YWCA Hamilton has named its nominees for the 2025 Women of Distinction awards, and more than 30 of these 52 leaders, innovators, and trailblazers are also part of the McMaster community.
The nominations, announced this month, recognize extraordinary women and girls from a range of fields who make an impact in the community in a variety of ways.
The winners will be announced March 5 at the annual Women of Distinction Gala, an event that celebrates these powerhouse change makers while raising money for YWCA programs and services for women, girls and gender-diverse individuals.
Click here to learn about last year’s winners.
In addition to six categories of nominations based on the field in which nominees work, there is also a Lifetime Achievement Award with nominees from each category; and a Young Trailblazer Award, which recognizes individuals younger than 25 who are already inspiring leaders.
This year’s McMaster nominees include:
Education/Training
Dina Brooks | Executive vice-dean and associate vice-president (Academic) in the Faculty of Health Sciences
Lorraine Carter | Director of McMaster Continuing Education
Maryam Aramesh | Assistant professor, Faculty of Engineering
Shaiya Robinson | graduate and assistant professor, Faculty of Science
- Ohood Elzibak | graduate and Clinical preceptor and instructor, Faculty of Health Sciences
- Carolyn Rankin-Boutin | graduate, Faculty of Humanities
Innovation in Business
Janet Knight | graduate, DeGroote School of Business
Maryam Emami | graduate, Faculty of Engineering
Nicole Rakowski | graduate student, DeGroote School of Business with degrees from the Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health Sciences
Public service
Erin Griver | graduate, Faculty of Social Sciences
Sarah Goodwin | affiliated with the Faculty of Health Sciences
Sharon Charters | graduate, Faculty of Social Sciences
Community Champion
Bhairavi Kumar | graduate, Continuing Education
Cheryl Cartwright | graduate, Continuing Education
Comfort Afari | graduate, Faculty of Social Sciences
Jessica Bonilla-Damptey | graduate, Faculty of Social Sciences
Priyanka Jani | graduate, Faculty of Health Sciences
STEM/Trades
Margaret McKinnon | professor and Associate Chair (Research), Faculty of Health Sciences
Sheila Sprague | graduate, professor and clinical researcher, Faculty of Health Sciences
Catherine McKenzie | graduate, Arts & Science
Jodi Gilchrist | graduate student, Faculty of Health Sciences
Shari Van de Pol | graduate, Faculty of Engineering
Health and Wellness
Samantha Winemaker | graduate and associate clinical professor, Faculty of Health Sciences
Diana Hatzoglou | graduate, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health Sciences
Meghan Gilbert | graduate, Faculty of Humanities
Melissa McCallum | graduate, Faculty of Health Sciences
Young Trailblazer
Jocelyn Kuntsi | student, Faculty of Engineering
Julia Vo | student, Integrated Business and Humanities
Lillian Guy | graduate, Faculty of Humanities
Salsa Sarhan | graduate, Faculty of Social Sciences
Shelby Amponsah | graduate, Faculty of Engineering
Tina Liu | student, Faculty of Health Sciences