Congratulations to Woodsworth’s 2025 Arbor Award Recipients!

Frank is a Senior Portfolio Manager at RBC with 35 years of domestic and international expertise in wealth management and capital markets. His career has spanned the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East, where he has specialized in managing global equities and asset allocation strategy for both institutions and individuals.  Focused on finding the “signal through the noise”, his approach is rooted in a long-term compounding philosophy through a value-investing lens. Having been the beneficiary of impactful mentorship early in his career, Frank has made paying those experiences forward a personal hallmark, naturally integrating the guidance of others into his 35-year career. 

Since 2021, Frank has been a dedicated mentor within the Woodsworth College’s Alumni-Students Mentorship Program and the University of Toronto Women’s Student Association. Through intensive one-on-one sessions, he generously shares his expertise to help students navigate the transition from academia to the professional world, offering critical guidance for the job interview process, career planning and the art of establishing a strong personal brand.  Beyond his direct work with mentees, Frank’s impact extends to the program’s evolution; he conscientiously provides the strategic feedback necessary to ensure the curriculum effectively addresses the shifting needs of today’s graduates. 

Jonathan is pursuing a career as a Clinician-Scientist, with a special interest in Medical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, and vaccine design. He is conducting postdoctoral research within the Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford, focusing on malaria vaccine development. Jonathan is supported by a Banting Fellowship and is a Dr Sara Hope Browne Research Associate at Jesus College, Oxford. He is also a resident physician based at the University of Toronto within the Royal College Clinician Investigator Program.

He is a dedicated mentor in the Woodsworth College Alumni-Students Mentorship program, which is an intensive one-on-one, year-long mentorship commitment. Students have greatly benefited from Jonathan's thoughtful guidance and openness in sharing his experiences and learnings. As part of his extraordinary commitment, Jonathan mentors at least one and sometimes two students each year who are interested in the medical field, with his insights providing much-needed support as students map out their career paths after graduation.

Natalie is a plant biologist who uses microscopy techniques to answer cellular and molecular biology questions. She completed her Bachelor's at UofT in 2017, doing a double major in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Immunology. She graduated with an MSc in Botany from the University of British Columbia, then returned to UofT to complete my PhD in Cell & Systems Biology in 2024. She is currently a NSERC-funded postdoctoral fellow working at the Boyce Thompson Institute in New York. Natalie is passionate about science communication and making science more accessible to the public. In her spare time, she loves to go on long walks, bake delicious desserts, and read novels.

Her many contributions to Woodsworth College include serving on the board of directors for the alumni association for two years. As a member of the Alumni Café committee, Natalie helped plan thought-provoking lectures that engaged the Woodsworth community and beyond. Since completing her PhD within the Department of Cell & Systems Biology, she has volunteered with the Alumni-Students Mentorship Program, providing valuable insights and advice for students interested in the sciences.

Chantal was called to the Ontario Bar in April 2021. She specializes in the area of civil litigation, acting for individuals and businesses in a variety of real estate, commercial, corporate, employment, estate and municipal litigation matters. 

Chantal has been a mentor in the Alumni-Students Mentorship Program since 2022. Her knowledge and insights regarding the legal field have been invaluable to her mentees. She has also provided students with advice on the pathways to law school and encouragement for their next steps. Chantal's willingness to share her experiences has benefitted many students, and her interest in supporting Woodsworth students through the program and beyond has had a great impact on the community.

May Xuan is a seasoned tax professional who graduated from the Rotman Commerce program in 2016. Her career has provided extensive opportunities to collaborate with some of the world's leading financial institutions and multinational corporations. Outside of her professional endeavours, May values spending time outdoors with her family and their Australian Shepherd. 

May is a dedicated volunteer for Woodsworth College as a board member for the alumni association. Among her many contributions, she has served on several sub-committees, including the influential Nominating and Governance Committee, which helps oversee the selection and appointment of directors. May has also planned topical and engaging Alumni Café lectures. These fun and fascinating talks introduce generations of college grads to the cutting-edge ideas of leading scholars.