Six U of T Scarborough alumni have been short listed for the Toronto Board of Trade Annual Business Excellence Awards, celebrating small and medium-sized enterprises and individuals who demonstrate exceptional growth, leadership and innovation.
Christa Studzinski (BSc, 2002) is the Ontario Brain Institute’s manager of research programs. After earning her undergraduate degree, Studzinski earned a PhD in pharmacology and then worked at a start up company. She returned to Toronto to intern at what was then the newly opened Institute, attracted by the neuroscience research happening in Ontario, which she describes as “phenomenal.”
Serial entrepreneur and angel investor Andrew Peek (BA, 2006) has held pivotal roles in the founding and scaling of several of Canada’s most notable start-ups, including FreshBooks, Shopify, Jet Cooper, Next to North and Camp Reset. Peek, partner and COO of Vox Pop Labs, is known for bold predictions about where technology will lead us. He is also responsible for designing the Speakers Coaching Program in use across a number of TEDx events worldwide.
Dr. Duane Mendis (BSc, 1990) provides a made-in-Canada solution for managing the explosive growth of genomic technologies and associated data—what he says is the fastest growing technology on the planet. He launched D-MARK Biosciences in 2008, after completing a PhD at U of T and spending time both in academia and in the private sector.
Chloe Ho (BSc, 2006) is co-founder and creative director for Pixie Mood, a cruelty-free and vegan-friendly accessories brand that combines fashion-forward trends with sustainable materials to create bestselling handbags. The brand is carried at Nordstrom and offer wholesale opportunities for boutiques across the U.S.
Sasha Khan (BA, 2000) is Executive Vice President Product Development and Channel Strategy for Jolera Inc., an IT solutions company that serves clients around the world. Many Jolera clients are not-for-profits, which Jolera not only helps get the most bang out of their limited IT budgets, they also donate cash and services to help non-profits grow.
Hamza Khan (HBA, 2010) is not only co-founder of tech company Splash Effect, he is also a social media marketing teacher, freelance writer and sought after public speaker. Pursuing his ultimate goal to “make ideas happen,” Khan is constantly working on new ways to help and empower others.
This year’s winners will be presented with their awards at the Business Excellence Awards Gala on Wednesday, November 8.