Six York University alum who are creating meaningful change in their communities and fields of work will be celebrated on Nov. 6 at the 2025 Alumni Awards.
Now in its 25th year, the York U Alumni Awards recognize graduates whose work reflects the University’s values of innovation and equity. This year features a new award category which celebrates excellence in entrepreneurship.
The distinguished 2025 recipients represent the broad York alumni network of innovators, activists and researchers and their long-standing commitment to community service.
The 2025 awardees are: Robert (Bob) Drummond (BA ’67) and Vicky Drummond (MA ’76) awarded posthumously, Pamela Farrell (BEd ’07), Farzia Khan (BA ’17), Milad Modabber (BSc ’08, MSc ’10) and Jaime Wong (MBA ’01).
“As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the York U Alumni Awards, we are excited to honour this year’s recipients who drive positive change locally and globally,” says Heather Auden, director, alumni engagement. “This exceptional group of alumni have demonstrated leadership and innovation in their respective fields while maintaining a strong commitment to the public good – and serve as an inspiration for generations of York graduates.”
The awards and recipients are:
Outstanding Contribution: Robert (Bob) (BA ’67) Drummond and Vicky Drummond (MA ’76)
This award goes to an alum who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of York and its students through exceptional service, commitment and/or philanthropic contributions.
Robert Drummond was a member of York’s official graduating class and served as dean of the Faculty of Arts from 2001-09. In that role, he helped lead one of York’s largest academic transformations: the creation of the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. He also held numerous senior roles, including Chair of Senate, Chair of the York University Faculty Association and undergraduate coordinator of the Political Science program. He continues to serve as president of the Association of Retired Faculty and Librarians (ARFL).
Vicky Drummond joined the Nellie Langford Rowell Women’s Studies Library in 1986 and was its coordinator from 1999 to 2016. Under her leadership, the library became a leading research and learning hub for feminist scholarship and gender studies, serving generations of students and faculty. She also played a critical role in the production and editorial support of the Canadian Women Studies Journal and Inanna Publications, advancing the visibility of Canadian feminist thought both within and beyond York.
Together, their commitment to student success and academic excellence has led to the creation of several student awards, including a future legacy gift that will establish the Vicky A. Drummond Award in History and the Robert J. Drummond Award in Political Science, which support high-achieving upper-year students with financial need.
Outstanding Achievement: Milad Modabber (BSc ’08, MSc ’10)
This award goes to an alum who has achieved distinction in their field and whose integrity and ability inspire alumni, faculty, staff and students.
Modabber is an internationally recognized, double board-certified cornea, anterior segment and refractive surgeon, and one of Toronto’s leading ophthalmologists at the Herzig Eye Institute. Modabber has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications and has delivered lectures at major international conferences.
Deeply committed to social responsibility, he has led numerous humanitarian surgical missions, restoring vision in underserved communities across the globe. Dedicated to giving back to his Toronto roots, he mentors future health care leaders, advocating for equitable care and contributing to initiatives that uplift the profession and society.
Tentanda Via: Pamela Farrell (BEd ’07)
This award goes to an alum who has demonstrated innovative, unconventional, and daring leadership and success, reflecting the University’s motto “the way must be tried.”
Farrell is a professor of education and director of field education at the University of Calgary. She brings together expertise in special education, critical literacy and inclusive teaching to prepare future educators to challenge systemic inequities and create transformative learning environments.
In 2019, she founded GROW Community Food Literacy Centre – an organization that works to reduce hunger, combat food insecurity and promote healthy lifestyles – where she serves as its volunteer executive director. As an activist scholar, she mobilizes collective action to dismantle barriers to food access by centring the voices of historically marginalized communities.
Through her leadership the organization secured over $2.1 million in funding, culminating in the 2024 launch of GROW-on-the-GO, Canada’s first electric mobile market truck serving high-risk populations in food deserts.
One to Watch: Farzia Khan (BA ’17)
This award goes to an alum who has made a significant impact in their field and/or community within 15 years of a bachelor’s degree or 10 years of a professional/graduate degree.
Khan is a cybersecurity leader, speaker, author, board member and community builder. As senior manager at TD Bank, she leads enterprise-wide cyber resiliency and security awareness initiatives that empower colleagues and customers to navigate today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape.
A passionate advocate for women in STEM, Khan founded ElleHacks, Canada’s first and largest all-women student hackathon. She also co-founded Robocon, the world’s first international hackathon on service robots. Khan is an emerging voice in artificial intelligence (AI), having won GenAI competitions and participated in industry hackathons exploring the intersection of AI and cybersecurity.
Excellence in Entrepreneurship: Jaime Wong (MBA ’01)
This award goes to an alum who has excelled in entrepreneurship that has led to positive change in their field or the community.
Wong is the CEO of Maddison Wong Investments where he oversees investments in technology startups and real estate while advising high-growth software companies.
Wong is the co-founder of MDBilling.ca, Canada’s leading medical billing software and service provider, where he previously served as CEO. At MDBilling.ca, Wong led the company’s strategy, growth and execution, transforming it into an industry leader. Before his entrepreneurial journey, he spent over 15 years in business development and technology leadership roles at IBM and other tech firms, specializing in enterprise IT.
About the Awards
The York U Alumni Awards were inspired by Bruce Bryden, an exceptionally committed and influential leader at York University for many years. He was a member of York’s first undergraduate class, was the founding president of the York University Alumni Association (now the York University Alumni Board/YUAB) and was a member of the York University Board of Governors. The York U Alumni Awards recognize and honour his vision, exemplary leadership and extraordinary achievements.
Learn more about the York U Alumni Awards.