York alumnus Fausto Natarelli (BA ‘84) has been named the first recipient of the Alumni Recognition Award by York’s School of Public Policy & Administration. The award recognizes Natarelli for contributions made to public policy and management, and for his role as a mentor to students and new professionals.
When Natarelli attended York, the Public Policy & Administration program was part of the Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Arts; it is now housed in the Atkinson Faculty of Liberal & Professional Studies.
Right: Fausto Natarelli
As the award recipient, Natarelli will be invited to give a lecture to York students and other members of the academic community in the fall when he will be officially honoured at a reception.
Following his studies at York, Natarelli joined the Ontario Ministry of Transportation where he has held a variety of positions, including leadership roles in policy, strategic and business planning, communications and issues management. For three years he was executive assistant to the associate secretary of cabinet in the Centre for Leadership at Queen's Park.
Currently, he is director of the Windsor Border Initiatives Implementation Group of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. In this capacity, he is responsible for the day-to-day progress of one of the province's largest and most complex transportation infrastructure projects – the building of a new international gateway between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit.
Throughout his career, Natarelli has remained active within York's Public Administration Alumni Association, increasing the profile of York graduates within government, and has been a mentor to dozens of York University students through their internship courses.
On many occasions, he has been a guest speaker for courses, most recently in York's new Master of Public Policy, Administration & Law Program. Additionally, he has introduced other managers in the Ontario public service to York’s public policy and administration programs, which has resulted in internship and employment placements for York students.
Natarelli was nominated for the award by York Professor Thomas Klassen of the Atkinson School of Public Policy & Administration and the Arts Department of Political Science.