Two Trent University honorary degree recipients - Zabeen Hirji ’25 (hon) and Claudette McGowan ’25 (hon) have been named to the 2025 Order of Ontario, the province’s highest honour recognizing exceptional achievement and impact. 

“On behalf of the Trent community, I extend my sincere congratulations to Zabeen Hirji and Claudette McGowan on their appointment to the Order of Ontario. This honour recognizes their extraordinary professional achievements, and the purpose and integrity with which they lead,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “Zabeen’s commitment to inclusive leadership and the future of work, and Claudette’s groundbreaking innovation in cybersecurity and digital equity, exemplify the kind of impact Trent graduates and honorary degree recipients demonstrate, from learning to legacy. We are proud to count them among our community.” 

A Champion of Purpose Driven Leadership
Zabeen Hirji ’25 (hon) is a woman of ‘firsts’ in corporate Canada and a respected thought leader, renowned for her work advancing inclusion and championing responsible leadership in the Canadian workforce. Three years after immigrating to Canada, Hirji began her career as a teller at the Royal Bank of Canada, eventually rising to the position of Chief Human Resources Officer overseeing 80,000 employees globally. She is the first South Asian woman to reach the C-suite of a TSX100 company.  

Currently, Hirji advises leaders across various sectors on the future of work in an AI-enabled world, championing inclusion, the advancement of women, youth, and people of colour, and the practice of responsible leadership. An active connector, writer, and speaker, she is also building a “Purposeful Third Act” movement that empowers leaders to design their next chapter for social, economic, and environmental impact. Her roles include senior advisor to Deloitte and Canada’s Clerk of the Privy Council, and Governor of Junior Achievement Worldwide. Hirji has received numerous awards for leadership in business, HR, and diversity. 

A Visionary in Cybersecurity and Digital Innovation
Claudette McGowan ’25 (hon) is a globally recognized technology and cybersecurity leader with more than 25 years of experience driving digital and cybersecurity transformation at major institutions such as the Bank of Montreal and TD Bank. As CEO and Founder of Protexxa, she is at the forefront of developing AI-powered cybersecurity solutions designed to strengthen digital safety, protect privacy, and put people first.  

A champion for equity in the tech sector, McGowan is widely known for her advocacy for women and underrepresented groups, working to break systematic barriers and expand access to mentorship, opportunity, and leadership pathways. As co-founder of Phoenix Fire and The Firehood, she cultivates diverse entrepreneurial talent by creating spaces where innovation, inclusion, and technical excellence can thrive. Her groundbreaking career has earned numerous accolades, including being named in the Top 20 Canadian Women in Cybersecurity and the Women’s Executive Network’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada.  

Both leaders will be formally invested into the Order of Ontario at a ceremony in Toronto later this year. Read the full list of 2025 Order of Ontario appointees.