Building Her Future: Women Shaping the Landscape of Tomorrow

The 7th Annual Sobey School of Business Women in Business Conference took place on October 2

Students attended the half-day conference

Conference organizers from the Sobey School of Business

Panel event

When alumni return to Saint Mary’s University, they bring more than experience—they bring stories of growth, leadership and impact. That spirit was at the heart of the 7th Annual Women in Business Conference, held on October 2, 2025. More than 230 attendees, an all-time record, gathered to celebrate women shaping the future of construction and real estate. 

This year’s event, titled "Building Her Future: Shaping the Landscape of Tomorrow," highlighted women who are driving change in fields that have traditionally been led by men. Alumni, faculty, students, and professionals gathered for a day of conversation, inspiration and connection, all centered on opportunity, equity and what it really means to build your own future. 

Leading with empathy and conviction 

Victoria Stanhope BA’07 MBA’13 presented the keynote speech

One of the returning alumni was Victoria Stanhope BA’07 MBA’13, CEO of Stanhope Simpson Insurance Ltd. She gave a powerful keynote speech that set the tone for the day. As a nationally recognized leader in construction and insurance, Stanhope discussed leveraging the strengths of being a woman in a male-dominated, competitive business environment. 

“The table is set for you to succeed,” she said. “The inherent traits that make us women are the same traits that make us exceptionally powerful, successful business leaders.” 

Stanhope emphasized that empathy and conviction are essential leadership qualities that help women build trust, attract strong teams and create lasting client relationships. 

“Genuine empathy helps attract new team members and clients, while conviction keeps you true to your values and your goals.” 

Her message encouraged attendees to “leave your mark… and inspire other women to do so, too.” 

Constructing change: women leading in construction and real estate 

The event continued with a lively panel discussion titled "Constructing Change: Women Leading in Construction and Real Estate." Dr. Arla Day, Professor of Occupational Health Psychology at Saint Mary’s, served as the moderator. 

The panel included four accomplished women leaders: alumni Jacqueline Hamilton BSc’89, Executive Director of Planning and Development at HRM; Nabila Sufyani BComm’10 PMP, Project Manager at Shoreham Development Ltd.; Siba Saoud, a top agent with RE/MAX Nova; and Eva Parade, MSc Eng, P.Eng., National Senior Director for Preconstruction at Crombie REIT. 

Constructing Change: Women Leading in Construction and Real Estate panel

They shared personal stories about perseverance, mentorship and leadership. From breaking barriers in male-dominated workplaces to supporting other women, their insights showed how far the industry has come and how much opportunity remains. 

Hamilton and Sufyani discussed the importance of mentorship. They noted that when mentors are hard to find, women can step up and become mentors themselves. “Sometimes you need to be your own cheerleader,” one panellist shared, “but when you rise, bring others with you.” 

The panel also discussed the unique strengths women bring to real estate and construction, such as empathy, patience and a strong understanding of people. “Buying a home isn’t just purchasing an asset—it’s building a life,” said one speaker. “That perspective builds trust and lasting relationships.” 

Research, insight and inspiration 

The day started with a presentation by Dr. Bahareh Mansouri, Associate Professor of Management Science at the Sobey School of Business. Using her research on supply chain ethics, analytics, and sustainability, Dr. Mansouri provided a data-driven look at gender equity in construction and real estate, laying the academic foundation for the rest of the day’s discussions. 

Throughout the conference, one message stood out: women are not just taking part in these industries—they are leading them. From insurance to infrastructure, entrepreneurship to urban planning, they are changing what leadership looks like. 

Student researcher digs into berry research in northern Canada

Claire Singer (far right, back) and Dr. Erin Cameron (far left, front) from Saint Mary’s University with members of the research project in September 2025 (“The Berry Happy Pickers”).

From back left: Elaine Lamalice (Hay River), Celine Proctor (Fort Good Hope), Lila Fraser Erasmus (Yellowknife), Beatrice Lepine (Hay River), Margaret Leishman (Ka'a'gee), Anne Thrasher (Paulatuk), Claire Singer. From front left: Dr. Erin Cameron, Megan Francisco (University of Victoria), Annie Buckle (Aklavik). Other project members missing from photo.

Curiosity about bears’ food sources led to years of research and collaboration with many people across the Northwest Territories in northern Canada

Claire Singer had been working at the Northwest Territories Species at Risk Secretariat for years when grizzly bears were assessed under the Species at Risk (NWT) Act in 2017.  

This review indicated a decline in berry crops—a key food source for the bears—but at the time, there was no definitive knowledge on the extent of the issue in the Northwest Territories. The Northwest Territories Species at Risk Committee recommended that this research be completed, focusing on the extensive knowledge held by Indigenous peoples in the region. 

“Berries are important ecologically, economically and culturally in the northern territories,” explained Claire. “There seemed to be a decline in this food source, and it was clear that more research was needed to gather information about the changes to the land and the habitat.”     

Around the same time, intrigued by a Facebook post to a page focused on the identification of Northwest Territories species by biology professor Dr. Erin Cameron, who was looking for graduate student researchers in her lab, Claire left her job with the government of the Northwest Territories after 13 years to start a PhD in 2020 at Saint Mary’s University. Her PhD examines changes in plant communities in the territory, with a focus on the status of berries. She lived in Halifax for her initial coursework during the COVID-19 pandemic, returning home to the Northwest Territories in 2022 to continue her research and PhD thesis, which she hopes to defend in the near future.

A few members of the team in Fort McPherson for the validation sessions: Claire Singer, Giannina Karki, Karl Hare, and Alestine Andre.

Conducting research in the Northwest Territories involved travelling and facilitating 118 interviews with elders across the region, as well as coordinating with various agencies, government groups and other stakeholders.  

Thanks in part to her work, cranberries will be assessed under the Species at Risk (NWT) Act in 2028. In her research, she learned about regional variations in berries across the territory. Changes in the landscape, from drought in the south to less predictable growing seasons in the north, and fires that saw two-thirds of the territory evacuated in 2023, all indicate that changes are occurring in this vital crop.  

Working with supervisor Dr. Cameron, master’s students and numerous collaborators helped make the sheer scale of the work possible. Project management, finding people to interview, arranging travel and translators, map making and transcribing and coding interviews to analyze data were all possible thanks to the team.  

“Summer students were a big part of the project; it never would have happened without their work,” explains Dr. Erin Cameron. “One student made maps to pinpoint areas where the berries were located. They also transcribed and coded interviews to analyze.” In particular, Giannina Karki, who graduated in 2024 with a BSc in Environmental Science from Saint Mary’s, worked with the team for one of her undergraduate summer co-op terms and continued to work with the project until this fall as a project manager, providing key logistical support. 

A published book that arose from the project, called “Guide to the Berries of the Northwest Territories”, has 14 author credits on the cover, including nine authors who act as the Indigenous knowledge advisory board for the project. One credit indicates a family connection for Claire—her mother, Lesley, created most of the beautiful illustrations throughout the book.   

The book documents Indigenous knowledge of berries throughout the NWT, outlines respectful harvesting principles, and identifies all known Northwest Territories berries and their habitat and uses. Other publications currently under development will summarize broader results from the interviews, including abundance, trends, interactions with animals, and threats, providing a picture of the status of berries across the territory. 

“It is a very collaborative process, and working with Elders who understand the scope of the history of the land is fascinating,” says Claire. “Elders see the changes to the land, and the effects of climate change vary from region to region, but they are generally more pronounced in northern latitudes.”  

As Claire continues her work on her PhD in a part-time capacity, she also operates an ecological consulting firm, Rubus Consulting, in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Her dog Rubus, after the Latin genus name for raspberries and cloudberries, is the namesake for the business. He loves eating berries.  

Kane Writers Award: Apply by November 30

Floyd Kane BA’92

The Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award supports aspiring writers of African Nova Scotian and Black/African descent. Valued at $30,000, the award will be presented to an undergraduate student in the Faculty of Arts upon graduation from Saint Mary’s.

2026 award criteria

To be eligible, undergraduate BA and BES students must:

• be graduating from Saint Mary’s in 2026,

• be Canadian citizens or permanent residents,

• identify as Black/African descended (with priority going to African Nova Scotian students),

• have good academic standing,

• have demonstrable financial need, and

• aspire to a career in writing, broadly defined. 

This award was established through the generosity of alumnus Floyd Kane BA’92, a writer, lawyer, filmmaker and creator of the acclaimed TV series, Diggstown.

It aims to reduce financial roadblocks for graduating students by supporting them in pursuing further studies, training or self-directed projects to advance their writing aspirations. Broadly defined, a career in writing can include (but is not limited to) creative writing, poetry, songwriting, spoken word performance, film/television writing, multimedia creation, or an academic career path in an arts and humanities discipline.

Application deadline: Sunday, November 30, 2025

Learn more and apply today at smu.ca/arts/arts-awards-andfunding

Related

• Class of 2024: Kane Writers Award recipient Rheannon Richards BA'24

• Embracing the power of writing with new Kane Award

• Removing barriers to increase access to education

Cooking up a positive impact on Easy Platter’s operations

Mandhir Singh and Vishnu Priyan Mahendran

Harnessing data to reduce food waste

As Canada’s first on-demand personal chef service, Easy Platter offers a unique approach to meal preparation by enabling customers to hire personal chefs to plan menus and prepare high-quality, personalized meals.

To address operational challenges, Easy Platter collaborated with Dr. Yasushi Akiyama, a professor of Mathematics and Computing Science. Together, they designed a framework to calculate both ingredient costs and potential food waste for selected meal plans. With support from Vishnu Priyan Mahendran, a 2022 graduate student in the Master of Computing and Data Analytics program, they developed formulas and integrated them into the company’s system, improving efficiency.

“Dr. Akiyama was extremely helpful in not just identifying great talent at Saint Mary’s University but also collaborating with us throughout the project,” said Mandhir Singh, Founder of Easy Platter and 2012 MBA Graduate from Saint Mary’s University. “Vishnu has been a huge asset for Easy Platter and has contributed to multiple complex projects.” Vishnu has been employed with Easy Platter since he graduated.

The second phase of the project linked ingredient data with its supply chain. This integration offers automated insights into food waste, which helps the team track sustainability. With nearly 4,000 recipes, the system can now predict how much food waste a menu will generate.

The team also explored machine learning algorithms to identify ingredients that could cause nutrient deficiencies and provided recommendations to enhance meals’ nutritional value. This feature supports personalized nutrition plans, which are incorporated into Easy Platter’s final database and user interface.

With these insights, Easy Platter reduces food waste while helping customers enjoy healthier, personalized meals—combining sustainability and wellness in every dish.

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The Office of Innovation and Community Engagement (OICE) at Saint Mary’s University facilitates research partnerships between the University and companies, government departments and community organizations. OICE is the initial point of contact for faculty members and external partners wishing to collaborate. The office assists with finding suitable expertise, contract development and advising on funding opportunities.

This project highlight is from the 2025 OICE Report, which features researchers from Saint Mary's University and their external partners.

Woven stories - dream catchers honour Mi'kmaq culture at Saint Mary's

Indigenous Student Advisor Kylar Johnson, Chief Wilbert Marshall and Isaiah Bernard stand under a dream catcher on SMU campus

The Mi’kmaq tradition of storytelling has long been a way of carrying culture, history and teachings across generations. At Saint Mary’s University, that same tradition is carried forward in two large dream catchers installed by son and father duo, Isaiah Bernard and Chief Wilbert Marshall of Potlotek First Nation.

More than art, the dream catchers are symbols of presence and visibility; threads of Mi’kmaq culture woven into the heart of campus.

“When I was a student here, I would see all these cultures represented, but I didn’t see my own,” describes former SMU student and former Indigenous Student Society president, Isaiah Bernard. “The university is on Mi’kmaq land, so we should be showcased within the campus. I brought the idea to the university President and to SMUSA (Saint Mary’s University Students’ Association), and they all agreed.”

Bernard’s father, Chief Marshall, taught him how to make dream catchers as a child, and they seemed like the perfect art form to display in prominent campus buildings.

“When the Europeans came, our people were annihilated and we lost everything, so we had to adopt a lot of our traditions from different tribes like out west in British Columbia,” explains Chief Marshall. “Everyone has their own spin on the story of the dream catcher.” The story is that a woman protects a spider spinning its web, and in thanks, that spider spins a web between her and the moon to ensnare bad thoughts and keep them from her.

“There are many different ways you can make a dream catcher; you can put three rings, or four, or even single rings. There are usually tassels on it, and on the weave, you can make different designs in the web itself,” shares Chief Marshall.

Chief Marshall and Bernard built and installed the dream catchers in 2020

One of the dream catchers hangs in the lobby of the O’Donnell-Hennessey Student Centre, the other is in the Patrick Power Library

Working with repurposed crab trap pipes and biodegradable rope, the pair created large dream catchers with two rings. “We put a little dream catcher in the middle—you’ll see the braided string that’s on there. It’s got the four directional colours on there also. Everything was done completely by hand.”

On October 1 – Treaty Day – Isaiah Bernard and Chief Marshall returned to Saint Mary’s campus, alongside Indigenous Student Advisor Kylar Johnson, to unveil newly installed plaques commemorating the dream catchers.

A plaque commemorating the dream catcher installation

“When we brought the dream catchers to campus, the welding broke. We had to get that fixed, repaint it and let it dry, so we asked the university if we could leave it on campus and then web it on site,” recalls Bernard. “It was cool to make it on campus in front of a live crowd. It took us about four hours [to web and install] because people kept coming by to watch us and ask questions – it was really something!”

The dream catchers have been more than a pastime for Bernard and his father; they are a way to connect with family, community and culture. Their dream catchers are installed across Mi’kma’ki, including Glooscap and Membertou, and Chief Marshall has put on seminars to teach younger generations how to make them. Through sharing the craft, they are bringing visibility to Mi’kmaq traditions and reclaiming practices that were once at risk of being lost.

“People often forget that Mi’kmaq were the first people here. This is Mi’kmaq nation, from dusk ‘til dawn, before others got here and after they leave, this is our territory, our culture. We were the first ones,” exclaims Bernard. “It’s time they start honouring the first people here and showcasing Mi’kmaq culture. We have a rocky history, and not enough of that is taught,” he adds.

Chief Marshall reflects, “Now, we have Treaty education in schools, but people also need to learn about the hard truths of our history. You can’t mask that, it has to be talked about.”

“I hope [the dream catchers] inspire the community here to learn about the First Nations, learn about the community, about our history, most importantly, and about our Mi’kmaq people,” Bernard emphasizes.

Hear from Isaiah and Chief Marshall about their dream catcher project at Saint Mary’s.

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October is Mi’kmaq History Month. Learn more here: Mi'kmaq History Month: Events and resources for the SMU Community

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Alaagi joins Nestlé & UNESCO Top 100 Global Start-Ups

Tyler MacLean, Vaishali Sachdeva and Sheheryar Khan BSc’25 DipENG’25 competed for the Hult Prize in London

Summer 2025 has been a landmark season for Alaagi, a cleantech startup founded by recent Saint Mary’s University graduate Sheheryar Khan BSc’25 DipENG’25.

After spending August in London, UK at the Hult Prize Global Accelerator, Khan and teammates Tyler MacLean and Vaishali Sachdeva returned home to even bigger news: Alaagi has been named one of the Top 100 Global Start-ups by the Nestlé and UNESCO Youth Impact: Because You Matter program.

The recognition includes a grant and six months of mentorship designed to help young innovators strengthen sustainable food systems through regenerative agriculture, climate change solutions, and packaging innovations.

“The Hult Prize accelerator was completely transformative,” said Sheheryar Khan. “To spend a month with global leaders, investors, and other start-ups gave us insights and connections that would have taken years to build. Now, being recognized by Nestlé and UNESCO confirms our mission is resonating.”

Alaagi is developing compostable, seaweed-based bioplastic films for seafood and meat packaging. In the past year:

• Alaagi has secured over $11 million in commercial LOIs, including pilots with Sobeys and High Liner Foods.

• The company has received four purchase orders and won $165K in non-dilutive funding.

• Alaagi is being presented at Enactus World Cup, through Enactus Saint Mary’s, in Bangkok, Thailand.

• Alaagi will soon head to Paris for the Nestlé/UNESCO showcase event.

Learn more about entrepreneurship opportunities for students through SMU’s Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

Star Finder program prepares NS teachers with astronomy lesson plans

The inaugural Star Finders Teachers’ Workshop was held at Saint Mary’s University for elementary and junior high teachers

An enthusiastic group of elementary and junior high educators attended the first Star Finder Teachers’ Workshop in August, and they are now ready to share an appreciation of astronomical understanding and discovery with their students across Nova Scotia.

During the two-day course the teachers were introduced to the lesson plans, performed hands-on experiments and demonstrations, attended talks by astronomers from the Department of Astronomy and Physics, learned to use the Burke-Gaffney Observatory (BGO) and took part in stargazing activities.

All teachers and their classes in Nova Scotia now have access to use the BGO remotely from their classrooms, plus an extensive archive of the observatory’s data and images.

Hands-on experiments were part of the two-day workshop

Star Finders Teachers’ Workshop participants

The Star Finder lessons were developed by Saint Mary’s University alum Andrea Misner BSc’06,  along with Astronomy & Physics undergraduate student Mackenzie Hayduk, Astronomy Technician Tiffany Fields and Director of the Burke-Gaffney Observatory Dr. Vincent Hénault-Brunet. Focusing on space exploration and astronomy, the goal of the lesson plans is to foster enthusiasm, engagement and understanding of astronomy among school children—especially in rural and underserved communities in the province. 

Ms. Misner studied astrophysics at Saint Mary’s and later earned a master’s in education from the University of Manitoba. She teaches high school general sciences, physics and astronomy in Winnipeg, and is a recipient of a 2024 Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence.    

Star Finder – The David Lane Astronomy Outreach Program is funded by a $250,000 philanthropic gift from the late David and Michelle Lane. During his 29-year career as the Astronomy Technician in the Department of Astronomy and Physics and the Director of the Burke-Gaffney Observatory at Saint Mary’s, Dave single-handedly automated the Observatory, making it available to users worldwide through social media accounts.

Dave Lane passed away in March 2024; he is survived by his wife, Michelle. The Star Finder project was created as a way for the couple to give back to the community and share Dave’s passion for astronomy with the next generations.

“We were thrilled to connect with such passionate and dedicated educators during the two-day workshop,” says Dr. Vincent Hénault-Brunet, Director of the Burke-Gaffney Observatory. “We hope this workshop is just the beginning of building a vibrant community of teachers eager to bring astronomy-related activities to their students and use the observatory remotely.”

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For teachers wanting to learn more about this program and to download the lesson plans, click here and visit the Star Finder web page for updates. These lesson plans are focused on the Grade 9 Space Exploration unit of the Nova Scotia curriculum, but they are also tied to the Grade 9 Math curriculum and can easily be adapted for other levels.

Do not hesitate to email the Star Finder team at starfinder@smu.ca with ideas and questions about accessing the Burke-Gaffney Observatory remotely, or to share your experiences after trying out some of our lesson plans and projects with your classes.

You can also sign up for the Star Finder newsletter to receive all the latest news about the program.

Related:

• Saint Mary’s introduces Star Finder - The David Lane Astronomy Outreach Program

• Support the Star Finder program

Two Huskies, one unbreakable friendship

Skip Oliver BA'67 LLD'02 and David Murphy BA'66 together on Saint Mary’s campus

From the moment they start talking, you can tell that Skip Oliver LLD'02 BA'67 and David Murphy BA'66 share a bond that runs far deeper than football. There’s the easy laughter, the way they finish each other’s sentences, and the countless stories that spill out—proof of a friendship that has endured for more than 60 years. 

That bond began in 1963, when Skip arrived at Saint Mary’s University. Back then, the campus was small and the football program was still finding its footing under coach Bob Hayes. 

“My first thought was, ‘What did I get myself into?’” Skip laughs. “Campus was small.” 

David remembers their first meeting off the field as if it were yesterday. “So, there’s this little place called Gus’s Canteen—different food from the main cafeteria, and if you have a cheeseburger there, it just tastes better. I’m sitting there one day, and in walks Skip. He’s wearing a beautiful London Fog raincoat, umbrella over his arm, and a hat. I’m thinking, this guy has no idea what he’s walking into—he won’t last a week. So I go right over, introduce myself, get a good handshake, and a look in the eye. I think, yeah, this guy’s going to be my friend.” 

Skip grins at the memory. “He had these dorky glasses on, and I thought, This guy’s kind of a geek, I feel sorry for him. But we became such good friends. He even came down to Pennsylvania to live with me for a summer.” 

That summer, working long shifts in a Pennsylvania soda pop factory led to spending time together later in life, relaxing together at summer homes in St. Margaret’s Bay. 

Their friendship is built on more than the camaraderie of the football field—it is rooted in shared experiences, trust, and a genuine care for each other’s lives beyond the game. 

And in between the practices and studies? “Let’s just say we got into our fair share of trouble,” Skip admits with a laugh. “But we always knew—no matter what happened—we could count on the other guy to be there and bail you out. In fact, I think all that practice getting David out of jams is what made me such a good lawyer later on,” he adds with a smirk. 

Their friendship extended beyond the Saint Mary’s campus. Skip built a legal career in Pennsylvania; David earned his surgical certification at NYU. They leaned on each other through demanding careers, celebrated weddings—Skip was even married at the chapel on the Saint Mary’s campus with David by his side—and kept their traditions alive, like attending 32 Super Bowls together. 

“I don’t know what I would’ve done without Skip’s support,” David said, and Skip agreed. 

For Skip, Saint Mary’s was more than a stepping stone—it was a launchpad. “I got involved in everything—yearbook, newspaper—and earned the Athletics M, Literary M, and Gold M awards. I was even named Man of the Year,” he said proudly. 

He also helped to strengthen the football program. “I invited Coach Al Keith to my hometown, and we sent eight players to Saint Mary’s. Those guys helped win the 1973 championship. I’m proud to have played a part in that,” said Skip. 

David’s ties to the university run just as deep. Alongside his medical career, he coached at Saint Mary’s, served two stints on the Board of Governors, and returned twice as Athletic Director. “Saint Mary’s is at my core,” he says simply. 

David and Skip met with SMU President Dr. Michael Khan during a recent campus visit

Looking back, Skip offers this advice to today’s student-athletes: “You get out of your university experience what you put into it. Put in friendship, loyalty, hard work—and you’ll carry those rewards for the rest of your life.” 

David nods. “The friendships, the teamwork, the life lessons—they stay with you long after the final whistle.” 

Even now, they continue to support Saint Mary’s through mentorship, attending games and supporting the university financially, with the football program at the top of their list. 

To both of them, Saint Mary’s is more than where they earned their degrees and played football.  

“It’s where we found family,” David said. “And that’s something worth giving back to.” 

Staff, faculty and alumni fill the shelves of the Community Food Room

The SMU Community Food Room is overflowing with generosity after this year’s Food Drive Competition!

Team members from the So-bee School - Hive Mind accept their top place trophy for the annual Food Drive Competition

Thank you to the dedicated faculty, staff, and alumni who participated in the annual Food Drive Competition hosted by the Alumni Office. Together, twelve teams helped pack the shelves with 2,563 lbs of food for the SMU Community Food Room—making a meaningful difference for students in need.

Congratulations to this year’s winner: The So-bee School Hive Mind! Their collaboration and commitment truly set the bar, earning them top honours in this year’s campus-wide challenge by donating the most food by weight, plus the items most needed by our students. Following closely in second place, the EntrepreNOURISHship team also brought incredible energy and enthusiasm to the competition.

Food Room volunteers stock the shelves with donations

Thank you to the faculty, staff, and alumni who generously contributed financial items during the competition. Your support allows the SMU Community Food Room to purchase essential items as needed.

Donations are welcome year-round, and members of the SMU community can contribute at any time—with tax receipts available for gifts made here.

"This year’s food drive was more than a competition; it was a powerful reflection of what’s possible when a community comes together with purpose,” said Yusupha Njie, Community Food Room Coordinator.

“I’m deeply moved by the generosity shown across campus and incredibly proud of how each department stepped up to support students facing food insecurity. My heartfelt thanks go to SMU Alumni for organizing this vital initiative, and to the dedicated volunteers of the SMU Community Food Room. Your behind-the-scenes work–coordinating, sorting, and lifting every pound of food we received made this success possible. Together, we did not just collect food; we strengthened a community of care."

Thank you to all the departments that came together to contribute to the success of the Annual Food Drive Competition:

• The SMUSA Bread Winners – SMUSA

• EntrepreNOURISHship – Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre

• It's All Gravy – Facilities Management

• Snack Pack – Alumni/Development

• Rock and Enroll – Enrolment Services

• The Grocery Bags – External Affairs

• Bits & Bytes – EIT

• The So-bee School - Hive Mind – Sobey Dean's Office, BComm Advising, Accounting, Economics, FISMS, Management and Marketing

• Sarty and the Side Kicks – Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research

• All Stuff, No Fluff – People & Culture

• SAAS team – Student Affairs and Services

• The 42 Crew: Understanding life, the universe and everything – Science Faculty staff

About the Food Room

The SMU Community Food Room is the on-campus food bank for the Saint Mary’s University community. It is a partnership with SMUSA and Student Affairs and Services and is operated by student volunteers. Their goal is to offer access to safe, nutritious, and culturally acceptable foods in a welcoming environment. In collaboration with Feed Nova Scotia, they work to improve food security, food equity, and food literacy on our campus.

Between May 2024 and April 2025, 4,051 appointments were booked at the food room, an increase of nearly 200 pick-ups over the previous year.

Celebrating graduates at Spring Convocation

View photo albums on the Saint Mary’s University Halifax Facebook page.

Hundreds of excited graduates, donning their graduation attire, stopped for photo ops across campus last week—posing with their classmates, families and hard-earned degree parchments. The Winter and Spring classes of 2025 celebrated convocation from May 27-30. Sunshine, smiles and cheers brought tremendous energy to campus, while hundreds of supporters watched online from around the world.

Awards, medals and prizes for outstanding graduates and faculty

The top annual university graduation awards, the Governor General’s Medals, were awarded to Lucienne Kaye Pothier-Bogoslowski (Silver Medal–Undergraduate) and Christopher Alan Robert Walker (Gold Medal–Graduate).

Lucienne Kaye Pothier-Bogoslowski

Christopher Alan Robert Walker

Undergraduate Gold Medals, given to the student with the top marks in each undergraduate faculty, were awarded to Callie Lloyd, Bachelor of Arts; Anubhav Gupta, Bachelor of Commerce; Samuel Denis Sequeira, Bachelor of Science; and Lila DanQi Gechtman, Diploma in Engineering.

More graduate awards and prize recipients can be found in the convocation program.

Dr. Rachel Zellars recognized with two faculty awards

Dr. Rachel Zellars with Dr. Jason Grek-Martin

Dr. Rachel Zellars, Associate Professor in the Department of Social Justice & Community Studies, received both the Dr. Geraldine Thomas Educational Leadership Award and the Father William A. Stewart, S.J., Medal for Excellence in Teaching.

Dr. Rachel Zellars with Alumni Director Mary Ann Daye

Dr. Rachel Zellars has distinguished herself as a transformative educator and leader in the field of social justice education. Since joining Saint Mary’s University, she has developed and taught a range of pioneering courses—including The African Nova Scotian Experience and Climate Disaster and Social Justice—that reflect a deep commitment to equity, community engagement, and student-centred learning. Her pedagogical approach weaves together critical theory, lived experience, and innovative classroom practice, often centring historically marginalized voices.

The Dr. Geraldine Thomas Educational Leadership Award recognizes a faculty member’s excellence in and long-term commitment to improving teaching, with an emphasis on institutional contributions that extend beyond their own discipline and professional role within Saint Mary’s University.

The Father William A. Stewart, S.J. Medal for Excellence in Teaching highlights full-time and part-time faculty members who have made significant contributions to the education of Saint Mary’s students through excellence in teaching and service. Read more in the convocation program (pg. 21).

Dr. Alexandra Dobrowolsky named Professor Emerita

Dr. Alexandra Dobrowolsky with Dr. Jason Grek-Martin

Dr. Alexandra Dobrowolsky has been a professor in the Political Science department for twenty-five years, having previously taught at York, Mount Saint Vincent and Dalhousie universities.

Her research encompasses Canadian, Comparative, and Women, Gender and Politics, and delves into issues that range from representation, citizenship, and social policy, to immigration, public engagement, and feminist governance.

Her book edited with Fiona MacDonald, Turbulent Times, Transformational Possibilities? Gender and Politics Today and Tomorrow was described as “Canadian political science at its innovative best.” In 2015, she was delighted to be the first woman in the Faculty of Arts to receive Saint Mary’s President’s Award for Research Excellence. She has been a passionate teacher of undergraduate students, has supervised a long list of Political Science Honours students, and has worked with graduate students in various disciplines, locally and nationally. Read more in the convocation program (pg. 20).

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Inspiring words from Honorary Degree Recipients and Valedictorians

Four people were recognized with the university’s highest honour for their leadership in business, community, justice and education. Joyce Carter BComm’84, Dr. Rhonda Y. Britton, The Honourable Deborah Gass and Paul Davidson addressed graduates as they received their honorary doctorate degrees. Reflecting on their careers, the changing world (and even Star Trek!), they shared inspirational messages and lessons.

Learn more about the honorary degree recipients: Extraordinary leadership takes the stage at 2025 Spring Convocation and click the links in the photos below to watch their speeches.

Watch: Dr. Joyce Carter BComm’84 - Doctor of Commerce

Watch: Dr. Rhonda Britton - Doctor of Civil Law

Watch: Dr. Deborah Gass - Doctor of Civil Law

Watch: Dr. Paul Davidson - Doctor of Civil Law

Watch: Dr. Joyce Carter BComm’84 - Doctor of Commerce | Dr. Rhonda Britton - Doctor of Civil Law | Dr. Deborah Gass - Doctor of Civil Law | Dr. Paul Davidson - Doctor of Civil Law

Six graduates, representing Winter and Spring 2025 classes, gave their valedictory speeches to an eager group of peers. Read more about the valedictorians: Meet your Winter and Spring 2025 Valedictorians, and watch their speeches by clicking the links on the photos below.

Watch: Muhammad Usman, Bachelor of Commerce

Watch: Sheheryar Khan, Bachelor of Science with a Diploma in Engineering

Watch: Lydia Hui-Qi Lee, Bachelor of Commerce

Watch: Maria Mannette, Bachelor of Commerce

Watch: Maxinne Nana Ama Benyiwah Baddoo, Master of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Watch: Madeline Grace Dalzell, Bachelor of Environmental Studies

Watch: Muhammad Usman, Bachelor of Commerce | Sheheryar Khan, Bachelor of Science with a Diploma in Engineering | Lydia Hui-Qi Lee, Bachelor of Commerce | Maria Mannette, Bachelor of Commerce | Maxinne Nana Ama Benyiwah Baddoo, MTEI | Madeline Grace Dalzell, Bachelor of Environmental Studies

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Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray celebrates final convocation ceremonies as SMU President

Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray

Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, whose term as President and Vice-Chancellor ends in June, addressed graduates and guests with a passionate message, encouraging them to stand up to limitations and step into the world as leaders.

“Your studies have equipped you supremely well to discover, identify and, most importantly, to overcome these limits. For you, in the hope and opportunity that lie ahead, a World without limits is not a statement of completion, as in completing your degree or diploma, but rather it is an aspiration.” 

He acknowledged his decade at the helm of the university with positivity: “What a decade it has been! Tremendous successes in research, teaching excellence, philanthropy, cultural and athletic performances, and our well-recognized engagement with our community, locally, nationally, and globally. I’m deeply grateful that you have been part of our university's mission and will now take it to the wider world. And I am honoured to have had the privilege of leading Saint Mary’s through exciting and challenging times.”

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Recordings of all convocation ceremonies and the online convocation program are available at Video & Graduation Program Archive.

Alumni-led Canadian International Peace Conference held at Saint Mary's

On April 25–26, Saint Mary’s University hosted the 2025 Canadian International Peace Conference, organized by alumni Fatu Kaba MTEI’24 through her social enterprise, HEARTS Global Network. The event brought together over 30 speakers and 20 workshops, uniting activists, academics, policymakers and students to explore inclusive and community-driven approaches to sustainable peace.

Fatu Kaba MTEI’24

Kaba is an award-winning peace activist, TEDx speaker, and the first woman in her family to earn a master’s degree. She founded HEARTS Global Network to champion global peace and gender equity through education, entrepreneurship and storytelling. Her lived experience, born during the Liberian Civil War, continues to shape her powerful work today.

The conference emphasized peace-building through clean energy, food security, gender equity and community empowerment, aligning closely with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Saint Mary’s faculty, staff and students were featured speakers at the conference. Dr. Saja Al Zoubi from the Department of Political Science and Global Development Studies spoke on a panel titled ‘The Role of Women in Peacebuilding’. Dr. Margherita Cameranesi from the Department of Psychology co-led a seminar titled ‘Gender-Based Violence and Its Impact on Refugees and their Families’. Natasha Fernandes BA’23, Business Consultant at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, and SMU student Shaneika Carter, moderated panels.

With inspiring keynotes, performances, and hands-on workshops, the event was a bold step toward a more peaceful and just future.