Honouring visionary members of the UBC community
UBC alumni are committed to an exceptional UBC and a better world.
This November, at the annual alumni UBC Achievement Awards, presented by Boyden, we will honour nine inspiring members of the UBC community who, through their extraordinary endeavours, have demonstrated this vision.
The alumni UBC 2025 Achievement Awards Dinner and Auction is one of UBC’s marquee, must-attend events. Tickets for this spectacular evening of celebration are now available for purchase.
The 2025 Recipients
Dr. Michael Audain, chairman of Polygon Homes, is a business leader with a lifelong commitment to social justice, affordable housing, and the arts. As a student activist, he co-founded the BC Civil Liberties Association. During the 1970s, he was instrumental in boosting social housing in BC and eventually went on to establish the Audain Foundation, which enriches communities through extraordinarily generous support of the visual arts. He is a major contributor to art museums across Canada and has enabled important public works, such as the Haida Reconciliation Pole at UBC.
Rian Gauvreau co-founded Clio (with Jack Newton) in 2008, launching a groundbreaking cloud-based legal practice platform now valued at over $5 billion and used in over 90 countries by more than 150,000 legal professionals. A strong advocate for mental health and diversity, he fostered a progressive workplace culture that earned Clio top employer honours in Canada. Through Clio Gives, he helped direct $20 million in software and volunteer support for global pro-bono legal work. As a mentor, philanthropist, and active UBC contributor, Mr. Gauvreau supports early-stage startups and social-impact ventures, exemplifying entrepreneurial leadership and community commitment.
Forestry professor Lori Daniels is an expert in wildfire resilience who excels at community consultation and engagement. As co-founder of the Centre for Wildfire Coexistence, she collaborates with Indigenous and rural communities to co-develop science-based, culturally informed wildfire solutions. By sharing her expertise through hundreds of media interviews, public speaking events, and national forums, Dr. Daniels has galvanized communities’ wildfire preparedness, influenced policy direction, and supported Indigenous stewardship for the maintenance of biodiversity and healthy forest ecosystems.
Dr. Shelina Babul is an internationally recognized expert on concussion and its prevention. She created the Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT), a free online resource now used in over 30 countries to minimize the risk of injury from sport or physical occupations. Her collaborations with partners across Africa, Asia, and Latin America support underserved communities and promote global standards in concussion care. In Canada, her research and advocacy has influenced national policy, including collaboration on the elimination of bodychecking in youth hockey leagues.
Tom Johnson coached UBC’s swimming team from 1990 to 2005 and was key to what would become known as its “Decade of Dominance.” During his tenure, the Thunderbirds won an astounding 35 national and regional titles. Individually, his athletes – including 13 Olympians – earned nearly 200 medals and one world record, elevating UBC’s swimming program to international prominence. As well as developing their talent, Mr. Johnson encouraged academic excellence in his students, helping them to succeed in life as well as in the pool.
Dr. Poul Sorensen’s research has revolutionized cancer diagnostics and treatment, particularly in pediatric cancers. His discovery of a type of gene fusion involved in the development of cancer led to targeted therapies now used to treat over 25 types of the disease. His work also uncovered how cellular processes are highjacked to help tumors adapt under stress, providing insights into how tumors spread and new treatment options. Elected by his peers to the Royal Society of Canada, Dr. Sorensen’s visionary leadership in translational medicine continues to narrow the gap between scientific discovery and lifesaving applications.
Dr. Anthony and Nancy Yurkovich are dedicated to advancing healthcare and education. They are thoughtful philanthropists and advocates who lead by example and inspire others through public speaking and mentorship. At UBC, they support research into sustainable agriculture and initiatives aimed at optimizing patient-clinician relationships. They have enhanced student wellbeing through bursaries and contributions to mental health services. Their community involvement in Richmond, including leadership of a 12-year campaign to establish the Salvation Army Rotary Hospice House, has transformed the city’s healthcare landscape.
Dr. Zongjie (Daniel) Wang is a rising star in biomedical engineering. He developed a groundbreaking microfluidic technology that enables the non-invasive collection of cancer-fighting cells for use in immunotherapy. He then co-founded CTRL Therapeutics, a biotech start-up that raised $10 million to commercialize this work. Dr. Wang currently heads a multi-million research initiative focused on understanding inflammation at the molecular level. A dedicated mentor and a respected community leader, Dr. Wang inspires future scientists through outreach and education.
Learn more about the event here.