Division of Advancement - Alumni and Friends

Top 30 Alumni Under 30 Spotlight: Laiba Khaqan (BA ’22)
When it came time for Laiba Khaqan (BA ’22) to choose where to study, York University’s distinguished psychology program was an easy decision. It was her time as a York student that would spark her passion to drive systemic change, a commitment that continues to shape her path today as an entrepreneur and mental health advocate bridging mental health, technology and education.

Top 30 Alumni Recipients from left to right: Blessing Owusu, Eric Bizzarri, Nathan Yiu, Aniket Prabhudesai, Svetlana Mamaeva and Anjelica Ramsewack

Meet the 2025 York University Top 30 Alumni Under 30
York U’s Top 30 Alumni Under 30 program recognizes inspiring and diverse alumni 29 years old and younger who are driven to make a difference locally and globally.

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Top 30 Alumni Under 30 Spotlight: Valeriy Kostyuk (BFA ’18)

Valeriy Kostyuk (BFA ’18) is a Ukrainian-Canadian producer who has had a successful career in art and entertainment. However, after hearing about the conflict in his home of Ukraine, he set forth to make a positive change in his community.

Entrepreneur tackles gender disparity in the arts

Born in the U.S. and raised in Canada in a Spanish-speaking home with roots in Barcelona, Nuria Madrenas (BA ’16) is deeply inspired by culture, creativity, and community. It took just over two years for this arts enthusiast to fuse her passion and entrepreneurial desire to create positive change and bring Tacit – an online gallery and art consultancy dedicated exclusively to female artists – to life.

York alumna discusses equitable opportunities and the importance of representation in classrooms

Dr. Dionne Stephens (BA ’96), an esteemed alumna whose journey began long before becoming the only black tenure-track faculty member in the department of Psychology at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, discusses opportunities, representation and learning in the University’s dynamic, metropolitan and multicultural stage.

York alumna aims to spur positive change for Black health equity through dementia research

It was life’s twists and turns that led Ngozi Iroanyah (MA ’17) to pursue research dedicated to improving the health status of Black communities. And it’s her passion for creating positive change for Black people living with dementia that has fuelled years of study on the topic.

York alumna breaks barriers as a Black international fundraiser

From the age of 15, York alumna Fatou Jammeh (iBA ’15) was certain she wanted to become a diplomat. Today, Fatou is breaking barriers in the non-profit sector as a Black fundraiser and consultant to various organizations. While she had no clear trajectory to the world of fundraising, choosing to pursue International Studies at Glendon proved to be a pivotal step in her journey.

Community at York inspires alumnus to discover real estate passion

Like many first year undergraduate students, Darren Adamah (BA ’20) wasn’t sure what career he wanted to pursue right away. As a newcomer to Canada by way of Ghana, Darren found himself in unfamiliar territory, leaving friends and family to study in a new country.

York alumnus advancing the next generation through workforce development

When York alumnus Joannes Yimbesalu (MA ’18) decided to transition from his role as a cancer biologist to pursue his passion in international development, he realized he needed to return to school to develop his leadership skills.

York alumna champions vulnerable communities facing climate impacts

Sindy Singh has dedicated over a decade to environmental management and climate change. Her education at the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (EUC) at York University laid the foundation for her career focused on advocating for vulnerable communities facing climate impacts.

York alumnus reflects on Black identity in best-selling book

York alumnus Matthew R. Morris (BEd ’11) is an educator, anti-racism advocate, writer and public speaker based in Toronto. In his recent national best-selling book, Black Boys Like Me: Confrontations with Race, Identity, and Belonging, Morris tackles the issues of identity that young Black students experience as they navigate their way through the education system.

Alumni Spotlight: Adam Donaldson (JD ’22)

When Adam Donaldson (JD ’22) graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School, his dream of becoming a lawyer finally became a reality. Today, Adam is an associate at Stockwoods LLP, advocate, community builder and volunteer.

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