The University of Toronto Black Alumni Association (UTBAA) hosts a Panel Discussion and Mixer for Alumni Reunion 2024.
Overview
On Saturday June 1st, 2024 the UTBAA will be hosting its Inaugural Panel Discussion and Mixer during Alumni Reunion at Hart House.
This discussion will highlight and celebrate the "Excellence" from various members of the Black UofT alumni community and the impact that we can have as leaders in our respective organizations, as volunteers and as business owners etc.
We are looking forward to a lively discussion which will be further enriched by community engagement and participation during the Q and A after the panel is done during our mixer!
The panelists include the following phenomenal individuals spanning various generations of graduates:
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Class of 1989Rob Davis
KPMG Canada LLP, Chief Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Officer and Tax Partner
Rob is a Tax Partner with KPMG in Toronto with over 30 years of diverse tax and finance experience that he brings to his clients. Rob obtained his CA in 1992 and his FCPA, FCA in 2021. He is the former Chair of KPMG Canada’s Board of Directors and currently the firm’s Chief Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Officer. Rob has spent 25+ years in KPMG’s tax practice and six years outside of KPMG in diverse industry sectors. Rob’s experience in consulting and industry provides a unique, well-rounded perspective and understanding of the firm’s clients’ practical requirements.
Rob has played a critical role in supporting Inclusion, Diversity & Equity at KPMG for many years, in particular through his roles as Chair of the GTA Diversity Council, a member of the firm's Executive Diversity & Inclusion Council, LGBTQ+ supporter and Executive Sponsor of our Black Professionals Network. Rob was the recipient of the 2020 William B. Thomas award which recognizes a KPMG Canada Partner who exemplifies, on a day-to-day basis, what it means to live KPMG’s values and make the firm a better place.
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Class of 2022Alexia Monzie
Porter Airlines, Intent Recognition Specialist
Alexia Monize, a proud graduate of the University of Toronto Class of 2022, brings her academic background in computational cognition and media studies to the inaugural University of Toronto Black Alumni Association (UTBAA) Panel Discussion and Mixer as a distinguished panelist. With a fresh perspective informed by her studies, Alexia is poised to contribute valuable insights to the discussion on pathways to success and empowerment within the black alumni community. Her dedication to fostering innovation and driving positive change reflects her commitment to making a meaningful impact in her communities.
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Class of 2006Lauren Canzius
Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, Head of Diversity and Anti-Racism (Founding Director)
Lauren Canzius (she/her) is a sought-after speaker, educator, and consultant who empowers organizations to develop sustainable HR & DEI solutions. As a thought leader, Lauren has helped educate HR professionals and executives across the country, including the design of HR curriculum for various universities. Lauren’s career has included leadership roles in consulting, change management, HR management, diversity & inclusion, labour and employee relations, mediation, collective bargaining, and project management. She currently holds the position of Founding Director & Head of Diversity and Anti-Racism at a government tribunal.
Lauren holds a Master of Industrial Relations from Queen’s University, and an Hons B.A. from the University of Toronto, and is a Prosci® Certified Change Practitioner. In her free time, Lauren enjoys volunteering in her community and mentoring youth and new professionals.
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Class of 2009Dr. Rhonda N. McEwen
University of Toronto - Victoria University, President
Dr. Rhonda N. 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 at the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology; and has graduate faculty appointments at the: Department of Computer Science; Institute of the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology; and Faculty of Information - University of Toronto.
As a Chevening Scholar, Dr. McEwen graduated from City, University of London, England with a MBA in Information Technology Management (high honours). She also earned a MSc in Telecommunications ( summa cum laude) from the University of Colorado Boulder; and a PhD in Information from the University of Toronto. A world renowned researcher in human-machine communication, Dr. McEwen combines applied and behavioral science approaches with communication studies theory 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 emerging technology used by children and adults, including those diagnosed with communication and learning disorders.
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. Dr. McEwen’s research has appeared in CBC 60 Minutes, Nine 9 News Australia, CBC Radio, the Boston Globe, the Toronto Star and the Globe and Mail. She has over 47 publications, including the co-edited Sage Handbook of Human-Machine Communiication (2023), and articles in Human-Robot Interaction Companion; Information, Communication & Society; Computers and Education; New Media and Society; and information science journals.
Key Interests
Human-Machine Communication; Cognitive Effects of Media; Tactile Interfaces; Tablet Communication; Cognitive Informatics; Device Mediation; Virtual Reality.
These amazing individuals will be joined by the event moderator:
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Class of 2016Veronica Osei-Akoto Brown
ONxpress Transportation Partners, Third Party Permits, Licenses, Approvals & Agreements (PLAA) Lead
Veronica Osei-Akoto Brown is a multi-faceted individual who wears many hats. She is a wife, a mother, a valued professional in her field, and a burgeoning business-woman who is also very active in the community. She is currently a Candidate Member of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and the Canadian Institute of Planners, where she is working towards becoming a fully licensed Registered Professional Planner. She currently works as a Permits, Licenses, Approvals and Agreements Lead with ONxpress Transportation Partners Inc where she is supporting the expansion of the GO Network across the GTA. As a businesswoman, she is the founder of Dakaari Fragrance House – a perfume brand that features natural fragrances made with essential oils and sugarcane alcohol, and offers custom perfume-making workshops. She is also the founder of Good Idea Reads – a self-publishing agency – through which she has authored and self-published 3 of her own books. Additionally, she is very active in her faith community as a Pastor and within the community at large, particularly within the University of Toronto Black Alumni Association (UTBAA) as the Director of Graduate and Professional Studies Alumni Relations. She loves to read, sing, and spend time with her family. Last, but not least, she finds fulfillment in connecting with people and helping them achieve their professional, relational and business aspirations.
We are excited to have members of the broader University of Toronto Alumni community to join us for this momentous occasion!