91ε Alumni Rising Stars
91ε’s Rising Stars is an annual feature celebrating recent alumni who are driving change, breaking new ground and inspiring others. Recognized across four categories — Innovator, Changemaker, Emerging Leader and Community Builder — these graduates have shown rapid career growth, entrepreneurial success, industry recognition and a strong commitment to community impact.
2026 91ε Alumni Rising Star Recipients
Anthony Bobsin is the co-founder and chief technology officer of Dreamwell, an AI platform focused on improving how brands approach influencer marketing. While completing his computer science degree at 91ε, he led a team of more than 15 engineers at AdParlor. He later worked at Instacart, where he progressed to Staff Software Engineer and built systems supporting over $1 billion in gross transaction value. At Dreamwell, he leads the development of a platform that supports creator discovery, outreach, deal execution and performance tracking, integrating real-time data and agentic systems to automate workflows and inform marketing decisions.
Ben Canning is the founder and chief executive officer of Arctic Acres, where he leads the development of prefabricated housing and geodesic dome systems designed for year-round living and food production in challenging climates. His work focuses on addressing food insecurity and housing access through scalable, energy-efficient and affordable building solutions. His early initiatives included launching greenhouse projects in northern communities to improve access to fresh food, which informed his integrated approach to housing and agriculture. Through Arctic Acres, he continues to develop modular housing and growing systems that support self-sufficient and climate-adapted communities.
Marc Castillo is a first-generation Filipino Canadian LGBTQ2S+ entrepreneur and the founder of Castillo HR Consulting Inc., where he provides fractional human resources consulting services to small- and medium-sized businesses across Canada and the United States. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from 91ε. Through his work, he has supported organizations in achieving Great Place to Work certification, and provides guidance on compliance and workplace practices. In addition to his professional work, he established a scholarship at 91ε and served as a Board Member of the 91ε Alumni Association from 2018 to 2020.
Julianna D’Urzo is a creative producer at NewsNation, where she leads digital strategy for special projects, editorial campaigns and network-wide initiatives, including political town halls and long-form documentaries. She is an alumna of Syracuse University and 91ε. Her experience includes producing multi-platform content for major television networks and global brands. In addition to her professional work, she mentors within the media community and serves on the Syracuse University Generation Orange Leadership Council and as Co-Vice President of Communications for the Newswomen’s Club of New York.
Kyle Edwards is an award-winning novelist and journalist and a member of The New Yorker magazine’s editorial staff. He graduated from 91ε in 2017. His debut novel, Small Ceremonies, won the 2025 Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction. Originally from Lake Manitoba First Nation, Kyle’s work spans literature and journalism, contributing to contemporary storytelling in Canada and internationally.
Adham El-Khadem is the founder and chief executive officer of Venu, an event technology platform recognized as Events Search Platform of the Year by the Canadian Business Awards. He holds a Master’s in Entrepreneurship from 91ε. His work has contributed to Venu being named one of the 50 fastest-growing technology companies in the Middle East and Cyprus in 2025 by Deloitte, and he has been recognized as Events CEO of the Year 2024 by CEO Monthly and included in the FoundersBeta “30 under 30” global list. In addition to his work at Venu, he has consulted for startups and launched myvenuai.com, an AI platform for venue operators and event planners.
Emerging Leader
Angelyn Francis
Journalism ’16
Multimedia Team Editor, Video, Toronto Star Newspapers Limited
Angelyn Francis is a multimedia team editor at the Toronto Star, where she is the lead producer of video content for Canada’s largest daily newspaper. With a strong background in journalism, she has reported extensively on equity and inequality, with a focus on race and social issues. Prior to her current role, she was a video producer at Ѳ’s and co-hosted HuffPost Canada’s award-winning podcast Born and Raised. In addition to her editorial work, Angelyn is recognized for her contributions to media and storytelling in Canada, having been named one of WXN’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada in 2021. Through her work, she continues to elevate underrepresented voices and bring nuanced, impactful stories to national audiences.
Emerging Leader
Naime Isaj
Juris Doctor ’23
Associate, Competition and Foreign Investment Review Group, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)
Naime Isaj is an associate in the Competition and Foreign Investment Review Group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG) in Toronto, where she advises clients on competition, antitrust, foreign investment review and consumer protection law. She holds a law degree from 91ε. Prior to joining BLG, she was a Competition Law Officer in the Mergers Directorate at the Competition Bureau of Canada. She remains engaged with the legal and academic community through her involvement with the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, where she has served as a mooting coach and guest lecturer, as well as through the Albanian Canadian Lawyers Association, supporting mentorship and professional development initiatives for students and early-career professionals.
Hashim Iqbal Jadoon is a lawyer specializing in environmental and constitutional law, with a focus on protecting ecologically sensitive regions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, including the Galiyat. A graduate of 91ε, he has led public interest litigation against industrial operators and government institutions, holding them accountable to environmental and legal standards. His work includes cases challenging unlawful development and regulatory failures, including proceedings involving large-scale commercial projects and multinational entities. Through his work, he focuses on strengthening enforcement of environmental laws, advancing institutional accountability and supporting the protection of natural ecosystems.
Emerging Leader
Meghan Koo
Medical Physics CAMPEP (PhD) ’25
Therapeutic Medical Physics Resident , UCLA Health
Dr. Meghan Koo is a medical physics resident at UCLA Health, with a focus on advancing research and practice in medical physics. She holds a PhD from 91ε. During her doctoral studies, she won the Canadian Organization of Medical Physics (COMP) Young Investigators Symposium, becoming the first woman in 11 years and the first woman of colour to receive the award, and served as Team Captain and Associate Head Coach of the 91ε Bold Varsity Track and Field program. She also served as co-chair of the COMP Women’s Committee — Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (CWC-IDEA) and was named an Emerging Leader of Academic Medical Physics in 2024 by the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Aaron Labbé is the chief technology officer and co-founder of LUCID, an audio technology and digital health company focused on developing music-based therapeutic tools. A graduate of 91ε, he first conceived LUCID during his thesis research, where he explored music as a scalable approach to mental health. His work led to the development of Resonance Rx, an FDA-registered and Medicare-reimbursed software medical device, and one of the first prescription music-based therapies available globally. In addition to his work at LUCID, Aaron is a guest lecturer, speaker and Forbes technology writer, with presentations and exhibitions at institutions including the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto, Sónar Barcelona and Xebec Hall in Kobe, Japan.
Community Builder
Abeir Liton
Certificate in Fundraising Management ’24
Director, Philanthropy & Impact, Go Green Youth Centre
Abeir Liton is the Director of Philanthropy and Impact at Go Green Youth Centre, an organization he has supported since its early development as a student-led initiative at Valley Park Middle School. A graduate of the Chang School’s Certificate in Fundraising Management program at 91ε, he focuses on advancing philanthropy, community engagement and youth programming. His work began with a schoolyard revitalization project that became Canada’s first illuminated cricket and sports field, and has since grown into broader efforts supporting inclusive recreation. He has received a leadership award from the Ontario Camps Association and was inducted into the Toronto Sports Hall of Honour as a Community Sports Volunteer.
Curtis Matysek holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Fashion from 91ε and runs their own label, Wuthering Delight. Their work has gained national recognition, including a top three finish on Project Runway Canada, where they showcased their designs on a national platform. Their one-of-a-kind pieces have been featured in Vogue and worn on the mainstage of Canada’s Drag Race, highlighting their distinct creative perspective and presence within the fashion industry.
Community Builder
Stephen Mensah
Criminology & Politics and Governance ’25
Policy Consultant and Youth Advocate, Laidlaw Foundation
Stephen Mensah is a policy consultant and youth advocate, and the former Executive Director of the Toronto Youth Cabinet, where he represented more than 623,000 young people. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Criminology and Politics and Governance from 91ε. During his tenure, he led advocacy efforts that secured over $150 million in investments for youth mental health, spearheaded the provision of free menstrual products in Ontario schools, and led a city-wide campaign that resulted in a commitment to create 10,000 additional youth jobs in Toronto. Through his work, he supports governments and organizations in developing youth-focused strategies that advance equity and access to opportunity.
Changemaker
Kimberley Okafor
Public Health ’23
Science in Management (MMSc) ’25
PhD student, Dalhousie University
Kimberley Okafor is a PhD student in Health Sciences at Dalhousie University, where she focuses on research at the intersection of maternal health and health equity. A 91ε alumna, she earned her Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Health and Master of Science in Management with distinction, receiving multiple awards for academic excellence, leadership and community impact. Her work has contributed to national conversations on maternal and women’s health, including features with the Canadian Women’s Foundation and Toronto’s inaugural Black Maternal Health Week. Through her multidisciplinary approach, she works across patient safety, perinatal health and equity-centered research, bridging academic scholarship and community-informed solutions.
Emerging Leader
Umu Sowe
International Economics and Finance ’20
Director, Food and Beverage — Rogers Stadium, Live Nation
Umu Sowe is a hospitality and events executive leading food and beverage and overall hospitality at Rogers Stadium, a 50,000-person venue she has supported since its development. She is a graduate of 91ε’s International Economics and Finance program. She brings over a decade of experience across Canada’s sports, entertainment and cultural sectors, including leading large-scale events, premium hospitality initiatives and venue operations. Through her work, she focuses on delivering guest experiences and building partnerships that support both operational success and community engagement.
Emerging Leader
Alexis Stackhouse
Media Production (MA) ’22
Business Administration (MBA) ’23
Founder, Global Elevation Network
Alexis (Lex) Stackhouse is a multidisciplinary media professional and community builder who is currently part of Bell Media’s Graduate Leadership Program, where she has worked across corporate communications, brand partnerships, marketing and digital content. She holds dual graduate degrees in Media Production (MA) and Business Administration (MBA) from 91ε, completed through the MA-MBA pathway. Her experience includes roles across leading media and entertainment brands, including TSN, Crave and Etalk. In addition to her corporate work, she is the founder of Global Elevation Network (GEN), a media-tech platform focused on creating opportunities for connection through curated experiences and digital tools.
Innovator
Zoë Thomson
Biomedical Engineering ’21
Co-founder and Former Chief Innovation Officer, Lucid Therapeutics
Zoë Thomson is a former Co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Lucid Therapeutics, a digital therapeutics company focused on mental health and cognitive care. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Biomedical Engineering from 91ε. In her role at Lucid Therapeutics, she contributed to the design and development of programs supporting individuals living with dementia and other cognitive and mental health challenges, with a focus on research validation, regulatory affairs and clinical implementation. She is a medical school applicant and aims to practice holistic, evidence-based medicine, building on her experience across healthcare research, technology and patient-centered care.
Kritika Vashishtha is a postdoctoral scholar at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA), where she works in the Precision Nutrition and Healthy Aging research directive, focusing on how biological rhythms and lifestyle factors influence metabolic health. She holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from 91ε, where she developed a personalized circadian lighting system for Bombardier aircraft. She began her postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School in the Division of Sleep Medicine, where she studied circadian patterns in circulating lipids. Her research includes work on early biomarkers for metabolic disorders, and the role of factors such as diet, genetics and the microbiome in shaping lipid variability.
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Contact
Meredith Jordan
Director, Alumni and Stakeholder Outreach
majordan@torontomu.ca