On Oct. 19, their contributions were celebrated during the annual President's Staff Recognition Awards, which honour staff for outstanding service, leadership, innovation, community building and efforts to advance equity and inclusion.

鈥淩ealizing our ambitions for research and academic excellence, as well as student thriving and other priorities in the University Academic Plan, is only possible because of the skill and dedication of our staff,鈥� says Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Lisa Philipps. "Their work makes a material difference in the lives of our students and colleagues. I am grateful for the care they bring to their roles and for the many ways that their contributions help 91亚色 grow and flourish. My sincere congratulations to all nominees and recipients.鈥澛�

2025 President's Staff Recognition Awards recipients and nominees 

Decolonization, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI) Award 

This award recognizes the passion, dedication and campus engagement by a team or individual staff member to advance decolonization, equity, diversity and inclusion at 91亚色. It acknowledges ongoing work or outstanding accomplishments in practice, events, policy, programs or other activities that foster equitable, sustainable and measurable change on campus, with an intersectional social justice lens, especially for equity-deserving groups such as women, visible/racialized people, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. 

Winner: Harriett Brempong, career education and development specialist, Markham Campus

As founder and chair of the Markham Campus PRIDE Committee, Brempong helped advance inclusion and belonging through initiatives such as Black History Month programming, Taking Up Space and targeted career supports for Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQIA+ students. Her leadership created meaningful opportunities for representation, empowerment and community connection.

Deborah Hobson 91亚色 Citizenship Award 

Former Vice-President Enrolment and Student Services Deborah Hobson devoted her career to 91亚色 with energetic commitment and boundless enthusiasm, guided by a distinctive vision of higher education. Established in her honour, this award is presented to an individual who emulates Hobson's spirited dedication to 91亚色 students and her deep enthusiasm for the 91亚色 community. Nominees embody the 91亚色 spirit, using their creativity and imagination in support of the student community at 91亚色. 

Winner: Amber Roberts, administrative coordinator, Student Community & Leadership Development, Division of Students

Roberts was recognized for her leadership in Student Community & Leadership Development and Residence Life, where she oversaw key student-facing services, mentored student staff and helped create vibrant campus programming and spaces. Through her leadership in these services, mentorship of student staff, and stewardship of campus spaces and programming, Roberts consistently enhances the student experience. 

 Nominees:   

• Andreanne Dibo Amany, associate director, Graduate Student Affairs, Faculty of Graduate Studies 
• Waziha Kabir, coordinator, Student Success, Calumet College
• Agata Stypka, learning skills and academic success specialist, Markham Campus   

Gary Brewer Emerging Leader Award  

Established in honour of former Vice-President Finance and Administration Gary Brewer, this award is presented to a non-academic employee of 91亚色 who has shown tremendous promise for assuming a leadership role at the University. Recognizing and encouraging early-career professionals, it celebrates a staff member known for innovative and meaningful contributions to the effectiveness of their unit and for significantly contributing to the University's commitment to excellence.  

Winner: Nafis Ahmed, associate director, entrepreneurship, Division of Research & Innovation

Ahmed helped expand entrepreneurship and innovation opportunities at 91亚色 through the growth of YSpace programming, the launch of 91亚色's first Lab2Market cohort and initiatives such as the Automotive Innovation Challenge. His work supported students, faculty, alumni and startups in transforming ideas into real-world impact while strengthening 91亚色鈥檚 position within Canada鈥檚 innovation ecosystem. 

 Nominees:   

• Andrew Brown, student engagement coordinator, Student Community & Leadership Development, Division of Students  
• Nikita Cruz, international student experience coordinator, 91亚色 International 
• Waziha Kabir, international student experience coordinator, Calumet College  
• Jennifer Vu, coordinator, Student Financial Services,

Harriet Lewis Team Award for Service Excellence   

Established in honour of former University Secretary and General Counsel Harriet Lewis, this award recognizes a team's excellence in service and support to students, faculty, course directors, staff and/or other service users, and its promotion of the 91亚色 spirit in terms of imagination, creativity, innovation and redefining the possible in service to 91亚色's community. 

Winner: Digital Technologies Program team 

• Flodora Apoostolaqi, work-integrated learning programs coordinator  
• Nelufur Bhasin, director, educational and employer partnerships 
• Aileen Chan, undergraduate program administrator 
• Adam Duncan, assistant director   
• Nicole Habis, manager, educational and employer partnerships 
• Carmen Ly, coordinator, employer and educational partnerships   
• Marily Molina, business development manager  
• Viniththa Nagarajah, coordinator, employer and educational partnerships  
• Jack Onorati, manager, educational and employer partnerships  
• Jenny Peach-Squibb, professional skills coach

The Digital Technologies Program Team played a key role in building and delivering one of 91亚色's most distinctive work-integrated degree programs. By bringing together academic and industry partners, the team created meaningful pathways to career success and helped establish Digital Technologies as a flagship program at 91亚色's Markham Campus.

Nominees:   

• Connected Minds administrative team, Vice-President Research & Innovation  
• Joint Kellogg-Schulich Executive Master in Business Administration,  
• The English administrative team, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
• The Event Operations team, Athletics & Recreation  
• The Faculty Curriculum team, LA&PS 
• The Science Conversion team, Faculty of Science  
• The YU-CARD Office, Division of Finance & Administration 

The President鈥檚 Leadership Award   

This award recognizes excellence in service to 91亚色, honouring contributions that go beyond the published requirements of a position and performance levels that foster a high level of professionalism. Recipients inspire professionalism, creativity and innovation across the University community, and their impact extends beyond an individual department and across the University community at large.  

Winner: Mya Rimon, assistant dean, students, Osgoode Hall Law School

Rimon was recognized for making a significant impact on the student experience at Osgoode Hall Law School and across 91亚色 through her creativity, innovation and commitment to student life. Known as a trusted advisor and collaborative leader, she creates environments where students and colleagues felt supported and able to succeed. 

  Nominees:   

• Nicole Arsenault, director, Sustainability Office, Division of Finance & Administration  
• Melanie Belore, executive director, experiential learning, Cooperative Education & Experiential Learning
• Ella Burrell, director of student success and academic advising, Calumet College   
• Mandy Frake, director, teaching development, VP Faculty 
• Byron Gray, manager, 91亚色 - TD Community Engagement Centre, Division of Equity, People & Culture
• Ramon Kagan, director, operational excellence and institutional applications, UIT, Division of Finance & Administration鈥�    
• Debbie Montanera-Bojda, director, people partnerships, Human Resources, Division of Finance & Administration  
• Taylor Morihovitis, manager, housing administration, Division of Finance & Administration  
• Jillian Yeung Do, executive officer, Schulich School of Business 

Phyllis Clark Campus Service Award 

In honour of former Vice-President Finance and Administration Phyllis Clark, this award is presented to a non-academic employee of 91亚色 who has made exemplary and outstanding contributions to the operations of either of 91亚色's campuses in terms of efficiency, cleanliness, safety, security and/or other campus or plant services. 

Winner: Michael Kelloway, manager, ancillary services, Markham Campus

With more than three decades of service to 91亚色, Kelloway played an instrumental role in the successful launch of 91亚色's Markham Campus, helping build both essential services and a strong sense of community. He earned widespread respect for his collaborative approach, operational expertise and commitment to supporting others. 

  Nominees:   

• Whitney L'Esperance, administrative assistant, Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science,
• Jamie Thomson, supervisor, community safety operations, Community Safety Department, Markham Campus 

President鈥檚 Voice of 91亚色 Award   

The Voice of 91亚色 Award is given to an individual who is a first point of contact person at 91亚色, employed as front-line staff with regular interaction with the 91亚色 community. The most important voice of 91亚色 is the one who makes the first contact with a visitor or a community member; the quality of responsiveness, compassion and professionalism 鈥� particularly in handling difficult or sensitive situations 鈥� and a genuine desire to assist are essential to 91亚色's reputation. 

Winner: Tessa Jean, administrative assistant, 91亚色 TD Community Engagement Centre, Division of Equity, People & Culture

As a key point of contact at the TD Community Engagement Centre, Jean created welcoming and supportive experiences for students, community members, faculty and partners. Her professionalism, compassion and ability to help people navigate complex situations strengthened trust and engagement across the communities she served. 

 Nominees: 

• Stephanie Allen, learning technology support specialist, Office of Curriculum Innovation & Teaching Excellence, Schulich School of Business  
• Suzie Lee Hortness, director of development, advancement, Markham Campus  
• Mandy Ramnaraine, graduate program administrator, Academic Services, Faculty of Science 
• Samirah Sharif, operations assistant, Food & Vending Services, Division of Finance & Administration
• Tina Sposato, executive assistant to the vice-president research and innovation    

Ronald Kent Medal    

This award recognizes employees who promote and strengthen collegiality, values and goals of 91亚色. Its namesake, Ronald Kent, had a unique personal commitment to the University demonstrated through years of dedicated service. His sincerity and enthusiasm inspired colleagues across the University, and he was considered a true ambassador for 91亚色. 

Winner: Patrick Legris, administrative assistant, Department of Visual Art & Art History,

Known throughout the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design as a pillar of strength and collegiality, Legris spent decades supporting students, staff and faculty with generosity, compassion and dedication. His commitment to community has made a lasting impact on the life of the University. 

  Nominees:   

• Sanja Begic, web development specialist, Communications & Marketing, LA&PS   
• Patricia di Benigno, administrative coordinator, Department of History, LA&PS 
• Celeta Irvin, undergraduate program administrator, Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies, LA&PS 
• Nicola Martin, career development officer, Office of Admissions & Student Services, Career Development Office, Osgoode Hall Law School 

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Graham's career has spanned more than five decades across the financial services, technology and automotive sectors. He was the founding chief executive officer of Proponix Inc., a global financial technology company, and previously held senior leadership positions with Citibank in Canada and Asia. 

As a Schulich alum, Graham has been a key contributor to the University. Serving for more than two decades as president of the Schulich Global Alumni Network, Graham has supported generations of students through mentorship, philanthropy and alumni engagement. 

Introducing him during convocation, Schulich Associate Professor Emerita Lorna Wright described him as "one of the school's most dedicated and influential alumni" and highlighted his long-standing commitment to creating opportunities for others. 

"Bill's legacy can ultimately be measured not only by the distinguished career he built, but by the many people he has helped along the way," she said. 

In his address to graduands, Graham reflected on the two lasting gifts Schulich provides its graduates: access to a global alumni network and a foundation in responsible business leadership. 

He encouraged graduates to view the school鈥檚 network of more than 38,000 alumni as a valuable resource for building relationships, accessing advice and learning from others鈥� experiences.  

鈥淥ver the last 40 years, I've used this network extensively, and what I found in almost all the cases were alumni who were willing to connect with me and build a relationship because it was valuable to them as well,鈥� he said.   

Graham reminded graduands to support future generations of alumni and students. 

"It is important to recognize that this ... is reciprocal," he said. "It comes with a responsibility to give back, support and advise your fellow alumni and future students." 

Turning to the lessons he learned throughout his own journey, Graham reflected on his career in global financial services, using the rise and fall of Citibank and Citigroup to illustrate why responsible business practices, ethical leadership and a commitment to society are essential to long-term success. 

鈥淚t's not just the right thing to do; it is the smart and successful thing to do,鈥� he told graduands, encouraging them to carry the principles of responsible business into their professional and personal lives. 

Successful organizations must look beyond financial performance to consider their employees, governance, ethics, the environment and the communities in which they operate, he said. While generating profits remains important to sustaining a business and attracting investment, he cautioned against making shareholder returns an organization's sole priority. 

鈥淲hen that becomes your only focus, that so-called shareholder model drives adverse behaviours as well as negative value and cultural shifts that benefits no one, including the shareholders,鈥� he said.聽

He recalled the cultural and leadership shifts that contributed to the 2008 financial crisis and said that organizations can lose sight of their purpose when financial performance becomes the sole measure of success. 

"It is said that we learn more from our failures than from our successes, and we did learn from the failures of 2008," he said. 

Graham noted the crisis accelerated the rise of modern responsible business practices, which seek to strengthen the relationship between business and society while creating sustainable value. 

Addressing the next generation of leaders, he emphasized that the principles taught at Schulich and 91亚色 will only matter if they choose to apply them. 

In closing, Graham reminded the graduating class to use knowledge and responsibility to shape the future. 

"You are now going to be those people. You are now going to be those leaders," he said. "Schulich has given you the tools. Now go out and use them." 

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Volpe is president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers鈥� Association, representing one of Canada鈥檚 largest manufacturing sectors. A leading voice on industrial policy, trade and economic competitiveness, he has played a prominent role in advancing Canadian manufacturing interests and strengthening the country鈥檚 automotive supply chain.  

Appointed to the Order of Canada in 2023, he serves on both the Prime Minister鈥檚 Council on Canada-U.S. Relations and the Ontario Premier鈥檚 Council on U.S. Trade and Investment. 

Volpe has built a career at the intersection of industry, public policy and public service, said Siu Ning (Sunny) Leung, vice-dean, faculty and inclusive excellence, Lassonde School of Engineering. 

鈥淧rogress takes more than good ideas; it takes people who can bring others together and turn those ideas into action,鈥� said Leung. 鈥淔ew careers demonstrate that more clearly than that of Flavio Volpe.鈥澛�

After accepting an honorary degree before graduands of , Glendon College, and the Faculties of , Education and Science, Volpe reflected on the family and experiences that shaped his journey. 

Returning to 91亚色 nearly three decades after completing his MBA, he said one lesson had become increasingly clear over time: "Nobody gets here alone.鈥�   

That lesson, he noted, was rooted in his own family's connection to 91亚色. Before Volpe earned his degree, his mother, Mirala, returned to school as a mature student while raising four children, becoming the first university graduate in her family.  

鈥淗er effort and her success were both a warning and an inspiration,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he was showing us, through her own work, what we could and should ask of ourselves.鈥�  

Volpe encouraged graduands to recognize the family members, teachers, friends and mentors who helped them reach this milestone, and reminded them that opportunity comes with responsibility.  

"Your education gives you tools. What you do with those tools gives meaning," he said. 鈥淵ou are graduating in different disciplines. You will help communities understand themselves and the world. Your work will affect people you may never meet.鈥� 

Looking back on his own career, Volpe recalled representing Canada's automotive manufacturing sector and the importance of keeping people at the centre of decision-making. 

"When I visit an office or a factory, I see skill, ingenuity, investment. I also see people paying their mortgages and raising their kids and making plans." 

He pointed to the automotive sector's response during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he led efforts to shift production to ventilators and personal protective equipment, as an example of people coming together to solve urgent challenges. 

"When you have the ability to help, you have a responsibility to try," he said. 

Volpe also shared insights from Project Arrow, the nation's first all-Canadian zero-emission concept vehicle created to showcase Canadian technology, talent and innovation. Drawing on this example, he challenged graduands to think boldly about their futures and ability to make an impact. 

"You do not have to shrink your ambition to fit somebody else's assumptions about you," he said. "Confidence does not require you to have every answer; it requires you to believe that your effort can make a difference, and to be willing to learn from the people who sit beside you. I hope you leave 91亚色 with that confidence." 

Volpe encouraged the graduating class to carry forward both the opportunities they have received and the responsibility that comes with them. 

"Wherever you go, carry that responsibility with you. Make room for someone else. Share what you know. Stand up when it would be easier to sit down and be quiet." 

He concluded with a reminder about the values that matter most as graduates begin the next chapter of their lives. 

"Keep your kindness. Keep your honesty. Keep your loyalty to the people who trust you, be ambitious about what you can accomplish and thoughtful about who benefits when you do," he said. 

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Marketers and policymakers often assume people sense, think, feel and relate in broadly similar, stable ways. However, new research argues that consumer experiences are shaped by a range of internal and external factors. Stress, sleep loss, aging and illness can all influence how people processes information and navigate marketplaces, leading to hard-to-read fine print, overwhelming store and app experiences and rushed decisions made under pressure.

The argument is set out in 鈥�" published in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing. The study was co-authored by Raisa T. Zaman, a PhD candidate at Schulich, together with an international team of scholars from Canada, the U.S., the U.K. and Europe.

Drawing on research from psychiatry, neuroscience and neurodiversity studies, the authors argue that variation in how people process the world is universal and constantly shifting, not limited to the one-in-five people who identify as neurodivergent.

鈥淢arketers and policymakers often design for one 'average' mind,鈥� says Zaman, who is conducting her PhD studies under the supervision of Professors Ela Veresui and Russell Belk. 鈥淲hen a store, an app or an ad overwhelms us, we tend to blame ourselves. Our research shows that this is a design error and one that can be avoided.鈥�

To address this, the researchers introduce the STAR (sense, think, affect and relate) framework, which helps practitioners and policymakers identify where marketplace design assumes everyone processes information the same way. They also propose neuropluralist design, a set of eight principles for building more flexible and accessible consumer experiences, including tactics such as adjustable sensory input, multiple ways to engage and self-paced interaction.

The team illustrates the framework using influencer marketing, a global industry valued at more than U.S. $40 billion and one where consumer safeguards can be limited. For example, a sponsorship disclosure can meet legal requirements and still go unnoticed by consumers who are scrolling quickly, multitasking or experiencing fatigue.

The researchers argue that regulators ask not only whether disclosures exist, but whether people can actually notice, understand and act on them.

鈥淲e believe the era of designing for the mythical 'average' consumer has reached its limits,鈥� concludes Zaman. 鈥淲hen systems are designed for variability, they become more inclusive, resilient and effective for everyone.鈥�

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Founded in 1995 by Caldwell, Canada's Top 40 Under 40 celebrates emerging visionaries, innovators and business leaders who have demonstrated exceptional achievement, leadership and community impact. Over the past three decades, the program has recognized many of Canada's most influential executives, entrepreneurs and changemakers at early stages of their careers.聽

The 2026 cohort includes Nick Frosst, Patrice Njoh and Jonathan Sherman, 91亚色 community members who have demonstrated leadership in AI, consulting and law.

Nick Frosst, former research assistant 

Frosst is a co-founder of Cohere, an AI company that creates large language models and tools specifically for businesses. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Toronto, Cohere builds cutting-edge foundation models and end-to-end AI products that help businesses and governments solve real-world challenges with leading security, data privacy and deployment flexibility.  

Frosst plays a key role in the company鈥檚 research efforts with a focus on delivering top-tier user experiences for customers. Prior to founding Cohere, he was the first employee hired by Geoffrey Hinton at Google Brain鈥檚 Toronto lab, where his research focused on capsule networks, adversarial robustness and model interpretability.  

Frosst is a former research assistant at 91亚色's Tsotsos Computer Vision Lab at the where he worked on visual saliency prediction algorithms, focusing on benchmarking and optimization from 2013-15.

Patrice Njoh, alum (IMBA '13) 

Njoh is a partner at Deloitte Canada, where she advises senior executives on AI, technology, workforce transformation and enterprise change. She has partnered with some of Canada鈥檚 largest financial institutions and public sector organizations to adopt new technologies, redesign work and improve services used by millions of Canadians.  

A frequent speaker on AI, leadership and the future of work, the alum helps shape the global conversation on how organizations can harness emerging technologies responsibly. She champions practical, people-first adoption strategies that help organizations realize value from innovation while building trust and long-term resilience.

Beyond Deloitte, she serves on the board of The Kickback Foundation and mentors emerging leaders shaping the next generation of Canadian business. 

Jonathan Sherman, alum (JD '14) 

Sherman serves as executive Chair of Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, a partner in its Capital Markets and Public M&A Group and founder of its Cannabis Law Group. He is the youngest partner in the firm's history and a trusted advisor on some of the market鈥檚 most significant and complex transactions. 

His practice focuses on emerging high-growth industries, including technology, beverage alcohol, gaming, cryptocurrency and real estate.  

Sherman, an alum of , has advised on major capital markets and corporate transactions, and provides strategic and legal advice to a range of industry leaders, entrepreneurs and investment dealers. He also plays a central role in shaping Cassels鈥� strategic direction, and he is frequently invited to share his expertise and perspectives on business and law by journalists, conferences and academic institutions. 

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Since its launch in 2003, the Canada鈥檚 Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards have recognized women whose accomplishments have left a lasting mark on their professions and communities. This year's 91亚色-affiliated honourees include leaders in AI, transportation, construction law, governance and health care.

Below are this year鈥檚 recipients and the categories for which they were recognized.

AI and Technology

This category recognizes women whose work moves technology beyond theory, influencing real-world outcomes through product development, platform strategy, data systems, automation and enterprise technology adoption.

Lisa Marie Chen (MBA 鈥�11) leads the product team behind IBM watsonx BI, shaping how generative AI is changing the way organizations understand and work with data. A graduate of the , Chen has built a career in product development, design, entrepreneurship and higher education. In addition to her role at IBM, she teaches strategy at Schulich and previously founded Canada鈥檚 first Asian Canadian lifestyle magazine. Her work brings together technology, design and human-centred problem solving. 聽

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

Amex Emerging Leaders

This category recognizes women between the ages of 30 and 40 who have been identified for successive leadership positions and demonstrate a passion for learning and innovation.

Saloni Shah (BAS 鈥�07) is an infrastructure advisory lead and principal consultant at the design and engineering firm HDR, where she helps clients plan and deliver complex infrastructure and transportation projects. A graduate of LA&PS and a chartered professional accountant, Shah has held roles in transportation strategy, infrastructure planning and market analysis. She also supports community-based non-profit organizations through pro bono consulting, serves on HDR鈥檚 Inclusion and Diversity Committee and is treasurer of WTS Toronto, an organization that advances women working in transportation.

Board of Directors

This category recognizes women who bring transformative vision and leadership to the highest levels of governance.

With more than two decades of board experience, Corinne Boone (MES 鈥�94) has developed expertise in governance strategy, climate finance, as well as energy and mining. The Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change alum serves as board Chair of Canada Growth Fund, independent director and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) committee Chair at mineral company Los Andes Copper, and is a director of the energy non-profit EfficiencyOne. Boone also contributes to governance education as a lead ESG lecturer with Corporate Directors International and has mentored aspiring directors through Women Get on Boards.

Entrepreneurs

This category recognizes women who own and operate thriving businesses.

Trained as an anthropologist, Johanna Faigelman (MA 鈥�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.

CN Executive Leaders

This category recognizes women who exemplify strong leadership while building confidence and championing others.

As executive vice-president and chief legal and governance officer at TELUS, Andrea Wood (LLB 鈥�85) oversees the company鈥檚 legal, regulatory and privacy functions and serves as corporate secretary to its board of directors. The alum also serves on the board of the Museum of Contemporary Art, is vice-Chair of the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation鈥檚 GTA Community Board and is a member of the Canadian Lawyer Editorial Board. Wood has been recognized by Chambers Canada as a General Counsel Influencer and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Law Awards.

Erica Zarkovich (LLM 鈥�15) leads LifeLabs鈥� commercial and strategic partnerships across Canada鈥檚 health care sector as the company鈥檚 chief market and partnerships officer. A graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, she works to improve growth, innovation and improved access to health care through collaborations that connect patients, providers and partners across the system. Zarkovich is particularly committed to advancing health equity in remote, rural and Indigenous communities.

Professionals

This category recognizes women who are professionals in practice and play a leadership role within their organizations.

At Metrolinx, Lena Azzou (BA 鈥�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鈥檚 Network. She has also served as vice-Chair of the Women鈥檚 Centre of 91亚色 Region and contributes to her community as a mentor, volunteer and advocate for women and families.

Andrea Lee, who teaches at Osgoode Hall Law School, is managing partner of Glaholt Bowles LLP and a certified specialist in construction law. Trained in both architecture and law, she advises owners, contractors, design professionals and insurers on complex infrastructure and construction matters. Lee is a fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers and has co-authored leading construction law texts. Her work has earned recognition from Lexpert, Chambers, Benchmark Litigation and Best Lawyers.

For the full list of this year鈥檚 winners, visit the .

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For Ela Veresiu (BBA 鈥�09), a marketing professor at 91亚色鈥檚 , the sudden surge in visibility raised an intriguing question: what happens when a long-taboo life stage becomes a marketplace?

鈥淲e want to understand what gives menopausal women 鈥� a demographic that鈥檚 traditionally been ignored in society 鈥� a genuine sense of belonging in the consumer marketplace,鈥� she says.

To answer that question, Veresiu launched a multi-year study on what she calls 鈥渢he menopause economy,鈥� examining how products, services and marketing shape women鈥檚 experiences of inclusion and belonging.鈥�

Backed by a 2024 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Insight Grant, her research builds on her previous work studying age-inclusive marketing and products for older women. The $92,763 grant funds four years of research on the project titled 鈥淐hampioning Belonging and Inclusion of Ageing Menopausal Consumers in Canada's Marketplace.鈥�

Her interest in the topic emerged at a time when menopause remained largely absent from public conversation. A 2022 report published by the Menopause Foundation of Canada found that more than half of women still viewed the biological transition as a taboo topic, while 72 per cent said the information and advice available to them was unhelpful.

Yet within just a few years, the conversation shifted. Menopause moved from the margins into mainstream media, creating new opportunities for businesses eager to reach an underserved demographic.

Veresiu observed that transformation firsthand at the inaugural National Menopause Show in 2024, where thousands of attendees gathered at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, during her fieldwork.

What she found was a sprawling: rows of booths offering medical consultations and online platforms promising personalized care plans. There were vendors selling cooling pillows and night-sweat clothing, and displays on hormone replacement therapy alongside vitamin stands.

And then there were the tables laid out with crystals, handbags and jewelry 鈥� lifestyle products with only the faintest connection to menopause.

The experience highlighted how quickly the menopause economy is expanding and prompted new questions about who benefits from it.

Veresiu is collaborating with co-author Marie-Agn猫s Parmentier, a marketing professor at HEC Montr茅al, to map how this emerging industry is taking shape and how to educate women to be informed consumers.

Together, they鈥檝e attended two menopause-themed shows to observe and document the events from their perspectives as attendees 鈥� a method called ethnography 鈥� and spoke to nearly 60 exhibitors about what they were offering menopausal consumers.

These exhibitors included virtual health providers, consulting companies, brand managers, small businesses and non-profits.

Based on their initial data, Veresiu and Parmentier identified three main risks in the expanding new market, which experts predict will grow to at least $24 billion by 2030.

The first is that businesses will put a 鈥減ink tax鈥� on menopause-related products and services. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a long-established tradition of charging more for women鈥檚 beauty and grooming products than men鈥檚 counterpart,鈥� Veresiu says.

This leads to the second risk: that the menopause market will exclude female consumers who can鈥檛 afford to engage in it.

The third risk is that menopausal women may lack the consumer education to know which products are safe and effective. 鈥淎re they truly tested and data-driven or are they just snake oil?鈥� Veresiu says. 鈥淭rade shows are sometimes used to legitimize a new market, but there鈥檚 a feeling of information overload as an attendee. You don鈥檛 know what to believe.鈥�

Veresiu鈥檚 broader aim is for older women 鈥� menopausal and beyond 鈥� to feel they belong in the marketplace because it represents their needs and experiences.

In an aging society where the older generation may have substantial purchasing power, she says, there鈥檚 a strong business case for embracing this demographic.鈥�

To see how these risks are developing among consumers, Veresiu and Parmentier will recruit attendees at the 2026 National Menopause Show for in-depth interviews.

鈥淲e鈥檙e interested in how they view the new menopause market,鈥� Veresiu says. 鈥淒o they feel that companies are truly catering to their needs and providing valuable products? Has the market contributed to opening up conversations about menopause? Or do those we'll interview just feel inundated and overwhelmed?鈥�

She sees answers to those questions as crucial for what happens next in the market.

鈥淐ompanies are now jumping on the menopause bandwagon, but are they going to stay on it?鈥� she asks. 鈥淲e hope this study will offer them a blueprint for authentic inclusion while also determining the best ways for non-profits and government organizations to guide menopausal consumers through the current chaos of products and information.鈥�

Contributed by Megan Easton

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Across his teaching, Friedman has observed that as AI has made it possible to complete many cognitive tasks more quickly and easily, students have naturally integrated it into their learning experiences. They use it to brainstorm ideas, summarize information and assist with assignments. Friedman says this has become known as "cognitive offloading," a term used to describe shifting mental work to external tools. In the context of AI, it refers to relying on technology to do thinking that students could be doing themselves.

Friedman is not opposed to AI-enabled learning. In fact, he encourages transparency around its use in his courses and views it as a tool students will encounter in their professional lives.

To ensure cognitive offloading doesn't come at the expense of deeper learning, he began exploring how AI could be used to create richer learning experiences that require students to think critically, demonstrate their knowledge and take greater ownership of their work.

That idea led him to rework a presentation component of his MBA Change Management course. Student teams would still be asked to present, but rather than placing the emphasis on polished delivery, Friedman shifted the focus to learners鈥� ability to apply their understanding in the moment.

"What can I do to create the opportunity for just enough friction to get them to up their game?" he asked himself.

To do that, presentations would be followed by an extended question-and-answer session where students are expected to explain their research, defend their recommendations and answer questions about the sources and evidence in their project.

The presentations would also be transcribed in real time and fed to a custom AI agent Friedman created to generate live follow-up questions, requiring students to think on their feet to defend their ideas.

The technology also helped address a practical challenge. During presentations, Friedman often found himself trying to listen, assess participation, take notes and formulate meaningful follow-up questions all at once. By generating potential questions from the transcript, the AI tool allowed him to focus more closely on what students were saying while still supporting a richer discussion.

The result was an assessment that placed less emphasis on delivery and more on demonstrating understanding in the moment.

To build the system, Friedman "fed" the agent course readings, assignment instructions, grading rubrics and other materials. He then spent several weeks testing and refining the tool before the course began, experimenting with different instructions and examples to improve the quality of the questions it produced.

The results were encouraging. Friedman observed stronger preparation, greater command of project topics, greater confidence during discussions and more balanced participation among group members.

Students enjoyed the process, Friedman says, and he found they were challenged to think through their ideas in real time and demonstrate what they knew and how they arrived at their conclusions.

As for the impact on Friedman's role as an instructor, the AI tool didn't replaced him; instead, it supported his teaching while leaving key decisions in human hands.

Friedman reviewed the agent's AI-generated questions, refining or rejecting them before shareing with students. The result was an synergy that combined AI's ability to rapidly analyze information with the judgment, experience and flexibility of a human instructor.

"The question for me was never whether the AI was better than me or worse than me," he says. "It was: can I use it to make me better?"

There was another benefit, too 鈥� Friedman no longer needed to divide his attention between listening, observing, taking notes and preparing follow-ups. Instead, he could focus more fully on the students and their presentations.

"I could be really present for the students," he says.

That experience challenged a common assumption Friedman sees in conversations about AI in education. While many fear technology might reduce human interaction, he found the opposite to be true. Class members became more connected to their own thoughts and more engaged with their work, while the technology gave him more time to interact meaningfully with students.

The classroom exercise was not a one-off experiment. After using the approach in his MBA course for a second consecutive summer, Friedman is now adapting it for an undergraduate business course and continuing to refine the AI agent so it can be used in different teaching contexts.

Through his work at the Teaching Innovation Studio, he is also encouraging other faculty members to experiment with practical ways AI can support learning.

For Friedman, the technology's potential goes beyond improving the classroom experience. It can also help strengthen the connection between students and instructors.

"I want to use it in a way that enhances the classroom experience," he says. "Let's use technology to be more human."

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Since the Hartmans began working together, they have been driven by a question: could some traits commonly viewed as deficits associated with autism be strengths in the workplace?

Earlier studies suggest employees with autism may be more likely to identify problems in professional settings, less likely to rationalize unethical behaviour and less prone to overestimating their own abilities 鈥� traits that could influence how organizations make decisions and respond to challenges.

As awareness and diagnoses of autism have increased, the researchers say their focus has broadened.

鈥淲e are now becoming more interested in what organizations can do to make use of the capabilities employees with autism bring to the workplace,鈥� says Lorne, a behavioural scientist formerly affiliated with the who is now with the University of Toronto.

鈥淭hey need to think about whether their existing systems help or get in the way,鈥� adds Braxton, who completed his master's in psychology at 91亚色 in 2025. Braxton now works with The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health to develop and implement training for young adults with autism.

In in Research in Neurodiversity, they reviewed findings from psychology, neuroscience and organizational behaviour to examine how workplace environments influence whether characteristics associated with autism become strengths, challenges or sources of exclusion.

鈥淭his is particularly important when the system has been designed around assumptions about what a 鈥榯ypical鈥� employee looks like, how they communicate or how they should approach their work,鈥� says Lorne.

He and his son synthesized those findings into a framework for understanding how cognitive differences interact with organizational systems.

A central theme of the paper is what researchers call person-environment fit: the idea that workplace outcomes emerge through the interaction between individual cognitive differences and the settings in which people work. Culture, communication norms, management practices and team dynamics all play a role.

The researchers argue that the same characteristic can be advantageous in one setting and challenging in another. For example, employees who question assumptions, point out inconsistencies or communicate more directly may be perceived as difficult or insufficiently collaborative, even when their observations are accurate and valuable.

Another finding outlines workplace cultures that favour conformity or implicit social norms can make employees with autism feel pressured to mask their natural communication style in order to meet expectations. While masking may help individuals navigate those environments, the researchers note it can come at a personal cost, and may also prevent employers from benefiting from the perspectives those staff members bring.

Designing for neurodiversity requires more than accommodation; it requires rethinking how organizations define professionalism, competence, communication and collaboration.

鈥淲hat we've come to appreciate more strongly is how much the expression of an individual's capabilities depends on the environment,鈥� says Braxton. 鈥淧eople need the resources and opportunities to put those capabilities to work.鈥�

The paper offers a series of recommendations designed to help organizations create those opportunities and better align systems with a wider range of cognitive styles.

The recommendations aim to make workplaces less dependent on unwritten social rules and more focused on employees' actual abilities. Among other measures, the researchers call for hiring processes with greater emphasis on demonstrated skills over interview performance, clearer expectations for communication and performance, and work environments that give staff more control over factors such as noise, interruptions and other sensory demands.

They also call for workplace cultures where questioning assumptions and expressing disagreement are viewed as valuable contributions rather than disruptions.

Lorne hopes the paper will encourage employers to think about their HR structures and practices.

鈥淢aking those systems fair and equitable for employees with autism shouldn't be viewed simply as something organizations do for a relatively small group of people,鈥� he says. 鈥淢any of the changes that make workplaces work better for employees with autism can make them work better for everyone.鈥�

That broader message reflects one of the paper's central conclusions: cognitive differences can become strengths or barriers often depends on the settings in which they are expressed.

鈥淥rganizations have a great deal of human potential available to them, and how much of it they actually see depends in part on the environments they create,鈥� says Braxton.

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Thakur is the founding engineer and chief technology officer (CTO) of Tally Rewards, a platform that helps small and medium-sized businesses create customer loyalty programs. The platform allows customers to automatically earn rewards through linked payment cards, while providing businesses with data on customer visits, spending and engagement.

Building a company is demanding in its own right, but while helping lead the company's product development and technical strategy, he is also completing a software engineering degree at 91亚色.

Balancing those responsibilities hasn鈥檛 always been easy.

"There have been periods where assignments, exams, product deadlines and company responsibilities have all happened at the same time," he says.

The challenge has grown alongside the company, as his role has expanded beyond engineering to include leadership, team development and long-term planning.

For Thakur, balancing a startup while completing an engineering degree has become an education in itself.

"It has forced me to become much more intentional with how I manage my time and prioritize what actually needs my attention,鈥� he says.

The opportunity to gain that kind of hands-on learning while studying was one of the reasons he chose 91亚色.

"91亚色 stood out to me not only because of the engineering program, but also because of the entrepreneurial support and pathways available to students," he says.

Thakur says the overlap between classroom learning and real-world experience has accelerated his growth. Concepts introduced through his coursework, including software design, testing and large-scale software development, often influence how he approaches challenges at Tally Rewards.

Classroom learning was only part of the experience. 91亚色鈥檚 entrepreneurship programs have also shaped his approach to building a business. In addition to his software engineering coursework, Thakur has pursued opportunities through Lassonde's BEST (Bergeron Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology) program and entrepreneurship courses available through .

Designed to help students develop the skills and understanding needed to launch a startup, these learning opportunities encouraged him to think beyond technology and focus on understanding users, validating ideas and building sustainable businesses.

As a result, Thakur has gained new insights into his role as CTO at Tally Rewards.

"Being a CTO isn't only about being a strong engineer. It's also about helping a team make good decisions and ensuring that what we build actually supports the direction of the business,鈥� he says. 鈥淪ome of the most important work happens before you write any code.鈥�

The combination of technical and venture creation education has been one of the most valuable aspects of Thakur's 91亚色 experience.

"My engineering courses at Lassonde have given me the technical foundation to build reliable systems, while the entrepreneurship experiences have helped me understand why those systems should be built and who they should be built for," he says.

Looking ahead, Thakur hopes to continue growing as both an engineer and entrepreneur while completing his degree.

"University is actually a unique environment to experiment because you're surrounded by people who are learning, building and willing to help," he says.

Despite the challenges of juggling both, Thakur believes students interested in entrepreneurship should take advantage of the opportunities available at 91亚色 and not wait until they feel fully prepared before pursuing an idea.

"A lot of students assume they need to have the perfect idea, a complete skill set or a detailed plan before they can build something," he says. "In reality, a huge part of entrepreneurship is learning as you go."

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