On February 17, Ontario's Lieutenant Governor announced 30 new appointments to the Order of Ontario, the province's highest civilian honour, reserved for those whose contributions have left a lasting mark on the lives of Ontarians.
Among those named this year are TMU community members including the university's Chancellor, a PhD candidate, honorary doctorate recipients, a founding faculty member of the TMU School of Medicine and longstanding supporters whose generosity has shaped TMU's growth.
Their careers span finance, law, cybersecurity, Indigenous health and public service. TMU congratulates each of them on this recognition.
See the community members named below.
Dr. Jamaica Cass
Former Indigenous health lead, TMU School of Medicine
Dr. Jamaica Cass is the first Indigenous woman in Canada to earn both a Doctor of Medicine and a Doctor of Philosophy. She has dedicated her career to opening these doors to others as well.
Cass served as the inaugural Indigenous health lead and special advisor to the dean on Indigenous resurgence at TMU's School of Medicine, shaping the school's Indigenous curriculum, admissions pathways and community partnerships from the ground up.
Her work spans governance, curriculum reform and the development of national best-practice guidelines that advance Truth and Reconciliation in health care.
Donette Chin-Loy Chang
TMU chancellor and alumna, Journalism '78, HonDoc '21
Donette Chin-Loy Chang has been part of TMU's story for nearly five decades - first as a journalism student who graduated in 1978, and now as the university's sixth chancellor, installed in October 2024. TMU presented Chin-Loy Chang with an honorary doctorate in 2021.
She has built a distinguished career in communications spanning CBC Radio, the Office of the Prime Minister of Jamaica and her own firm, La Grassa Chin-Loy Communications.
Over the years she has funded scholarships, bursaries and student well-being initiatives, pledged $1 million to the Nadir Mohamed Centre for Student Wellbeing and served on the Faculty of Community Services' advisory board, TMU's Renaming Committee and its Anti-Asian Racism Taskforce.
Zabeen Hirji, MSM
Future of work and leadership advisor; Ted Rogers School of Management volunteer
Zabeen Hirji was the first South Asian woman in the C-suite of a TSX 100 company, serving as chief human resources officer at Royal Bank of Canada for a decade. At RBC she doubled the representation of visible minorities and women in executive roles.
Since retiring in 2017, she has advised governments, nonprofits and post-secondary institutions including TMU on the future of work, leadership and inclusion. A Governor General's Meritorious Service Medal recipient and WXN Top 100 Most Powerful Women Hall of Fame inductee, Hirji has contributed to TMU's Ted Rogers School of Management as a speaker, volunteer and she has funded case competitions through the school.
Claudette McGowan, CM
Founder and CEO, Protexxa; PhD candidate in Computer Science, TMU '27
Claudette McGowan is the founder and CEO of Protexxa, a Canadian cybersecurity company she launched in 2021. Before that, she spent more than two decades leading digital transformations at institutions including the Bank of Montreal and TD Bank.
She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2025. She chairs the Coalition of Innovation Leaders Against Racism and co-founded The Firehood, a women-focused angel fund.
She is currently pursuing her PhD in Computer Science at TMU. Earlier this month, she was honoured with the Leadership in Business - Viola Desmond Award at TMU.
Edward Rogers
Executive chair, Rogers Communications; TMU friend and supporter
Edward Rogers is the executive chair of Rogers Communications and chair of both the Toronto Blue Jays and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. He has led efforts to expand digital infrastructure and connectivity across Canada.
His father Ted Rogers' $15-million gift to the university gave rise to the Ted Rogers School of Management, which today serves thousands of students each year. Edward has continued the family's philanthropic support of TMU.
Richard Rooney
Vice-chair and co-founder, Burgundy Asset Management; HonDoc '24
Richard Rooney co-founded Burgundy Asset Management in 1991 and served as its president and chief investment officer for more than two decades, growing it into one of Canada's leading independent investment firms.
He received an honorary doctorate from TMU in spring 2024, and made a $2-million gift toward the development of TMU's Nadir Mohamed Centre for Student Wellbeing.
The Honourable George Strathy
Former chief justice of Ontario; HonDoc '22
The Honourable George Strathy served as chief justice of Ontario and president of the Court of Appeal for Ontario from 2014 until his retirement in 2022.
He received an honorary doctorate from TMU in 2022 and has since maintained a close relationship with the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, collaborating on educational programming. His involvement inspired the creation of The Honourable George R. Strathy Award, which recognizes law students who contribute to health, wellness and belonging within the law community.
To see the full list of recipients, visit the Ontario Government's website.
