5 graduates recognized for their impact: 2025 Director’s Award for Community  

The Director’s Award for Community recognizes students who have gone above and beyond to strengthen the Rotman Commerce community. These students have helped create a sense of connection and belonging among their peers, improving the student experience in meaningful ways.  

This year’s five recipients of the Director’s Award for Community exemplify what it means to give back, lift others up, and make people feel seen. Through mentoring new students, organizing events, or creating supportive networks, these graduates’ contributions have made a lasting difference in the community. Congratulations to the 2025 Community Award recipients:  

For Akruthi Chandersekar, the drive to build community began from the meaningful mentorship she received early on, which inspired her to extend the same support to others. As President of the Rotman Commerce Finance Association (RCFA), she built inclusive programs and reformed internal recruitment.  

Through her roles with the Toronto Student Investment Counsel and mentor at Coffee to Capital, she fostered long-term networks between students and alumni. Akruthi leaves behind a more connected and supportive finance community, one built on support, trust, and shared growth.  

Starting as a First-Year Intern with the Rotman Commerce Sales Group (RCSG), Stesha Ronald rose to become President. She led the club to its highest-ever event turnout, implemented structural redesigns, and fostered a renewed focus on inclusion and engagement. 

She also supported new students as an Orientation and Clubs Fair leader, represented RC at university-wide and admissions-related events, and contributed to Consult for Impact, where she helped develop a platform focused on empowering women.  

Yeji Ma’s community impact spans five different student organizations: the Rotman Commerce Liquid Assets Dragon Boat Team (RCLADBT), Rotman Commerce Competition Team (RCCT), Rotman Commerce Emerging Technologies (RCET), Rotman Commerce Consulting Association (RCCA), and Rotman Commerce Sales Group (RCSG).  

Across these diverse spaces, she created environments where students felt safe to try, fail, and grow. Inspired by the student leaders who came before her, Yeji invested her time and energy into mentoring, supporting career growth, and helping foster resilience. What drove her was simple: the joy of watching students thrive, given the support that they receive.  

When Anabia Iqbal reflects on her time at Rotman Commerce, she sees a journey of personal growth. Entering university during the post-pandemic era brought uncertainty, but through community involvement, she found her footing—and with it, a strong sense of belonging. These experiences pushed her beyond her comfort zone and taught her to take on more than she believed was possible, knowing she had the support of the RC community. 

She found inspiration in helping others feel the same sense of belonging. Anabia views her journey at RC not as a solo effort but as one built through every shared conversation and act of support she has learned alongside her peers, alumni, staff, and faculty.  

Anoosha Kankaria’s impact on the Rotman Commerce community is defined by her deep commitment to learning, mentorship, and inclusive leadership. In the First-Year Learning Community (FLC), she progressed from Assistant Peer Mentor to Senior Peer Mentor. This journey enabled her to support students and foster a sense of community. 

For Anoosha, leadership meant creating a space for others to grow and feel heard. Watching those she once mentored become Peer Mentors themselves reaffirmed her belief in the power of enforcing a supportive environment.  

By Cammyn Lim (BCom ’26) | July 1, 2025