Faculty of Science

After graduating as McMaster’s Faculty of Science Valedictorian in 2016, Aadil Ali joined a team of worldwide leaders in lung transplant research at Toronto General Hospital to pursue his doctorate degree. He was recruited to participate in the creation of the national guidelines for organ donation in Canada, which was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. In addition, he sits on the leadership committee of a highly successful initiative which aims to promote awareness about organ donation to high school students across the GTA. The program has had an outreach of over 2000 students in its last calendar year with Aadil’s help. Furthermore, Aadil is currently a member of Toronto General Hospital’s ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) clinical team, serving as its youngest member. EVLP is a novel technology developed in Toronto which allows for the assessment and repair of damaged lungs. Aadil has led numerous workshops teaching the technique to visiting thoracic surgeons and medical students from around the world.

Faculty of Business

Since graduating with her MBA in 2010, Anne Connelly has established an impressive career trajectory that has focused on blockchain technology and its alignment with social impact. Her work has helped thousands of people understand how this type of technology works, why it matters and how it will create positive change for people and the planet. She has demonstrated a consistent commitment to contributing to society in a positive and impactful way, and is no doubt reflecting a Brighter World through her work. Anne plays an active role in the community here in Canada, but also on a global level. Her passion for the technology and its ability to change the lives of people in poverty earned Anne a spot in the Top 50 inspiring Canadian Women in STEM earlier this year.

Faculty of Health Sciences

Sukaina completed her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at McMaster University in 2009. She continued her relationship with her colleagues and supported students in the Occupational Therapy program in every way possible. In 2013, Sukaina delivered the keynote address at the McMaster Occupational Therapy Symposium, and in 2017, she was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for Rehabilitation Science. Most importantly though, Sukaina continues to provide mentorship to students in the Occupational Therapy Program through clinical placements and evidence-based projects. Sukaina has received the Moonbeam Award for a children’s book she co-authored in 2017, the same year she received the McMaster Alumni Award in rehabilitation Science. She received the MBMuslima’s 40 under 40 for her outstanding community service in the Muslim community.

Faculty of Humanities

The inquisitive mind and commitment to learning and justice she showed in her studies at McMaster has, in the last six years, transformed the places in which she has worked. She has opened up spaces for diverse students to grow personally and intellectually, changing the basic structures of their everyday lives. Having attended and presented her research at an African-American conference at Harvard University, Ashley returned to Durham College and worked with the Centre for Academic and Faculty Enrichment to co-found the Black Student Success Network 2 (BSSN) to help students imagine and plan for professional, political and academic careers. The Network connects black students, staff, and faculty at the College, providing support and fostering student success. Furthermore, as a volunteer with the College’s Diversity Committee, Ms. Marshall assists the director in implementing structural and ethical improvements to the institution. She has worked on the Sexual Assault policy and on the Yes Means Yes campaign. This is someone who is constantly working for the betterment of her community.

Faculty of Science

Supriya Verma has been recognized internationally by Corporate Knights as Canada’s Top 30 Under 30 in Sustainability Leadership and has been identified by them as Super Seven of her TOP30U30 cohort working on solutions to help build back better from the pandemic and beyond. Now as Director, Product Management & PR at Belnor, she manages sustainability/EDI strategies and development, diversification, production, and manufacturing of Belnor’s native products and services. Out of her sustainability passion, she is actively engaged in several simultaneous social entrepreneurial ventures, successfully founding the digital SustainabilityX.Co: The SustainabilityX™ Magazine, and conscious consumerism brands like The Sustainabilista™. Supriya also advises major green federal policy & business policy initiatives to BuildBackBetter with a GreenRecovery from COVID-19 and leads youth conversations for a SustainabilityTransition with a JustRecovery from COVID-19, focusing on links between climate and equity, and diversity in the workforce, developing sustainable, inclusive public and corporate policy to fight climate and racial injustices.