Meet  Glendon Alumni

For over 50 years, Glendon has delivered the who’s who of Canadian leaders. The bilingual campus of York University, Glendon has now grown beyond the original mandate, a Canada-centric vision, and has now turned resolutely towards the world – internationalization being one of its defining features. Today Glendon boasts more than 16,000 alumni worldwide, many of whom hold prominent leadership roles, in communities and in business, as thought-leaders and changemakers.

Niccoh - Headshot

Niccoh Sioco, BA’18 in French studies, BED’18 in French as a Second Language Concentration  

Realtor (Self-employed), unconventional teacher & Educator

How this multi-faceted linguaphile uses his love of languages to build community on and offline

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Kevin Bourne, BA’07 Political Science  

Content, PR and Brand Strategist | Journalist | Media & Entertainment Coach

How this alumnus went from political staffer to media entrepreneur & changemaker

Portrait of Anna Kay

Anna-Kay Russell du Toit, iBA’15 Environmental & Health Studies  

Commentator on CBC | Co-founder and Director of Sponsorships for the Canadian Black Policy Network

How this alumna is creating a sustainable, socially-just future for Canada

William Thornes, BA’07 Economics 

National Vice President, Strategic Partnerships at BMO

How collaboration and gratitude grew William Thornes’ career as a Canadian banker

Rusul Alrubail, BA ’07 English

Founder, Executive Director at Parkdale Centre for Innovation

How studying English Literature inspired this grad’s first startup

Gabrielle Ouellet, BA’19 Communications 

From Model to Communications Specialist

This young professional uses her communications degree to give back to her community

Karissa Barbro, BA’14 International Studies & History  

Supply Technician with the Canadian Armed Forces

How this Glendon graduate serves her country abroad in the Canadian Armed Forces

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Shawna Coxon, BA’96 Psychology

Deputy Commissioner of Strategy, Governance and Performance at An Garda Síochána

How this psychology graduate is leading police reform 

Ankit Mishra, BA’11 Mathematics

Energy Contributor at Forbes | Growth Marketing at Alariss | Advisor at Futurpreneur Canada

This mathematics grad is using his multilingual education to solve the world’s problems

Michele Wong, BA’08 Political Science

Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Strategist

How Michele Wong uses her Glendon education to empower women worldwide

Nancy Thornton, BA’73 Political Science

Glendon alumna funds future global education opportunities with $100,000 donation

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Rosemary Sadlier, BA Sociology

Historian, author, educator, social justice advocate and Black History expert

How This Glendon Alumna Helped Make Black History Month Official in Canada

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Juan Luis Garrido, BA’16
Sociology and Drama Studies

Communications Professional

How Glendon taught Juan Luis Garrido to create positive change through storytelling

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Mark R. Allio, BA’77
Psychology 

Educator, Entrepreneur, and Economic Developer

Alum’s gift in brother’s (and fellow alum’s) memory creates global experiences for students

Clinton Hang - Home page

Clinton Jang-Naruse, BA’17 Mathematics  and BED’17 Mathematics and French studies
 

Assistant Curriculum Leader (Languages, Extended, French Immersion) at Toronto District School Board

How Clinton Jang-Naruse helps students meet their full potential in challenging times

Neil Orford, BA’86
History 

Owner and President of Defining Moments Canada, Ltd.

How Award-Winning Teacher Neil Orford Preserves Canadian History

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Karen Devonish-Mazzotta, BA’96 Linguistics & Language Studies – BED’96 French Studies

2020 McGillivray Award Winner, Canadian Parents For French Ontario

How Karen Devonish-Mazzotta built a career in transformative teaching

Dalia Ashry, BA’14
Linguistics & Language Studies

Multimedia Journalist

How One Journalist’s Plan C Became Her Life’s Passion

David Chaikoff, BA’88
Translation

Manager of Strategic Program Policy

How Glendon Fuelled One Public Servant’s Appreciation For Canada’s Bilingualism

Mélissa Romulus Lisanti

Mélissa Romulus Lisanti, BA’08
Political Science and International Studies

Director, Strategy and Operations

People-Centric Leader: How Mélissa Romulus Lisanti Makes Personable Professionalism Work

Gina Valle, BA’85

Gina Valle, BA’85
French Studies 

Diversity Speaker & Inclusivity Advocate

How Dr. Gina Valle Is Creating a More Inclusive Canada

Emily Allen, BA 2017

Emily Allen , BA’07
Sociology

Creative entrepreneur

How Glendon Nurtured Emily Allen’s Entrepreneurial Dreams

Nicole Arsenault, BA ‘99

Nicole Arsenault, BA’99
Multidisciplinary Studies

Sustainability leader

How Nicole Arsenault is Creating a Sustainable Tomorrow

Alexandre Côté, BA’95

Alexandre Côté , BA’95
International Studies 

Diplomat and Champion of Diversity

Alexandre Côté Is Inspiring Development in Developing Countries

Annie Demirjian, BA’78

Annie Demirjian, BA’78
Political Science 

GSPIA Director (from 2016 to 2020) and Philanthropist

Returning Glendon Alumna Pledges $10,000 Per Year to Francophone International Students

Caitlyn Ngu , BA’13
French Studies

Tech entrepreneur

Grad Worth Betting On: How Glendon’s Caitlyn Ngu Secured a Deal on Dragons’ Den

Will Paterson,

Will Paterson, BA’01
International Studies 

World Bank Lawyer

Grateful Graduate Donates $25,000 to Economics Professor’s Memorial Fund

Mona Awad

Mona Awad, BA’04
English  

Award-Winning Writer and Fearless Storyteller

Writer and Academic: How Glendon Inspired a Creative Career for Novelist Mona Awad

 

Kristen Pennington, BA’11

Kristen Pennington, BA’11
Canadian Studies and Women’s Studies 

Social Justice Lawyer 

How Lawyer Kristen Pennington Ties Social Justice Goals to Business Goals

Kailey Vokes

Kailey Vokes, BA’11
Political Science 

Director in the Government Relations practice at Strategy Corp Inc

Graduate in Government: How Kailey Vokes’ Studies Prepared Her For a Career In Politics

 

Louis Vigneault-Dubois, BA’04

Louis Vigneault-Dubois, BA’04
International Studies 

Global Communicator at UNICEF 

How Louis Vigneault-Dubois Ensures Children Everywhere Are Heard

Dr. Teddy Samy, BA’95

Dr. Teddy Samy, BA’95
Economics 

Visionary Economist

Measured Changemaker: How Dr. Teddy Samy Envisions a World With More Opportunity

 

Heather Scoffield, BA’92

Heather Scoffield, BA’92
International Studies 

Renowned Journalist 

From Valedictorian to Bureau Chief: How Heather Scoffield Shares The News Stories That Matter

Chantal Fry, BA’98

Chantal Fry, BA’98
Political Science 

Artistic Entrepreneur

From Skater to Entrepreneur: a Glendon Experience Put to Work

 

Sylvain Roy, BA’02

Sylvain Roy, BA’02
English, Psychology 

Mental Health Leader 

Transforming Insights Into Initiatives: How Dr. Sylvain Roy Supports Ontario’s Most Vulnerable People

Ann Cavoukian, BA’76

Ann Cavoukian, BA’76
Psychology 

World-renowned Privacy Expert

Protecting The Public’s Privacy: How Dr. Ann Cavoukian went from Glendon Grad to Global Expert

 

Mayer Elharar, BA’09

Mayer Elharar, BA’09
Business Economics 

Serial Tech Entrepreneur 

The Startup Spirit: How Mayer Elharar Used Glendon as His Entrepreneurial Training Ground

Inna Figotina, BEd ’15 & BA ’15 French Studies & History  

Bilingual Children’s Author and Elementary French Teacher at York District School Board

How bilingual children’s author Inna Figotina wrote the book she wished she had

Alumni: We want to feature you!

Tell us what you have been up to! We want to hear about your career experiences and about how your time at Glendon played a role in getting you to where you are today. Your perspectives provide invaluable insight to help students starting their own educational and career journeys.

With your permission, we will include it in our Alumni Newsletter, or on the alumni website.  We will contact you before posting your profile in whole or in part. Thank you for sharing!

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