York's Top 30 Alumni Under 30 - Division of Advancement

At home and abroad, York University’s young alumni are making a positive and impactful change. From business leaders championing equity, diversity and inclusion, to social impact researchers and environmental activists, York alumni working across all sectors are making meaningful differences in their communities.

York U’s Top 30 Alumni Under 30 program recognizes inspiring and diverse alumni 29 years old and younger who are driven to make a difference locally and globally. With past recipients pursuing careers in science and technology, anti-Black racism in Canada, and disability rights, we are honoured to recognize and engage these changemakers and shed light on their inspiring work.

Nominations for Top 30 Alumni Under 30

Nominations are now closed for the 2025 Top 30 Alumni Under 30. Recipients will be announced in Spring 2025.

Eligibility criteria: Nominees must be York University graduates who are 29 years of age or younger by Dec. 31, 2024 (born in 1995 or more recently). A graduate is defined as someone who has received an academic degree from York University. Students are not eligible for this award until they receive their degree.

Candidates can self-nominate or be nominated. For further details on the awards and eligibility, visit our FAQ page.

If you have any questions, please contact Senior Alumni Engagement Officer Nicole Light at nlight@yorku.ca or 647-527-2550.

View the 2024 Top 30 Alumni Under 30

View the 2023 Top 30 Alumni Under 30.

View the 2022 Top 30 Alumni Under 30.

View the 2021 Top 30 Alumni Under 30.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Nominations and self-nominations can be submitted using the submission form here.

Please contact the Alumni Engagement office at alumni@yorku.ca.

Alumni cannot be selected more than once for this recognition, but unsuccessful nominees can be nominated in subsequent years. Additionally, nominations do not carry forward, so please submit a new nomination package to be reconsidered.

No. With an alumni community of over 375,000, we’d like to give more alumni the opportunity to receive this recognition for the impact they are making in the world.

Yes, self-nominations are welcome.

Yes, and on the nomination form nominators are asked to disclose their relationship to the nominee.

Nominators will be contacted in late winter to share the results of their nomination.

A selection committee of volunteers comprised of students and alumni select the Top 30 Alumni Under 30 based on criteria that considers the positive impact they are making in their communities as well as their personal and professional achievements since graduation.

All nominators are contacted with the results of their nomination.

Yes. Only the nominators are informed of unsuccessful nominations.

The Top 30 Alumni Under 30 are recognized on York University’s website, social media, alumni community newsletters and other potential media as exemplars of what York alumni take on and accomplish. Additionally, the Top 30 are invited to exclusive alumni events and speaking opportunities.

If this FAQ doesn’t answer your question, please contact Nicole Light, Senior Alumni Engagement Officer at nlight@yorku.ca