A stellar year for TMU alumni

Michael “Pinball” Clemons, General Manager, Toronto Argonauts, Honorary Doctor of Laws ’22

Award: The 2022 Global Impact Award

“Michael Pinball Clemons and his wife Diane Lee Clemons are the founders of The Pinball Clemons Foundation, an organization that provides marginalized and racialized youth with educational resources and options to integrate into the mainstream of society … the foundation has been responsible for the construction of a hospital in Uganda, over 200 schools in developing countries, two orphanages in Haiti, and has locally awarded more than 200 scholarships.” (Afroglobal Television (external link, opens in new window) )

The list, 100 Most Influential Black Canadians, recognizes “...the achievements of individuals, organizations, businesses and agencies that make a profound difference in the lives of people of African descent, and to transform the communities where they live.” Recipients of this honour included:

• Jean Augustine, Former Member of Parliament, Honorary Doctor of Laws ’19
• Dwight Drummond, Journalist, CBC, Radio & Television Arts ’91
• Wes Hall, Founder & Executive Chairman, Kingsdale Advisors, Honorary Doctor of Laws ’21
• Al Ramsay, Vice President and Head LGBTQ2+ & Black Customer Segments, Business Management ’99
• Warren Salmon, President, Black Board International, Computer Science ’85
• Michael H. Tulloch, Judge, Superior Court of Justice, Ontario, Honorary Doctor of Laws ’18
• Masai Ujiri, President, Toronto Raptors, Honorary Doctor of Laws ’17
• Tonya Williams, Actor, Founder & Executive Director, Reelworld Screen Institute, Management & Community Studies ’02

Eric McCormack, Actor, Theatre ’85, Honorary Doctor of Laws ’19

“APJ awards are presented annually at the APJ Festival Gala in Toronto to individuals who have made a significant impact with their activism around the world.” (Artists for Peace and Justice (external link, opens in new window) )

Jodi Lai, Editor-in-Chief, AutoTrader, Journalism ’09

“This award represents the pinnacle of automotive journalism in Canada and is the most esteemed automotive writing award available in the country.” (Autotrader (external link, opens in new window) )

Christian Allaire, Writer, Journalism ’14

“Ojibway author and Vogue fashion writer Christian Allaire has won Canada Reads 2022 … Allaire successfully presented his case about why the 2020 novel Five Little Indians [by Michelle Good] — a story about five survivors of Canada’s residential school system who are struggling to heal from their trauma and rebuild their lives as adults — best fits the Canada Reads 2022 theme as the “One Book to Connect Us.” (CBC (external link, opens in new window) )

The Honourable Vivienne Poy was the CCAE 2022 Friend of Education Award Winner for having “made a significant contribution in a leadership role to the cause of institutional advancement or education in Canada.”) (CCAE (external link, opens in new window) )

Catherine Hernandez, Novelist, Performance ’99

Shasha Nakhai, Filmmaker, Journalism ’09

Rich Williamson, Filmmaker, Image Arts ’08

Awards: Best Motion Picture, Best First Feature Film, Best Adapted Screenplay, Achievement in Direction, Achievement in Casting, Canadian Screen Awards

Scarborough, a film based on Catherine Hernandez’s 2017 novel, received eight Canadian Screen Awards, including best screenplay adaptation and best motion picture. Co-directors Rich Williamson and Shasha Nakhai won in the categories of best achievement in direction, achievement in casting and best first feature film. (The 2022 Canadian Screen Awards | Full Live Show (external link) )

In 2022, TMU alumni working in the film, television and digital sectors were recognized with a total of 17 Canadian Screen Awards, as noted in this roundup from The Creative School (opens in new window) .

Brian Gluckstein, Principal, Gluckstein Design, Applied Arts ’83

“As the 2022 Designer of the Year, Brian knows instinctively how his clientele want to live, which makes him a natural choice for the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Home Lottery Showhome, which he has designed for the last decade.” (House & Home (external link, opens in new window) )

Joseph Fida, Co-Founder, Blade Air, Master of Chemical Engineering ’22

“In 2017 brothers Aeden and Joseph Fida, plus Giancarlo Sessa, cofounded Blade Filters to create zero-waste carbon filters. Already in the air filtration industry, the trio shifted focus when the pandemic hit last year to create Blade Air, an operating division specializing in air purification technology and indoor air quality.” (Forbes (external link, opens in new window) )

Hala Bissada, President & Chief Executive Officer, Hala Events & Communications Inc., Hospitality & Tourism Management ’91

Hala received the 2022 ILEA Esprit Award for Best Event for a Non-Profit Organization (Under $100,000 USD) for welcoming “... more than 300 delegates, members & event planners to Virtually Ottawa — a reimagined 3D virtual experience. Following the success of this delegate conference, we then developed The Delegate Journey roadmap — an expanded 360° interactive environment and 3D virtual tour of Ottawa.” (ILEA Esprit Awards (external link, opens in new window) )

Hill Kourkoutis, Music Engineer, Film Studies ’10

Hill Kourkoutis made history as the first female to be nominated — and win — the Juno Award for Recording Engineer of the Year. “A multi-instrumentalist and composer as well, Kourkoutis’ success springs from nurturing a diversified mindset. A certified road warrior singer/songwriter before she gravitated full-time to the studio, she leverages her empathy with music artists to forge a deep rapport in the studio.” (SonicScoop (external link, opens in new window) )

Brenda Pais, Strategic Account Manager, Hotelbeds, Hospitality & Tourism Management ’16

“Brenda Pais is recognized for being organized, enthusiastic and hardworking. Currently, Pais is the Key Account Manager — Eastern U.S. and Canada at Hotelbeds, where she develops and grows commercial partnership with trade partners, analyzes client productivity to grow total account value and revenue and manages technical API implementation strategies.” (Kostuch Media Ltd. — KML (external link, opens in new window) )

Murray Sinclair, Former Judge and Senator, Honorary Doctor of Laws ’13

Award: Companion of the Order of Canada

The Honourable Murray Sinclair received the highest ranking of Companion of the Order of Canada in December 2021 “[for] his commitment to the representation of Indigenous legal issues, and for his dedication to reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.” (Governor General of Canada (external link, opens in new window) )

Three TMU community members received the prestigious accolade of the Order of Canada in December 2021. ‘“These most recent nominees to the Order of Canada are shining examples of the commitment and outstanding contributions Canadians have made,” said Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada in a news release.’ (Toronto Met Today (opens in new window) )

The Order of Canada recipients are:

• Mohamad Fakih, Chief Executive Officer, Paramount Fine Foods, Honorary Doctor of Laws ’18
• Janice Fukakusa, Chancellor, Toronto Metropolitan University
• Victoria Grant, Chair, Canadian Community Foundation, Public Administration and Governance ’06

Margaret MacMillan, Historian, Honorary Doctor of Laws ’05

“The Order of Merit, a personal gift from the monarch founded by King Edward VII in 1902 … honours those who have made ‘exceptionally meritorious service to the Crown, in armed services or towards the advancement of arts, literature and science’ … the individuals appointed by Charles were chosen by Queen Elizabeth in early September, shortly before her death.” (CBC News (external link, opens in new window) )

Claudine Cousins, Chief Executive Officer, Empower Simcoe, Business Management ’90

“For more than three decades, the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards have recognized and celebrated the strides of Canada’s most accomplished, influential, and impactful women. It is the leading women’s awards program in the nation, elevating this group’s important contributions — from economic growth to social change across sectors and industries.” (Women of Influence (external link, opens in new window) )

Luis De Filippis, Filmmaker, Image Arts ’12

“The TIFF Next Wave Committee announces Luis De Filippis as the 2022 Shawn Mendes Foundation Changemaker Award recipient for her debut feature Something You Said Last Night, an honest, immersive, and intensely relatable portrayal of an Italian Canadian family on a summer vacation.” (Toronto International Film Festival (external link, opens in new window) )

Omar Alghabra, Member of Parliament, Mechanical Engineering ’94

“Since January 2021, he has served as Minister of Transport, navigating unprecedented situations like the trucker convoy as well as vaccine mandates for travel. His current mandate is focused on making travel safer and more efficient; improving supply chains; reducing pollution from transportation; and building the new high-frequency rail connecting Québec City-Montreal-Ottawa and Toronto!” (Canadian Immigrant (external link, opens in new window) )

Toronto Metropolitan University President & Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Lachemi was also recognized (external link, opens in new window) .

Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director, FNCFCS, Honorary Doctor of Laws ’17

The executive director of First Nations Child and Family Caring Society (FNCFCS) was recognized for her relentless pursuit of justice and calling attention to the rights of Indigenous children. “Cindy has played a significant role on behalf of the FNCFCS in the landmark $40 billion agreement reached on December 31, 2021, between the Canadian government and First Nations leaders, whereby First Nations children that were harmed by Canada’s discriminatory child welfare system may be compensated.” (Women of Influence (external link, opens in new window) )

Sabrina Craig, Co-Director, Vaccine Hunters Canada, Business Technology Management ’19

Sabrina was recognized for volunteering for the COVID-19 vaccination effort. “The Vaccine Hunters Canada community of volunteers and social media followers — which at its peak, was almost 430,000 in total across their platforms — has helped hundreds of thousands of Canadians get educated, and most importantly, receive their vaccinations.” (Women of Influence (external link, opens in new window) )

Jules Koostachin, Filmmaker, Documentary Media ’10

“It’s not often that a mother gets to direct her own son, but that’s exactly what happened for Jules’ scripted feature debut, ‘Broken Angel,’ which premiered at Toronto’s ImagiNative Film + Media Arts Festival in October. A participant of the Breakthrough Initiative for the Black Magic Collective, an L.A.-based program to champion BIPOC TV writers and directors, she has already secured funding for her second feature, and is directing a doc for the National Film Board of Canada.”
(Variety (external link, opens in new window) )

Fennella Bruce, Founder, FKB Media Solutions, Journalism ’93

“I was proud to present this award that recognizes [Fennella’s] dedication in achieving phenomenal success in business and how she continues to drive her business forward while fostering female entrepreneurship.” (Ron Fanfair (opens in new window) )

Clare Hacksel, Board Chair, Vibe Arts for Children and Youth, Midwifery ’20

“These are women who personify what it means to be powerful through the way they empower and champion others, influence change and stand up for all of us. And as Top 100 winners, they stand among more than 1,000 powerful leaders across Canada who share that honour… and our thanks.” (WXN (external link, opens in new window) )

Jocelyn Hamilton, President, eOne Television Canada, Radio and Television Arts ’90

“Jocelyn Hamilton leads all Canadian operations for Entertainment One’s television business which includes the strategic planning and day-to-day management of eOne’s television development and production activities in Canada.” (Women in Film and Television (external link, opens in new window) )