Alumni Stories
Innisians are a fascinating bunch — they’re leaders, influencers, activists, scientists, researchers, authors, artists, musicians, environmentalists, creators — and every other occupation you can think of, and some you haven’t. See what we mean by exploring the profiles below.
What are your classmates doing now?
Tony Hasek
From the Berlin Wall to a new kind of internet firewall, Tony Hasek (BA ’89 Innis) has built an innovative technology to tackle a huge… Continue Reading Tony Hasek
Michael Lewis
Michael Lewis (HBSc ’05 Innis) harnesses the power of business and community partnerships to create change. I am a partner at Boyden Executive Search, where… Continue Reading Michael Lewis
Kofi Hope
Social entrepreneur Kofi Hope (HBA ’06 Innis) says now is the time for a new vision. I am a 2006 Innis graduate, a community leader,… Continue Reading Kofi Hope
Andrea L.K. Johnston
Andrea Johnston (BA ’02 Innis) strengthens communities using an Indigenous lens. I started Johnston Research Inc. in 2001. Neyaashiinigmiing ndojeba, Toronto ndindaa. Mikinaak dodem. I… Continue Reading Andrea L.K. Johnston
Jackson Wyatt
Jackson Wyatt’s (HBSc ’12 Innis) CABN in the woods may be the housing solution we need now “I’m the CEO of CABN—in this role, as… Continue Reading Jackson Wyatt
Sharon Lewis
Artist and activist Sharon Lewis’s (BA ’89 Innis) stories speak brilliantly and unapologetically for her diverse communities I am living the dream, which doesn’t mean… Continue Reading Sharon Lewis
Sheila Htoo
Growing up in a refugee camp gave Sheila Htoo (HBA ’09 Innis, Urban Studies; MScPl ’11) a unique perspective on building bridges for peace and… Continue Reading Sheila Htoo
Charlotte Gill
Acclaimed author Charlotte Gill (HBA ’96 Innis) mines her mixed-race heritage to pen a personal story of belonging and identity I am a teacher and… Continue Reading Charlotte Gill
Mark McDowell
Mark McDowell (BA ‘88 Innis, MA ‘90) spent his undergraduate years split between Innis College and exciting locations abroad, including a stint teaching English in China and hitch-hiking across Europe. Continue Reading Mark McDowell
Ajay Heble
Ajay Heble (BA ’84 Innis, PhD ’90) is the founding director of the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation (IICSI), and an English professor at the University of Guelph. Continue Reading Ajay Heble
Robin Whalen
Marketing leader Robin Whalen (BA ’93 Innis) believes empathy is her superpower in life and work As an agency veteran, I have spent the past… Continue Reading Robin Whalen
Ishita Aggarwal
A scientist and social justice activist, Ishita Aggarwal completed an HBSc (‘15 Innis) in cell and molecular biology, neuroscience, and psychology. She combines science and social justice to change women’s health for the better. Continue Reading Ishita Aggarwal
Sandra Laronde
Sandra Laronde (BA ’88 Innis) is changing the cultural landscape across Turtle Island and around the world I aspire to have the intellectual courage to walk… Continue Reading Sandra Laronde
Dawn Wilkinson
Dawn Wilkinson (BA ’96 Innis) is an in-demand Canadian film and television director, a screenwriter and teacher, an alumna of the Norman Jewison Canadian Film Centre, and a graduate of Innis College at U of T. Continue Reading Dawn Wilkinson
Casper Wong
Fintech leader Casper Wong (HBA ’06 Innis) finds a different path in business and giving back I am the CEO and co-founder of Financeit, the… Continue Reading Casper Wong
John Ota
John Ota is an architect, curator, historical preservationist, member of the Culinary Historians of Canada, and the bestselling author of The Kitchen: A journey through history in search of the perfect design. Continue Reading John Ota
Alumni in the news
Find out what your fellow Innisians are doing here in Toronto, and all around the globe. You can also submit your own newsworthy items.
Alumna Tzeporah Berman makes TIME100 Climate List
Congratulations, Tzeporah Berman (BA ’92 Innis), on being named a “Defender” on the TIME100 Climate List. Tzeporah is an environmental activist and organizer, who chairs the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative — the WHO-endorsed, nonprofit, global project to “accelerate a transition to renewable energy for everyone,” formed on the heels… Continue Reading Alumna Tzeporah Berman makes TIME100 Climate List
“Hip-Hop and the City: Shad and Kofi Hope bridge hip-hop and urban studies in U of T course”
Alumnus Kofi Hope (HBA ’06 Innis) is a Rhodes Scholar, activist, community leader, and co-founder of Monumental, a Toronto-based organization working to advance equitable city-building. Kofi is also the Urbanist in Residence with U of T’s School of Cities, where he is teaching a new graduate course, “Hip Hop and… Continue Reading “Hip-Hop and the City: Shad and Kofi Hope bridge hip-hop and urban studies in U of T course”
Andy Yang publishes cutting-edge neural-cell research
Alumnus Andy Yang‘s (HBSc ’18 Innis) doctoral research at the Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology is highlighted in U of T News. Andy, who is first author, and principal investigator Professor Stephane Angers, have employed a novel method to activate specific brain receptors that lead to the production… Continue Reading Andy Yang publishes cutting-edge neural-cell research
Carmen Logie co-chairs the Canadian Association for HIV Research Conference
Faculty of Social Work Professor Carmen Logie (BA ’97 Innis, PhD ’10), speaks to CBC Radio about persistent stigma around sexual health in Canada, especially within marginalized communities and people living with HIV. Carmen is the Canada Research Chair in Global Health Equity and Social Justice with Marginalized Populations and… Continue Reading Carmen Logie co-chairs the Canadian Association for HIV Research Conference
Nadia Belokopitov supports Indigenous student scholarship at Innis
Since graduating from Innis College with an Honours Bachelor of Arts, majoring in cinema studies, in 1997, Nadia Belokopitov’s career journey has taken many forms. Nadia has been a federal negotiator with Indian & Northern Affairs Canada; she produced the television series, The Creative Native; and she currently operates Vancouver’s… Continue Reading Nadia Belokopitov supports Indigenous student scholarship at Innis
Chief Planner Gregg Lintern on the promise of multiplex housing in Toronto
In a Toronto Life Q&A, Toronto’s chief planner, Gregg Lintern (HBA ’84 Innis, Urban Studies), describes how a recently implemented “multiplex” housing policy can help make the city a more affordable and inclusive — stimulating architectural creativity without compromising neighbourhood character. Read it on Toronto Life “Multiplexes give more people… Continue Reading Chief Planner Gregg Lintern on the promise of multiplex housing in Toronto
Charlotte Gill on her latest memoir, “Almost Brown”
Innis alum Charlotte Gill (HBA ’96), the award-winning author of Eating Dirt, speaks with A&S News about her latest memoir. In Almost Brown (Penguin Random House Canada, 2023), Charlotte explores her family’s mixed-raced, immigrant roots; her own experiences an Indian-English woman; and racial identity, more broadly. Read it on A&S… Continue Reading Charlotte Gill on her latest memoir, “Almost Brown”
Farshad Nassiri leads promising glioblastoma-treatment research
Dr. Farshad Nassiri (HBSc ’10, MD ’14, PhD ’22), is an Innis alumnus, neurosurgery resident, and clinical researcher with University Health Network. Farshad is also lead author of a study recently published in Nature Medicine, which found that a combination of cancer-targeting viruses and immunotherapy effectively shrank or stabilized glioblastoma… Continue Reading Farshad Nassiri leads promising glioblastoma-treatment research
Jessi Cruickshank on her new chart-topping podcast ‘Phone A Friend’
Alumna Jessi Cruickshank (HBA ’04 Innis) recently discussed her new podcast, Phone A Friend, on Global’s The Morning Show. In her comedic chart-topper, Jessi has candid conversations with celebrities (like Elvis Stojko), friends (like Dan Levy), pop culture experts (like Louis Virtel), and more. Listen to Phone A Friend on… Continue Reading Jessi Cruickshank on her new chart-topping podcast ‘Phone A Friend’
Innis alumna Ishita Aggarwal receives Governor General’s Award for gender equality
Congratulations to alumna Ishita Aggarwal (HBSc ’15 Innis), the 2022 recipient of the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case (Youth). This award recognizes individuals who are continuing to advance gender equality in Canada. Its name pays homage to the historic 1929 decision to include women in the… Continue Reading Innis alumna Ishita Aggarwal receives Governor General’s Award for gender equality