Notable Alumni

🌟 Notable Alumni🌟

East York Collegiate has a proud history of producing graduates who go on to make meaningful contributions in a wide range of fields—from business, politics, and education to the arts, athletics, and community leadership.

This page highlights some of the many alumni who have made their mark beyond the halls of EYCI. Whether recognized locally or internationally, their stories reflect the strength, creativity, and spirit of our school community.

Know someone who should be featured? Complete the form below.

The information shared here has been provided to us and may include details from third-party sources. It may not be independently verified and is intended to celebrate our alumni’s achievements, not serve as a definitive record. If you notice any inaccuracies, have updates, or wish to have information removed, please contact us.

Marion Buller

Class of 1971

Area of Accomplishments: Law & Government, Social Impacts

Marion Buller is a distinguished Indigenous jurist, lawyer, and advocate for human rights and reconciliation in Canada. A member of the Mistawasis Nehiyawak First Nation in Saskatchewan, she made history in 1994 as the first Indigenous woman appointed to the Provincial Court of British Columbia. During her tenure, she established the First Nations Courts in 2006 and laid the groundwork for the Aboriginal Family Healing Court in 2016, integrating restorative justice principles into the legal system.

After retiring from the bench in 2016, Buller was appointed Chief Commissioner of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, where she led efforts to address systemic violence and discrimination. She has also served as President of the Indigenous Bar Association and held leadership roles with the BC Police Commission, BC Mediators’ Roster, and the Law Courts Education Society. Marion is now practicing law with the law firm, Miller Titlerle in Victoria, BC.

A proud alumna of East York Collegiate Institute (1971), and the University of Victoria, Buller earned both her BA in Anthropology (1975) and LLB (1987) there. In 2022, she was appointed Chancellor of the University of Victoria, becoming the first Indigenous person to hold the position.

Buller’s contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Order of Canada, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, the Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Rosemary Brown Award for Women, and the Vancouver YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for Reconciliation in Action. She has also received honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from Thompson Rivers University and Lakehead University

https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/marion-buller

Rob Butler

Class of 1988

Area of Accomplishments: Sports

Rob is a Canadian former professional baseball outfielder, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Philadelphia Phillies. He is also a former player with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Intercounty Baseball League. Outfielder Rob Butler is a proud member of that historic team 1993 Blue Jays team and the only Canadian player to have won a World Series with the Blue Jays.

1988-1990 Team Canada National Baseball Team, World Championship; Edmonton and Italy (Worlds were every second year)

1988 - Canadian Olympic Baseball Team, (Seoul, Korea)

2003 - Canadian National Baseball Team, World Championships in Cuba

1991 - MVP, New York Penn League

1992 - Florida State League, Batting Champion (.358)

Trevis Villafana

Class of 2002

Area of Accomplishments: Arts & Entertainment, Business & Entrepreneurship, Sports

Award-winning luxury bespoke tailor and Co-Founder of Nota Bene Bespoke, a globally recognized tailoring house specializing in custom luxury garments. Trevis and his team design elevated special-event and gameday looks for some of the world’s top athletes across the NBA, NFL, NHL, EPL, and ATP Tennis.

Nota Bene has created custom pieces for major cultural and sporting moments—including the FIFA World Cup, the Grammys, the NHL Draft, and the NBA Finals—and has been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, GQ Sports, SLAM, People, Esquire, and Essence Magazine, earning Best Dressed Athlete recognition at the 2024 and 2025 NBA Drafts..

Tailors to the stars take on their biggest project yet: Zach Edey ahead of NBA draft https://share.google/mbnrxuTZ87K05BhNO

"The mentorship, guidance, and lessons I received as both a student and athlete at EYCI were instrumental in shaping my path. The values instilled in me—discipline, teamwork, leadership, and perseverance—became the foundation for the success I’ve achieved in my professional career. My time at EYCI gave me the confidence to excel, and represent the East York community with pride."

Trevis Villafana

Notable awards (at EYCI or elsewhere).

• Official Tailor for Canada Soccer, Tennis Canada, and Golf Canada

• Two-time EYCI Junior & Senior Boys Soccer South Region & City Champion (as a player)

• EYCI Senior Boys Soccer Coach (2012–2016)

• Led EYCI Senior Boys to two South Region Championships & two TDSSAA City Championships (2012–13 & 2014–15)

• Two-time OFSAA quarterfinalist (2012-13 & 2014-2015)

Notable Awards

Ontario Scholar, at the School of Public Health he received the 2002 Outstanding Teacher Award, the 2008 Faculty Community Service Award, the 2017 Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award and the 2018 Communicating Public Health to the Public Award.

https://stephenbezruchka.com/book-media/

Stephen Anthony Bezruchka

Class of 1962

Area of Accomplishments: Education, Health & Medicine

Bezruchka wrote the most popular guide to trekking in Nepal that went though eight editions, as well as a travel medicine book and one about treating and preventing altitude illness together with a guide to speaking Nepali.

He helped set up a community health project a week's walk from the road in Nepal documented in a book: Far From the Road: A Community Health Project in the Himalayas

and subsequently set up a teaching hospital in a remote district in Nepal and supervised Nepali family doctors in their rotations there. He has worked with Nepali doctors to help improve surgical services in remote hospitals and most recently supporting burn care for poor patients.

He created the Population Health Forum to draw attention to USA's poor health status. His book on this. Inequality Kills Us All: COVID-19's Health Lessons for the World

https://stephenbezruchka.com/ can be downloaded for free (Open Source) from his website. His next book on the topic Born Sick in the USA: Improving the health of a Nation will be published by Cambridge University Press in March 2026.

He has taught in the School of Public Health at the University of Washington for over 30 years. His courses in population health consider the country as the patient and is one of very few that situate the poor health of Americans.

He is currently producing a series of YouTube videos on a channel titled: Healing America.

Colleen Taylor (Sen)

Class of 1961

Area of Accomplishments: Media & Communications

Dr. Colleen Taylor Sen is a Chicago-based culinary historian who specializes in writing about the food of the Indian Subcontinent. Her articles on food and travel have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Toronto Globe and Mail, Travel and Leisure, Food Arts, Ms magazine, and other publications. She is the author or coeditor of nine books, including Food Culture in India; Curry: A Global History; Turmeric: The Wonder Spice; The Chicago Food Encyclopedia;; The Bloomsbury Handbook of Indian Cuisine and Feasts and Fasts: A History of Indian Food which was named one of the best food books of the year by Vogue and The Smithsonian Magazines

Her books have been translated into Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. She has a BA and MA from the University of Toronto and a PhD Columbia University New York, all in Slavic Languages.

Postdoctoral Fellowship

Medical Research Council of Canada

Research Award

Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research

Postgraduate Scholarship

National Research Council of Canada

Ontario Graduate Scholarship

Government of Ontario

Queen's University Graduate Awards

First Prize in Chemistry

Awards of Merit

East York Collegiate Scholarship Fund

First and Second Prize Winner

East York Schools Public Speaking Contest

Michael A. Wosnick

Last Attended 1968

Area of Accomplishments: Health & Medicine

Dr. Michael Wosnick (BSc, U of Toronto 1974; PhD, Queen's University, 1978) built a distinguished career advancing cancer research in Canada. He served as the inaugural Vice-President of Research for the Canadian Cancer Society and founding Scientific Director of the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute, overseeing a $50 million annual research portfolio. Prior to this, he spent 17 years with the National Cancer Institute of Canada, including 7 years as Executive Director, where he modernized research programs and implemented strategic reforms. Earlier in his career, he was founding Director of Neuroscience Research at Allelix Biopharmaceuticals, leading international studies on human nervous system receptor signaling. A molecular biologist by training, Dr. Wosnick was also a sought-after public speaker, delivering over 100 talks on cancer research across Canada. Since retiring in 2012, he has continued serving on numerous boards and committees, maintaining his commitment to advancing medical research and public health.

Doug Perovic

Class of 1981

Area of Accomplishments: Education

BASc, MASc, PhD (Toronto)

Professor of Engineering University of Toronto

Former Head of Engineering Department

Internationally recognized pioneer in engineering knowledge/courses as it applies to Forensics

Highly published scientist

Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (FAAAS), 2012

Engineering Medal, Research & Development Category, Professional Engineers Ontario, 2011

Fellow, Canadian Academy of Engineering (FCAE), 2008

Canadian Materials Physics Medal, 2008

Fellow, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIAR), Nanoelectronics Program, 2006

Senior Fellow, Massey College at the University of Toronto, 2006

NSERC Synergy Award, 2005

Best Materials Paper Prize, Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly, 1995

- Memphis Leadership Foundation, Board member 2004-2006

- Keynote Speaker at America Chamber of Commerce, Ireland (April 2012); Pharmaceutical &

Medical Device Talent Management (Oct. 2012)

- Conference Board, Performance Management Series (Feb 2013)

- Global Leader Program, Selected to attend top executive development program focused on

Brazil market

- Wallin Leadership Award, Medtronic’s Top Leadership Award, selected by Executive

Committee, includes equity award.

- CEO Diversity & Inclusion Award, Selected by CEO for developing inclusive culture in

Spinal/Biologics.

- Community Health Charities, National Board Member (www.healthcharities.org)

- Hamilton and District Labor Council Grant for graduate research in human and labor

relations

Jim M McDermid

Class of 1978

Area of Accomplishments: Business & Entrepreneurship

Jim McDermid is a Senior Human Resource Executive with experience in global markets, both in developed and emerging economies. He held numerous Senior Level Vice President positions with Medtronic (a Fortune 100 company) before leaving to become the Chief HR Officer for another Medical Technology Company located in Atlanta. Jim’s passion is developing strategic HR plans that enhance employee engagement, improve organizational capacity, and creates winning cultures. In 2011 Jim introduced in house coaching for high potential employees and key leaders at Medtronic. Jim became certified as an internal Medtronic coach through CTI (Co-Active Training Institute) and worked with dozens of employees on their career development as well as existing teams to improve their group performance. Since 2019, after retiring from Corporate life, Jim has successfully built an HR Consulting and Coaching practice. He is currently coaching many senior level managers on a variety of topics, including leadership presence and style, self awareness, purpose, balance and fulfillment. In addition, Jim recently completed a six month program on Positive Intelligence (also known as mental fitness) to help leaders and teams successfully deal with life’s setbacks and disappointments with a positive state of mind. Mental fitness enables employees to avoid getting “stuck”, which can easily lower morale and/or derail a career. Jim’s extensive experience in strategic HR leadership and executive coaching is unique and delivers results.

Mark Charles Askin

Class of 1977

Area of Accomplishments: Arts & Entertainment

Mark started working at CKFH at the age of 17 on the Bob McCowan radio show. He went on to be the first Producer of Global Sportsline - the first 30 minute television show on sports in the world. He moved to Hockey Night in Canada and then to Molstar Entertainment - always the Executive Producer for the Leafs hockey team. He moved to Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment in the early 2000's and then onto Sportsnet - still working exclusively with the Leafs. He retired in 2023, after 48 years in the entertainment business. He has been awarded two Geminis, covered the Wayne Gretzky tour in Russia, the Asian Games in Indonesia, the Commonwealth Games, three winter Olympics, and 13 Stanley Cup Finals.

Nominated for Gemini Awards in 1987, 1992, 1994, and 1998. He won the award in 1987 and 1992.

Dr. Shezadi Khushal (formerly Shezadi Vallani)

Class of 1994

Area of Accomplishments: Human Rights, Education, Social Impact, Community Leadership

2026 Humanitarian and Social Justice Awards, Dr. Nikki Clarke Awards

2025 Community Development Award, African Alumni Association

2025 Azim Premji Foundation Fellowship

2024 Outstanding Service Award, York Region District School Board

2024 Leadership Award, University of Toronto

2024 Ludwik & Estelle Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize, University of Toronto

Shezadi Vallani, now Dr. Shezadi Khushal is an award-winning human rights scholar, educator, and community leader whose work has significantly advanced equity, inclusion, and social justice across Ontario and beyond. A proud East York Collegiate graduate, she has built a distinguished career at the intersection of human rights law, educational equity, and community empowerment.

Shezadi is a Human Rights Officer with one of Ontario’s largest school boards, where she conducts investigations, supports systemic change, and designs human-rights-based education. Her efforts help dismantle systemic barriers, strengthen equitable practices, and advance accountability across K–12 schools. She is also a sought-after trainer, delivering sessions on the Ontario Human Rights Code, anti-discrimination, culturally responsive practices etc.

In addition to her professional work, Shezadi is an accomplished academic. Her scholarship, which explores racial equity, systemic discrimination, leadership, and accountability, has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed publications, over a dozen national and international conference presentations, and multiple prestigious awards, including the University of Toronto’s Ludwik & Estelle Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize, the institution’s highest honour for human rights scholarship and advocacy.

Shezadi is also the founder of the annual Human Rights & Equity Symposium, a student-led initiative that brings together scholars, educators, and community organizations to engage in transformative dialogue on equity, race, and justice in education. Beyond academia, she serves her community through mentorship, youth leadership initiatives, and volunteer roles that promote civic engagement, anti-racism education, and culturally grounded leadership.

Shezadi holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy (University of Toronto) and has earned numerous academic distinctions throughout her studies. She is also an entrepreneur and the founder of Precision Writing & Consulting, where she supports scholars, educators, and community leaders through editing, grant writing, and capacity-building services that help transform complex ideas into clear and impactful results.

Shezadi’s contributions to human rights, education, and community empowerment continue to resonate locally and globally. Through her scholarship, advocacy, and service, she exemplifies the leadership, compassion, and commitment to justice that define the spirit of East York Collegiate alumni.

Caroline Betsworth Fernandez

Class of 1992

Area of Accomplishments: Arts & Entertainment, Media & Communications.

Shortlisted for the Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Awards — Diamond Willow 2025.

Shortlisted for the SCBWI 2025 Crystal Kite Awards - Canadian Division

Shortlisted for the IODE Violet Downey Book Award for 2025.

Purple Dragonfly Award 2023 - Early Reader - 1st Place

Top Grade Books Fall 2022 selection for Early Readers

*SCWBI Crystal Kite Awards - Canada Division

Silver Birch Non-Fiction Honour Book Award Winner

Caroline Fernandez is a Toronto-based children’s author of 17 books who writes for curious young readers who love big questions, great stories, and a little adventure on the side. Her work spans non-fiction, picture books, chapter books, and historical middle-grade novels, always grounded in her belief that stories can help kids see the world in new and exciting ways.

She is the creator of the well-loved Asha and Baz series, where real-life historical women in STEM step into the spotlight through fast-moving, time-travel adventures. The series has earned wide recognition. Asha and Baz Meet Elizebeth Friedman was a 2024 Next Generation Indie Book Award finalist. Asha and Baz Meet Mary Sherman Morgan was a 2023 finalist for the same award and also selected as a TD Summer Reading Club Recommended Read. Asha and Baz Meet Hedy Lamarr brought home a 2023 Purple Dragonfly Award.

Caroline’s middle-grade novel Plague Thieves has also captured attention. It is shortlisted for the IODE Violet Downey Book Award 2025, the Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice Awards Diamond Willow 2025, and the SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards for the Canadian division.

Her picture books have charmed families, classrooms, and librarians across the country. The Adventures of Grandmasaurus series received a Purple Dragonfly Award in 2021. Her early non-fiction title Boredom Busters earned the Forest of Reading Silver Birch Honour Book Award in 2015.

At the heart of everything Caroline writes is a sense of wonder. She creates stories that help children meet remarkable people, explore history, follow their curiosity, and discover that learning is an adventure in itself. She writes from Toronto, surrounded by books, baked goods, and a steady supply of tea.

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