Alumni Profiles

Every year, over 70 alumni volunteer their time to support the career learning of students and recent graduates by participating in career exploration events and programs. We recognize and celebrate these alumni's loyalty and dedication to giving back through the Career Centre Hall of Fame. We invite you to meet some of U of T's many successful alumni who've been in your shoes, read their advice, and get inspired by their career journey. 

Are you a current alumnus who would like to get involved with the Career Centre? Reach out to Jason John at jas.john@utoronto.ca or 416-706-0847. 

To view our Hall of Fame from the 2021-2022 year, please visit this link.
 

AlumniHallofFame

Adam Edris, CFA

adam e

U of T Degree: BA Economics; Political Science

Current Title: Partner, Research Analyst

Current Industry: Financial Services

Current Organization: Albourne Partners

albourne

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Just chill."

Find me on LinkedIn

Ammar Hafeez

ammar h

U of T Degree: MD Program; HBSc Life Sciences

Current Title: Family Medicine Resident

Current Industry: Hospitals and Health Care

Current Organization: William Osler Health System

William Osler Health System

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Find a purpose in life that keeps you fulfilled intellectually, emotionally, spiritually and morally. One singular purpose does not have to fulfill all these categories. The important thing is to have a collection of activities/employments/relationships that collectively satisfy all the aforementioned realms. That is the definition of a perfect life."

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Belicia Chevolleau

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U of T Degree: HBA Communication, Culture and Information Technology (2020)

Current Title: Social Media Manager

Current Industry: Wellness and Fitness Services

Current Organization: Danielle Binns Nutrition

danielle b

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Later is now. Don’t procrastinate because you are scared of failing or imperfection. Start your business, chase your career. Do it now. Do it afraid. All you need to do is start."

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Brandon Cormier

brandon

U of T Degree: BS Computer Science (2019)

Current Title: Summer Law Student

Current Industry: Law Practice

Current Organization: Rowand LLP

Rowand

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"I would tell myself to make sure I am taking advantage of every opportunity available to me, especially working and learning opportunities. There are many resources available through the University, especially for extracurricular and internship opportunities, that can help greatly in connecting you with peers and mentors. Those connections are invaluable as you continue your academic and professional career."

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Christian Miranda

Christian_M

U of T Degree: HBA Communication, Culture and Information Technology

Current Title: Manager, Data Quality Management 

Current Industry: Financial Services

Current Organization: BMO

BMO

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Put yourself in a position to learn as much as you can and have fun doing it. Also, invest in Tesla."

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Corine Tchakoute

Corine_T

U of T Degree: HBA Economics; Italian Studies (2014)

Current Title: Campus Recruitment Lead

Current Industry: Civil Engineering

Current Organization: GHD

GHD

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Embrace failures as learning opportunities, prioritize self-care, and be open to new experiences. Pursue your passions fearlessly, stay curious, and seek mentors who inspire growth. Remember that mistakes are part of the journey, and your worth isn't defined by external validation. Believe in yourself, for you have a bright future!"

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David Ferreira

David_F

U of T Degree: HBA International Relations (2000)

Current Title: Senior Level Communication and Marketing Manager

Current Industry: Government Administration

Current Organization: City of Mississauga

City of Mississauga

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Always say ‘yes’ when you’re asked to take on new challenges and opportunities, even if they aren’t exactly what you expected to be doing in your career. It’s the best way to stay curious, keep learning, network and build your personal brand."

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Debra Olaniyi

Debra_O

U of T Degree: HBA Political Science; Sociology; Women and Gender Studies (2022)

Current Title: Consulting and Data Analytics Intern

Current Industry: Business Consulting and Services

Current Organization: Credera

Credera

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Forge meaningful connections, explore uncharted territories, and fearlessly advocate for justice. In every setting, project, or solution, embody the change you desire. Your voice and actions can inspire transformative shifts, so lead by example and be the catalyst for positive transformation in the world around you."

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Ennio Alessandro Palombizio

Ennio_A

U of T Degree: HBSc Statistics; Economics; Mathematics (2007); Masters Economics (2009)

Current Title: Senior Economist

Current Industry: Government Administration

Current Organization: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Canada

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"The grass is greener, not on the other side, but where you water it; Be a lifelong learner.

Proactively Plan and Prioritize.

Even introverts can be Active Communicators when it counts but more important is to be Active Listeners.

Finally, seek first to understand, then be understood."

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Fatima Ashfaq

 

Fatima_A

U of T Degree: BA Digital Enterprise Management (2023)

Current Title: Communications Intern

Current Industry: Government Administration

Current Organization: Ontario Finance

Ontario

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"To my younger self, I'd emphasize the importance of asking for help. UTM offers an abundance of resources, including career support, financial aid, academic advice, and countless extracurricular opportunities. Don't hesitate to tap into these offerings; they'll nurture personal growth, broaden horizons, and lay the foundation for a successful future. Embrace the support available!"

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Fatimah Khan

 

Fatimah_K

U of T Degree: HBSc Psychology; Professional Writing and Communication (2017)

Current Title: Pharmacy Graduate Intern

Current Industry: Personal Care Product Manufacturing

Current Organization: Pharmasave Monarch Pharmacy

Pharmasave Monarch Pharmacy

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"To not be limited by the idea that there is one set career path based on the degree you pursue. There are so many new careers that have emerged that can enable you to combine your passions and interests in ways you never thought possible. Be open and be curious!"

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Hassaan Mustafa

 

Hassaan_M

U of T Degree: BS Computer Science (2019)

Current Title: Software System Designer

Current Industry: Semiconductor Manufacturing

Current Organization: AMD

AMD

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Explore your options before committing to a decision. Once you've committed to a plan, see it through till the end. Once you have completed a plan, get feedback on your performance and use it to iterate on yourself. Repeat."  

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Heather Riegler

The Career Foundation

U of T Degree: BASc Mechanical Engineering (2020)

Current Title: Digital Capability Leader

Current Industry: Manufacturing

Current Organization: Procter & Gamble

P&G

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"There are going to be many different seasons in your life and career - some will be wonderful, and some will be challenging. Regardless of the season, there is always going to be something you can learn about yourself. Be encouraged that your learning won't stop when you're handed a diploma!"

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Jasleen Dogra

Jasleen_D

U of T Degree: Bcom Marketing; Economics (2021)

Current Title: Social Media Coordinator

Current Industry: Professional Services

Current Organization: EY

EY

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Follow your passion. Take the time to understand what you enjoy the most and what defines you. When you do what truly makes you happy and drives you, you’ll be able to invest 100% of yourself and succeed."

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Joey Santiago

Joey_S

U of T Degree: BSc Economics; Psychology (2011)

Current Title: Manager, Data & Analytical Insights

Current Industry: Government Administration

Current Organization: Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada

office of the super.jpg

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"You won't believe it now, but your hardest trials today will seem like a cakewalk in five years - so don't lose sleep over it!

And the answer to all your career decisions: go with what you'll enjoy the most, and everything else will fall into place."

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Juan Ariado

Juan_A

U of T Degree: BA Communication and Media Studies; Geography; Professional Writing (2011)

Current Title: Art Director

Current Industry: Retail

Current Organization: Hudson's Bay

Hudson's Bay

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Go for it. Be open, be collaborative. Continue to work with people that will challenge your perspective and push your creativity. Don’t forget the playfulness and passion of it all - that’ll keep you sane and hungry. Find people who like to create and riff - help them showcase their voice too. Remember that experiences provide the colour."

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Mayank Sharma

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U of T Degree: BA Digital Enterprise Management (2016)

Current Title: Brand Manager

Current Industry: Food and Beverage Services

Current Organization: Innovative Food Brands Ltd

Innovative Food Brands

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Be patient. Things have a way of working out at the end. Be kind, to yourself and others, work hard, and look for the best, expect the worst, but look for the best. And if it feels like things aren't working out, it's not the end, just a speed bump."

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Mitchell Bonney

Mitchell_B

U of T Degree: BA Environmental Geography; PhD Physical Geography 

Current Title: Remote Sensing Physical Scientist

Current Industry: Government Administration

Current Organization: Natural Resources Canada

Canada

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Take time to stop and think. Time and financial pressures can make it easy to focus on the first thing that comes to mind or take the first opportunity that comes along. However, it is often best to stop and consider all options in day-to-day work and in your career."

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Nina Lecic

Nina_L

U of T Degree: BA Political Science

Current Title: Manager, Legal and Legislative Services/ Deputy Clerk

Current Industry: Government Administration

Current Organization: Town of Milton

Milton

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Never be afraid to ask as many questions as possible. Volunteer. Build a network based on mutual trust and understanding. Reach out to people in your sector, and seek mentors that will help and guide you."

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Nudrat Zehra

Nudrat_Z

U of T Degree: BA Digital Enterprise Management 

Current Title: UX/UI Designer

Current Industry: Financial Services

Current Organization: American Express

American Express

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Embrace negative experiences, they result in growth and development. Overcoming rough patches and hiccups propels you towards broader goals and evolving goals means continual progress in your journey. Cultivate resilience and embrace a growth mindset for success."

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Oliver Diaz

Oliver_D

U of T Degree: HBSc Anthropology; Philosophy

Current Title: Learning Strategy Advisor

Current Industry: Higher Education

Current Organization: Ace Acumen Academy

Ace Academy

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Trust yourself and fully commit. Oftentimes, you get unnecessarily caught up with your ideas and all of the potential results. Aim for progression over perfection because when all else fails, you live to learn and learn to live - The people who care don’t matter, the people who matter don’t care."

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Omar Osmani

Omar_O

U of T Degree: BA Communication and Marketing

Current Title: Leader Recruitment

Current Industry: Hospitals and Health Care

Current Organization: Trillium Health Partners

Trillium Health Partners

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Care for others meaningfully, laugh openly, help endlessly. Time will fly by, all that will remain are the unforgettable memories you made, so make as many memories as possible."

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Pedro Vicente

Pedro_V

U of T Degree: BA Digital Enterprise Management 

Current Title: Software QA Engineer 

Current Industry: Investment Banking

Current Organization: Investment Banking

BMO

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Nothing endures but change. You can't dislike what you don't know. Good things take time. Resilience is important."

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Rabia Asif

Rabia_A

U of T Degree: HBSc Mathematics and Computer Science (2017)

Current Title: Backend Engineer

Current Industry: Food and Beverage Services

Current Organization: Restaurant Brands International

RBI

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Anyone in your position would make the exact same choices as you, so don't look back, don't second guess your self, don't be afraid to take the road less travelled by, just keep focusing on building a future."

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Ray Khan

Ray_K

U of T Degree: HBA Digital Enterprise Management

Current Title: Senior Digital Producer

Current Industry: Banking

Current Organization: Simplii Financial

Simplii_Financial

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Take every opportunity, and NEVER think you're better than one. Speed often, if not always, trumps perfection. Consistency trumps both. Determine what the 99% are doing to succeed and go beyond that. You are more tolerant of risk in your 20s than you think, so focus and go hard on your dreams and passions in your early career, and when you hit your 30s, you'll have all the clarity and opportunities you need. If you can't get the opportunity you want as an entry-level candidate, create your own opportunities by freelancing or starting your own company."

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Romila Verma

Romila_V

U of T Degree: Masters Degree Environmental Studies (1999)

Current Title: Instructor

Current Industry: Higher Education 

Current Organization: University of Toronto

University of Toronto

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Invest in your future now and have fun in the process. This is the time to explore, experiment, and evolve, so your foundation is set for life towards more explorations, experiments, and evolution. Get outside your comfort zone, learn to accept failures, and have faith in yourself."

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Rono Khan

Rono_K

U of T Degree: HBSc Biology; Chemistry (2017)

Current Title: Associate Lawyer

Current Industry: Law Practice

Current Organization: Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"I would advise my younger self to be open to new ideas and perspectives, always exercise compassion and empathy with others, and travel at every opportunity. I would also emphasize remembering where he came from, including his culture, history, community and language, and cultivating a strong support network."

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Sarah Girgis

Sarah_G

U of T Degree: BCom Accounting; Economics (2019); GDipA (2019) 

Current Title: Teaching Assistant

Current Industry: Higher Education 

Current Organization: Rotman Commernce, University of Toronto

University of Toronto

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Consistency is the key to success. Goals, especially the larger ones, are rarely (if ever!) accomplished overnight but instead require dedication and active pursuit to meet. Be consistent in the pursuit of your goals and flexible enough to pivot when they require change."

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Sourianne Okwo Ebwil

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U of T Degree: HBSc Biology for Health Science; Anthropology (2022)

Current Title: Senior Analyst, Digital Health Product & Strategy

Current Industry: Retail

Current Organization: Shoppers Drug Mart

Shoppers Drug Mart

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Take ownership of your passions. Don't be afraid to explore what truly excites you, even if it differs from what others expect of you. Invest time and effort in nurturing your interests, as they can lead to fulfilling experiences and personal growth."

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Syed Hassan Rizvi

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U of T Degree: HBSc Biology for Health Science; Chemsitry; Psychology (2021)

Current Title: Region of Peel (ROP) Responder

Current Industry: Events Services 

Current Organization: Odyssey Medical

Odyssey

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Embrace failure as a path to self-discovery. Success isn't always linear; dare to tread new, and unconventional paths. Prioritize self-care amid challenges and difficulties, and always trust in your potential. Life will throw challenges at you but believe in yourself and your abilities because a brilliant future awaits you."

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Tasya Nathanael

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U of T Degree: HBSc Anthropology; Sociology (2022)

Current Title: Academic Initiatives, Programs Assistant

Current Industry: Higher Education

Current Organization: University of Toronto

University of Toronto

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Lean in to the discomfort, embrace change, and reach out when you need support."

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Tayyaba Shahzad

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U of T Degree: HBA Political Science; Criminology 

Current Title: Senior Job Developer

Current Industry: Employment Services

Current Organization: The Career Foundation

The Career Foundation Logo

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"It's never too early to start getting involved. There are so many youth programs across the GTA! You have a lot to gain from volunteering your free time to building your community. Through opening doors to more opportunities, developing new skills, and exploring your passions, the benefits are endless."

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Timothy Cherian

Timothy_C

U of T Degree: BS Psychology; Neuroscience (2022)

Current Title: Undergraduate Assistant

Current Industry: Higher Education

Current Organization: University of Toronto

University of Toronto

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Take your time and have those conversations, nothing wrong with pivoting or considering alternative options. The journey is finding what works for you, everyone isn't going to want to take the same path but everyone has gone through the journey. Take the time find what motivates you."

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Vasthi Seide

Vasthi_S.jpeg

U of T Degree: Masters Degree; Social Work (2021)

Current Title: Social Worker

Current Industry: Hospitals and Health Care

Current Organization: The Ottawa Hospital

the ottawa hospital

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"I would tell my younger self that the obstacles and barriers to success are real and not imagined. I would let my younger self know that despite the barriers and obstacles, I should continue to dream big. The big dreams will end up being big wins down the line. I would remind myself to reach out to supports and ignore the fear of asking for help. The journey is long and there are incredible people to help move me along the way. The wins were achieved but they were not achieved alone."

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Yousef El Zohiry

Yousef_E_Z

U of T Degree: BA Political Science; Criminiology; Sociology (2019); MBA (2023); Doctor of Law (2023)

Current Title: Associate

Current Industry: Law Practice

Current Organization: White & Case LLP

white case

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"I would tell my past self that your tireless work through discomfort, fatigue, and isolation will pay dividends. Embrace diverse challenges outside of your comfort zone; it will forge a resilient character. Seek mentors worth emulating and learn from their wisdom and experience, it is preparation for the challenges ahead."

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Yufeng Zhu

Anon

U of T Degree: BA Computer Science

Current Title: Associate Salesforce Developer

Current Industry: IT Services and IT Consulting

Current Organization: Cloud SynApps Inc.

Cloud SynApps

What advice would you give to your younger self?

'Keep learning, exploring, trying, being specific, improving efficiency, focusing on results, don't fear failure and looking forward."

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Zahra Syed

Zahra_S

U of T Degree: HBSc Molecular Biology; Chemistry 

Current Title: Project Manager

Current Industry: Hospitals and Health Care

Current Organization: SickKids - The Hospital for Sick Children

Sick Kids

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"Don’t be afraid to change course, take risks, and pursue opportunities that matter to you. There is a lot of learning that comes with these growth opportunities. It’s up to you to make the most of it. So, embrace the challenge and don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. It may end up becoming your greatest strength."

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