Celebrating Impactful Leadership: 2025 Alumni Awards of Distinction
The University of Toronto Mississauga and its Alumni Association (UTMAA) proudly celebrated three exceptional alumni at the 2025 Alumni Awards of Distinction. These honours, among UTM’s highest recognitions, shine a spotlight on alumni who exemplify leadership, creativity, service, and impact in their communities and professions. Representing a growing network of over 78,000 alumni worldwide, the awards recognize the remarkable accomplishments of UTM graduates whose work continues to shape a better future.
This year’s honourees reflect the diversity of purpose and passion within the UTM alumni community:
Anil Wasif (HBA 2017)
Desmond Parker Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Anil Wasif is a public policy leader whose career bridges economic research, non-profit strategy, and civic engagement. Currently Manager of Research at Infrastructure Ontario, he leads a team advancing evidence-based insights to guide the province’s multibillion-dollar capital plan. Beyond the public sector, Anil is Co-Founder and Director of Strategy at BacharLorai, a global non-profit empowering youth through policy research and leadership development.
His contributions extend to board governance and education—serving on U of T Mississauga’s Campus Council and McGill’s Max Bell School of Public Policy Advisory Board. A passionate mentor, guest lecturer, and Scholar-in-Residence, Anil remains deeply committed to creating pathways for the next generation of public leaders.
“This award energizes my commitment to helping young people unlock their potential—something Desmond Parker modeled through decades of global public service.”
Rufaida Mohammed (HBA 2016)
J. Tuzo Wilson Distinguished Alumni Award
Rufaida Mohammed is a mental health clinician and equity advocate whose leadership has transformed both campus life and community care. Her advocacy began as an undergraduate at UTM, where she played a pivotal role in shaping inclusive programming at the Recreation, Athletics & Wellness Centre (RAWC). As part of a joint administrative-student working group, Rufaida championed the creation of private spaces that respected modesty—an effort that increased access to fitness programming for Muslim women and laid the foundation for broader inclusion in campus recreation spaces.
Her advocacy extended across campus, influencing decisions on food services, ablution facilities, and student-family support—ensuring UTM could serve the needs of its increasingly diverse student body.
Today, Rufaida continues that legacy through her clinical work at Trillium Health Partners, where she co-chairs outpatient mental health initiatives, and through her board leadership with Halton Women’s Place and Canadian Muslim Indigenous Relations. She has also helped build culturally relevant therapeutic platforms and national mental health response systems.
At UTM, she is a long-standing mentor and alumni volunteer, deeply committed to empowering students and creating space for meaningful engagement. Her leadership, rooted in lived experience, reflects the very spirit of the J. Tuzo Wilson Award—breaking down barriers, uplifting others, and helping institutions evolve through empathy and equity.
Yusuf Zakir (HBA 2005)
Hazel McCallion Alumni Award of Excellence
Yusuf Zakir is a nationally recognized leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the legal profession. As the Chief DEI Officer at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, he leads the firm's strategic approach to inclusive leadership, talent development, and belonging. Under his guidance, the firm has received widespread recognition from organizations such as Microsoft, Citibank, and Diversity Lab for its commitment to DEI innovation.
Previously a practicing litigator and judicial law clerk, Yusuf transitioned into equity leadership to focus on structural change across the legal industry. His approach—rooted in community, education, and accountability—centres on amplifying marginalized voices and creating meaningful culture shifts.
A first-generation professional, Yusuf draws inspiration from his immigrant parents and his experiences at UTM. His leadership reflects the values of the Hazel McCallion Award: integrity, purpose, and a fearless commitment to equity.
“I humbly accept this award not as recognition of work completed, but as a call to action.”
An Evening Honouring Community and Achievement
The 2025 Alumni Awards of Distinction ceremony brought together UTM alumni, university leaders, faculty, and the friends and families of this year’s recipients for an evening of celebration.
Hosted by William (Bill) Gough, Interim Vice-Principal (Academic) and Dean at UTM, and Teo Salgado, President of the UTMAA, the event featured powerful introductions and heartfelt reflections from speakers including Desmond Parker, Mark Overton, and Jumana Zakir.
Attendees included past award recipients, members of UTM’s governing bodies, UTMAA directors, and long-standing volunteers—all united in their shared pride for this year’s honourees and their contributions to UTM and beyond.
Honouring the Legacy, Inspiring the Future
Each of this year’s award recipients represents a different pathway to excellence—but all share a deep commitment to service, advocacy, and leadership. Their stories affirm the lasting impact of a UTM education and reflect the university’s mission to inspire meaningful change in the world.
As we reflect on this year's honourees, we also look ahead to celebrating more inspiring alumni. Nominations for the 2026 UTM Alumni Awards of Distinction are now open! Help us recognize the next generation of inspiring alumni by submitting your nomination today.
The 2026 nomination period closes on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Please contact Alumni Relations if you require information in an alternate format, or if any other arrangements can make this event accessible to you.
