Five of the remarkable Hamiltonians who received the 2025 Order of Hamilton have strong ties to McMaster.
Recipients Gary Warner, Alex Sévigny and Mark John Stewart are faculty members, and Jessica Bonilla-Damptey and Nagham Azzam-Iqbal are McMaster graduates.
The Order of Hamilton recognizes the exceptional contributions of individual Hamilton residents who voluntarily work to build a better and improved city, over and above their professional contributions.
“The Order of Hamilton is a profound honour that reflects the spirit of service, dedication, and leadership that defines our great city,” Mayor Andrea Horwath said.
“It is important that we recognize and celebrate Hamiltonians who contribute so meaningfully to building community and improving the lives of our residents, which is precisely what the Order of Hamilton sets out to do.”
These are this year’s recipients from the McMaster community, and excerpts from their citations. Find full citations on the City of Hamilton website.
Gary Warner | Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Humanities; Honorary degree recipient; Co-founder of African-Caribbean Faculty Association of McMaster
Gary Warner is one of Hamilton’s most distinguished and enduring champions of justice, equity, and community well-being, with over five decades of volunteer service.
His lifetime of work — spanning international development, anti-racism, human rights, immigration, poverty reduction, youth well-being, and community inclusion — has profoundly shaped Hamilton’s social, cultural, and civic fabric through leadership rooted in compassion, scholarship, and an unwavering commitment to the common good.
A trusted voice on racial justice and inclusion, he has shaped key municipal initiatives, including the Strengthening Hamilton’s Community Initiative, the Regional Advisory Committee on Refugee and Immigrant Issues, and Hamilton’s first Immigration Strategy.
As a Professor Emeritus at McMaster University, he has shaped generations of students in Francophone literature, peace, international development, and human rights.
His lifetime of service has earned him many national and local honours, such as the Order of Canada, Hamilton Citizen of the Year, the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction, the J.C. Holland Award, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and Hamilton’s Senior of the Year.
Nagham Azzam-Iqbal | McMaster graduate
Nagham Azzam-Iqbal’s work is grounded in compassion, equity, and community-led solutions. For more than a decade, she has helped transform Hamilton’s social services landscape through frontline practice, volunteer leadership, and institution-building.
She is the founder of Mishka Social Services, one of Hamilton’s first Muslim-led, culturally responsive organizations, providing accessible supports to newcomers, refugees and marginalized families. Under her leadership, Mishka serves hundreds of individuals each year.
A tireless advocate for women’s rights, disability inclusion, and mental health equity, she has mobilized volunteers, mentored hundreds of students and emerging professionals, and amplified marginalized voices across the city.
Her leadership continues to strengthen Hamilton’s social infrastructure and build lasting pathways of dignity, inclusion, and belonging.
Jessica Bonilla-Damptey | McMaster graduate
Jessica Bonilla-Damptey is a Latinx and Indigenous woman from El Salvador who has devoted over 20 years serving communities across Hamilton, with a particular focus on Latin American residents, youth, and survivors of gender-based violence.
Her community involvement began in campus media and student organizing. From 1999 to 2020, she hosted Tropicalido on CFMU at McMaster University, one of Hamilton’s first Latino radio programs, amplifying Latin American voices and connecting to the wider community. She also served on the OPIRG McMaster Board of Directors, supporting student engagement in local social and environmental justice initiatives.
Bonilla-Damptey has worked extensively with SACHA, and has supported Latin American families through community engagement, Spanish mass administration, and festival activities. She has also taught cultural dance, enabling youth and adults to celebrate their heritage through performance across Southern Ontario.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bonilla-Damptey supported Community Fridges Hamilton, helping distribute food and essential items to low-income, racialized, and newcomer families.
Across every role, she inspires through her compassion, consistency, and leadership. She uplifts underserved communities, strengthens cultural visibility, and builds inclusive spaces where residents feel heard, supported, and empowered.
Alex Sévigny | Professor, Faculty of Humanities
Alex Sévigny’s volunteer leadership, mentorship, and philanthropy have strengthened civic, cultural and professional life for more than 15 years.
Sévigny has played a transformative role in Empowerment Squared, helping the organization grow from a grassroots initiative into a nationally respected institution.
His personal generosity has established the Sévigny Family Scholarship, supporting marginalized youth in pursuing higher education.
Sévigny has enriched Hamilton’s Francophone community through his leadership at the Centre Français de Hamilton and the McMaster French Contest, engaging thousands of students and families. His dedication to youth development also includes coaching fencing at Westdale and McMaster, fostering confidence and teamwork among young athletes.
He has been a cornerstone of governance and mentorship through the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) Hamilton Chapter.
Sévigny combines vision, mentorship, and philanthropy to make Hamilton more inclusive, connected, and vibrant. His work has left a lasting legacy in youth empowerment, cultural enrichment, and professional excellence.
Mark John Stewart | Industry Professor
Mark John Stewart has spent 15 years strengthening Hamilton’s non-profit, civic, and academic sectors through dedicated volunteer leadership.
As Chair of Empowerment Squared, Stewart helped grow the organization into a nationally recognized charity and advanced the development of the Liberian Learning Center, a transformational project that will serve thousands of people each year.
He has supported more than 10 Hamilton organizations, including the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre and United Way Halton & Hamilton, while providing pro bono governance training that has strengthened nonprofit capacity across the city.
Stewart’s mentorship extends deeply into the Liberian community, where he has supported youth, emerging leaders, and cultural organizations by strengthening governance, community engagement, and leadership development. He also co-founded Hamilton HIVE, contributing to the growth of the city’s young professional network.
As an Industry Professor at McMaster University, he mentors students and emerging leaders, helping build the next generation of community-minded professionals.