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Outstanding Contribution

A graduate who has made significant contribution to the advancement of York and its students through exceptional service, commitment and/or philanthropic contributions. This award can be given to recognize someone who has been engaged at York for many years but also to an alum who has made a major impact in a short period of time.

Robert Krembil, CM

Robert Krembil, CM, CFA (MBA ’71, LLD ’00), is the President of Chiefswood Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries. He is the Chairman of the Krembil Foundation, a Director and founding partner of EdgePoint Investment Group, and a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council of Schulich School of Business. Krembil studied at the Schulich School of […]

Helen K. Sinclair

Helen Sinclair is the founder and CEO of BankWorks and BCN.tv, a satellite communications company, which runs a network of over 200 interactive virtual classrooms and meeting rooms in 70 hotels and conference centres across Canada. Previously, Sinclair was president of the Canadian Bankers Association and held a variety of positions with The Bank of […]

Aidan P. Flatley

Aidan Flatley is the president and CEO of Kenaidan Contracting Limited, a general contracting company with offices in Canada, the U.S. and Ireland. The former Chair of Ontario General Contractors co-founded the company with fellow York grad Ken Smith in 1973. Over the years, Flatley’s companies have been involved with many construction projects at York, […]

Maxwell Gotlieb

Maxwell Gotlieb is a highly respected lawyer with Toronto’s Cassels Brock and Blackwell LLP. A member of the York University Foundation Board of Directors, he exceeded all expectations by co-chairing the 2006 Brazilian Ball Carnival Event with his wife, Heather. The event generated $2 million in funding for the Accolade Project and immeasurable recognition for […]

Bill Hatanaka

Bill Hatanaka leads the TD Bank Financial Group integrated wealth management business in North American and the United Kingdom. He is one of York’s most passionate ambassadors and a truly remarkable individual. A former OUA football all-star and CFL Grey Cup champion, he is a mentor to many York students. Hatanaka joined the York University […]

Marshall Cohen

An exemplary leader and volunteer, Marshall Cohen served for 22 years on the York University Board of Governors, providing expertise and guidance to four York presidents. From 2000 to 2009, he took on the key leadership role of board Chair. Cohen has been a generous supporter of the University, most recently through the newly minted […]

James Love

The vibrancy and richness of York’s biodiversity and conservation research can be attributed to the multifaceted contributions of one person: James Love. A highly respected and accomplished lawyer by trade, Love has been a committed, enthusiastic ambassador and volunteer with York for years. He is the top supporter of various York initiatives, including the Wine […]

Gregory Cooper

Greg Cooper’s biography reads almost like a history of York itself. A member of the University’s first undergraduate class in 1960, he subsequently pursued a law degree at Osgoode Hall Law School, seeing it become York’s Faculty of Law in his final year. Despite a busy legal career, Cooper’s involvement with York only grew after […]

John S. Hunkin

John Hunkin has played a significant role in shaping today’s York. He is a longtime member of the York University Board of Governors, the Schulich School of Business Dean’s Advisory Council and the York University Foundation Board. He is one of only a few people ever to serve in all three of these capacities. Hunkin’s […]

Guy Burry

As York’s ultimate ambassador for the last 30 years, Guy Burry has contributed to the University as a tireless volunteer, a passionate fundraiser and a philanthropist. A driving force behind the Kenaidan-York University Lions Cup (formerly Chair’s Cup) Golf Tournament since its inception, Burry helped York raise more than $5 million for graduate scholarships. Along with […]