The Division of People Strategy, Equity & Culture presents three awards each spring: the Chancellor’s Leadership Awards, the President’s Excellence Awards, and the Ludwik & Estelle Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize. These awards are aligned with the University’s broader Awards of Excellence Program – U of T’s most distinguished awards program. 

We are pleased to announce the exceptional nine U of T faculty members, staff and students from across our tri-campus community who are the recipients for 2025. 

Chancellor’s Leadership Awards Recipients: 

The Chancellor’s Leadership Award recognizes exceptional contributions by administrative staff and librarians. The Chancellor’s Leadership Award complements the President’s Excellence Award. 

Recipients of the Chancellor’s Leadership Award demonstrate outstanding leadership and significantly advance the University’s mission to foster an academic community in which the learning and scholarship of every member may flourish. 

In 2025, the award is presented to three individuals in two categories: 

Distinguished Leader: 

• Cheryl Milne, Executive Director, David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights, Faculty of Law 

• Diego Lupallier, Senior Manager, Grounds & Caretaking Operations, UTSC: Facilities Management, University of Toronto Scarborough 

Emerging Leader: 

• Estelle Oliva-Fisher, Managing Director, Troost Institute for Leadership Education in Engineering, Institute for Studies in Transdisciplinary Engineering Education and Practice, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering 

Learn about the most recent recipients here. 

 

President’s Excellence Awards Recipients: 

The President’s Excellence Award recognizes exceptional contributions by administrative staff and librarians. The President’s Excellence Award complements the Chancellor’s Leadership Award. 

Recipients of the President’s Excellence Award demonstrate outstanding service to the University and enhance the university experience for students, faculty members, librarians, and/or staff in accordance with the University’s mission. 

In 2025, the award is presented to three recipients in three categories: 

Influential Excellence: 

• David Newman, Executive Director, Student Experience, Office of the Vice-Provost, Students, Division of the Vice-President & Provost 

Distinguished Excellence: 

• Kurtis Scissons, Director, University Ventures, Innovations & Partnerships Office, Division of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation 

Emerging Excellence: 

• Erin Macnab, Director, Academic Operations & Strategic Initiatives, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Arts & Science 

Learn about the most recent recipients here. 

 

Ludwik & Estelle Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize Recipients 

The Ludwik & Estelle Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize recognizes exceptional contributions by administrative staff, librarians, faculty members, and students. 

Recipients of the Ludwik & Estelle Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize include a wide variety of individuals who have been recognized for their scholarship, personal service to others, or activities in support of the University of Toronto’s commitment to human rights and equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

In 2025, the prize is presented to three recipients in two categories: 

Influential Leader Recipient: 

• John Borrows, Professor and the Loveland Chair in Indigenous Law, Faculty of Law
  

Emerging Leader Recipient: 

• Shernett Auld, PhD Student, Department of Leadership, Higher & Adult Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education 

• Yvonne Grace Chan, Doctoral Candidate, Department of Leadership, Higher & Adult Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education 

Learn about the most recent recipients here. 

 

Congratulations to all the winners of these prestigious awards. Their accomplishments are a testament to the excellence and commitment of U of T’s administrative staff, faculty members, librarians, and students. 

The recipients are invited to the Pinnacle Awards Luncheon in May, along with the 2025 recipients of the Jill Matus Excellence in Student Services Award and the Joan E. Foley Quality of Student Experience Award. Kelly Hannah-Moffat, Vice-President, People Strategy, Equity & Culture, and Sandy Welsh, Vice-Provost, Students, will present the recipients of each program with their award certificate at the event. 

Further Details: 

Contact the Employee Recognition & Engagement Team if you require additional information about this year’s recipients or the award programs.