Recognition Awards Dinner | School of Public Policy & Administration

An annual celebration of the accomplishments and leadership of our students and alumni, and a formal thank-you to our community partners and alumni for their engagement with students, the event showcases the very best that our School of Public Policy & Administration fosters to develop.

Students and alumni are formally presented with awards for their leadership, teamwork, service to their community of peers, mentoring those more junior; and external partners are recognized for creating meaningful practicum opportunities for our students.

Excellence among our Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPAL) students and alumni is also recognized through our Best Major Research Paper Award and the Foster-Greene Award respectively for work that has demonstrably and significantly advanced social justice, human rights, ethics and good governance in congruence with the program’s founding principles.

As part of our high-school outreach and cultivating the aspirations of a new generation of public service leaders, winners of our annual high school essay contest are also invited to this event and formally presented with the prizes, while they have the opportunity to meet our students and alumni.

A keynote address by one of our senior alumni is an integral part of this event, and provides an inspiring, yet very candid, window into the ups and downs of a career in the public service, and ultimately answers the question why it is worthwhile and meaningful.

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2026 Foster – Greene Award for Excellence in Public Policy, Administration and Law award winner – Joseph Martino

Joseph Martino is a lawyer in the province of Ontario (Canada) and the director of the Special Investigations Unit, the province's civilian agency responsible for the independent investigation of incidents in which the police have caused serious injury or death, are the subject of a sexual assault complaint, or have discharged a firearm at a person. He has spent his entire career at the SIU, beginning there as an articling student in 1997, and has helped guide the unit through several substantial transformations, most recently in 2020 with the coming into force of the Special Investigations Unit Act, 2019. His statutory duty is to decide whether there are reasonable grounds in the evidence to proceed with criminal charges against the officer or officers under investigation.

Mr. Martino is a graduate of the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law (1997) and the Public Policy, Administration and Law graduate program at York University (2016).

Mr. Martino has published articles in the areas of policing practices, disclosure and production in criminal cases, leadership, and children’s rights. He is also the co-author of Salhany’s Police Manual of Arrest, Seizure and Interrogation.

Past Events

2025: “Reflections on Growth, Gratitude & Giving Back”

The School’s 2025 Recognition Awards Dinner continues to grow in numbers each year – it’s all about recruitment and retention to our excellent programs . Another successful year! The keynote speaker was, MPPAL alumnus Eric Sabiti, class of 2015.

Eric Sabiti is a Senior Advisor with the Ministry of the Solicitor General, specializing in corrections mental health and addictions strategies. He works closely on initiatives that strengthen mental health and addictions supports (i.e. Jahn Remedies) within Ontario’s adult correctional system. Previously, Eric served with the Ministry of Health in the Child and Youth Mental Health portfolio. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he helped lead strategies to maintain continuity of care for young people. His public service career began in 2015 with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. In that role, he gained experience in operations and front-line program delivery. Eric’s expertise spans the intersections of justice, mental health, and social policy. He is also the Vice President for the Criminal Justice Association of Ontario. In this capacity, he advocates for fair , compassionate, and equitable justice system. Eric is deeply committed to advancing policies that promote rehabilitation and community safety. He believes that evidence-based approaches lead to stronger outcomes for individuals and society. Beyond his professional work, Eric has a keen interest in travel, sports, and the fashion industry. Travel is one of his passions, offering him global perspectives on culture and governance. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Eric values teamwork, discipline, and fair play both on and off the field.

Eric Sabiti is the 2025 Foster-Greene Award for Excellence in Public Policy, Administration and Law (MPPAL) award recipient!

To learn more about the event and view the full list of awards winners, you can download the event highlights presentation (PDF).

2024: SPPA awards focus on “Leadership and Innovation for Reimagining the Social Safety Net.”

The School’s 2024 Recognition Awards Dinner (PDF) continues to grow in numbers each year – it’s all about recruitment and retention to our excellent programs . Another successful year! The keynote speaker was, MPPAL alumna Sutha Balasingham, class of 2013, who stressed the importance of ensuring that equity is at the forefront of addressing emerging human services needs and in the planning for recovery.

Her leadership portfolio includes spearheading impactful initiatives such as the Local Immigration Partnerships, Mental Health Matters, Social Policy, Youth Development Services, and Women Empowerment Programs. During the pandemic, she also played a critical role as the Planning Chief for the Department Emergency Operations Centre. She is currently the Director of Employment and Social Services at the City of Toronto.

Sutha is the 2024 Foster-Greene Award for Excellence in Public Policy, Administration and Law (MPPAL) award recipient!

SPPA awards focus on adopting an action-oriented, fail-forward approach

The School’s 2023 Recognition Awards Dinner saw increased attendance this year—and still had a waitlist. It was another successful event! The keynote speaker, MPPAL alumna Erin Valant, emphasized the idea of "fail forward," noting that when it comes to critical social services and programs, we can't wait for everything to be perfect before taking action. To learn more about the event and view the full list of awards winners, you can download the event highlights presentation (PDF).

SPPA awards recognize transformational leadership

The School’s 2022 Recognition Awards Dinner was yet another success! The keynote speaker of the event, MPPAL alumna Orelie Di Mavindi, the manager of the Legislation and Adjudication Policy unit under Canada Pension Plan - Disability Directorate at the Income Security and Social Development Branch of Employment and Social Development Canada, highlighted the importance of courage in leadership.

To learn more about the event and view the full list of awards winners, you can download the event highlights presentation (PDF).

SPPA awards recognize public servants in face of pandemic

The School’s 2021 Recognition Awards Dinner was held in person again. The keynote speaker of the event, MPPAL alumnus John Riches, Deputy Chief of Regulatory Compliance & Administration for the Region of Durham Paramedic Services, highlighted the post-pandemic expectations from the public must include wrap-around services and flexible programs that focus on equity.

To learn more about the event and view the full list of awards winners, you can download the event highlights presentation (PDF).

School of Public Policy & Administration holds virtual Recognition Awards Dinner, MPPAL alumna Judith D'Souza-Soares delivers keynote address

In accordance with public health guidelines, the 2020 Recognition Awards Dinner was successfully held virtually - offering a unique spin on the annual event. MPPAL alumna and 2020 Foster-Greene Award Winner Judith D'Souza-Soares highlighted the evening with a special keynote address titled, What Matters Most: Crucial Leadership Lessons the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Taught Us - which can now be viewed on YouTube.

To learn more about the event and view the full list of awards winners, you can download the event highlights presentation (PDF).

2019: 10 year anniversary of first MPPAL graduating class

This year alumnus Jim Cassimatis, Interim Associate Deputy Minister of ServiceOntario, delivered the keynote address. Cassimatis reflected on his public service career, offering a candid account of some of the challenges he experienced over the last three decades. To mark the 10 year anniversary of our first MPPAL class, YUSPPAAN established the Foster – Greene Award for Excellence in Public Policy, Administration and Law. The award is named after the MPPAL program’s inaugural Graduate Program Directors – University Professor Emeritus Ian Greene and Professor Lorne Foster - and recognizes an alumnus/alumna of the MPPAL program whose work has demonstrably and significantly advanced social justice, human rights, ethics and good governance in congruence with the program’s founding principles.

With over 100 guests in attendance, the 2018 event featured a keynote address by alumnus Derek Lett, Executive Director with the Ontario Conflict of Interest Commissioner’s Office. Lett (BA Spec Honours PPA ’91) reflected on his 26-year career in the Ontario Public Service, which spanned many significant changes in successive governments. Awards were presented and participants got to network extensively.

Nearly one hundred alumni, students, faculty and friends of the School of Public Policy & Administration (SPPA) gathered for the annual celebration of service to the School. As part of the annual tradition, last year’s Alumni Award recipient Kevin Giddings (MPPAL 2015) took on the role of Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Several merit awards were also introduced this year, resulting in our longest-yet list of inspiring award winners. The keynote was delivered by alumnus Caspar Hall (BA Spec. Honours PPA 1997), Policy Director with the Anti-Racism Directorate – Cabinet Office, who shared with the audience his Insights from a Public Policy Apprentice. Hall emphasized the importance of integrity and leadership at every level of public service along with evidence-based decision making and keeping the focus on the intended policy outcomes.

Victor Severino (BA Spec. Hons. ’88, public policy and administration), returned to York to offer his keynote address, “Reflections on a public service career in (partial) review.” Severino at the time was assistant deputy minister of the Business Climate & Funding Administration Division of the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development & Growth and the Ministry of Research, Innovation & Science. He discussed strategic policy relating to investment, trade negotiations and economic development. He is also Ontario’s Chief Negotiator for the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT), a volunteer with a number of organizations, including the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) and, most recently, a part of the school’s own innovative mentorship circle pilot program. The event also included awards presentations and networking.

York University’s School of Public Policy & Administration (SPPA) recognized several of its community members during its annual Student, Alumni & Community Awards Dinner on Nov. 12, 2015. The event included the presentation of four awards, the recognition of two special guests of honour and the reflections of several prominent attendees. Awards were presented in four categories: Undergraduate Student, Graduate Student, Alumni and Practicum Honoree.

The School of Public Policy & Administration (SPPA) held its annual Alumni and Student Recognition Awards Dinner on Nov. 27, 2014. Each year, SPPA recognizes its outstanding students and alumni for their contributions to advancing its undergraduate and graduate programs. This year two special awards of appreciation were presented to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the school's ongoing development.