Alumni and Friends

Iris Yusupov is a clinical researcher and mental health advocate who has devoted her graduate career to providing mentorship and mental health support to students.

Lucas is an innovative educator and disability advocate who has worked with numerous non-profit organizations. Skilled in disability law, educational accommodation, management and public policy, Lucas is currently the director for Community Engagement with the Amputee Coalition.

Kate Haiyun Mossop (MLCE ’21) is a community builder with a lifelong passion for strengthening communities and helping people overcome barriers. It was this passion that guided her to York University.

Faridah Yagboyaju (IBBA ’22) is an African-Canadian entrepreneur with a passion for helping students across the province achieve their academic goals. But when it came to her own academic goals, choosing a university was a big decision.

Alumna Aletheia Délivré was searching for a way to bridge her two worlds - STEM and global affairs. Thanks to Glendon's Public and International Affairs program, Aletheia could spend a year abroad where she would later secure roles at UNESCO and the European Commission. As manager of Design Operations at Zapier, Aletheia aims to create better experiences where innovation meets social good.

When alumna Marie Foolchand first joined TikTok, she never expected she might one day be rubbing shoulders with celebrities, representing some of the world's top brands, and racking up millions of views and likes. But what started as a creative pastime quickly became an outlet for her to entertain, inspire and educate people from across the globe.

It was the talk of the country in 1972 when Canada and Russia played in hockey’s Summit Series – the first competition between the National Hockey League’s best Canadian professionals and the Soviet Union’s “amateur” national team. Glendon grad Gary Smith was at the centre of it all and has written a riveting, behind-the-scenes account of how the series came to be and what it meant to hockey, Canada and international relations.

A passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, children's rights, and social justice, Lassonde School of Engineering alumna Basma Elbahnasawy is creating positive change by ensuring that youth, minority and vulnerable populations have access to necessities that empower them to build a better future.

Alumna Bri Darboh has long been fascinated by the brain and human behaviour. A trailblazer in the clinical neuropsychology field and a lifelong learner pursuing a PhD and an MBA, Bri maintains a fervent devotion to leadership, social advocacy, and outreach in healthcare.

Alumna Jonelle Sills credits York University with playing an integral role in her success. A lyric soprano whose performances led her to be on CBC’s list of Canada’s 30 hot classical musicians under 30 in 2020, Jonelle hopes to use her art to break down barriers and make classical music accessible to a wider and more diverse audience.