies and pursue a master's degree at UBC." 

Efe David Onowigho-Onowotu,��who��earned��a��B.A.��in��the program��says,��"Studying Business Economics at 91��ɫ gave me a strong foundation in economic analysis and allowed me to explore my interests in macroeconomics, public policy and cryptocurrency, while also providing opportunities to grow through leadership, networking and extracurricular involvement. I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned as I begin my career and continue building a future in financial services."��

Congratulations once more to the��class of 2026.��

The Department of Economics is pleased to recognize the recipients of its 2024-25 Undergraduate Awards. The awards were presented at the department's annual alumni night in November 2025.  

Organized in partnership with the Economics Students' Association (ESA), alumni night brings together students, alumni and faculty to celebrate academic achievement and explore career opportunities in a variety of fields. 

The department congratulates the following award recipients: 

Chris Sloan Prize 

Ethan Tucker 

Edward A. Beder Memorial Scholarship 

Noam Lasry 
Mohammadtaha Ranjbar 

Stanley L. Warner Memorial Award 

Daniel Yu 
Mohsen Selseleh 

Tait Montague Book Prize 

Eduardo Tramontin 
Andrew Kucheruk 

The Annie Kaplansky Award 

Raamtin Farmani 
Aron Faizi 

The George Doxey Award in Economics 

Philip Lum 

John Robinson Award in Economics 

Rafael Perrion 

William Pearson Scott Scholarship 

Gurminder Kaur 

William Jaffe Book Prize 

Camila Tiemi Nakamura 

Learn more about the department’s scholarships and awards on our website. 

Talha Aamer Chaudhry 
Technology Consultant, Abacus 
BA ’18, Economics

LA&PS alumnus, Talha Aamer Chaudhry was named one of 91��ɫ’s 2026 Top 30 Alumni Under 30, recognized among a distinguished group of young leaders making a meaningful impact around the world. In recognition of his achievement, we connected with Talha to better understand how his experience as an Economics graduate contributed to where he is today.  

1. How did your degree in Economics help get you where you are today? 
   Economics taught me how to think – not just in numbers, but in systems. It gave me the ability to understand incentives, make structured decisions and see the bigger picture, which has been foundational across technology, business and entrepreneurship. 
2. What career did you dream of pursuing in undergrad, and where did your professional path actually take you after graduation?  
   I initially envisioned a traditional path in finance or consulting. Instead, my journey evolved into leading digital transformation, building ventures and working across technology, education and entrepreneurship – far broader and far more purpose-driven than I had imagined. 
3. What skills or knowledge from the Economics program have been most beneficial in your career? 
   Critical thinking, problem structuring and understanding trade-offs. Economics trains you to analyze uncertainty and make decisions with imperfect information – skills that are invaluable in both corporate strategy and entrepreneurship. 
4. In what ways have the network and connections you made during your studies helped you in your career? 
   The relationships I built opened doors to global opportunities, collaborations, and perspectives. More importantly, they exposed me to diverse ways of thinking, which continues to shape how I lead and build today. 
5. What advice do you have for first year Economics students? 
   Don’t just focus on grades – focus on understanding how the world works. Stay curious, explore beyond the classroom and build something of your own early. Clarity comes from action, not overthinking. 

Read the full article to explore all LA&PS Top 30 Under 30 alumni recipients. 

We are thrilled to announce the recipient of the 2024 Ronald Kent Medal is our esteemed colleague, Magy Baket. 

Magy joined the Student Success and Academic Advising Team in the Department of Economics in 2017 and quickly became an integral member of our administrative team and a champion for student success. As one of the nominators noted, Magy stands out “not just because of her deep knowledge of policy, curriculum and student supports, but because of her remarkable empathy, professionalism and tireless work ethic.” Every day, Magy goes above and beyond her role, continually enhancing her professional knowledge and strengthening her ability to better serve our students. 

Thank you, Magy,��for your exceptional commitment to academic��advising and for being such a wonderful colleague.��We’re��so proud that your dedication to 91��ɫ’s values has been recognized.��Congratulations!��

On Wednesday, Nov. 12, 91��ɫ Economics students competed in the Bank of Canada Governor's Challenge, presenting their analysis of Canada’s economic situation and interest rate policy to Bank officials. Their strong presentation showcased critical thinking and applied economic expertise.��

This year's team members included��Hyunsu Cho, Yacine Faye, Jiaqi Fu, Manuel Molina, Duy Nguyen and Quang Huy Vu under the guidance of��professors��George Georgopoulos and Ilya Archakov from the Department of Economics.

��is an annual competition that brings together Economics students from universities across Canada. It aims to deepen the understanding of the role of monetary policy in Canada’s economy. The Nov. 12 presentation was the first round, where our students delivered a phenomenal presentation.��

Congratulations��to the team on your success and good luck going forward!

On Monday, Nov. 3, individuals and teams were recognized for their contributions to the 91��ɫ Community at the President’s Staff Recognition Awards. The annual awards celebrate meaningful contributions across the institution in several key areas, including community building, leadership and service excellence.

The following staff members from the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies were celebrated as winners and nominees:

Decolonization, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI) Award

Nominated:

• Colleen Robinson, administrative coordinator, Department of Anthropology 

Gary Brewer Emerging Leader Award

Nominated:

• Bhanu Priya Sharma, student engagement coordinator, LA&PS Colleges
• Tanzina Tahereen, associate director, faculty curriculum, Office of the Associate Dean, Programs (LA&PS) 

Harriet Lewis Team Award for Service Excellence

Nominated:

• English Department Administrative Staff 
• LA&PS Faculty Research Office  

The President’s Leadership Award

Nominated:

• Amanda Rodrigues, director, strategic enrolment, LA&PS��

Ronald Kent Medal

Winner: 

• Magy Baket,��student success and academic advisor, LA&PS��

Nominated:

• Celeta Irvin, undergraduate program administrator, School of Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies, LA&PS

President’s Voice of 91��ɫ Award

Nominated:

• Jacqueline Selman,��undergraduate students coordinator, Department of Social Science, LA&PS

Congratulations to all the staff recognized in the awards.

Read the full story in YFile.

Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) has awarded $1.7 million in federal funding to 91��ɫ researchers as part of the Insight Development Grants program. The program will provide funding for projects lasting up to two years, supporting a broad range of topics and disciplines as researchers investigate key societal challenges. A number of applicants from the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies received funding for their projects, including:

Gemechu Abeshu, Department of Sociology 
Project: Exploring the Lived Experiences of Refugees Resettled in Canada through the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot  
��ܲԻ徱�Բ�: $62,498 

Kelly Bergstrom, Department of Communication & Media Studies 
Project: Context Collisions and Critical Events: Investigating the True Crime Convention Circuit  
Funding:  $73,181  

Sheetala Bhat, Department of English 
Project: Long-distance Gods: Hindu Nationalism and the South Asian Diasporas in Canada  
Funding: $65,433  

Sarah Blake, Department of Humanities 
Project: Technologies of Beauty and Enslaved Practitioners in the Graeco-Roman World  
��ܲԻ徱�Բ�: $67,215

Zeyad El Nabolsy, Department of Philosophy 
Project: Theories of Education in Nineteenth-Century African Philosophy  
��ܲԻ徱�Բ�: $46,414 

Denielle Elliott, Department of Anthropology, Department of Social Science 
Project: Cinematic Minds: Exploring brain injuries through science fiction horror film  
��ܲԻ徱�Բ�: $74,995

Ida Ferrara, Department of Economics 
Project: Advancing Gender Diversity in Leadership Positions: An Integrated Multidisciplinary Approach  
Funding: $60,720

Benjamin Kelly, Department of History 
Project: Space and Power in the Flavian Palace: 3D Digital Visualisations as Tools for Historical Research  
��ܲԻ徱�Բ�: $69,030 

Sunwoo Lee, School of Administrative Studies 
Project: Retirement Planning for Low-Income Households in Canada  
Funding: $48,547 

Sudeshna Maitra, Department of Economics  
Project: More Skilled Jobs or Subsidized Education? A Micro-to-Macro Approach to Evaluate Anti-Poverty Policy in India  
��ܲԻ徱�Բ�: $71,508 

Margaret O’Brien, Department of Philosophy 
Project: Disagreement, Standing, and Politics  
Funding: $43,751

Jacqueline Petropoulos, Department of English  
Project: Reanimating the Moderns: Canadian Adaptations of World Drama  
Funding: $65,820

Leila Pourtavaf, Department of History 
Project: From Gulistan to Lalezar: The Urban Life and Afterlife of Slavery in Tehran  
��ܲԻ徱�Բ�: $57,461 &�Բ�����;

Nicholas Taylor, Department of Communication & Media Studies  
Project: Building Good Relations  
Funding: $56,215

Natasha Tusikov, Department of Social Science
Project: Governance Challenges of Digital-Contraceptive Apps  
Funding: $74,918

Jun Zhao, Department of Economics  
Project: The Evaluation of Minority Preference Programs in Canada  
Funding: $53,823  

Jelena Zikic, School of Human Resource Management  
Project: How remote workers of an extreme type cope with the ‘connectivity paradox’? From nomadic to lonely work lives  
Funding: $63,253

Congratulations to all LA&PS applicants and their team of researchers.

Read the full story in YFile.

Nikolai Cook, a Department of Economics alumni, was awarded the Economic Sciences prize in the John Charles Polanyi Prizes 2024. Named after the recipient of the 1986 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the John Charles Polanyi Prizes are prestigious honours awarded by the Ontario government to exceptional early-career researchers across five fields: physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and economic science. Cook was recognized for his research exploring the economic consequences of climate change and air pollution, as well as his work to address transparency and credibility issues within economics and social sciences.

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