Powerhouse leaders from TMU in Top 100 Women
Six members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community received the Top 100 Women of 2023 award. They are, from top left: Rochelle Atizado (Photo: Doaa Alsaleh), Siu Mee Cheng (Photo: United Way of Greater Toronto), Victoria Granova, Afsheen Jiwani (Photo: David Chang Photography), Atty Mashatan and Tanya Rumble.
Six outstanding leaders with connections to Toronto Metropolitan University have been named in the Top 100 Women of 2023 by the WXN (Women’s Executive Network).
Whether leading at the front of the classroom, in a lab, or making a profound impact as a student or an alum, they have been selected for their work making a difference in their fields and actively shaping a more inclusive future, especially in underrepresented areas.
Recently receiving their awards at the 21st annual Top 100 Awards Gala are:
Rochelle Atizado, Siu Mee Cheng, Victoria Granova, Afsheen Jiwani, Atty Mashatan and Tanya Rumble.
Above, recipients of the Top 100 Women of 2023 award were recently honoured at an event in Toronto. (Photo: Josh Fee Photography)
"It takes a powerful woman to lead like a legend in her field, organization or community, and it takes a powerful woman to empower those around her to do the same," said Sherri Stevens, Owner and CEO of WXN.
"This year's winners embody that power, giving us hope when we need it most, setting new bars and changing the status quo. They are legends celebrated not just for the things they do, but also how they touch the lives of others," she continued.
The Top 100 Awards span the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, with the winners selected by WXN's Diversity Council of Canada. The awards are presented to remarkable women in 12 categories.
Below, learn more about these extraordinary leaders and hear their advice for other young women:
Rochelle Atizado
Bachelor of Commerce, Ted Rogers School of Management, ’11
Senior Advisor, Partnerships and Special Initiatives, United Nations Foundation
Leads social impact partnerships with the UN to drive the Sustainable Development Goals forward
Rochelle Atizado is a TMU alumna (TRSM ’11) and a published UN writer. (Photo: Doaa Alsaleh)
Amex Emerging Leaders
A master connector, Rochelle Atizado leads social impact partnerships with purpose-driven companies, creative community, civil society, young people and the UN to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. Atizado is also a UN published writer. A Filipino-Canadian hailing from Toronto, she has worked in Canada, Switzerland and the U.S. Atizado is based in New York City.
I urge young women, especially young women of colour, to go for it. Go for it, always.
As executive director of The Street Haven at the Crossroads, Siu Mee Cheng has made a remarkable impact in revolutionizing affordable housing and social services for homeless women in Toronto. (Photo: United Way of Greater Toronto)
Canadian Tire Community Impact
Siu Mee Cheng is a leader, advocate, educator and researcher and possesses 28 years of experience in the health and social services and public sectors at the local, provincial and national levels. She works, advocates and provides thought leadership on health and social policy and care issues including access to housing and health care, food insecurity, public health and poverty reduction.
As a researcher and educator she is supporting future health and social care professionals and the community services sector. As executive director of The Street Haven at the Crossroads, Cheng has also shown exceptional leadership in revolutionizing affordable housing and social services for homeless women in Toronto.
It's an honour to be in the company of such great women who have made significant achievements. I'm humbled that my desire and passion to help others and drive real social justice change has allowed me to be a part of this amazing community of women.
Among many endeavours, Victoria Granova is the founder of CyberToronto, an edtech startup. (Photo courtesy of Victoria Granova)
BMO STEM
Victoria Granova researches human-centric cybersecurity at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Cybersecurity Research Lab. She is also an instructor at Queen’s University, Toronto Metropolitan University and York University, teaching enterprise cybersecurity and financial data privacy. Outside of teaching, Granova is a security technical program manager at Amazon Web Services (AWS), managing global vendor security, as well as the founder of CyberToronto, an edtech startup.
Say "yes" to opportunities even when you have self-doubt: show up and put yourself forward for building connections, speaking engagements, and showing the world the value you bring.
Afsheen Jiwani, above at the ceremony for the Top 100 Women of 2023, is a member of the Advisory Board of Up With Women, and of the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy’s (AHP) Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Taskforce, and a volunteer leader in the Ismaili community. (Photo: Courtesy of Afsheen Jiwani)
Canadian Tire Community Impact
Afsheen Jiwani is committed to women’s empowerment and diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism, leveraging 16 years’ experience in fundraising. Originally from Karachi, Pakistan, she is actively involved in her community as a member of the Advisory Board of Up With Women, and of the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy’s (AHP) Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Taskforce, and a volunteer leader in the Ismaili community. In 2021, Jiwani received the AHP’s 40-under-40 Award for her efforts to shape the future of health care development.
Believe in yourself and work hard, your only limitations are those you set upon yourself. Act like a leader before you're one - don't wait for the fancy titles. Look at the bigger picture and always be humbled and grateful.
Atty Mashatan, seen receiving her Top 100 Women of 2023 award, also recently received the recognition of Top 20 Women in Cybersecurity in Canada. (Photo: Josh Fee Photography)
Executive Leaders
Atty Mashatan’s expertise at the frontlines of the global cybersecurity field was recognized by SC Magazine in 2019, when she was named one of the top five Women of Influence in Security. Most recently, she received the recognition of Top 20 Women in Cybersecurity in Canada for her efforts in advancing cybersecurity research and training highly qualified personnel in the field.
In terms of career advice, Mashatan says:
Continuous learning and growth is the number one key to success in any career and at any stage. Flexibility and the ability to adapt is the next, because no matter how hard we work, we will hit roadblocks and we must turn when there is a bend in the road. Having a positive attitude always helps no matter the circumstance. When it gets hard, I remind myself that excellence is the result of hard work, perseverance and passion.
She adds that having the power to shape ideas and influence actions can leave lasting and impactful results.
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Tanya Rumble
Executive Director of Development, Faculty of Arts, Toronto Metropolitan University
Co-Founder, Recast Philanthropy
Past Chair of the Board, FindHelp Information Services
Board Secretary, Association of Fundraising Professionals Canada
Member of the Advisory Committee on the Charitable Sector, Government of Canada
Tanya Rumble, above at the Top 100 Women of 2023 event, is executive director of development at the Faculty of Arts at TMU, co-founder of Recast Philanthropy, and a thought leader on the intersections of equity and philanthropy. (Photo courtesy of Tanya Rumble)
Canadian Tire Community Impact
A fundraising executive and thought leader on the intersections of equity and philanthropy, Tanya Rumble holds a master’s degree in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership from Carleton University, a graduate certificate in marketing communications from NYU and an honours bachelor of arts from McMaster University. Rumble is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), Communications Management Professional (CMP), and Master Financial Advisor - Philanthropy (MFA-P).
In terms of advice for other young women, Rumble emphasizes the importance of “living like a legend”:
Living like a legend is the unique ability to hold the tension of having strong core values and beliefs that guide you, while also being flexible enough to unlearn and dismantle your biases along the way.