Journalist Steve Paikin, musician and actress Deborah Cox, and Rogers CEO Tony Stafferi among recipients receiving honorary degrees from TMU

Toronto, ON – This spring, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) will bestow 11 honorary doctorate degrees upon distinguished individuals who are leaders in the fields. Their achievements range from growing successful aviation and retail businesses, to advocating for children’s rights to leading Indigenous education.

The 12 recipients receiving the 11 degrees will address graduating students during the university’s spring convocation ceremonies. The ceremonies will take place from June 17-25, 2025 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre at 50 Carlton St, Toronto.

TMU’s honorary degree recipients are:

Surjit Babra

Surjit S. Babra is an award-winning entrepreneur and philanthropist. Babra is best known as the founding force behind the SkyLink group of companies. In 2014, Babra and his partners purchased the Heinz Leamington plant in Ontario. Babra’s philanthropic endeavors include funding children’s causes in Canada and abroad through the SkyLink Children's Charity and making major contributions to TMU’s School of Medicine.

Marie Battiste

Marie Battiste is an L’nu educator, a member of the Potlotek First Nations in Unama’ki, Nova Scotia and is Professor Emerita from the University of Saskatchewan. She is the first First Nations woman to graduate with a doctorate degree in Canada. A prolific writer and speaker, Battiste advances the decolonization of education, the development of Indigenous voice and vision, and the institutionalization of the Indigenous humanities, science and knowledge. 

Deborah Cox

Deborah Cox is a Grammy-nominated recording artist whose talents span music, Broadway, television, film and fashion. She is known for her chart-topping R&B and Pop music, including the record-breaking “Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here,” as well as her work on First Wives Club, Station Eleven and The Wiz. Cox is the first Black woman inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.

B. Denham Jolly

B. Denham Jolly is an esteemed businessman, publisher, broadcaster and human rights activist who is widely admired as a community leader and promoter of equity, social justice, civil rights and opportunity. He founded Milestone Communications, which launched Canada’s first Black-owned radio station. He philanthropic causes support youth in Toronto’s Regent Park and in Jamaica. In recognition of his community spirit, the City of Toronto named a Scarborough street and park in his honour. Jolly also received the Order of Canada.

Moez Kassam

Moez Kassam is Co-founder and Chief Investment Officer of Anson Funds, a Toronto-based multi-strategy fund. Driven by a belief in the power of strategic investment to unlock human potential, Kassam and his wife Marissa co-founded the Moez & Marissa Kassam Equity Fund.  The fund focuses on food security, advanced healthcare, affordable housing, education and inclusive sports programs. The support investments at SickKids, Michael Garron Hospital and TMU’s new school of medicine.

Jan Kestle

Jan Kestle has dedicated her career to using statistics and mathematics to help Canadian organizations become more data driven, make better decisions and as a result, make Canadians’ lives better. Kestle has led the Ontario government’s statistical office, was President of Compusearch Micromarketing Data & Systems and Founder and President of Environics Analytics, which is Canada’s leading data and analytics solutions provider.

Brandt C. Louie

A respected entrepreneur and philanthropist, Brandt C. Louie is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of H.Y. Louie Group of companies, which includes retail brand London Drugs. Since 2020, Louie has aided in the creation of a national strategy on Anti-Asian racism. He serves on the board of the National Coalition of Canadians Against Anti-Asian Racism and the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation. Louie has received the Order of British Columbia and the Order of Canada for his achievements.

Steve Paikin

Steven Paikin is a journalist, author and documentary producer, known for his flagship current affairs program, The Agenda with Steve Paikin on TVO, and moderating federal and provincial election debates. In addition to TVO, Paikin’s career as a political journalist has included periods at CBC, CHFI and the Hamilton Spectator. He has also produced several feature-length documentaries, including 1993's Return to the Warsaw Ghetto. Paikin is an Officer of the Order of Canada and invested into the Order of Ontario.

Cheryl Perera

A 2025 Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, Order of Ontario appointee, and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Cheryl Perera is an international children’s rights advocate, social entrepreneur, acclaimed public speaker and the Founder and President of OneChild. Perera has dedicated her career to preventing and eradicating the sexual exploitation of children–a cause she began fighting for when she was just a teenager. Perera’s work has benefited over 145,000 people in 16 countries.

Walter and Maria Schroeder

After overcoming childhood hardships, Walter and Maria Schroeder built Dominion Bond Rating Service (DBRS), an independent credit rating agency. They grew the company into the fourth-largest bond rating agency in the world before selling the company to pursue philanthropic endeavors. Through the Walter & Maria Schroeder Foundation they support marginalized communities across Winnipeg by removing barriers to education for youth in the city’s core. They have also made significant contributions to Canada's heath care sector.

Tony Staffieri

Tony Staffieri is the President and CEO of Rogers Communications, Canada’s leading technology and media company proudly committed to providing the very best in wireless, residential, sports and media to Canadians and Canadian businesses. A highly regarded and seasoned leader, Staffieri played a lead role in improvements to customer experience at Rogers. Staffieri is a Board Director of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and previously served as Chair of the TMU Board of Governors.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Tania Ulrich
PR & Communications Specialist
Central Communications
Toronto Metropolitan University
tulrich@torontomu.ca
647-785-0984
www.torontomu.ca