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Award of Merit

The highest honour of the program, this award is presented to an alumnus/alumna who, by his or her own efforts, has enhanced the reputation and prestige of McGill through a lifetime contribution of exceptional leadership and service to the University, the McGill Alumni Association and the community.

Distinguished Service Award

This award is presented to an alumnus/alumna who has rendered outstanding service to the McGill Alumni Association and/or to McGill over a significant period of time.

E.P. Taylor Award

Named in memory of E.P. Taylor, BSc’22, who established the Alma Mater Fund Committee in 1948 to solicit contributions from alumni, this award is presented to an alumnus/alumna or a group of alumni to recognize their outstanding voluntary fundraising efforts in support of McGill.

Alumni Student Engagement Award

This award is presented to an alumnus/alumna or a group of alumni to recognize significant efforts to support McGill students.

Catherine Nance Common President of the Year Award

Named in memory of Catherine Nance Common (née McMartin), BA’28, who died in 2007 at the age of 101, this award honours a president who has served an MAA Branch association with outstanding enthusiasm and leadership through the development of varied and relevant programming and the effective recruitment and recognition of other volunteers in the branch, and is an outstanding ambassador for McGill.

Alumni Event of the Year Award

This award recognizes an event that is conceived, driven and implemented by volunteers in the support and promotion of McGill and that succeeds in engaging alumni in a positive way.

Charles H. Peters Alumni Group of the Year Award

Named in memory of Charles H. Peters, BA’28, LLD’74, in recognition of four generations of McGill alumni, this award recognizes a group, class or branch that has maintained close ties to McGill through reunions, events and correspondence/social media.

Robert Fung International Award of Distinction

Named in memory of Robert H.P. Fung, MDCM’60, the first President of the McGill Society of Hong Kong, this award is presented to an alumnus/alumna living outside of North America who, through a lifetime contribution of exceptional leadership and outstanding volunteer service in his or her alumni community or country, has enhanced the reputation and prestige of the McGill Alumni Association and McGill.

James G. Wright Award

Named in memory of James G. Wright, BA’65, an inspiring and beloved community volunteer, mentor and first President of the McGill Young Alumni Association, this award is presented to a young alumnus/alumna who has demonstrated exemplary service to and made a difference in his or her community. Young Alumni are graduates of the last 10 years.

Honorary Life Membership Award

This award is presented to a non-graduate who has demonstrated a significant commitment of outstanding service to the McGill Alumni Association and to McGill.

Chancellor Gretta Chambers Student Leadership Award

Named in memory of Chancellor Emerita Gretta Chambers, BA’47, this award is presented to one or more students who have demonstrated leadership qualities while contributing in a volunteer capacity to the advancement of the McGill Alumni Association, McGill or the community.

David Johnston Faculty & Staff Award

Named in honour of former Principal David Johnston’s leadership efforts, this award is presented to a McGill faculty or staff member who is an exemplary ambassador for McGill, and who has done exemplary work on behalf of the McGill Annual Fund or who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the McGill Alumni Association’s activities through voluntary service.

D. Lorne Gales Special Recognition Award

Named in memory of D. Lorne Gales, BA’32, BCL’35, LLD’79, founding President of the Graduates’ Society of McGill, this award is presented to a friend of McGill to recognize the outstanding collaborative partnerships between the McGill Alumni Association, the Faculties, academics and volunteers that result in significant contributions to McGill and to alumni communities.

Honora Shaughnessy McGill Ambassador Award

Named in honour of Honora Shaughnessy, MLS’73, long-serving Executive Director of the McGill Alumni Association, this award is presented to a friend of McGill who has made an exceptional contribution to the University as a role model in fostering friend-raising, loyalty, professionalism and team spirit.

Award of Merit 
The Honourable L. Yves Fortier, PC, CC, OQ, BCL’58, LLD’05
 

Since graduating from McGill Law and heading to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, Yves Fortier has forged an exceptional legal career and is considered one of the premier international arbitrators in the world. He also served as Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in ��Ƭ��֦��Ƶ York.

Yves is a long-standing champion of McGill and its mission. He served on McGill’s Board of Governors from 1975-1985, and currently sits on an ad-hoc committee, advising the University. As a co-chair of Campaign McGill: History in the Making, Yves devoted his time and talents to the University’s ambitious fundraising initiative that was launched in 2007 and raised more than $1 billion. Since 2013, he has been on the board of trustees of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada.

Yves actively supports his home faculty at McGill. In 2009, he established the L. Yves Fortier Entrance Scholarship, then the most generous entrance scholarship ever awarded by the Faculty of Law. His other contributions include creating an additional endowment to support the John E.C. Brierley Memorial Lectures in the Faculty, as well as a generous gift in 2022 to support a 12-month clerkship at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague – an internship open to current McGill Law students or recent graduates.

A true gentleman and proud McGillian, Yves is an inspirational and indefatigable volunteer.

Distinguished Service Award 
Dr. David S. Mulder, CM, MSc’65
 

Dr. David Mulder is a familiar face to hockey fans from his 60-year involvement with the Montreal Canadiens organization, including 24 years as the team’s head physician.

His many professional achievements and contributions are also deeply rooted at McGill. A renowned surgeon, David was a driving force in the establishment of Quebec’s province-wide trauma system in 1993, which led to a dramatic drop in mortality rates for traumatic injuries. For 21 years, he held the position of Surgeon-in-Chief of the Montreal General Hospital where the trauma centre now bears his name.

A professor emeritus of surgery, David has mentored many physicians and is a generous donor and volunteer. He served on the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences’ Advisory Board and is a trustee of the Martlet Foundation, which promotes excellence in athletics and academics at McGill, mainly through scholarships, awards and fellowships. In 1992, David received the MAA’s Honorary Life Membership Award.

D. Lorne Gales Special Recognition Award 
Susan Reid
 

Susan Reid’s 46-year career at McGill was remarkable for its longevity, but even more so for all that she accomplished to advance the University’s mission.

Susan held various positions at McGill, but it was in 1996 that she found her true calling in philanthropy, through the Bequests and Planned Gifts office. “This role became the cornerstone of my career, allowing me to connect with individuals who were deeply passionate about supporting the University’s mission,” says Susan, who retired in 2023.

During her tenure as Director, Susan built McGill’s legacy and planned giving program into one of the most prestigious of its kind in Canada. In recent years, among other initiatives, she and her team oversaw the successful 200 for 200 Legacy Challenge that coincided with McGill’s Bicentennial celebrations.

Susan helped countless donors make a planned gift to McGill to the benefit of generations of students, researchers and faculty members. She is a true champion of McGill!

E. P. Taylor Award  
Mia Melmed Goodman, BA ’92
 

Mia Melmed Goodman has been a tireless champion and outstanding volunteer for McGill and for the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Institute (GCI) since the Institute was established in 2008. For over a decade, Mia has led the GCI’s biennial Gala, working with more than 150 volunteers, and has made the Gala one of Montreal’s top events.

Mia’s leadership and ability to engage multiple generations of volunteers have been instrumental in the GCI’s fundraising success. Thanks to her inclusive vision, she has broadened the Gala’s support base. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mia seamlessly transitioned the Gala to a virtual event, maintaining momentum and even securing new donor commitments. Her grassroots approach to fundraising and friend-raising – one connection, one volunteer, one phone call at a time – has certainly paid off: the Gala has raised over $12 million in the past 10 years. Her generosity, persistence and personal dedication to the success of the GCI and McGill make her an inspiring example of volunteerism in action.

Alumni Student Engagement Award
Rachel Krehm, BMus’07, MMus’09
 

Soprano Rachel Krehm forged her own path in the opera milieu and is trying to make it easier for students at McGill’s Schulich School of Music to build their careers. Rachel is general director and co-founder of Toronto-based Opera 5. Her expertise in producing in varied venues has made it the leading indie opera company in Canada.

Her company created a groundbreaking program collaborating with Opera McGill to offer McGill students and alumni a unique paid internship program. The pilot program in summer 2024 proved highly successful, with six McGill students making their professional debuts – a rarity in the opera field while still in school – and benefitting from innovative mentoring. McGill graduate Jaclyn Grossman, MMus’19, Gr Dip in Performance’20, has also played a key role in this new program.

Rachel has kept close ties with McGill since earning two degrees from the Schulich School of Music, including delivering webinars for opera students about entrepreneurship.

Robert Fung International Award of Distinction
Ahmed Abu Safia, BSc’03, MSc’06
 

Ahmed Abu Safia exemplifies exceptional volunteer service and dedication to his alma mater. As the immediate past co-president of the McGill Alumni Association in the United Arab Emirates and long-time president of the active Dubai branch, Ahmed has significantly contributed to promoting the McGill brand in the region and fostering a vibrant alumni community. His leadership and innovative ideas have built strong alumni engagement and branch growth.

Beyond his official roles, Ahmed has actively participated in McGill Send-offs and student recruitment, and has hosted graduate students visiting Dubai, providing real-world learning experiences for McGill’s Executive MBA and Master of Management in Retailing students at DP World, where he is Group Vice President of Business Learning and Development. He also played a key role in facilitating McGill’s participation at the Expo 2020 Dubai.

A past V-P External for the Post-Graduate Students’ Society, he speaks fondly of his time at McGill, and his unwavering commitment as a volunteer has left a lasting impact on the alumni network.

James G. Wright Award
Chafik Hamad, MBA’15
 

Chafik Hamad is a true example of a young alumni leader. In the years since he graduated from the Desautels Faculty of Management, he has been a dedicated volunteer and shown extraordinary philanthropic leadership.

Chafik makes time to mentor students and provides additional support to recipients of the awards he’s affiliated with, including career advice and networking guidance. As a volunteer, he is valued for his engagement and commitment to getting other alumni involved. He is an inspiration and an example for other young volunteers.

In honour of his mother, Chafik established and endowed the RAFAH Bursary, which supports students facing systemic barriers to education – specifically refugees. Chafik strongly believes in supporting the success of students who are seeking a better life in Canada. Prior to establishing the RAFAH Bursary, Chafik played a crucial role in establishing the Sujata Madan Award in honour of the award’s namesake for her significant demonstrations of leadership through collaboration, integrity and generosity.

Catherine Nance Common President of the Year
Robert Heldt, MBA’20, McGill Alumni Association of Japan
 

Robert Heldt’s exceptional leadership and ability to thrive under challenging circumstances have left an indelible mark on the McGill brand in Japan.

After completing his MBA in 2020, Robert provided critical guidance as Vice-President of the McGill Alumni Association of Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic and the suspension of the MBA Japan program. He kept the alumni community connected virtually during lockdowns and spearheaded the innovative Grey Matter: Academic Insights series which brought McGill researchers to Japan to present their work.

He also organized Japan’s first in-person McGill24 celebration and revived the popular spring cherry blossom gathering, both of which have now become annual staples. Then as President of the branch from 2022-2024, he successfully revived the McGill Forum and Shinnenkai, a high-profile business forum with impressive attendance.

Robert’s warmth, dedication and remarkable talent for uniting people have been a lifeline for the alumni community in Japan, strengthening volunteerism and engagement during a period of great instability.

Alumni Event of the Year Award
“Taste of Indigenous Spirit: A Culinary and Cultural Experience at Mādahòkì Farm”
McGill Alumni Association of Ottawa
 

Organized and hosted by Philippe Blain, MBA’94, the visit to Mādahòkì Farm combined agritourism, farm-to-table culinary practices and authentic cultural experiences from an Indigenous perspective.

Mādahòkì means “to share the land” in the Anishinaabe language and reflects a vision where all can reconnect with the land. When Blain learned about the Mādahòkì Farm, he believed that its culinary and cultural activity would be of great interest to local alumni. At the event, attendees feasted on traditional food and were treated to a pow-wow dance demonstration, complete with historical and cultural context. The unique summertime experience was well-attended and celebrated by attendees, who appreciated being introduced to the farm.

As a long-time participant in Ottawa McGill Alumni Choir and a dedicated volunteer with the MAA of Ottawa, for Blain this event was yet another rewarding and enriching alumni encounter.

Charles H. Peters Alumni Group of the Year Award
MDCM Class of 1984
 

The Medicine Class of 1984 is recognized for its outstanding event planning and fundraising efforts in 2024. Through peer-to-peer outreach, the class committee organized a successful 40th anniversary reunion with over 85 attendees at Homecoming 2024. The group also displayed remarkable creativity in crafting the “Trust in Medicine 1984” campaign for its class gift.

Using the connection between their graduating year and the George Orwell classic 1984, members of the committee created a compelling pitch to fund a research bursary that will help tackle the issues of unverified medical information and misuse of AI in healthcare. The Orwellian theme was also part of the reunion celebration, where guests were encouraged to sign and write messages in a copy of the novel.

This out-of-the-box thinking allowed the group to secure matching funds and raise $152,000 that will provide permanent support for research in this increasingly important field, all while strengthening alumni engagement at McGill.

Honorary Life Membership Award
Amelia Violo Saputo
 

Montreal businesswoman, philanthropist, and friend extraordinaire of McGill, Amelia Saputo has been an early supporter and champion of the University’s Dementia Education Program. Launched in 2017 by Claire Webster and Dr. David Eidelman at the Steinberg Centre for Simulation and Interactive Learning, the Program provides invaluable support to dementia care partners through workshops, public lectures, webinars, and other resources.

The Program resonated with Amelia, who experienced the challenges of caring for her mother who had dementia. In 2022, the Amelia and Lino Saputo Foundation pledged additional funding to support innovative teaching and expand opportunities in online learning at the Office of Ed-TECH (housed at the Steinberg Centre) under the umbrella of the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care. This visionary and generous support is paving the way for the Dementia Education Program to expand the online dementia program and offer more community outreach initiatives.

Chancellor Gretta Chambers Student Leadership Awards
Meryem K. Talbo, BSc(NutrSc)’17, MSc(A)’19, PhD in progress
 

Meryem Talbo pursued extracurricular activities and volunteering opportunities throughout her studies at McGill, taking on leadership roles and actively contributing to the Macdonald Campus community and beyond.

Meryem’s activities as an undergraduate at the School of Human Nutrition included serving as president of the yearbook committee. She led the Macdonald Campus Graduate Students’ Society, sat on multiple committees, and served as managing editor of the McGill Journal of Medicine. She received a Macdonald Campus Gold Key Award in 2023 for her leadership ability. Her motivation for getting involved stemmed from wanting to create spaces where students could connect and feel supported in their academic journey.

Her volunteerism extended to organizations such as Diabetes Canada and she has mentored other students who are interested in researching the chronic disease. Meryem received the Yves-Deshaies Rising Star Award from the Research Network on Cardiometabolic health, Diabetes and Obesity.

Muna Tojiboeva, BA’18, BCL/JD in progress
 

Since her time at McGill as an undergraduate, Muna Tojiboeva has remained a deeply committed and involved student, alumna and advocate for the University and its community. She has demonstrated exceptional leadership, serving on the University Senate and Board of Governors, and advancing the University’s mission by fostering inclusivity and diversity. As a law student, she continues to champion a more inclusive campus, particularly for women of colour.

Muna has been a key mentor for women pursuing careers in policy, guiding those interested in politics and public service, and serving as a speaker at campus events. She also contributed to McGill Women in Leadership Students Association and the McGill Policy Association, organizing networking events and discussion groups to make law more accessible and welcoming for women of colour. Through her advocacy, mentorship, and leadership in various student organizations, she has left a lasting impact on the McGill community.

Kelly Zhang, BCom in progress
 

Kelly Zhang is an Honours Investment Management student in the Desautels Faculty of Management. She serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Desautels Capital Management, Canada’s first university-owned, student-run registered investment management firm. In this role, Kelly has organized meaningful educational and industry programming for her peers, including visits to ��Ƭ��֦��Ƶ York to network with key companies in that city, and brought industry leaders to McGill to share their expertise and insights.

In 2021-22, Kelly was selected for the Integrated Management Student Fellowship program, a leadership develoment opportunity where she worked on a research project aimed at improving bicycle safety in Montreal. She has participated in the Hot Cities of the World tour, representing Desautels and McGill in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, and learning about their emerging economic importance. Kelly has also supported University Advancement fundraising initiatives with The McGill Fund and participation in advancement events.

David Johnston Faculty & Staff Award
Ingrid Birker, MA’15
 

Ingrid Birker embodies the values of service, community, and education that are vital to McGill’s continued excellence. In her remarkable 40-year career, she has inspired countless members of the McGill community and the public to explore the wonders of science and nature.

First hired in 1981, Ingrid worked as a Curator at the Redpath Museum for almost 25 years and then as an Outreach Administrator in the Faculty of Science until 2022. Believing in museums as critical spaces for self-discovery, she connected with thousands of people every week and brought the Redpath collections to life for visitors of all ages.

In retirement, Ingrid remains a passionate advocate for McGill. She offers tours of hidden biodiversity treasures on campus, mentors students through the Redpath Museum Society, gives talks at the Library, and shares her love of sustainability and traditional knowledge through her work with the Medicinal and Herbal Garden.

Honora Shaughnessy McGill Ambassador Award
Vincent Gagné, BA’88
 

The Friends of McGill Football (FOMF) bolster the University’s football program, and the man at the helm is well-suited for that mission.

As a student-athlete, Vincent Gagné was part of McGill’s historic 1987 Vanier Cup victory. As an alumnus, he has been involved with FOMF – an alumni support group that helps McGill’s football program in areas such as funding, sponsorship, game attendance and reunions – for more than 20 years, including in his current role as chair.

Vincent played a key leadership role in fundraising efforts that resulted in a record tally for the football program on McGill24, the University’s annual day of giving, in 2024. He has boosted the program’s recruitment efforts and revived the Toronto chapter of McGill’s football alumni.

Vincent was instrumental in getting 200+ alumni to attend the 2024 Homecoming game, celebrating 150 years of football at McGill. He has also developed a Next 150 Years fundraising campaign.