The initiative is part of the ’s fourth-year course Sport and International Development (KINE 4310) that engages students in community-driven projects with local and global organizations.

Led by Associate Professor Lyndsay Hayhurst as part of a community-service learning (CSL) initiative, 45 undergraduate students partnered with seven organizations – Jays Care Foundation, Commonwealth Sport Canada, Free to Run, Skateistan, Prezdential Basketball, Canadian Women & Sport and the International Platform on Sport and Development – to effect real-world change.

Working in small groups, students contributed approximately 25 hours over the term to support partner-identified priorities related to: gender equity; monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning; newcomer inclusion and belonging; climate justice; and youth development.

Each group developed a structured work plan, maintained regular communication with their partner organization and completed a midterm progress report and final report outlining their research, analysis and recommendations.

A core focus of the course was knowledge mobilization, with students producing accessible, action-oriented resources designed to be used in practice by organizations. These outputs included monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) toolkits, policy briefs, infographics, coaching resources and digital content strategies.

The course concluded with a final in-class conference where students presented their knowledge mobilization outputs to partner organizations followed by discussion and feedback from partners and peers.

Partner organizations said the presentations offered practical relevance, clarity and creativity of the presentations, noting that several recommendations would be adopted to inform ongoing programming, evaluation and policy development.

The work, Hayhurst notes, highlights how students are engaging with contemporary challenges shaping sport and development practice.

One project, for example, worked on a policy brief on trans and non-binary inclusion for Canadian Women & Sport just as the International Olympic Committee released new guidance on trans athletes participating in women’s sport.

“The real-time policy shift that is widely interpreted as excluding trans athletes from women’s sports brought urgency to the group’s presentation and sparked conversations about how community sport organizations in Canada can respond with more inclusive, equity-focused approaches,” says Hayhurst.

The Jays Care student group worked on researching how youth-facing barriers to sport participation – and the efforts to address them – shape access, retention and experiences in community baseball. The project maintained a specific gender analysis, with attention to girls’ participation in the broader community-based landscape. Working with Jays Care, students presented an infographic exploring how equity, access, safe spaces, inclusive environments and meaningful participation translate (or fail to translate) into tangible outcomes for girls in baseball across Canada.

Alexandra Blanchard, director of strategy at Jays Care Foundation and York alum, says working with the students was positive experience, noting they were enthusiastic, curious and a pleasure to engage with.

“It's energizing to connect with the next generation of students who are passionate about the field and I'd jump at the chance to do it again,” says Blanchard. “University partnerships like this are a wonderful way to bridge research and community practice, and we'd recommend the experience to any community organization looking to do the same.”

In addition to applied research experience, the CSL model supports skill development in research, communication, teamwork and problem-solving.

“This course has run for the last 10 years with the goal of moving beyond traditional learning by engaging students in collaborative, community-driven projects,” says Hayhurst. â€śStudents are not only developing critical insights into sport, development and social justice, but importantly, they are also creating tangible knowledge mobilization outputs that will be taken up in practice by community partners.”

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żě˛ĄĘÓƵ announces its 2026 Top 30 Alumni Under 30, an influential group of leaders who are driving meaningful change in their communities and around the world.

The recipients of the sixth annual recognition demonstrate a deep commitment to giving back and are tackling complex social issues across various industries – all before the age of 30.

This year’s honourees are making great strides in fields such as aviation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, health care, technology, AI and more. Together, they are working toward building an innovative and sustainable future, paving the way for future generations.

“Each year, the Top 30 Alumni Under 30 program highlights the remarkable achievements and impact of York’s global young alumni community,” says Julie Lafford, assistant vice-president, alumni engagement. “This year’s cohort features a diverse group of innovators who are shaping the future through their leadership, creativity and volunteerism.”

Since 2021, the Top 30 program has celebrated the success and diversity of the University’s alumni community, while inspiring the next generation of young alumni leaders. 

To view the full list of the 2026 Top 30 Alumni Under 30, and learn more about their accomplishments, â€Żvisit the Top 30 Alumni Under 30 webpage.

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“New grads are not staying in nursing,” says Robbio, who teaches in the School of Nursing at żě˛ĄĘÓƵ. “It’s a lot of sacrifices they’re making, a lot of money they are spending, to not stay in nursing.”

High turnover and ongoing staffing pressures affect not only individual nurses but also the broader health care system, Robbio says. Her work focuses on addressing burnout and retention challenges that emerge early in nurses’ careers.

Many new graduates face a difficult shift as they enter professional practice where support can be limited and workplace pressures high. These challenges were further intensified during the COVID‑19 pandemic, which disrupted clinical placements and contributed to work fatigue among practising nurses.

That transition period prompted Robbio to focus on mentorship and social connection as ways to help students build confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging as they move into the workforce. However, through her doctoral work in 2018 – titled "E-Mentoring as a Socialization Strategy for New Graduate Nurse Role Transitions and Workplace Adjustment" – Robbio confirmed that traditional in‑person mentoring models can be difficult to sustain due to competing priorities, scheduling conflicts and heavy workloads.

In 2023, supported by a York Academic Innovation Fund grant, Robbio expanded her research by launching a pilot e‑mentoring initiative to explore a more flexible approach. The project examined whether virtual mentoring could offer an accessible, cost‑effective way to overcome common barriers to mentorship. It did so through an interdisciplinary research team consisting of co-principal investigator Mavoy Bertram, an associate professor from the School of Nursing; former Teaching Commons educational developer Lisa Endersby; statistician Hugh McCague from the Institute for Social Research; Helen Brennagh from Learning Technology Services; Stephanie Quail, director of the Open Scholarship Department at żě˛ĄĘÓƵ Libraries; and research assistant Doina Nugent.

The initiative explored how an e‑mentoring model within York's School of Nursing could provide psychosocial guidance, networking opportunities and career support for fourth‑year undergraduate collaborative BScN students.

Following positive responses from both mentors and mentees, Robbio received support through a żě˛ĄĘÓƵ Faculty Association Teaching Fellowship and żě˛ĄĘÓƵ Minor Research Grant to integrate the system directly into the curriculum of an undergraduate nursing leadership course she teaches.

The three‑month program – built on the 2023 research work and started in January 2025 – paired third‑year undergraduates (e‑mentees) with graduate nursing students who are also experienced registered nurses (e‑mentors). The mentors came from within the York community.

“We already have nurses at York who are working on their graduate degrees,” says Robbio. “We have a pool of people who want to give back to the profession while continuing their education.”

Mentors created detailed profiles that included clinical experience, years in practice and personal interests to help foster strong matches. Students were then able to indicate preferred mentors, with efforts made to accommodate those choices where possible.

Once matched, mentors and mentees connected by email, text or Zoom every two weeks. They discussed topics such as goal setting, conflict management, career pathways and work-life balance, supported by a series of online learning modules. Robbio emphasizes the tone of the relationship was central to the initiative’s success.

“It was not so much about preaching to your mentee, but really listening,” she says. “It felt more like a peer‑support relationship.”

At the end of the program, e‑mentees completed a reflective learning assignment to assess their development and experiences. Mentors and mentees were also invited to complete a post‑program satisfaction survey.

The findings were positive. A large majority (86 per cent) of e‑mentors said they would participate again, citing the experience as rewarding and meaningful. Many e‑mentees reported they valued the additional guidance and planned to stay in contact with their mentors. While designed to support undergraduate nursing students, mentors also gained from the experience.

“E‑mentoring was really a reciprocal relationship,” Robbio says, noting that mentors had opportunities to reflect on their own practice, strengthen leadership skills and reconnect with their professional purpose.

Ultimately, the initiative aims to support long‑term retention in the profession. By helping students build resilience, navigate challenges and develop coping strategies early in their careers, Robbio hopes it will make a lasting impact.

“Our goal is that whatever skills they’ve learned – whether it’s resilience, conflict resolution or managing work-life balance – this program will help them stay in nursing,” she says.

Robbio and her team plan to continue work on the initiative. In the fall, she hopes to expand the program to support internationally educated nurses, who may face additional pressures as they transition to working in Canada. She is also exploring ways to involve alumni as e-mentors and believes the model could eventually be adapted for use in other programs and disciplines.

With files from Ruth Robbio

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żě˛ĄĘÓƵ’s Master of Biotechnology Management (MBM) program provided an answer. One of a kind in Canada, the program offers students training in biotechnology theory and practice, a diploma in business management and two to three terms of paid internship experience. The double credential offered at York’s Markham Campus allowed Fazeli to maximize career options by adding business to her STEM background.

What she didn’t yet know was the MBM program would give her multiple meaningful points of access to the biotechnology industry. Hands-on projects, immersive technical training and mentorship from a York alum during her internship shaped Fazeli’s confidence, skills and career exploration.

“MBM is designed with sustained industry interaction throughout the student journey,” says Jade Atallah, graduate program director, biotechnology. “Through internships, interdisciplinary capstone projects and industry-centred work-integrated learning experiences, students graduate with partner collaborations on their CVs, an expanded professional network and professional credibility that strengthens future employment outcomes.”

Capstone and experiential learning projects in the program’s curriculum give students a chance to build a practical foundation while engaging with real-world initiatives. For Fazeli, this included a work-integrated learning project during her first term at York exploring regulatory frameworks for alternative proteins.

The project was a collaboration with York's Co-op & Career Centre with support from a Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada) grant.

Fazeli also participated in a project to design a business case for a smart-model prototype for a health care equipment company, offering her meaningful exposure to regulatory frameworks. She notes this knowledge and experience were relevant to subsequent work she undertook with a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO).

The capstone experiences reconfirmed her interest in working at the intersection of science, technology and business as she began her search for an internship, a second foundational component of the MBM program. The competitive process inspired Fazeli to network, attend conferences and actively pursue opportunities.

At York’s Markham Campus, internship placements are supported by faculty members and a dedicated employer partnerships team that works closely with organizations to align students with roles that support their goals.

“I submitted my resume and cover letter through the portal. It was easy,” she recalls. “A coordinator got back to me quickly and connected me with the employer.”

That employer was Dalton Pharma Services and the hiring manager was Saif Mia, a żě˛ĄĘÓƵ alum who is the associate director, informatics and technology services at Dalton Pharma Services, a CDMO that leads pharmaceutical development and manufacturing services for the biotechnology industry.

Mia graduated with a BSc in chemistry from York and says his degree was an entry point to the biotechnology and biomanufacturing industry. “I wouldn’t be in this industry if I didn’t study chemistry,” he says. “The technical foundation I learned at York still applies now.”

Today, he passes his support and expertise forward by mentoring żě˛ĄĘÓƵ students who are entering the field. Mia and his team engage students in collaborative, problem-solving roles that expose them to the complexities of a highly regulated environment. “It’s our goal to shape future science students that are entering this field during their work terms with us,” says Mia. “Ours are typically short-term projects, which are well supported by York’s co-op program since it offers a flexible hiring timeline.”

In May 2025, Mia hired Fazeli as a digital systems implementation and data migration intern to support his team with implementing a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and to work closely with the organization’s Electronic Quality Management System (eQMS). She worked with Mia and Huyen Bui, senior specialist, QMS and lab informatics, to help design and troubleshoot workflows, migrate data and translate calibration forms.

Fazeli says she was thrilled to benefit from mentors closely connected to York and committed to developing student talent.

“Mentorship played a significant role in shaping my experience,” she says. “Working at a CDMO is very dynamic – there was always something I had a question about. Huyen and Saif always met me with guidance and support. I’m grateful for such a collaborative and supportive team.”

Mia echoes gratitude and says the benefits go both ways. “Not only do York students like Ida bring value to Dalton Pharma, but we also learn from them, based on the new teaching methodologies and techniques they’re getting from their curriculum.”

“Students come into their roles very curious, which is important,” adds Bui. “They’ll ask questions that inspire us to think of things in a different way, resulting in a process improvement or a modification in the way we do things.”

Early in her role, Fazeli was invited to join four other York students for a week in Montreal to participate in the CASTL BioBridge Co-op Training Program. Delivered by the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL), the program provided hands-on training in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)-simulated facilities to boost students’ technical and compliance skills. It gave her another access point to industry and expert instruction in the field.

“There were many connections to my work experience, including the chance to go into the labs and see the cleanrooms,” Fazeli recalls. “While I’d come to understand regulatory processes in my job, I got to experience them first-hand at the training facilities.”

Now in her final semester of the MBM program, Fazeli is preparing to graduate with both a professional master of biotechnology management and a graduate diploma in management. She comes away with career-defining insights, confidence and professional connections gained from her mentors and industry experiences.

Programs such as BioBridge, and support for students like Fazeli, advance the Co-op & Career Centre and Markham Campus’ commitment to developing industry-ready talent and delivering value to employers.

“It’s a win-win,” says Mia, of experiences like Fazeli’s. “We gain fresh perspectives from the students and they get a head start experiencing cross-functional collaboration on the job. In class, everyone studies the same thing. Coming into an environment where there are different departments working together on challenges is a great advantage and an opportunity to learn.”

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International Women’s Day affords us the opportunity to celebrate the many strides made towards gender equity and inclusion. However, it is also an occasion for us to recognize the ongoing local and global forces that continue to challenge progress for cis and trans women and girls in all areas of social life.

On March 8, let’s honour and appreciate the social, cultural economic and political contributions and achievements of girls and women, while also paying attention to the intersectional barriers that remain in the way of full inclusivity. The continued prevalence of misogyny/misogynoir, gender-based discrimination and violence, and the clawing back of health care, education and voting rights and freedoms for girls and women in some countries around the world, confirm that the work to advance and actualize gender equity is not only far from done, it must be intensified.

żě˛ĄĘÓƵ has long recognized the importance of gender equity. Examples abound of the ways in which students, staff, faculty members, alumni and retirees contribute to disrupting and undoing gender inequity – such as research excellence at the Centre for Feminist Research, new partnerships with global networks, cutting-edge and interdisciplinary courses and academic programs focused on women and gender, programming for women-identified students, supports for women entrepreneurs and so much more.

I want to highlight just a few of the remarkable achievements by community members from the past year, and hope you will take time to engage with their stories.

• The selection of Professor Emerita and Distinguished Research Professor, Pat Armstrong, to join the Sectoral Table on the Care Economy, advising the federal government on how to better support both paid and unpaid care providers.
• The work of staff and alumni Talisha Ramsaroop and Krystle Skeete to empower youth in community and on campus.
• The naming of Pina D’Agostino, associate vice-president research, to Chair of the Ontario Centre of Innovation board of directors.
• The inspiration of alumna Lilly Singh, who was awarded an honorary degree.
• The scholarship through co-creation and cultural storytelling of Stephanie Fearon, York’s inaugural assistant professor of Black thriving and education.
• The work and initiatives to build stronger pathways for women to succeed in computer science and engineering by the Women in Computer Science and Engineering group.

I invite you to celebrate International Women’s Day in a way that makes sense to you and that marks the many achievements of women and girls around the world. And, I encourage community members to learn more about the barriers to gender equality that remain.

Together, we can ensure that everyone has the chance to flourish and contribute to a more equitable and prosperous future.

Thank you. Merci. Miigwech.

Parissa Safai
Interim Vice-President Equity, People & Culture

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The former senior academic advisor, who during his time at the University counselled thousands of students, was 72.

Mahaffy worked in the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, serving for many years as a campus leader focused on student development. In his role as academic advisor, he offered individual and group advising services and worked on the design, delivery and evaluation of programs and initiatives that support student success.

His experience with żě˛ĄĘÓƵ began before his career as an administrator; Mahaffy was an alum and earned a bachelor of arts in philosophy and religious studies in 1981 and an MA in 1986. He began his undergraduate studies in 1972, but took some time off to work in the mines in the Yukon before returning to finish his degree. He also earned a bachelor of education from the University of Toronto in 1989.

He went on to pursue a PhD in social and political throught, but left the program to become a full-time employee at York's Advising Centre in the then-Faculty of Arts. He worked in that role until his retirement in 2017, and also served as a teacher of business ethics at York's .

He leaves behind his spouse, Dianne Piaskoski, and his two sisters and their families. He will be remembered for his love of reading and learning, and his enjoyment of great discussions with family, friends, colleagues and students.

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Appointments recognize innovators and leaders from diverse fields whose work has played a role in building a stronger province, country and world.

This year’s appointees join 15 York community members over the last five years who have received the Order of Ontario for contributions spanning law, public policy, arts and culture, academic leadership and health – reflecting the breadth of fields in which York graduates, faculty and partners are shaping the province.

Order of Ontario appointees  

Jacques Frémont (LLM ’78), alum,

Frémont is a constitutional law scholar and academic leader who served as president and vice‑chancellor of the University of Ottawa from 2016-25, guiding one of Canada’s largest research universities through nearly a decade of growth. Before that, he held major academic roles at the University of Montreal, including dean of law and provost.

As a scholar, he has built a distinguished reputation in constitutional and public law, publishing widely on rights, governance and democratic systems. He has applied this expertise in high‑impact leadership roles, including chairing the Quebec Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission and directing international human rights and judicial capacity initiatives through the Open Society Foundations.

Frémont has also been an advocate of academic bilingualism. As president of the University of Ottawa, he expanded French‑language programs in science and engineering and oversaw the launch of Ontario’s first French‑language pharmaceutical sciences program, reinforcing the university’s bilingual mandate. His contributions have earned him recognitions such as the Chevalier of the Ordre des Palmes académiques, awarded by the French government to individuals who advance the influence of French language and culture in education.

Jamaica Cass, member of Connected Minds

A professor at Queen’s University and member of the żě˛ĄĘÓƵ-Queen's collaborative Connected Minds research program, Cass is regarded as a national leader in Indigenous health and medical education.

She has lead efforts to redesign medical education to confront systemic barriers and embed Indigenous knowledge, governance principles and community priorities. Her work contributes to national standards and policy reform advancing Truth and Reconciliation, strengthening Indigenous representation in health professions and improving health outcomes across Canada.

Within Connected Minds, Cass draws on this expertise to contribute an Indigenous health lens to interdisciplinary research focused on equity, systemic risk mitigation and ensuring emerging technologies benefit communities that have historically been underserved.

At Queen’s, Cass is driving change by strengthening Indigenous curriculum and fostering more inclusive learning environments – work recognized with the Principal’s Indigenous Education Award. Her impact has also been recognized with with the Queen's Principal’s Indigenous Education Award, and on a national scale with the Indigenous Health Advocacy Emerging Leader Award.

She is also the first Indigenous woman in Canada to earn both a doctor of medicine and a doctor of philosophy, a milestone that has helped increase opportunities for Indigenous representation within academic medicine.

Cameron Bailey, former student

As chief executive officer (CEO) of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Bailey is a leading figure in Canada’s cultural sector. In his role, he directs the vision, strategy and year‑round operations of one of the world’s largest public film festivals, guiding an organization that engages audiences nationally through screenings, public programming and industry initiatives.

Since joining TIFF in 1990 as a seasonal programmer, Bailey has risen steadily through key leadership roles, serving as artistic director, co‑head, executive director and now CEO. His impact on the festival includes shaping its programming identity, strengthening its international industry presence and expanding TIFF’s year‑round footprint at the TIFF Lightbox.

Beyond programming, Bailey has contributed to the broader film landscape as a critic, educator and advocate for inclusive storytelling. He is a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a recipient of Chevalier of France’s Order of Arts and Letters and has been named one of Toronto’s 50 Most Influential People multiple times – recognitions that reflect his sustained impact on Canadian and international cinema.

To view the full list of appointees visit the .

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YSpace Lassonde is a new entrepreneurship hub joining the YSpace Network, żě˛ĄĘÓƵ’s pan-campus ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship. The network is a partnership between the Vice-President Research & Innovation, YSpace and the Schulich School of Business, created to scale entrepreneurship and innovation across the university and foster stronger cross-faculty collaboration. Through this Network, YSpace Lassonde brings startup programming and venture support to students, faculty, and alumni affiliated with Lassonde.

The hub provides the Lassonde community with tailored programming, mentorship and resources, offering a dedicated entry point to engage with YSpace offerings. This support will help transform early-stage ideas into enterprise development that deliver tangible outcomes in research, technology and the marketplace.

Available resources include: access to a founder and mentor network; dedicated office and collaboration space; structured venture-building programs (such as training cohorts and accelerators); curated mentorship from industry and subject-matter experts; and connections to broader investor and industry networks to help projects move from concept to market.

“YSpace Lassonde is about expanding what’s possible and making sure the next generation of innovators has everything they need to build, launch and lead,” says Jane Goodyer, dean of Lassonde. “For our students and faculty, this means faster pathways from ideas to real-world impact – more access to mentors, investors, commercialization supports and experiential learning opportunities.”

The hub will be guided by Helen Kontozopoulos, serving in the role of entrepreneur-in-residence (EiR). An alumna of żě˛ĄĘÓƵ, Kontozopoulos is a seasoned entrepreneur, educator and active angel investor with experience in the technology and startup sectors. She has co-founded several ventures, including one that helped lead through a $34-million Series B funding round (the second stage of funding) and grew operations to more than 100 employees.

In her role as EiR, Kontozopoulos will assist Lassonde-affiliated founders through mentorship, office hours and strategic guidance in areas such as enterprise development, customer discovery and early validation.

“I’m excited to join YSpace Lassonde and work closely with founders as they build their startups in the early stages,” says Kontozopoulos. “Coming back to York as an alum makes the work especially meaningful.”

The launch of YSpace Lassonde is also significant for York’s advancement of a University-wide innovation culture.

“YSpace Lassonde marks another exciting milestone for żě˛ĄĘÓƵ’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem,” says David Kwok, YSpace’s director of entrepreneurship and innovation. “By embedding YSpace programming and resources directly into one of Canada’s leading engineering programs, we are creating greater access for students, researchers and alumni to ideate, create and launch solutions with global impact.”

Goodyer echoes that sentiment. “For the York community, it means a stronger, more unified innovation ecosystem where different disciplines can collaborate, build ventures together and help drive solutions to the challenges Canada and the world are facing,” she says.

Members of the Lassonde community interested in accessing YSpace Lassonde services are invited to book an idea consultation, available on a rolling basis throughout the year. Following this first step, applicants may be invited to submit a formal application for continued support and participation in programs.

Visit the YSpace Lassonde website to learn more.

With files from Jiho Bak

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I am delighted to announce the appointment of Shane McNaught to the role of assistant vice-president (AVP) labour relations, effective Jan. 26, 2026.

Shane McNaught is a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), earning a bachelor of commerce. Following his undergraduate degree, Shane worked in several marketing management roles in corporate retail and financial services before pursuing further post-secondary education. Shane is a proud żě˛ĄĘÓƵ alumnus earning both a LLB and LLM in labour relations and employment law. 

Following law school, Shane began his career in labour and employee relations at the University Health Network and later transitioned to a more senior level role in labour and employee relations at the Toronto Catholic District School Board, where he negotiated several collective agreement renewals, as well as negotiated a first collective agreement for a new bargaining unit. Shane then took a role as legal counsel, labour relations and employment law at the Ontario Principals' Council, the recognized provincial bargaining agent for Ontario public school principals where he focused on protective services, legal representation and collective bargaining. 

Most recently, Shane worked at Scotiabank in a global labour relations role where he served as the director, global labour relations and senior legal counsel-employment law for close to eight years. In this role, he provided Canadian employment law legal services, oversaw all international collective bargaining and served as chief negotiator for several rounds of collective bargaining for several international jurisdictions.

Shane is highly committed and has extensive training and experience in research, development and delivery of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility training, including delivering an international respectful workplace training roadshow. Shane is an experienced workplace investigator, including conducting complex human rights and harassment investigations where he applied an empathetic and practical approach to address sensitive issues. Shane is thrilled to be joining żě˛ĄĘÓƵ as the AVP labour relations.

I would also like to extend my gratitude to Dan Bradshaw for his leadership and dedication as the inaugural AVP labour relations at York from 2019-25. Dan’s expertise, composure and integrity have been invaluable to the University’s navigation of complex labour relations. Further, his efforts have been integral in the development of a labour relations team focused on actively supporting the University community and building effective relations with multiple union representatives.

Please join me in welcoming Shane back to York and to his new role. I am confident that he will lead labour relations – and York – in meaningful ways that will shape the University’s approach to collective bargaining, grievance resolution and employee relations, ensuring fair and effective practices across all Faculties and staff groups.

Thank you. Merci. Miigwech.

Parissa Safai
Interim Vice-President Equity, People and Culture

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Members of żě˛ĄĘÓƵ’s frequently appear on the annual list, reflecting the creative impact of York graduates and their status among Canada’s top filmmaking talent.

This year, four former and current AMPD students were recognized for their feature-length or short films.

Sophy Romvari (MFA ’20), Blue Heron

Since completing her MFA at York, writer-director Romvari has gained international recognition for her short films. Blue Heron, her first feature-length movie, explores the internal dynamics of a family of six on Vancouver Island through the perspective of its youngest member.

After premiering in Fall 2025, Blue Heron won the Swatch First Feature Award at the 78th Locarno Film Festival and was named Best Canadian Discovery at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Matt Johnson (BFA ’06, MFA ’16), Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie

Johnson has become one of Canada’s most prominent filmmakers, most recently earning international acclaim and multiple Canadian Screen Awards for the film BlackBerry. His latest feature-length directorial effort, Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie, adapts the cult television and web series he co-created with longtime collaborator and fellow AMPD alum Matthew Miller (BFA ’03, MFA ’16).

Before being named to the Canada's Top Ten, the film was the recipient of the TIFF ’25 People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award.

Martin Edralin (current MFA student), La MayordomĂ­a

Edralin is an award-winning Canadian director whose previous short films include Hole, which won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Live Action Short, and Emma, which was named to TIFF’s Canada’s Top Ten list in 2016.

His latest short film, La Mayordomía, premiered at the 2025 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, where it won the Audience Award for Short Films. The film documents a Mexican ritual where families are chosen to care for baby Jesus figures – some dating back to the 16th century.

Lesley Loksi Chan (BFA ’08, MFA ’18), Lloyd Wong, Unfinished

Born as an archival initiative while Chan was a graduate student at York, the short film Lloyd Wong, Unfinished tells the story of a Chinese-Canadian artist who documented his life living with HIV in early 1990s Toronto but died before completing the project.

When the lost footage was found around 2020, Chan brought the unfinished work to life through her short film, which has received several additional recognitions, including the prestigious Teddy Award for Best Short Film and the Golden Bear for Best Short Film at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival.

For more information about Canada's Top Ten, visit the .

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