2024 Order of Ontario Appointees

The 2024 appointees to the Order of Ontario are:

Zanana Akande – Toronto

Zanana Akande made history as the first African-Canadian woman to serve as a provincial Cabinet Minister. While in government, she led the passing of historic and critical legislation for the highest increases in social assistance rates and for Employment Equity, which improved and opened employment for women, people of colour, and the differently able. Outside politics, she had a distinguished career in education developing programs for special needs, including the gifted. She also contributed to the development of a more accurate and inclusive curriculum for history classes.

Martin Antony – Toronto

An internationally recognized expert on evidence-based treatment of anxiety-related disorders, Dr. Martin Antony has contributed over 300 academic publications, including more than 30 widely recommended books for individual and clinical use around the world. He has earned accolades from major psychological associations, and was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Currently, Dr. Antony is director of the Anxiety Research and Treatment Lab and professor in the Department of Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Hon. Todd L. Archibald – North York

With a distinguished career spanning more than four decades, retired Justice Todd Archibald now draws on his unique perspectives and experiences as a Chartered mediator and arbitrator helping parties resolve issues that separate them, restore, and rebuild important relationships. The Honourable Archibald was a Crown Prosecutor, later a litigation partner with one of Canada’s premier law firms, and for over twenty years a trial judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. He is also a prolific legal author and adjunct professor.

Lise Bourgeois – Russell

Lise Bourgeois’ 40-year career in education is characterized by numerous achievements. Under her leadership as President and CEO, she led Collège La Cité in a renowned institution for producing high skilled graduates and standing as a cornerstone to serve Ontario’s francophone community. She created La Cité’s distinctive graduate profile to enhance employability and developed MobiliCité, an experiential learning model in Toronto. She made possible the vision and creation of Excentricité, a unique $30M hub for immersive technology and entrepreneurship, inaugurated in 2018.

Rudolph Bratty – Concord

Rudolph P. Bratty is founding partner of Brattys LLP, established in 1957. His practice includes all facets of real estate law and various corporate/commercial transactions. He is the founder of The Remington Group, a real estate development firm that has played a critical role in shaping the GTA landscape and beyond. Developing residential communities, commercial properties, and retail centres, he became known as “the man who built Toronto.” One of his notable achievements is the award-winning Downtown Markham project, which revitalized the area, bringing in 10,000 residents and 16,000 employees.

Marilyn Denis – Toronto

A trailblazer, Marilyn Denis has made historic strides for women in the Canadian broadcast industry. As longtime co-host of CHUM FM’s iconic “Roger, Rick & Marilyn” show, she set the gold standard for morning radio in Canada. After a 34-year television career, Marilyn announced her retirement from the immensely popular “The Marilyn Denis Show”. However, she continues her extensive radio career on “The Marilyn Denis Show” on Toronto radio station, CHUM 104.5 (iHeartRadio). Marilyn is deeply involved in her community, continues to mentor fellow broadcasters, advocates for the fight against cancer and is a long-time supporter of the CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish.

Nick Di Donato – Toronto

Nick Di Donato is a visionary entrepreneur known for restoring Ontario’s iconic heritage properties into world-renowned venues. Under his leadership, landmarks like Casa Loma and Liberty Grand have been revitalized, enhancing Ontario’s cultural and tourism landscapes. His work has elevated these sites into premier destinations for culture and entertainment. Collaborating with the City of Toronto, Nick developed a premium dining and members club in Union Station’s East Wing, supporting Ontario’s vision for revitalizing this iconic heritage site.

Brian Dunne – London

President and CEO of PHSS Support Services, Brian Dunne is an innovator in the field of disabilities. Over 30 years ago, he became the catalyst CEO for PHSS, a courageous move that enabled people living with significant developmental, medical, and/or complex needs to live and participate in the community. He successfully created a design whereby adults with significant disabilities can flourish living in homes in the community – a person-centred care approach now receiving international recognition as one of the most comprehensive and effective designs for community-based care and support.

Diane Dupuy, CM – Etobicoke

Dedicated to changing the way the world saw people with special needs, along with her significant contributions to the Arts and Culture scene in Ontario, Diane Dupuy has gained international acclaim for her founding of Famous PEOPLE Players (FPP) – a professional black light theatre troupe which employs people with disabilities. Founded in 1974, they have since been recognised as the pioneers who first brought integration to the forefront of the world. June 1^st 2024 marked the 50^th anniversary of FPP and Ms. Dupuy’s extraordinary vision and commitment to empowering and enhancing the capabilities of those with special needs.

Jeremy Freeman – Toronto

A renowned surgical oncologist, Jeremy Freeman has contributed a tremendous amount to the field of otolaryngology. He has dedicated his career to the service of many and has helped make the University of Toronto one of the most internationally respected centres of excellence in head and neck oncology. In addition to introducing novel techniques, he has personally treated thousands of patients with difficult head, neck, and thyroid cancers in Ontario and many more around the world. Dr. Freeman has educated several generations of head and neck surgeons who have gone on to lead great international academic units.

Vivek Goel, CM – Waterloo

Vivek Goel is a world-renowned public health researcher and expert in health-services evaluation. He champions the use of research evidence in health policymaking. He was a founding scientist of the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences and founding President of Public Health Ontario, providing scientific and technical advice to protect and promote health. As a community leader, Dr. Goel has shaped the public health workforce, influencing education over many decades. He is a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences and currently serves as the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo.

Brian Gover – Toronto

Brian Gover is one of Canada’s leading trial lawyers, skilled in criminal, civil, regulatory, and Indigenous law. He has led complex prosecutions, argued numerous appeals, and secured notable acquittals, including ORNGE. He has advised superior court judges on the Indian Residential Schools settlement and represented First Nations in significant litigation involving the Robinson-Superior Treaty. He has served as commission counsel for high-profile public inquiries, including the Walkerton inquiry and the inquiry into the bombing of Air India Flight 182. Mr. Gover has helped shape the next generation of lawyers, and public interest organizations, enhancing access to justice and Ontario’s justice system generally.

Margery Holman – Lasalle

Dr. Margery Holman has spent over 50 years improving the Canadian sport landscape by challenging unethical and inequitable conditions, initiating change, and creatively mentoring others to co-create the wide-ranging opportunities for girls and women in sport today. Through relentless efforts, she addressed systemic inequities in sport, including sexual harassment, abuse, and hazing, while creating ethical, equitable alternative practices. Dr. Holman has impacted thousands of students, athletes, coaches, and colleagues, who look to her as their mentor on ‘safe sport’ practices locally and internationally.

Royson James – North York

Royson James is a prominent Black journalist in contemporary Canada. His passion and writing have made him a powerful agent of change in areas such as policing, city governance, traffic and transportation, and racial equality. He spent 35 years with the Toronto Star, beginning as a reporter. He later became the Toronto Star’s City Hall Bureau Chief and an editorial board member before becoming the Municipal Affairs Columnist in 1998. He has been a strong advocate on issues like gun violence, uplifting marginalized communities, and combating anti-Black racism.

Kevin Junor, MMM, CD – Bolton

Captain (Ret’d) Kevin Junor’s military career spans almost four decades, notably as Regimental Sergeant Major with the Toronto Scottish Regiment – the first Black individual appointed to this position in the regiment; later an officer in Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. Beyond military service, he’s made significant contributions to community safety in Ontario. He also serves as citizen security sector-lead on the Global Jamaican Diaspora Council. He’s been an advocate for diversity and inclusion globally. His leadership contributed to the Government of Canada’s historic apology to the descendants of No. 2 Construction Battalion, the only all-Black battalion in Canadian military history.

Catherine Karakatsanis – Toronto

Chief Operating Officer at Morrison Hershfield now Stantec, Catherine Karakatsanis has been a pivotal figure in engineering and served as President of Ontario and Canada’s Professional Engineers’ Associations. She is the first woman president in the 110-year history of the global International Federation of Consulting Engineering which represents the interests of more than 40,000 engineering firms in about 100 countries. A trailblazer in engineering, she has excelled as an award-winning engineer working tirelessly to advance the industry in Canada and around the world.

Winston Kassim, CM – North York

For over four decades, Winston Kassim has been helping those in need and humanitarian causes in more than 25 countries. By sharing his passion in governance and sustainability acquired as an executive at RBC, he has helped many organizations including the Sunatul Jamaat of Ontario, Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, Malton Islamic Centre, International Development and Relief Foundation, Canadian Museum of Indian (Hindu) Civilization and the institute for Canadian Citizenship. Mr Kassim also played a key role in establishing the Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce and the Doobay Gafoor Medical Centre in Guyana.

Danielle Lussier – Kingston

Danielle Lussier, Red River Métis and citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation has been recognized for her transformational contributions to legal and post-secondary education in Ontario. She serves as Queen’s National Scholar and inaugural Chair in Indigenous Knowledges and Perspectives at Queen’s University. Dr. Lussier chairs the Indigenous Advisory Group supporting the 68,000-member Law Society of Ontario on issues related to its Indigenous members and access to the profession.

Alejandro Marangoni, OC, FRSC – Guelph

Widely recognized as the leading lipid materials scientist in the world, Prof. Alejandro Marangoni’s discoveries have transformed food science and engineering. His impact on science, policy and industry are changing what Canadians eat. A prolific author, educator and mentor, he has also turned his scientific breakthroughs into products that support human health and environmental sustainability, for the health of the planet. His endeavors have positioned Ontario at the forefront of food science and technology on the global stage.

Mina Mawani– Richmond Hill

A transformative leader and fierce advocate for inclusion, equity, and social justice in Toronto and beyond, Mina Mawani has championed initiatives that aim to break down barriers and empower individuals. Her legacy is one of service and dedication to improving the lives of Ontario’s most marginalized and vulnerable communities. Ms. Mawani is the CEO of Dixon Hall, a multi-service non-profit agency creating lasting solutions to end poverty, social injustices, and isolation in Toronto’s Downtown East. She was recognized by Bold Vision as one of the most influential women leaders and visionaries in Canada.

Howard Ovens – Toronto

Under Dr. Ovens’ leadership, Mount Sinai became internationally recognized for innovation in the emergency care of older adults and respectful treatment of marginalized populations, including those suffering from homelessness, mental illness and/or addictions. The Schwartz/Reisman Emergency Medicine Institute at Mount Sinai is the only one of its kind in Canada, and an international leader in research advancing wide-ranging aspects of emergency care. A preeminent emergency medicine thinker, Dr. Ovens has influenced practices in emergency department overcrowding, technology for efficient patient triaging, and violence in emergency departments.

Jeanne-Lucille Pattison – Etobicoke

Jeanne-Lucille Pattison played a significant role in popularizing Ontario painters of the Canadian Shield, such as the Group of Seven, and First Nations painters like Norval Morrisseau. Her influence reached audiences across Ontario, and around the world. Through her lectures and tours, she brought Inuit and First Nations culture and artistic achievements to Ontario. Her curatorial expertise, coupled with a genuine love for Canadian art transformed the McMichael Gallery into a vibrant cultural hub. The collection flourished and countless visitors were introduced to the beauty of Canadian landscapes and works of iconic artists.

Poonam Puri – Toronto

Professor Poonam Puri is a world-leading expert in corporate governance and securities regulation. Award-winning Research Chair at Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Poonam co-founded Canada’s first Investor Protection Clinic, transforming access to justice in Ontario. Her highly influential scholarship has guided significant policy reforms and shaped governance best practices globally. A distinguished board director, Poonam has demonstrated exemplary leadership, stewarding numerous public and private institutions, including as past chair at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. A trusted governance advisor, she is sought by boards of public and private companies, Crown corporations and not-for-profits to navigate complex governance challenges.

Elizabeth Richer – Cutler

Elizabeth Richer’s work has been unprecedented and transformative in the area of Indigenous social services. A visionary leader within Mamaweswen and member Communities, her efforts and dedication in the areas of income assistance, food security, healing, addictions-counselling, training and employment have proven that an Indigenous Social Services Model is achievable. Her contributions provide a way forward for reconciliation and meaningful Indigenous development across Ontario and throughout Canada.

Jean Seely – Ottawa

An internationally recognized authority in setting the standard for excellence in breast imaging, Dr. Jean Seely has changed clinical practice guidelines for mammography. She understood from her hands-on role as an academic radiologist that we were missing cancers in younger women resulting in hundreds of preventable cancer deaths every year. She has dedicated her career to building her case through clinical research resulting in landmark studies that have led to a better understanding of how starting screening patients at age 40 impacts breast cancer morbidity and mortality.

Walied Soliman – Toronto

One of Canada’s leading lawyers, Mr. Soliman advises companies on shareholder activism, corporate governance, high-stakes mergers and acquisitions and restructuring. He is the Canadian Chair of Norton Rose Fulbright and a philanthropist supporting the community, including as the Board Chair of the SickKids Hospital Foundation. In 2020, he was commissioned by the Ontario government to chair the Capital Markets Modernization Taskforce. In 2019, Mr. Soliman was named by the United Nations Association in Canada as its Global Citizen Laureate for his professional merit.

Juliana Sprott – Oakville

Chief Giving Officer of The Sprott Foundation, Juliana Sprott supports underserved communities and has significantly aided community-driven projects. She has championed innovative solutions to address food insecurity, providing $40 million to Community Food Centres Canada and Second Harvest, and transformational homelessness prevention projects with $5 million to The WoodGreen Foundation. Juliana is incredibly honoured to have been given a Cree name and is a proud ally of Indigenous food sovereignty projects, such as Weengushk Film Institute and Gaagige Zaagibigaa.

Jennifer Suess – Toronto

Jennifer Suess is the first General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in the 30-year history of RioCan. Her accomplishments have served to distinguish her as an outstanding lawyer and her transformative initiatives have helped to reshape the internal workplace culture of a business that has a considerable impact on the economies in Ontario and nation-wide. She founded the Women’s Initiative Network focused on the advancement of women in commercial real estate. Deeply involved with charitable organizations, including the Hospital for SickKids, she helped raise over $20 million and initiated strategies to improve healthcare access.

Joseph Vitale – Brampton

In 1953, Joseph (Joe) Vitale embraced his new life in Canada with a dream of hard work providing a better life. Thirty-six years later, he founded Italpasta – today the 5th largest pasta producer in North America. His commitment to multiculturalism is rooted in his own immigrant experience, leading him to invest in Telelatino Network (now TLN Media Group), a network advocating for ethnocultural communities. His philanthropic efforts include substantial donations to local charities and hospitals, notably committing $1 million for a Chair in Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery at the University of Toronto. Mr. Vitale’s leadership has had a lasting impact on Ontario’s economy and well-being.