Meet our accomplished, experienced and passionate alumni. We are proud of the positive impact our Department of Sociology graduates are making in their communities and around the world. Find out all the ways our alumni are providing inspiration, bringing about change and providing mentorship for students.
Top 30 Under 30 – 2024
York University has announced its Top 30 Alumni Under 30 for 2024, and this year features a Sociology graduate.
Larissa Parekh
Community builder
BA ’17, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
Larissa Parekh is a community-centered leader specializing in capacity development, community resilience, leadership, climate change and international development. Her passion for strengthening community resilience in vulnerable communities drives her to build meaningful connections and emphasize an asset-based approach to community development. Larissa’s commitment to community engagement started as an undergraduate student at York University where she worked with local organizations to provide funding and resources for vulnerable populations. As a student, her research explored how informal leadership and social capital drives the success of community-based adaptation methods to climate change and community resilience in the Global South, with an emphasis on rural, women-focused experiences. Larissa has served as a conference coordinator for a non-profit organization dedicated to creating spaces that advocate for the needs and interests of rural or remotely located communities and she continues to volunteer and offer support for their rural conferences to foster greater collaboration and connection. Larissa’s experience with community engagement contributes to her current work with communities, emphasizing vulnerable neighbourhoods and working to strengthen community resilience and preparedness against disasters and emergencies.
Sociology
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
2012
Residential Support Worker, Homestead Salvation Army
Sociology
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
2008
School Counsellor, Association International School, Accra, Ghana
Sociology
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Director of eCommerce and Marketing, Elizabeth Grant Skin Care
Sociology
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
2015
Emergency Management Specialist, QM Environmental
Sociology
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
1977
Senior Manager, An accredited Community Mental Health organization in GTA
Sociology
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
2015
Legislative Assistant, Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Sociology
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
1982
Anna Deane Carlson Endowed Chair of Social Sciences, Director of the Research Center on Violence, and Professor of Sociology, West Virginia University
Sociology
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
2002
Online Services Program Assistant Manager, COSTI Immigrant Services
Sociology
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
2007
Transit Operator & Motivational Speaker, Toronto Transit Commission
Sociology
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
1996
Partner/Commercial Litigation Lawyer, Robins Appleby LLP
Sociology
2009
Mental Health Consultant & Developmental Service Worker & Instructor, OxFord College of Arts, Business and Technology
Sociology
1998
In-Centre Landmark Forum Registration Manager, Landmark Worldwide Canada Ltd
Sociology
1990
President, Designs by O'Brien, Designs by O'Brien, Interior Design Company
Sociology
1994
Senior Investigator in The Greek Ombudsman/Department of Equal Treatment, The Greek Ombudsman
Sociology
2011
PhD Candidate; Occasional K-10 Educator, Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB)
Sociology
2012
French Immersion Kindergarten Teacher, Toronto Catholic District School Board
Sociology
2016
Designated Early Childhood Educator/ Professor, Peel District School Board
