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Distinguished Leader Award 
Michael Latifi, MBA’89
 

Long-time Toronto resident Michael Latifi has achieved tremendous success as an entrepreneur and businessman, building one of the largest food manufacturing producers in Canada with an impressive global reach.

Headquartered in Markham, Ont., Sofina Foods Inc. employs 18,000 people across Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany and France.

Michael faced adversity after coming to Canada in 1978 from his native Iran for undergraduate studies. As the Iranian Revolution erupted, Michael found himself thrust into the role of political refugee. To pay his tuition, he worked numerous jobs – day and evening shifts – and tutored university peers in math in exchange for help with his English skills.

His work ethic and perseverance paid off: Michael graduated with distinction from Concordia University with a degree in electrical engineering and later earned an MBA at �鶹��ý��վ.

“�鶹��ý��վ gave me something that cannot be bought or manufactured: a foundation,” says Michael, founder, chairman and CEO of Sofina Foods Inc. “When I arrived as a young man with ambition but a limited roadmap, the university offered not only rigour and knowledge, but a way of thinking – disciplined, curious, open to the world. It shaped how I approach problems, how I build teams, and how I lead.”

It was while working at Saputo Inc., a leading global dairy processor, that Michael found his passion for food processing. He launched Sofina Foods in 1995, acquiring a meat processing plant in Scarborough. The company marked its 30th anniversary in 2025.

Michael’s entrepreneurial success is testament to his tenacity, business savvy and visionary leadership. Beyond his company’s important economic contributions to the Greater Toronto Area and Canada as a major employer, Michael recognizes the importance of giving back to the community. His company’s charitable arm, the Sofina Foundation, launched in 2007 and supports children’s causes.

Impact Award
Dr. Lancelot A. Brown, DDS’88
 

Dr. Lancelot Brown exemplifies the intent of this award through his visionary advocacy, inclusive
leadership, and the demonstrable impact of his many community contributions.

A graduate of �鶹��ý��վ’s dental program, Dr. Brown began his career serving as a captain in the Canadian Forces Dental Services, then as officer‑in‑charge of the Royal Military College Dental Clinic. Since 1992, he has worked in private practice in Yorkville.

Committed to giving back to his community, Dr. Brown steadfastly supports scholarships with the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) and the Association of Black Law Enforcers (A.B.L.E.) in Toronto. He has helped expand access to dental education, co-founding the Caribbean Entrance Bursary at �鶹��ý��վ and establishing the Dr. Lancelot Brown Dental Scholarship through the JCA.

His contributions to �鶹��ý��վ include funding a dental operatory in the Undergraduate Teaching Clinic, thereby enhancing the student learning environment. Deeply engaged with the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, Dr. Brown served on its advancement board for many years and remains a dedicated ambassador for �鶹��ý��վ in Toronto, strengthening alumni connections and institutional visibility.

Dr. Brown has also been a powerful ambassador for equity, diversity, and inclusion. Whether mentoring individuals, mobilizing �鶹��ý��վ classmates around philanthropy, or convening alumni in Toronto, he leads with generosity, credibility and purpose.

Rising Star Award 
Stephanie Gutnik, BA’11
 

Stephanie Gutnik already has two advertising industry Rising Star awards to her name – and this one, from her alma mater, makes three. Which tells you something about all that she has achieved since graduating from �鶹��ý��վ with an Arts degree.

Stephanie has carved out an impressive career in advertising and technology, holding senior executive positions. Now living in Toronto, Stephanie is president of Tuxedo Concepts, a business strategy consultancy, and executive vice-president, omnichannel at Wilkins Media. Her previous positions include serving as Yahoo’s global head of digital out-of-home advertising and global chief strategy officer at Billups.

Along the way, Stephanie has become a renowned public speaker in her industry on emerging media, technology, business strategy and women in the workplace. She speaks at advertising events around the globe and has a large following on LinkedIn. In addition to an MBA, and while working full-time, Stephanie earned her PhD in Business Administration, producing novel research on the advertising effects of emerging media.

The author of the children’s book My Very Best, Stephanie is a proud �鶹��ý��վ graduate and engaged citizen. She serves on the board of directors of the Canadian Association of New York and the Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal.

�鶹��ý��վ Friend of Education in Toronto Award 
Ian McLachlin, BEng’60   
 

Ian McLachlin is a tremendous supporter of higher education. Since earning his Engineering degree at �鶹��ý��վ in 1960, Ian has nurtured a profound connection with his alma mater through many roles: volunteer, donor, faculty lecturer, mentor, and all-around �鶹��ý��վ booster.

Ian is a past president of the �鶹��ý��վ Alumni Association, where he actively engaged alumni in supporting the University’s mission, and served on �鶹��ý��վ’s Board of Governors.

For several years, Ian taught courses on entrepreneurship as a faculty lecturer in the Desautels Faculty of Management, sharing his extensive industry experience in the investment banking sector and as an entrepreneur with �鶹��ý��վ students.

He has also helped empower the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs by establishing students awards in the Faculty of Engineering. The Ian McLachlin Prize for Entrepreneurship in Engineering, created in 1998, encourages engineering students to pursue ventures with significant business or social impact. In 2020, Ian established the 1989 Polytechnique Memorial Scholarships at �鶹��ý��վ to honour the victims of the tragedy and support and promote women in engineering.

A true champion of �鶹��ý��վ, Ian is an inspiring example of how alumni can make a meaningful difference in the student experience.

Distinguished Leader Award 
Reza Satchu, BA’91
 

Toronto entrepreneur Reza Satchu has built a stellar career that is noteworthy all on its own.

But equally impressive are his efforts over the past two decades to help develop Canada’s next entrepreneurs, including his volunteer teaching activities to share his business savvy.

Reza is the founder and managing partner of private investment firm Alignvest Management Corporation. He has co-founded, built, and managed six businesses across multiple industries – and is one of Canada’s most successful entrepreneurs, as The Globe and Mail once noted. His many business accomplishments include the recently sold Alignvest Student Housing and StorageNow, which became one of Canada’s largest self-storage companies before its sale.

Reza taught an entrepreneurship course for years at the University of Toronto that was a smash hit with students. “What I was trying to do was bridge the gap between what I felt were a lower set of expectations that people had about what was possible,” he explained. “A big chunk of that, I think, had to do with the lack of exposure that they had to entrepreneurial leaders.”

The course turned out to be the precursor to NEXT Canada: a Toronto-based non-profit that Reza founded to accelerate the trajectory of Canada’s most promising entrepreneurs. As founding chairman, he oversees the organization and teaches its core entrepreneurship course to NEXT Canada cohorts, which have included about 100 �鶹��ý��վ students to date.

Reza grew up in Toronto after his family emigrated from Kenya. He earned an undergraduate degree in economics from �鶹��ý��վ and an MBA from Harvard Business School where he is a senior lecturer in the Entrepreneurship Management Unit.

“Immigrating to Canada was the most important event in my life and the ability to give back to Canada for me is a true privilege,” he says.

Reza served on the Hospital for Sick Children Foundation’s board for over 10 years, most recently as vice-chairman.

He is also a steadfast supporter of �鶹��ý��վ’s mission, as a donor and dedicated volunteer. He is a longstanding member of �鶹��ý��վ’s Toronto Regional Advisory Board and a member of the Leaders Alliance, a group comprised of �鶹��ý��վ’s volunteers who share ideas and convene on issues of strategic importance to the University.

Impact Award
Jaclyn Grossman, MMus’19, GrDipPerformance’20
 

Soprano and administrator Jaclyn Grossman has made remarkable contributions to fostering community, empowering youth, and promoting learning opportunities.

By her own admission, Jaclyn is passionate about making sure that artists have a working knowledge of practical skills, such as financial literacy and project management. In parallel to her singing, she has developed a portfolio career serving the singing community with skills necessary for success.

While studying at �鶹��ý��վ’s Schulich School of Music, Jaclyn took part in summits held by the Association for Opera in Canada. Noticing a gap in professional education for the opera community, she worked with the association to create a national fellowship and mentorship program.

At Opera 5, a Toronto indie opera company where she works as programs manager, Jaclyn oversees the new Portfolio Artist Internship Program in partnership with Opera �鶹��ý��վ. The paid internship program allows Opera �鶹��ý��վ students to gain professional experience and mentorship and develop secondary skills.

Jaclyn has also returned to campus in recent years to facilitate workshops for Opera �鶹��ý��վ students about entrepreneurial and professional skills. “I want to continue fostering environments where artists feel empowered to build careers that reflect their passions, just as I was encouraged to do, allowing them to thrive,” Jaclyn says.

Jaclyn led the Phoenix Leadership Project, a charity she founded to promote youth leadership education. She also co-founded Likht Ensemble, a piano-vocal duo that aims to uncover and share music by Jewish composers from the Holocaust. They perform across North America.

Jaclyn’s dedication to empowering others through education and professional development is truly inspiring and impactful.

Rising Star Award 
Daniel Almeida, PhD’23
 

Daniel Almeida is a behavioural scientist in the Privy Council Office’s Impact Canada, a government-led effort to accelerate innovation to improve the health and wellbeing of Canadians. In collaboration with public health officials and policymakers, he engages in research addressing complex societal challenges in order to guide the design of effective interventions, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for children and young adults.

During his doctoral studies at �鶹��ý��վ in the lab of Dr. Gustavo Turecki, Daniel pioneered and optimized a protocol for single-cell methodologies for port-mortem brain tissue. His doctoral work included international conference presentations and a publication in the American Journal of Psychiatry. “Under Dr. Turecki’s mentorship, I learned how to synthesize complex ideas into innovative research questions.”

Outside the lab, Daniel co-founded Death Café @ �鶹��ý��վ, a safe space to discuss oft-taboo topics such as death, dying, and grief, and introduced community-wide mental health initiatives. As an officer in the Neuroscience Graduate Student Association, Daniel trained peer supporters in active listening, suicide prevention and intervention. He was also instrumental in developing and implementing educational initiatives to raise awareness about sexual violence.

Daniel’s research, collaborations, and meaningful community outreach have earned him awards and recognition, including the NIH Outstanding Scholars Neuroscience Award Program in 2022 and a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Science list. He continues to integrate scientific inquiry with a commitment to social responsibility, laying the foundation for his rigorous and holistic mental health research.

�鶹��ý��վ Friend of Education in Toronto Award 
David Kerr, BSc’65, Sheryl Kerr, BCom’67  
 

David and Sheryl met playing hockey at �鶹��ý��վ. From there, their passion and support for �鶹��ý��վ and Athletics bloomed. In 2007, the Kerrs established the Kerr Martlet Hockey Coach Endowment, creating a permanent source of funding for a full-time coach for the women’s team. A decade later they created the Women in Sport (WiS) program at �鶹��ý��վ, designed to advance the role of women as athletes, coaches, and decision-makers by increasing the number of full-time female coaches and helping female athletes become future leaders. With the help of WiS, �鶹��ý��վ’s percent of female coaches increased from 13 percent to 38 percent, an impressive number that continues to grow.

After David graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1965, he had a successful career leading many Canadian corporations, from Brookfield to Noranda and Ontario Power Generation, and he was involved with efforts to make mining activity consistent with the goals of sustainable development. At �鶹��ý��վ he has been a dedicated volunteer, serving on the Board of Governors and multiple fundraising campaigns, including the project to refurbish the McConnell Arena. He is also committed to the “never-ending pursuit to get better at golf.”

It could almost be said that Sheryl has �鶹��ý��վ in her DNA. Her parents met at �鶹��ý��վ, and she completed her Bachelor of Commerce in 1967. �鶹��ý��վ connections helped her launch her career as a systems engineer with IBM. She was later an owner and operator of Strathfield Consultants and Farm, reflecting her passion for horses. A dedicated volunteer at �鶹��ý��վ, Sheryl has contributed to the campaign for the McConnell Arena and her graduating class’s 50th anniversary fundraising campaign.

In their home city of Toronto, and beyond, the Kerrs have had a significant impact across many sectors as generous champions of the arts, sport, education, and health, for organizations including United Way, the Special Olympics, the YWCA, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO), Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation, and Leaside Girls Hockey.

David and Sheryl are both past recipients of a Distinguished Service Award from the �鶹��ý��վ Alumni Association, St. George’s Society Toronto Red Rose Award of Merit, and the Mitchell Family Alumni of the Year Award. Sheryl is an Honourary Musician of the TSO and was a recipient of the Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation Rose Award.

Distinguished Leader Award 
Ken Dryden, OC, PC, LLB’73, LLD’18

For over 50 years, Ken Dryden has represented the best of Canada in hockey, political leadership and in the intellectual life of the country. Ken’s career is remarkable for many reasons, not least of which is the breadth of his accomplishments. The Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender, who earned six Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens, has written several books, including The Game, which many maintain is the best book ever written about hockey. A former president of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ken embraced public service as a Member of Parliament and federal cabinet minister. He has also used his voice – and pen – to draw attention to the problem of concussions in hockey.

Ken values education: He worked on his �鶹��ý��վ Law degree as an NHL goaltender – something unheard of at the time. He later established a scholarship for post-secondary education for young people who are currently or have previously been in the care of the Canadian child welfare system.

Over the years, Ken has actively supported �鶹��ý��վ’s mission. As a “Special Visitor” lecturer at the �鶹��ý��վ Institute for the Study of Canada, he taught a class called “Making the Future” that challenged students to reflect on the future of fields such as health care, politics, and the workplace – and the role they could play in shaping them. Deeply concerned about climate change, Ken helped create and design �鶹��ý��վ’s Climate Crisis and Climate Actions course and spoke at the inaugural class in fall 2022. He also sat on the �鶹��ý��վ Board of Governors’ sustainability committee.

Ken is an Officer of the Order of Canada, a five-time winner of the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s best goaltender, and the recipient of numerous honorary degrees, including from �鶹��ý��վ. The Game was nominated for a Governor General’s Literary Award.

Impact Award
Allya Davidson, BA’09

After graduating from the Faculty of Arts in 2009 with a degree in cultural studies and world religions, Allya Davidson moved to England, where she earned a master’s degree in journalism at the City University of London. This would lead to a life-changing job with a production company that made documentaries for PBS and other global networks.

Bitten by the investigative journalism bug, Allya worked on a succession of in-depth documentaries for Vice Media and W5, before landing a job at Canada’s premier investigative documentary program, The Fifth Estate. In 2023 Allya was named the show’s Executive Producer – making her the first Black woman to hold this position.

While breaking the colour barrier in Canadian broadcasting, Allya remains committed to sharing stories that are overlooked by the general news media. Her efforts have been recognized with a slew of awards, including two news and documentary Emmy Awards and multiple Canadian Screen Awards.

Allya believes in giving back to her community and is a dedicated volunteer. She mentors early-career BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of colour) journalists through the Canadian Association of Journalists and continues to mentor colleagues at CBC, through the Developing Emerging Leaders program.

�鶹��ý��վ holds a special place in Allya’s heart, as it does for her husband Ben – another �鶹��ý��վ grad. She regularly participates in summer send-offs for incoming �鶹��ý��վ undergraduate students from the GTA and encourages aspiring young journalists of the benefits of getting a well-rounded university education before attending journalism school.

Rising Star Award 
Inara Lalani, BCom’20

Inara Lalani is a co-founder and CEO of FemTherapeutics, a medical-device company pioneering personalized treatment options for women suffering from common gynecological conditions. Redesigning the one-size-fits-all approach to women’s health, FemTherapeutics is leveraging artificial intelligence and 3D printing to provide personalized prosthetics.

Prosthetics are a critical tool for the maintenance of pelvic health in women – and yet their failure rate is high, and the designs have changed little in the last 70 years. Inara and FemTherapeutics are working to change that.

Inara is passionate about female representation in STEM, and she and her team are committed to delivering patient-centered care and quality healthcare for women.

At �鶹��ý��վ Inara took multiple graduate-level courses in Surgical Innovation, and she co-founded FemTherapeutics after taking home the top prize in the �鶹��ý��վ Surgical Innovation Program.

She is a winner of the 2024 Young Inspiration Award, which is given to a young business leader to celebrate a career of great achievement and contribution to business and society as part of the annual Desautels Management Achievement Awards.

Her dedication and innovation in women’s health have earned her other awards and recognitions, including Forbes 30 Under 30, Bay Street Bull's Women of the Year 2022 and J. Armand Bombardier Excellence Award.

�鶹��ý��վ Friend of Education in Toronto Award 
David P. O’Brien, OC, BCL’65, and Gail O’Brien, BA’66  

David and Gail O'Brien have deep family roots at �鶹��ý��վ and have maintained a close relationship with the University for years. David graduated with a Bachelor of Civil Law and was the articles editor for the �鶹��ý��վ Law Journal. Gail graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English and Fine Arts. Their philanthropic initiatives have had a significant impact at �鶹��ý��վ, in Toronto and across Canada.

David was awarded the F.R. Scott Award for Distinguished Service by the Faculty of Law in 2011. The award recognizes alumni who have made a significant contribution to Law and to the life of the Faculty and have provided exceptional service and leadership to society. A generous gift from David made possible the establishment, in 2005, of the O’Brien Graduate Fellowships for Human Rights and Pluralism. David’s further support led to the establishment, in 2011, of the O’Brien Fellows in Residence Program, providing opportunities for human-rights professionals from abroad to visit and enrich the intellectual life of the Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism and the Faculty of Law. In 2009, he was named an officer of the Order of Canada.

Gail was the general manager of the Calgary Holt Renfrew from 1990 until her retirement in 2000, when she received the Women of Distinction Award for Business and Entrepreneurs. Before that, she owned a women's fashion boutique for six years.

Gail has been a tireless champion of the arts, education and health, including the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto. She has been a member of the Birks Advisory Board for Calgary, the Council for Canadian and American Relations, and the board of Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital.

David and Gail each received honorary doctorates from the University of Calgary in recognition of their support as volunteers and benefactors of that university. Together, the O’Briens have been very active philanthropists: at Toronto’s SickKids Foundation, they launched the O'Brien Scholars Program in Child and Youth Mental Health; at Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business, they created the David O'Brien Distinguished Professorship in Sustainable Enterprise and the David O'Brien Centre for Sustainable Enterprise; and the O’Brien Institute for Public Health at the University of Calgary is named in recognition of a $12 million donation from the couple, among many examples of their generosity.

Impact Award
Dominique Hussey, BSc’97, LLB’97

Since she graduated from �鶹��ý��վ with Bachelor of Science and Law degrees, Dominique Hussey has built a stellar career as an accomplished lawyer and leader in the profession. After working at firms in Ottawa and New York (where she also earned a master’s from Columbia Law School), Dominique joined Bennett Jones in Toronto. She is now the firm’s Vice Chair and Toronto Managing Partner and leads its Intellectual Property Litigation group.

Dominique has earned many accolades for her work, including the Law Firm Leaders Award in 2021 at the inaugural Chambers Canada Awards for her role as managing partner – a position she took on the year before in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlighted her leadership skills, her work as an IP litigator and her commitment to her community. She received the Managing IP’s “Outstanding Practitioner in Patent Law” honour in its 2020 Americas Awards and was a finalist in 2022.

Dominique is the first Black woman to be managing partner of a Bay Street law firm. She serves on the board of the BlackNorth Initiative, a not-for-profit that aims to remove anti-Black systemic barriers. Her impressive volunteer board service also includes The Advocates’ Society, the leading national association of litigation counsel in Canada, which is dedicated to helping advocates become leaders inside and outside the courtroom. She is currently the Society’s vice-president and will take on the role of president in June 2023.

Rising Star Award 
Jonathan �鶹��ý��վivray, BCL/LLB’16

As a student in the Faculty of Law, Jonathan �鶹��ý��վivray focused his talents and energy on the study of climate change and clean energy law. This rapidly evolving field calls for legal practitioners to have expertise across a wide breadth of practice areas, including corporate law, litigation, regulatory law and municipal law, among others.

Today Jonathan is one of Canada’s leading climate change lawyers and widely recognized for his groundbreaking work. He regularly attends and advises on the annual United Nations global climate negotiations and serves on the board of directors of GreenPAC, a non-partisan, non-profit organization working to elect and support environmental leaders running for public office across the country.

While at �鶹��ý��վ, Jonathan was deeply involved in the Law community, working as a tutorial leader and a research assistant. He also edited the �鶹��ý��վ Journal of Sustainable Development Law & Policy and co-chaired the Faculty's Green Law Committee, sharing expertise he acquired in the climate science and policy program at Columbia University.

Beloved and respected by his Law School colleagues, Jonathan was selected to receive the Patricia Allen Award for Participation. To this day, he remains a keen promoter of his alma mater and the Faculty of Law. He regularly participates in �鶹��ý��վ activities in Toronto, while mentoring recent graduates who are pursuing legal careers in the city.

�鶹��ý��վ Friend of Education in Toronto Award 
Brian J. Porter, Former President and CEO, Scotiabank

Throughout his 40+ year career at Scotiabank, Brian Porter has been commited to making education and opportunity available to more people.

Under his leadership, Scotiabank launched ScotiaRISE, a 10-year, $500-million initiative to promote economic resilience among disadvantaged groups. At �鶹��ý��վ, as part of ScotiaRISE, Scotiabank made a $2-million community investment to the School of Continuing Studies to launch an experiential training and professional development program to help members of underrepresented local communities and newcomers to Canada, including refugees, build essential career skills.

Brian currently serves on the first-ever Board of Governors at Huron University College at Western University and is Chair of the Board of Trustees of Toronto’s University Health Network. He played an integral role in Dalhousie’s Bold Ambitions fundraising campaign.

Last year, in recognition of Brian’s achievements as an industry leader and his commitment to the future of responsible business, he received a Desautels Management Lifetime Achievement Award from undergraduate commerce students at �鶹��ý��վ.

Brian earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree from Dalhousie and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. He was awarded an honourary Doctor of Laws degree from both Dalhousie (2008) and Toronto Metropolitan University (2018).

Distinguished Leader Award 
Lindsay Glassco, BA’87

Lindsay Glassco is an outstanding global citizen who has devoted her career to social justice. Her passion for making a difference in the lives of people has taken her to over 45 countries.

Since her time at �鶹��ý��վ – when she was engaged in student politics, social causes, and athletics – Lindsay has been driven by a relentless desire to make a positive impact on the world around her. Throughout her career, her people-centred leadership has left a lasting impression around the globe.  Lindsay is known for her unique ability to put others at ease while addressing some of the world’s greatest challenges.

She is currently president and CEO of Plan International Canada, a global organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights and equality for girls. Prior to joining Plan, Lindsay held executive roles developing and managing social policies and programs at CARE, a leading humanitarian organization, the International Olympic Committee, Special Olympics Canada, and Right to Play International. Earlier in her career, Lindsay worked for the Canadian government and the United Nations.  

Thanks to Lindsay’s advocacy, a UN International Day of Sport for Development and Peace was established.

Lindsay was honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013 for significant contributions to community development in Canada.