U of T Black Alumni Conference

Baliqis Hashiru is an experienced Urban Forestry professional and a dedicated advocate for community engagement. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto (2015), with a Major in Environmental studies and Minors in Geographic Information Systems and Forest Conservation. This academic foundation has supported her dynamic career spanning the non-profit and environmental sectors. Baliqis has contributed her expertise to leading organizations, including UNICEF Canada, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and FoodShare Toronto. Her work has centered on sustainable development, environmental conservation, and community-driven initiatives aimed at fostering equitable and resilient communities.

 
Currently, Baliqis serves as a Consulting Arborist, where she leverages her technical knowledge and passion for nature to support the creation of sustainable, green urban environments. 

In addition to her professional work, Baliqis is actively involved in community leadership. She is the Co-president of the University of Toronto Black Alumni Association (UTBAA), where she helps cultivate a supportive network for Black alumni across all three UofT campuses. She also served as an executive member of the Ontario Women’s Liberal Commission (OWLC), where she worked to amplify the voices of women in politics and public life.

Colleen Ward has built a track record as an executive leader for global, American, and Canadian financial services institutions for over 20 years. Ms. Ward has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to leading impactful enterprise results, strategic planning, and operational excellence. She leads high-performing executives and teams, while coaching and mentoring a pipeline of future executives.

As a sought-after keynote speaker, she has delivered powerful and personal insights at prestigious universities, corporations, and community events. Her accomplishments have been recognized with her 2023 Harry Jerome Award, and CILAR 2022 Aspiring Innovator of the Year Award. Her dedication to development is evidenced by her roles with The Firehood, Black Professionals in Tech Network, and Women in Technology.

Over the past decade, Derrick has focused on helping high potential yet often overlooked talent rise, supporting professionals and leaders who needed the right exposure, tools, and guidance to thrive. Across sectors including finance, law, education, and emerging industries, his work has centered on opening doors and enabling others to step through them with confidence.

As co founder of ICON Talent Partners and ICON Leadership Institute, he has led initiatives designed to empower untapped talent while helping organizations unlock the full potential of their people. His work spans career development programs and leadership intensives, operating at the intersection of professional growth, systems change, and economic mobility.

He partners with individuals navigating pivotal career transitions, as well as organizations seeking forward looking leadership. Across both, his focus remains on expanding access for people, for ideas, and for the next generation of changemakers.

Outside of his professional work, he is a proud father of three and a devoted husband. His family continues to ground and motivate him, reinforcing his commitment to building a more inclusive future.

Lauren Canzius (she/her) is an HR Executive recognized for thought leadership in DEI, organizational culture, and modern people practices. She delivers industry training across Canada and has designed HR curriculum for multiple universities. Her career spans consulting, change management, DEI, labour relations, mediation, and collective bargaining. Lauren holds a Master of Industrial Relations from Queen’s University and an Honours B.A. from the University of Toronto. Deeply committed to her community, she volunteers and mentors youth and emerging professionals.

Malcolm Wright is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Nobellum, where he leads strategic
partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and business development initiatives. In this role, he
identifies, structures, and manages collaborations that expand Nobellum’s ecosystem,
strengthen program delivery, and increase the organization’s market presence.
Malcolm works closely with partners, funders, and internal teams across sales, marketing, legal,
and program development to ensure strategic alignment and measurable impact. His work
focuses on building high-value partnerships that enhance opportunities for founders, innovators,
and program participants.
He is also the Founder of Wrightway Education Inc., an education consultancy focused on
international business development and pedagogy.
Through Wrightway, Malcolm develops global education pathways and cross-border
collaborations that promote accessible learning and international opportunity.
With experience across both the private and non-profit sectors, Malcolm is committed to
advancing systems change and building more equitable global futures, grounded in the belief
that education and entrepreneurship should empower individuals to become active global
citizens.

Martin Kengo (he/him) is a mobilizer, strategist, and architect of authentic experiences and policies that drive transformational change, with nearly 20 years of experience spanning grassroots activism, municipal and regional policy planning, and higher education leadership. 

Over the past 8 years at UTM, he has led access and inclusion portfolios that ensure UTM is a place for underrepresented populations to thrive through mentorship programming, access days, and inclusion initiatives. As the Manager of Black Initiatives at UTM, he has pioneered initiatives that elevate Black flourishing and belonging—most notably supporting the creation of the interim Centre for Black Excellence and Belonging and authoring UTM’s Black Flourishing Framework. He designs and leads inclusive, research-informed, impact-focused programs, such as Black Table Talk, Elevate UTM and the Black Flourishing Summit, that raise awareness, strengthen engagement, and amplify the rich contributions and impact of UTM’s Black staff, students, faculty, and librarians. As the current Special Projects Officer, for Employee Well-being and Belonging, Martin is helping to create a culture of care, support, and togetherness across UTM. 

He is a positive disruptor grounded in truth and purpose. He centres Liberatory Practices and Spaces through deliberate, dynamic, and disruptive collaboration, challenging the status quo through “What if?” and “How could we?” 

Martin holds a BA in International Development Studies and Political Science from York University, a Master's in Public Administration and Policy from Queen’s University, and is currently pursuing his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership at Western.

His leadership and impact have been recognized with the University of Toronto Exemplary Award for furthering U of T’s strategic vision and priorities (for his work with Black at UTM), two UTM Staff Awards for Advancing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (as co-chair of Connections and Conversations and through the Black youth mentorship program), and the UTM Principal’s Award for Emerging Leader.

Mical Brhane is a Talent Intelligence Researcher at Equinix, delivering data-driven insights on executive labour markets, competitor mapping, and DEI-focused sourcing strategies for global data center, IT, sales, and operations roles. With 5+ years in strategic technical recruiting, she holds an Honours BA in Environmental Ethics, Equity & Political Science (U of T) and is currently completing her Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resources Management at George Brown College. Dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through data-driven talent strategies that build equitable, high-performing teams.

Natalia Thawe is the founder and principal lawyer of Thawe Intellectual Property Law, a boutique IP law firm. Natalia is an IP lawyer and registered Canadian and US patent agent. She advises clients across the life sciences, technology, and consumer product sectors on protecting, managing, and commercializing their innovations.

Natalia holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Master of Science in Molecular Genetics both from University of Toronto. Following her graduate studies, Natalia developed an interest in the intersection of science, technology, and law, and she went on to attend Osgoode Hall Law School. 

Natalia practiced as an IP litigator and patent agent for several years at a leading international full-service law firm. In late 2024, Natalia established her own boutique IP law firm, where she now works closely with innovators and businesses to turn their ideas into valuable IP assets. 

Dr. Rhonda McEwen is the 14th President and Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University in the University of Toronto; Canada Research Chair in Tactile Interfaces, Communication and Cognition; a Professor of Emerging Media & Communication; and a faculty member at the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information & Technology. With an MBA in IT, an MSc in Telecommunications, and a Ph.D. in Information, Dr. McEwen combines communication studies, and applied and behavioral sciences to examine the social and cognitive effects of technologies. Her pioneering approach to communication research employs experimental techniques, eye tracking, observations, sensor data, and interviews to investigate Human-Machine Communication. Dr. McEwen has worked with and researched digital communications media for over 20 years, both in companies providing services, and in management consulting to those companies.