Award Recipients
President’s Awards 2025 Recipients | Robert A. Gordon Leadership Award
Alvina Cassiani Marketing, Communications & Advancement
“Her legacy also includes launching purpose-built learning spaces such as the Trading Floor, Moot Court, Humber Spa, Golf Lab, and the Centre for Entrepreneurship that all directly tied to industry and work-integrated learning.”
Bruce Sinclair, Longo Faculty of Business
Dr. Alvina Cassiani has earned widespread respect as a visionary leader both within Humber and in the broader post-secondary and business communities. Her strategic leadership has positioned the Longo Faculty of Business as Canada's leading polytechnic business school.
Dr. Alvina Cassiani has dedicated over two decades to transforming business education at Humber Polytechnic. As Senior Dean of the Longo Faculty of Business, she has overseen the launch of more than 50 programs, introduced Canada's first Bachelor of Commerce degrees at Humber, and spearheaded the integration of culinary, tourism, sport, and hospitality into an interdisciplinary business education model. Her leadership secured Humber's first named faculty, a historic milestone and a testament to her institutional impact.
Alvina’s impact extends well beyond program management. Her academic research on degree-granting and hiring practices within Ontario's ITALs directly supports institutional workforce planning. She contributes actively to college-wide strategy and revenue planning, and continues to serve as a mentor, public speaker, and advocate for applied, industry-integrated education. Through initiatives like the Ningbo-Humber partnership - Humber's longest-standing international relationship, and strategic global expansion, Alvina reinforces Humber's mission to develop career-ready global citizens. Her work bridges vision with execution, and values with results.
Dr. Alvina Cassiani has earned widespread respect as a visionary leader both within Humber and in the broader post-secondary and business communities. Her strategic leadership has positioned the Longo Faculty of Business as Canada's leading polytechnic business school. Externally, Alvina has developed long-standing global partnerships across six countries, including China, Bhutan, Indonesia, Denmark, Netherlands, and Italy, fostering international mobility and research collaborations that have elevated Humber's global reputation.
Internally, her peers consistently turn to her to lead institution-wide priorities, such as recently being asked to chair Humber’s Revenue Generation Committee and as Co-chair for the Humber Gives campaign. This confidence in her leadership was reinforced when she was appointed the Acting Vice President, Marketing, Communications & Advancement, a testament to her cross-functional impact at Humber.
Wanda Buote Education & Training Solutions
“Wanda is a catalyst for positive change, a champion of student success, and a tireless advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion. Her legacy is one of distinguished service, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to Humber’s mission.”
The Humber Community
Wanda’s leadership has consistently embodied Humber’s core values—Courage, Innovation, Equity, Health & Well-Being, and Sustainability. Her visionary approach has not only enhanced the reputation of Humber internally but has also built strong external partnerships and community trust.
It is with great pride that we recognize Wanda Buote for her exceptional leadership and enduring contributions to Humber Polytechnic. Earlier this year, Wanda celebrated an incredible milestone—36 years of service—marked by over three decades of transformative leadership.
Her journey has included pivotal roles such as Director of Continuing Education, Director of Partnership Programs, Associate Dean in the Business School, Acting Director of International, and Principal of the Lakeshore Campus for six impactful years.
Wanda’s leadership has consistently embodied Humber’s core values—Courage, Innovation, Equity, Health & Well-Being, and Sustainability. Her visionary approach has not only enhanced the reputation of Humber internally but has also built strong external partnerships and community trust.
She has served on the Board of Governors as the Administrative Representative, co-chaired Humber Gives, and was recently appointed Dean of Educational Training Solutions, overseeing a division with over $24 million in annual revenue.
Wanda is a catalyst for positive change, a champion of student success, and a tireless advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion. Her legacy is one of distinguished service, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to Humber’s mission.
