ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï

Award of Merit

The highest honour of the program, this award is presented to an alumnus/alumna who, by his or her own efforts, has enhanced the reputation and prestige of ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï through a lifetime contribution of exceptional leadership and service to the University, the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Alumni Association and the community.

Distinguished Service Award

This award is presented to an alumnus/alumna who has rendered outstanding service to the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Alumni Association and/or to ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï over a significant period of time.

E.P. Taylor Award

Named in memory of E.P. Taylor, BSc’22, who established the Alma Mater Fund Committee in 1948 to solicit contributions from alumni, this award is presented to an alumnus/alumna or a group of alumni to recognize their outstanding voluntary fundraising efforts in support of ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï.

Alumni Student Engagement Award

This award is presented to an alumnus/alumna or a group of alumni to recognize significant efforts to support ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï students.

Catherine Nance Common President of the Year Award

Named in memory of Catherine Nance Common (née McMartin), BA’28, who died in 2007 at the age of 101, this award honours a president who has served an MAA Branch association with outstanding enthusiasm and leadership through the development of varied and relevant programming and the effective recruitment and recognition of other volunteers in the branch, and is an outstanding ambassador for ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï.

Alumni Event of the Year Award

This award recognizes an event that is conceived, driven and implemented by volunteers in the support and promotion of ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï and that succeeds in engaging alumni in a positive way.

Charles H. Peters Alumni Group of the Year Award

Named in memory of Charles H. Peters, BA’28, LLD’74, in recognition of four generations of ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï alumni, this award recognizes a group, class or branch that has maintained close ties to ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï through reunions, events and correspondence/social media.

Robert Fung International Award of Distinction

Named in memory of Robert H.P. Fung, MDCM’60, the first President of the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Society of Hong Kong, this award is presented to an alumnus/alumna living outside of North America who, through a lifetime contribution of exceptional leadership and outstanding volunteer service in his or her alumni community or country, has enhanced the reputation and prestige of the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Alumni Association and ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï.

James G. Wright Award

Named in memory of James G. Wright, BA’65, an inspiring and beloved community volunteer, mentor and first President of the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Young Alumni Association, this award is presented to a young alumnus/alumna who has demonstrated exemplary service to and made a difference in his or her community. Young Alumni are graduates of the last 10 years.

Honorary Life Membership Award

This award is presented to a non-graduate who has demonstrated a significant commitment of outstanding service to the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Alumni Association and to ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï.

Chancellor Gretta Chambers Student Leadership Award

Named in memory of Chancellor Emerita Gretta Chambers, BA’47, this award is presented to one or more students who have demonstrated leadership qualities while contributing in a volunteer capacity to the advancement of the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Alumni Association, ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï or the community.

David Johnston Faculty & Staff Award

Named in honour of former Principal David Johnston’s leadership efforts, this award is presented to a ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï faculty or staff member who is an exemplary ambassador for ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï, and who has done exemplary work on behalf of the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Annual Fund or who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Alumni Association’s activities through voluntary service.

D. Lorne Gales Special Recognition Award

Named in memory of D. Lorne Gales, BA’32, BCL’35, LLD’79, founding President of the Graduates’ Society of ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï, this award is presented to a friend of ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï to recognize the outstanding collaborative partnerships between the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Alumni Association, the Faculties, academics and volunteers that result in significant contributions to ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï and to alumni communities.

Honora Shaughnessy ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Ambassador Award

Named in honour of Honora Shaughnessy, MLS’73, long-serving Executive Director of the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Alumni Association, this award is presented to a friend of ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï who has made an exceptional contribution to the University as a role model in fostering friend-raising, loyalty, professionalism and team spirit.

Award of Merit 
David Laidley, BCom’67
 

David Laidley’s achievements are both remarkable and inspiring, from his illustrious 40-year career at Deloitte LLP to the depth of his community engagement. David became a partner at the accounting firm in 1975 and served as its chairman from 2000 to 2006. With his corporate governance expertise, David has also served on numerous boards, including at the Bank of Canada. A philanthropist and extraordinary civic leader, David has devoted his formidable talents to helping community organizations and institutions – many of them in his hometown of Montreal – and his alma mater.

David has made myriad contributions to the University and broader ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï network. The Laidley Centre for Business Ethics and Equity at the Desautels Faculty of Management exists thanks to David’s tremendous vision and generosity. The interdisciplinary Centre aims to improve ethical decision-making in current and future leaders through a wide range of activities. David is a past president of the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Alumni Association and was previously honoured with the MAA’s Distinguished Service Award. He is a lifetime member of the Desautels International Advisory and Advancement Board.

Distinguished Service Award 
John Blachford, BEng’59, PhD’63, DSc’09
 

John Blachford’s passion for green chemistry and support of innovation has revolutionized how professors in the Faculty of Science view and execute their work.

Upon graduation from ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï, John joined his family’s chemical manufacturer and supplier company, Blachford Inc, where he went on to become CEO. He never forgot ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï and is an extraordinarily generous supporter of the Faculty of Science, student fellowships and undergraduate awards, and ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Libraries, including funding for the Trenholme Chair in University Libraries that is named in honour of his aunt Margery Wynne Trenholme.

He has served as a volunteer on the Chancellor’s Committee, the Graduate Studies Faculty Advisory Board and the Science Faculty Advancement Board. His lasting impact at ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï includes his creation of an innovative program – the Fessenden Professorship in Science and Innovation Award – which provides funding for professors to translate inventions and innovative ideas into commercial successes, and which has seen an extraordinary success rate and multiple start-up companies as a result.

D. Lorne Gales Special Recognition Award 
Brian Fetherstonhaugh, BCom’79
 

As a ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï student, Brian Fetherstonhaugh wholeheartedly assumed leadership roles. It was a harbinger of what lay ahead in Brian’s remarkable career. He is a global leader in marketing and leadership development, notably as CEO of OgilvyOne Worldwide, and now at the helm of The Long View Talent Group.

A proud alumnus with generational ties to ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï, Brian has steadfastly made time for his alma mater. He has served for years as a global expert at the Desautels Faculty of Management and on the Bensadoun School of Retail Management’s advisory board. He has generously shared his valued insights with students, including delivering dozens of lectures at ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï. He is the executive director of the Fetherstonhaugh Family Foundation, which has established an entrance scholarship and teaching excellence award at ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï. He says he stays involved as a volunteer and donor as a way to make sure that future generations have access to the magic of ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï.

E. P. Taylor Award  
Benoit Lacoste Bienvenue, BCL/LLB'00
 

Since 2018 Benoit Lacoste Bienvenue has been an active and dedicated member of the Desautels International Advisory and Advancement Board. He also serves on the Desautels Fundraising Committee and has played a pivotal role in the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï24 campaign, helping with crowdfunding efforts and bringing creativity and enthusiasm to initiatives.

Benoit has helped University Advancement staff connect with numerous corporations and organizations including KPMG, BMO Canada, and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. His work as a liaison with leaders in Quebec’s business world has been crucial to strengthening ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï’s presence and relationships in the Francophone community. He has also played a pivotal role in advocating for ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï’s mission, rallying alumni and facilitating crucial discussions with government. Lacoste Bienvenue exemplifies professionalism and approachability, consistently going above and beyond in his volunteer and fundraising efforts for ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï. His contributions have been invaluable to ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï’s success and community engagement.

Alumni Student Engagement Award
Bilun Naz Böke, MEd'17, PhD'24 
 

Bilun Naz Böke came to ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï for graduate studies as an international student in the Faculty of Education, where her research focuses on innovative methods to support the well-being of university students. Naz’s passion for helping students thrive is also evident in her community and volunteer work. She has devoted hundreds of hours to tutoring and mentoring fellow students. She co-chaired the student-led Human Development conference, and during the pandemic, she co-created an online resource for evidence-based strategies for healthy coping and social connection.

Naz has represented ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï on national and global stages through her leadership and involvement in multiple projects, including the dissemination of ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï’s stress-management program to other Canadian institutions and international partners. In recognition of her significant contributions and dedication to her peers’ well-being, Naz is the recipient of numerous awards. Today she is co-director of the Education for Mental Health Resilience office at ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï’s Faculty of Education.

Robert Fung International Award of Distinction
Sylvie Richards, BCL’86
 

Sylvie Richards has been a member of ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï’s UK and Europe Regional Advisory Board since its inception in 2016. She has been instrumental in building the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï brand and a strong community of parents and alumni in the region. She has also been an integral part of fundraising efforts in Europe to support the Student Wellness Hub at ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï.

Over the years, Sylvie has organized numerous events for ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï, both in-person and online. As part of ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï24, the University’s annual day of giving, Sylvie and her husband, Tim, host movie screenings for alumni at Vue Cinema, his theatre in London. During the summer, they also open their home for the London Send-Off, which ensures that incoming students and their parents feel welcomed and connected to ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï before they set foot on campus.

Sylvie has worked in corporate law, investment banking, and film production. She is currently pursuing a diploma in Multimedia Journalism at News Associates.

James G. Wright Award
Michelle Kwok, BASc’10, MedResident’24 
 

Dr. Michelle Kwok is a ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï-trained physician, allergist and immunologist, dedicated to providing specialty care in underserved communities. While still early in her career, Dr. Kwok has already had a profound impact on the field of allergy and immunology and embodies clinical excellence, strong mentorship, and global health leadership.

She is the co-founder of Connexion Nordique, a ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï-affiliated initiative to improve access to allergy and immunology care in Northern Quebec through culturally responsive clinical outreach, education, and telemedicine. Dr. Kwok collaborates with the Nunavik and Cree Health Boards to improve access to specialist care in remote communities.

Globally, Dr. Kwok has contributed to health education in Rwanda, Mongolia, Angola, Ghana, and China. For this work and more she is the recipient of several leadership and global health awards. She is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring residents, fellows, and medical students, fostering a positive learning environment, and exemplifying patient-centred care.

Catherine Nance Common President of the Year Award
Ignacio Monterrubio, MMM’03
 

Ignacio Monterrubio is a true leader with 23 years’ experience in the energy sector. He is in his second year as president of the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Alumni Association (MAA) of Calgary, where he has been a driving force in organizing high-quality alumni events while providing mentorship and support to fellow members, significantly enhancing the local alumni network.

Known for his dedication, exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, Ignacio ensures his MAA team is engaged and motivated. Ignacio approaches his role with professionalism and enthusiasm, and under his presidency, the branch has hosted a wide range of popular events, including ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï24 celebrations, walking tours, Welcome to Your City events for new graduates, trivia nights, and concerts. Ignacio is willing to help whenever possible, and he represents the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï alumni community with integrity and positivity.

Alumni Event of the Year Award
Orthopedic Surgery in Conflict Zones & Austere Environments 
ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Alumni Association of Jordan
 

A true team effort, the MAA of Jordan’s event featuring a talk by Dr. Ghassan Alami, MDCM’03, about his work in conflict zones resonated deeply with the audience.

Dr. Alami is a distinguished orthopedic surgeon, and a member of the Alumni Association. Under the leadership of MAA of Jordan co-presidents Dr. Issa Abu Dayyeh and Eyas Shuaibi, the organizing committee created an event that reflected the branch’s commitment to providing high-calibre and intellectually stimulating programming. It attracted a diverse group of alumni, friends and professionals, who were moved and inspired by Dr. Alami’s personal experiences and insights. Attendees – especially those in medical and humanitarian fields – had a rare opportunity to network and share ideas.

Tapping into a universal desire for meaningful engagement and intellectual enrichment, the event highlighted the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï community’s capacity for empathy and its commitment to making a difference in the world, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Charles H. Peters Alumni Group of the Year Award
MDCM Class of 1985
 

The Medicine Class of 1985 formed a close bond early in their medical training at ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï and jokingly dubbed themselves the ‘bad’ class, which in 1980s parlance meant the exact opposite. Their connection has endured along with a laudable commitment to helping the next generations of ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï-trained doctors.

Led by a core group of seven classmates, the MDCM Class of 1985 has organized reunions and raised funds for a class gift almost every five years. They’ve endowed four funds in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, including an entrance scholarship, student award, and a wellness and resilience fund. For their 40th reunion in 2025, the Class surpassed its fundraising goal to establish a research bursary in neuroscience in memory of their late classmate Dr. Blair Ford, an esteemed professor of Neuroscience at Columbia University Irving Medical Centre.

The legacy the MDCM Class of 1985 has built at ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï is remarkable and deeply impactful, and they are an exemplary model of our engaged alumni community.

Chancellor Gretta Chambers Student Leadership Awards
Meygan Brody, MDCM in progress
 

On and off campus, Meygan Brody is devoted to helping others. She is passionate about medicine and wants to make a difference in the healthcare system.

Her volunteer work shows her advocacy for marginalized groups, including at Résilience Montréal, Chez Doris, the Douglas Hospital’s Indigenous care team, and a Beaconsfield group home for Inuit children. She also created and taught an intensive French course for migrants at the Centre Social d’Aide aux Immigrants.

Meygan has had many roles at ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï, including French tutor, peer mentor, and student representative on the Board of Directors of the Maude Abbott Medical Museum. Despite her busy schedule, Meygan has been on the Dean’s Honour List throughout her studies, earned multiple research awards and scholarships, and ranks among the top 10 per cent of students in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Lea Carouba, BSc(NutrSc) in progress
 

Lea Carouba has been an active volunteer during her studies, including as co-president of the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Students’ Blood Donation Association (MSBDA) and as founder and co-president of the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Students’ Sports Nutrition Club (MSSNC). Lea worked with Héma-Quebec to boost student engagement and campus outreach to increase blood, plasma, and stem-cell donations at ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï. Thanks to her efforts, the September 2025 blood drive exceeded donor expectations, a rare feat for a university-based collection. Lea’s involvement in Plasmattaque, a two-week long plasma donation campaign in universities across Quebec, motivated students to donate and enhanced ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï’s contribution to the initiative.

As founder and co-president of the MSSNC, Lea has created a unique initiative that offers practical learning experiences for nutrition students while also supporting student-athletes.

Lea’s volunteer work helps to save lives, and her ability to inspire community involvement highlights her exceptional leadership.

Faith Dehghan, BCL/JD in progress
 

Faith Dehghan is a third-year law student at ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï and has shown an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on and off campus. She is a staunch advocate for marginalized groups, working to help migrants, refugees, and Indigenous communities. During her studies, she served as a Legal Fellow with Lawyers for Human Rights as part of the International Human Rights Internship Program in 2025. She has also served as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the student-led Quid Novi newspaper in the Faculty of Law, and as a peer mentor through the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Law Buddy Mentor program.

Off campus, Faith's significant efforts in the media industry have led to improvements in representation from publishers while also highlighting diversity and inclusion. She is a passionate advocate dedicated to community service and making a positive impact in the lives of others.

David Johnston Faculty & Staff Award
Jacques Derome, BSc’63, MSc’64 
 

For over sixty years, Jacques Derome has had a committed relationship to ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï – first as a student, then as a professor, department chair, researcher, and graduate student supervisor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. He has helped put ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï on the map, nationally and internationally, through his significant contributions to the field of atmospheric science, and through his organization of the Stanstead Seminar that is held every two years at the Macdonald Campus.

Jacques has also held executive positions in the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science (IAMAS), and was President and later a Fellow of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society. For his services to Canadian meteorology, Jacques was awarded the Patterson Medal in 1995. An emeritus professor since 2010, he continues to serve as a board member of the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Retiree Association, help with supervision of doctoral students, and serve on committees for scholarships, chair selection, and faculty awards.

Honora Shaughnessy ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Ambassador Award
Maria del Pilar Vanegas Guzman, LLM’11 
 

Maria del Pilar Vanegas Guzman has dedicated her career to human rights, working for the protection of victims of armed conflict and the promotion of humanitarian law with the International Committee of the Red Cross for over 20 years. Originally from Colombia, she came to Canada to earn her Master of Laws (LLM) at ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï.

A trilingual barrister and solicitor with the Law Society of Ontario, as well as a lawyer in Colombia, Maria is a Board Member at the Parole Board of Canada and a visiting fellow at the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism. She makes time to volunteer in the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï community in the human rights and legal space, including through her work with the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Women’s Alumnae Association as an encouraging mentor to young alumnae. Maria is recognized around the world for her extensive humanitarian work and is a true inspiration to those working in the human rights sector and beyond.