TMU Alumni Rising Stars
TMU’s Rising Stars is an annual feature celebrating recent alumni who are driving change, breaking new ground and inspiring others. Recognized across four categories — Innovator, Changemaker, Emerging Leader and Community Builder — these graduates have shown rapid career growth, entrepreneurial success, industry recognition and a strong commitment to community impact.
2025 TMU Alumni Rising Star Recipients
Changemaker
Adebola Adefioye
Child and Youth Care ’23
Professor, Early Childhood Education, Seneca Polytechnic
Adebola Adefioye is a social impact leader, educator and advocate for equity and community development. She teaches early childhood education at the college level, and draws on both academic expertise and lived experience to foster inclusive learning environments. A PhD student in Policy Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University, she is the founder of the Afro Women and Youth Foundation and team lead at Adebola Adefioye Consulting. Through public speaking, mentorship and program development, she supports immigrant women, youth and racialized communities. Adebola is a member of the College of Early Childhood Educators and the Ontario Association of Social Workers, working to advance equity and representation across education and social policy sectors.
Narjes Allahrabbi is a postdoctoral fellow in biomedical engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University and founder and CEO of Fertilead, a medical device startup improving access to fertility care for couples facing male infertility. With a PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, she brings strong technical expertise and a passion for translational innovation. At TMU, she pursued a Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering and participated in Zone Learning and Lab2Market. Her novel sperm preparation cassette is pending U.S. patent and moving toward clinical validation. Narjes is a Mitacs Entrepreneurial Fellow and recipient of the Norman Esch and Gordon and Helen Love Family Entrepreneurial Awards.
Community Builder
Graham Beer
Media Production and Business Administration (MA-MBA) ’24
Founder, Executive Producer, Cobourg Media
Graham Beer is the founder and executive producer of Cobourg Media, where he leads television production, live events and creative strategy. He produces unscripted content from specials to documentaries, including Legion of Honour for Bell Fibe TV1. He has contributed to CBC News and CBC Sports during the Beijing 2022 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games. A dedicated community leader, Graham has raised over $100,000 for local and national causes, and serves as president and chair of Northumberland Rocks Back, a benefit concert supporting United Way. He holds a BA and MA in media production, as well as an MBA from Toronto Metropolitan University, where his research explored leadership in Canada’s media industry. His contributions have been recognized with the YMCA Northumberland Peace Medal, the Town of Cobourg Civic Award and the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Award for Community Service.
Emerging Leader
Belinda Bonsu
Human Resources Management ’15
VP, Human Resources Business Partner, Dentsu
Belinda Bonsu is a human resources leader with over a decade of experience in organizational development, talent management, and strategic HR initiatives. She has led key efforts to enhance employee engagement, improve talent acquisition, and implement learning and development programs that foster high-performing, inclusive work environments. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University, Belinda is also a passionate advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. Her mentorship and community involvement support underrepresented groups in navigating and thriving within the HR field. With a focus on equity and organizational growth, she continues to drive meaningful change across both corporate and community landscapes.
Changemaker
Nella Brodett
Law and Business ’15
Head of Integrated Markets, Company Support and Partnerships, CAN Health Network
Nella Brodett is head of Integrated Markets, Company Support and Partnerships, and a founding team member of the CAN Health Network, where she supports the adoption of emerging Canadian health technologies across the country through private and public partnerships. She previously served as director of investment and partnerships at the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute, advancing global AI adoption in business. A proud Toronto Metropolitan University alumna, Nella earned a Bachelor of Commerce in Law and Business while serving as captain of the women’s hockey team and was involved as an executive on various TRSM student groups. She later established the Nella Brodett Empowerment Award to support female-identified student-athletes in the TMU Bold community. In 2022, Nella and her sister, Franca, became the first Filipina-Canadian duo on The Amazing Race Canada, placing third in Season 8.
Anthony Brum is associate counsel at Mistplay, a Canadian-based loyalty platform for mobile gamers, where he supports product development and business operations through legal advising. Based in New York, he works closely with Mistplay’s marketing and product teams, and advises on new product features and supports the legal review of technology contracts. Outside of work, he is an active volunteer and mentor, supporting current students at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, where he also coached the school’s 2024 Canadian Client Consultation Competition team. He serves on the communications committee for Epilepsy Toronto and volunteers with The ArQuives, the world’s largest independent 2SLGBTQ+ archives. Anthony earned his JD degree from Toronto Metropolitan University and remains deeply connected to the city where he began his legal career.
Joe Fida is a Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient, EY Entrepreneur of the Year and program advisor at Toronto Metropolitan University. With a Master’s of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering, he has built a career turning technical gaps into market-ready solutions across clean-tech and process industries. In 2017, he founded Blade Air after developing an advanced carbon-filter system; the company expanded into indoor air quality technologies and was ranked Canada’s 5th fastest-growing company in 2023. He continues to apply his product development expertise as CEO of PathX Solutions, where he is advancing UV-C technology for cannabis extraction.
Innovator
Wintta Ghebreiyesus
Aerospace Engineering (PhD) ’25
Founder and CEO, Moon Trades Technologies
Wintta Ghebreiyesus is the founder and CEO of Moon Trades Technologies, which develops AI-powered autonomous systems for mineral exploration. With a bachelor’s, master’s and PhD in aerospace engineering from Toronto Metropolitan University, she combines expertise in robotics, AI, and remote sensing to improve drilling success rates and reduce environmental impact. Her company was named one of the top 50 early-stage companies globally with a TiE50 2025 award at TiEcon Silicon Valley. A passionate advocate for diversity in STEM, Wintta mentors emerging leaders in deep tech and holds leadership roles with Women in Aerospace Canada and Space Place Planetarium Canada.
Bolis Ibrahim is the co-founder and president of Cence Power, where he leads the development of safe, energy-efficient and cost-effective power delivery solutions for the electrical industry. With over a decade of experience in low-voltage direct current power systems, he brings deep expertise in electrical engineering and technology commercialization. His team’s work is driving a new generation of DC-based infrastructure that improves safety, reduces energy consumption and simplifies power delivery in buildings. Bolis holds a degree in electrical and computer engineering from Toronto Metropolitan University, where he cultivated his passion for sustainable energy innovation.
Changemaker
Megan Lewis
Public Policy and Administration ’18
Director, Centre for Indigenous Policy and Research, Indigenous Youth Roots
Megan Lewis is a queer, mixed Kanien’kehá:ka woman and member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, currently serving as director of the Centre for Indigenous Policy and Research at Indigenous Youth Roots. Based in Ottawa, she leads national initiatives that centre Indigenous youth voices in policy and research. Megan’s approach draws on lived experience as a vital part of advancing equity, self-determination and community-led solutions. She is committed to making policy spaces more accessible and to uplifting youth leadership through advocacy, research and relationship-building that help shape more equitable and responsive policy systems.
Taylor Lindsay-Noel is an entrepreneur and accessibility advocate based in Toronto. A former national gymnast, her athletic career was cut short in 2008 due to a training accident that resulted in quadriplegia. She went on to earn a BA in Radio and Television Arts from Toronto Metropolitan University and later founded Cup of Té Luxury Loose Leaf Teas, featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things in 2020 and 2024. Taylor serves on the boards of the Shine Foundation and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, and previously sat on the Premier’s Council on Equality of Opportunity. She is a 2025 King Charles III Coronation Medal recipient and received the David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility. With a growing online presence, she advocates for inclusion and disability representation through storytelling and public engagement.
Emerging Leader
Mikael Melo
Radio and Television Arts ’18
Producer, Host, Content Creator and Social Media Manager
Mikael Melo is a Canadian Screen Award–winning producer, content creator and host whose work spans television and digital media. He has interviewed talent such as Olivia Rodrigo, Katy Perry and Florence Pugh, and has appeared on or contributed to Big Brother Canada, ET Canada, etalk, The Social, iHeartRadio and Family Feud Canada. Online, he reaches more than 80,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram, creating branded content for partners including Paramount+, Samsung, TikTok Canada, Starbucks and Universal Music. Mikael earned a BA in Radio and Television Arts: Media Production, with a minor in Professional Communication, from Toronto Metropolitan University in 2018. Recognized as a 2025 TMU Rising Star, he continues to develop storytelling that bridges traditional broadcast and emerging platforms.
Emerging Leader
Karim Mohammadi
Hospitality and Tourism Management ’17
Operating Partner, Evergreen Hospitality Group
Karim Mohammadi is a hospitality executive at Evergreen Hospitality Group, where he oversees hotel assets across Vancouver Island, leading property onboarding, brand conversions and operational transformation. A recipient of the Top 30 Under 30 Award from the Ontario Hostelry Institute, Karim began his career in the dishpit at Toronto’s Delta Hotel while studying hospitality and tourism management at Toronto Metropolitan University. He later joined Fairmont Pacific Rim’s Summit Aspiring Leader program, launching a rapid rise in the industry. Now based in British Columbia, he sits on the BC Hotel Association board and several community tourism boards, contributing to the future of hospitality in the region. Committed to mentorship and industry advocacy, Karim continues to support the next generation of leaders through bold leadership and lived experience.
Hanen Nanaa is a multi-award-winning social entrepreneur, public policy advisor and war survivor from Syria. She founded the Books Art Music (BAM) Collective — recognized with a Mayor’s Community Safety Award and as a finalist for the Toronto Arts for Youth Award. Hanen is a senior advisor at the Toronto Transit Commission and a master’s student in public policy, administration and law at York University. A politics and governance graduate of TMU, she has also studied at the University of Oxford. Her advocacy and leadership have earned her the 2023 Pam McConnell Award, the 2023 Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award and a nomination for DMZ’s 2024 Woman of the Year.
Marissa Papaconstantinou is a three-time Paralympian, Paralympic bronze medalist, and Canadian record holder in track and field. She made her Paralympic debut at age 16 and won bronze in the T64 100m at the Tokyo 2020 Games. The first female Canadian para-athlete signed by Nike, she has also collaborated with Toyota, Air Canada and Petro-Canada. A proud Scarborough native, Marissa is an ambassador for organizations including Holland Bloorview and the Scarborough Health Network. She graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University’s sport media program and is committed to growing para sport through media representation and public speaking. Through her keynote “Finding Tenths,” she shares stories of resilience and perseverance, with a long-term goal of creating meaningful change for the next generation of athletes.
Emerging Leader
Deepa Prashad
Radio and Television Arts ’18
Host, Daryn & Deepa Mornings on 99.9 Virgin Radio, Bell Media
Deepa Prashad is the co-host of Daryn and Deepa Mornings on 99.9 Virgin Radio Toronto and is recognized nationally for her work across radio, television and digital platforms. She first rose to prominence as the official host of Family Channel and as the original host of blogTO, becoming a familiar face to audiences across Canada. A versatile broadcaster and content producer, Deepa has emceed national live events and continues to create engaging media that reflects her personal passions. She is a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Radio and Television Arts program, where she launched her career while still an undergraduate. Through her social media presence, Deepa proudly celebrates her Caribbean heritage and shares her enthusiasm for motorsports and the automotive industry with an engaged and growing audience.
Changemaker
Aleem Punja
Disability Studies ’16
Executive Director, Future Ready Initiative, Aga Khan Council for Canada
Aleem Punja is executive director at the Aga Khan Council for Canada and oversees the Future Ready Initiative where he leads national programs focused on poverty reduction, newcomer integration and inclusive communities. A registered social worker with over 20 years of experience, Aleem has led sector-wide modernization efforts and advanced equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging across systems. He is a 2023/2024 CivicAction DiverseCity Fellow and a participant in the Maytree Policy School. He also serves as vice-chair of the Toronto Lands Corporation, supporting community-building through innovative public school board land use.
Emerging Leaders
Shima Radfar
Interior Design ’16
Partner, RZ Interiors
and
Bahar Zaeem
Interior Design ’15
Partner, RZ Interiors
Bahar Zaeem and Shima Radfar are the co-founders of RZ Interiors, a Toronto-based design firm known for creating refined, functional spaces that balance luxury with livability. With over a decade of experience, Bahar specializes in tailored interiors rooted in clean aesthetics and timeless appeal, drawing inspiration from global travel and her early foundation in project coordination and space planning. Shima, who studied Visual Arts in Iran before completing Interior Design at TMU, brings a sharp eye for color, materials, and efficient layouts that enhance architectural character. Together, they lead residential and hospitality projects across the city, earning a reputation for design that feels both personal and enduring. Their work is guided by dialogue, trust, and a deep understanding of how people live—resulting in spaces that are meant to be lived in and loved.
Danny Su is vice president in Value and Risk Advisory at JLL and a designated P.App., AACI member of the Appraisal Institute of Canada. With experience across commercial real estate asset classes nationwide, he specializes in valuation, underwriting and financial modeling. Danny has served as an expert witness in arbitration and litigation cases. A graduate of TMU’s inaugural Real Estate Management (Co-op) program, he also holds a Post-Graduate Certificate from UBC. He remains active in the TMU community as president of the TMU Alumni in Real Estate group and a member of the Real Estate Management Advisory Council.
Fatima Syed is an award-winning journalist with The Narwhal, covering energy and environmental issues in Ontario. Based in Mississauga, she has also reported for The Walrus, the Toronto Star, The Logic and National Observer, and hosted podcasts with The Big Story and CANADALAND. She serves as vice-president of the Canadian Association of Journalists and is known for her in-depth, community-focused reporting. In 2022, she received the World Press Freedom Canada Award for her pandemic coverage in Peel Region with The Local. Fatima is a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University, where she studied journalism.
Innovator
Jay Tailor
Biomedical Engineering ’21
Product Manager, InteleHealth and MedTech Innovation Fellow, Johns Hopkins University
Jay Tailor is a medtech innovation fellow at Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design, where he leads projects aimed at solving complex health care challenges. His current work includes developing AI-supported clinical decision support tools for provider-to-provider telemedicine in rural India and designing a novel implantable device for patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia. Previously, he worked as a quality engineer at Boston Scientific, improving systems and processes in medical device manufacturing. Tailor earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Toronto Metropolitan University, where he first cultivated his passion for equitable health care innovation. He now combines technical problem-solving with a commitment to advancing access and impact in underserved and low-resource communities.
Dakota Whyte is executive director of the PS43 Foundation, where she leads programs that support underrepresented youth through sports and education. A former professional basketball player and youth Olympian, she played Division 1 basketball at the University of Wisconsin before transitioning to a career that bridges sport, branding and community engagement, including time at Nike. Dakota is also the founder of a sport philanthropy firm focused on creating sustainable, athletics-based solutions for social impact. Her work is rooted in athlete advocacy and the belief that sport can drive meaningful change. She holds an MBA from Toronto Metropolitan University, where she combined her business training with her passion for empowering communities. Through her leadership, Dakota continues to amplify the role of athletes in advancing equity and opportunity beyond the court.
