Alumni Spotlights

Cameron Bailey

Cameron Bailey graduated from Western with a Bachelor of Arts, specializing in English Language and Literature. He is the CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival®. Since 2008, he has been responsible for the overall vision and execution of the Festival's selection. Bailey began programming for Toronto in 1990 and worked both as a film programmer and film critic for 20 years before taking on his current role.  

Matthew Dawkins

Matthew Dawkins was a double major in the School for Advanced Studies in Arts and Humanities (SASAH) and English Language and Literature at Western and graduated in 2023. Dawkins is a poet with close to half a million reads on the popular digital platform Wattpad. He’s the author of Until We Break, which follows a Black teenager named Naomi and her passion for ballet. He also served a term as Western's Writer-in-Residence. 

Sondra Gibbons

Sondra Gibbons became the first Black president of Western's University Students' Council (USC) in 1985. A Bachelor of Arts student, she won the election against six male candidates by a significant margin. During her presidency, she faced racism and sexism but pushed forward to address social justice issues. After her term, she pursued a career in law and is now a partner at Waterous Holden Amey Hitchon LLP. Her tenure set a precedent for future leaders, emphasizing resilience against systemic barriers.

Charity Kabango

Charity Kabango is a Western graduate and co-founder of Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners. She assists African entrepreneurs in growing their businesses through consulting and strategy advisory services. Kabango, who holds degrees in engineering and international studies, focuses on creating authentic leadership and empowering small businesses in Rwanda. Her work has significantly contributed to the development of local economies and the empowerment of women in leadership roles.  

Joëlle Kabisoso

Joëlle Kabisoso is a Brescia University College alumna. At Brescia, Kabisoso discovered a love for Family Studies and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Ecology with a specialization in Family Studies and started her non-profit organization, Sisters in Sync. The organization’s mission is to create safe spaces for trauma survivors and provide support systems for them. While reflecting on her journey at Canada’s only all-women’s university, she described it as a life-changing experience that propelled her into the woman she is today.

Stephanie Marley

Stephanie Marley is a 1999 graduate in the Department of Psychology and grew up as one of 10 children of music legend Bob Marley. After graduation, she launched a public education campaign for constitutional reform titled "Wake Up Jamaica" to empower Jamaican citizens to become active participants in the development, safety and governance of their country. Utilizing her background in Psychology and her interest in music to aid in promoting social justice and human rights, she served as the director of the Rita Marley Foundation.

Zola Ncube

Zola Ncube is a Western University researcher and professional dancer who spoke at the TedxWesternU event on February 2, 2024. Ncube's story includes dropping out of Stanford University just before graduation to live in rural Zimbabwe, where she learned transformative life lessons. She completed her master’s program at Western, focusing on intimate partner violence and mental health services. Her talk emphasized the importance of listening to life's pauses and embracing one’s purpose, aligning with the event's "Rising Phoenix" theme. 

Lisa Robinson

Dr. Lisa Robinson is a 1995 graduate of Western University's residency program in Pediatrics and the recipient of the Dr. Stephen Blizzard Trailblazer Award. She is currently a staff physician at SickKids Toronto and Vice Dean of Strategy and Operations at the University of Toronto's Temerty Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Robinson has led numerous initiatives to promote equity and inclusion, including founding programs like Kids Science and the Student Advancement Research (StAR) Program. 

David Simmonds

A graduate of Western University, David Simmonds holds an Honours BA, MA and completed the executive development program at the Wharton School. He currently holds the position of Global Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer at Canada Life. David is a member of Western's Board of Governors, Director and President Elect of the Canadian Club of Toronto and an Advisory Board Member of Catalyst Canada. He also sits on the Advisory Council for Western's School for Advanced Studies in the Arts and Humanities. 

Brian Williams

Brian Williams is a graduate of Western's Bachelor of Education program. Originally from Jamaica, Williams transitioned from a 20-year career in finance to pursue teaching, inspired by the impactful role of educators in his life. He actively mentors students, drawing on his personal experiences to foster empathy and inclusivity. Williams teaches in the Peel District School Board and emphasizes authentic relationships and collaborative learning in his classroom.