Each award recipient receives an oak leaf pin, symbolizing the role they play in the university community. The leaf embodies the university's motto, Velut Arbor Aevo, which means, "May it grow as a tree through the ages." (photo by Matthew Volpe)
Eleven members of the U of T Engineering community were honoured for advancing U of T governance, mentoring students, helping to launch startups and much more.
Volunteers are at the very center of the university community, generously donating their time and insights to everything from mentorship, speaking, governance and student clubs. The Arbor Awards are the University of Toronto’s highest recognition for exceptional, long-standing volunteer service.
“Our volunteers are the heartbeat of our university community. They share their expertise, open doors for students and strengthen the connections that make us who we are. Their impact is felt every day — simply put, we couldn’t do this without them,” says Shannon Osborne (IndE 0T6), Manager of Alumni Relations at U of T Engineering.
Established in 1989, the Arbor Awards honour alumni and friends whose loyalty and dedication have significantly enriched the U of T experience.
Among this year’s 11 U of T Engineering recipients is Eva Lau (IndE 9T2). Lau has mentored hundreds of student-entrepreneurs at Rotman and U of T Engineering and is a champion for Canadian innovation. She also generously shares her time and expertise as a volunteer, guest speaker and panellist for multiple faculties at the university and serves as a member of the Defy Gravity Campaign Steering Committee.
“Our volunteers are catalysts for change. By sharing their knowledge and networks, they empower students, strengthen partnerships and help shape a bold, thriving future for our community,” says Osborne.
The 2025 U of T Engineering Arbor Award recipients include:
(Janet) Zhao Ping Tang (CompE 9T9)
Tang is an exceptional volunteer with U of T Engineering who promotes equity and opportunity in her role as chair of the Alumni Network Nominations and Governance Committee. She has developed equitable processes that place volunteers in over two dozen leadership positions across the university. In addition, as an alumna in the Asia Pacific, Tang’s efforts have strengthened ties in this important region and expanded volunteer activity, greatly enhancing community and inclusivity.
Timothy S. Zheng (MSE 1T1)
Zheng’s commitment to students and fellow alumni at U of T Engineering is extraordinary. Since 2018, he has advised countless students as part of the Alumni Mentorship Program, offering valuable guidance through one-on-one and speed mentoring. Zheng has also made critical contributions as an admissions assessor, reviewing student applications with a view to shaping a diverse, high-achieving class of future engineers. His unwavering dedication and far-reaching contributions have left an indelible mark on the Skule™ community.
Liane Catalfo (ChemE 0T9, MEng 1T0)
Catalfo’s volunteer leadership with U of T Engineering has strengthened student and alumni engagement and advanced the faculty’s strategic goals. Her roles include membership on the Engineering Alumni Network Board, including a term as president, as well as representing alumni on the executive committee of Faculty Council and at the U of T Alumni Association Council of Presidents. Catalfo has also made a guest appearance on Tell Me More: Coffee With Chris Yip, the official podcast of U of T Engineering.
Oluwatobi Edun (ChemE 1T8)
As an engineering alumnus, Edun has participated in a rich variety of volunteer activities at U of T. In 2020, he took part in a program whereby alumni send encouraging notes to current students. Since then, Edun has stepped up in other ways, including as a mentor to students, serving as a speaker and panellist at events and helping to judge competitions. Most recently, he joined U of T Engineering’s Faculty Council, a key governing body.
Joelle Javier (MSE 1T0)
Javier has left an indelible mark on U of T Engineering and its students of the past, present and future. As an alumni assessor, Javier has evaluated applications from aspiring students. For currents students, she has generously delivered guest lectures about her work in amusement park safety. For alumni, Javier has rallied her peers for reunion events as a class ambassador and helped roll out a revamped awards program as chair of the Engineering Alumni Network Awards Committee. She appeared on Tell Me More: Coffee With Chris Yip In 2022.
Andrew L. Kidd (EngSci 1T9)
Kidd’s enthusiasm for U of T Engineering has continued unabated since his graduation. His enthusiasm for students and the curriculum is evident in his volunteerism, which includes engaging with undergraduate students in seminar courses, helping select recipients for scholarships and research awards, and sharing his experience as a mentor. Kidd’s additional contributions include serving as an alumni representative on Faculty Council and providing opportunities for students by helping his firm organize recruitment events.
Eva Lau (IndE 9T2)
Lau has contributed greatly to U of T and its thriving innovation ecosystem. A prominent venture capitalist, Lau has mentored hundreds of student-entrepreneurs at the Rotman School’s Creative Destruction Lab and The Hatchery at U of T Engineering. She has also generously shared her expertise as a volunteer, guest speaker and panellist for Massey College, Rotman and Engineering. More broadly, Lau supports the university’s top priorities as a member of the Defy Gravity Campaign Steering Committee. She was a guest on Tell Me More: Coffee With Chris Yip in 2024.
Sanjay Malaviya
Malaviya has been a diligent and generous champion for the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering for over ten years. He has made major contributions to the evolution of engineering leadership education, which integrates complementary skillsets in leadership, communications, business, entrepreneurship and other areas. Malaviya has contributed countless hours and wise counsel, as well as significant financial support, and has served as a model of engineering leadership through his personal, inspiring example.
Pino Mancina (CivE 9T3)
Mancina has played an integral part in shaping the Engineering Alumni Applicant Assessor program. Now in its 11th year, the program engages engineering alumni to help assess applicants to the undergraduate program. Mancina has volunteered for eight years, dedicating countless hours to helping improve the program, with astute, ongoing feedback that has enhanced the admissions assessment process for U of T Engineering as well as the volunteer experience that the program provides for alumni.
M.G. Venkatesh Mannar
Mannar has been a dedicated supporter of the Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Science for some 30 years. In his current role as adjunct professor, he mentors students and regularly participates in research meetings and thesis committees. He also promotes the department’s research findings to his high-profile international network. Further, Mannar has been integral to U of T’s work in fortifying salt with iodine, iron, vitamins and zinc helping reduce anemia and a range of health disorders in women and children worldwide. Other contributions include serving on the board of advisors of the Centre for Global Engineering.
Cassandra Rosen (EngSci 1T5)
Rosen inspires undergraduate engineering students to apply their skills to make a positive impact. As a guest speaker and career interviewee, she has motivated hundreds of students to consider non-traditional career paths by sharing her journey from engineering graduate to government energy policy advisor. She has also given back to the engineering community through five years of involvement in the Engineering Alumni Mentorship Program, participating in the letter-writing campaign for newly admitted students, and reviewing Engineering Science Research Opportunities Program applications.
See the full listing of Arbor Award recipients from across U of T:
- 2025 Arbor Award Recipients
- 2024 Arbor Award Recipients
- 2023 Arbor Award Recipients
- 2022 Arbor Award Recipients
- 2021 Arbor Award Recipients
