Honorary Degrees

Honorary degrees recognize individuals who have accomplished extraordinary achievements and remarkable service. These individuals have demonstrated a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge in one or more field; provided outstanding service to the greater society through non-academic achievements and/or public service; or made noteworthy contributions in areas relevant to the mission of the university and/or local community.

DOCTOR OF LAWS, HONORIS CAUSA (LLD)
Awarded for outstanding achievement in social science in the broadest sense, or significant community contributions at the local, national or international levels.

Honorary Degree Recipient

Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

For her renowned leadership in the real estate development industry, community volunteerism, philanthropic endeavours that have contributed greatly to the growth of Durham Region and beyond, and her success as a national team athlete, the university proudly confers upon Ms. Christina Sorbara the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.

Ms. Sorbara is a highly regarded business executive, strategic coach, author, speaker and athlete. Within the family-owned real estate development company, the Sorbara Group of Companies (Sorbara Group), she serves as Vice-President of Corporate Knowledge, part of the Strategic Planning Oversight Group, and as Head of Human Resources and Corporate Responsibility for the entire group of companies.

The Sorbara Group has been an innovative force shaping Ontario’s real estate sector for more than 80 years; an integrated real estate, planning, development, construction, investment and management firm, operating commercial, industrial, office and retail properties, managing residential rentals and building high-rise and low-rise communities.

Ms. Sorbara and the Sorbara team currently oversee numerous projects in various stages of development in and around the Greater Golden Horseshoe, including past and present builds in Durham Region.

She is also a Director of the Advisory Board, Chair of the Human Resources Committee and the Chair of The Sam Sorbara Charitable Foundation (celebrating 40 years); the main vehicle for the family’s and company’s community engagement and philanthropy.

Ms. Sorbara holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics and International Relations from Brown University in Rhode Island. She is also a trained strategic coach through Adler International Learning and the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.

Among her other pursuits, she sits on the SickKids Foundation Board, its Campaign Cabinet, and the SickKids Innovator Advisory Council; she is a Director of the Board with Bannockburn Montessori School, Co-chairs its Facilities Committee, and is past Director of the Board with The Toronto Santa Claus Parade.

She is an active volunteer for Brown University with the university’s Annual Fund Class Committee, its Sports Foundation Women’s Hockey Committee, and its Admissions Alumni Interviewing Program. She is former captain of the Brown Women’s Ice Hockey Team, and member of the Brown Women’s Rugby Team. She is the former captain of Canada’s National Women’s Inline Hockey Team and has competed in eight world championships.

She regularly speaks on various topics including: women in leadership, leadership, philanthropy, family business dynamics and real estate development.

Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

For his outstanding accomplishments in business, his commitment to building a culture of philanthropy and a lifetime of charitable and volunteer service, attributes that align with Ontario Tech’s key values of integrity, inclusion, intellectual resilience and innovation, the university proudly confers upon Mr. Edward Sorbara the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.

The son of a first-generation Canadian, Mr. Sorbara has been Principal of the Sorbara Group of Companies (Sorbara Group) for nearly 56 years. The Sorbara Group has been an innovative force shaping Ontario’s real estate sector for more than 80 years; an integrated real estate, planning, development, construction, investment and management firm, operating commercial, industrial, office and retail properties, managing residential rentals and building high-rise and low-rise communities. Mr. Sorbara is involved in all phases of the real estate industry, including residential, industrial and commercial land development, industrial construction, and residential construction and property management.

Mr. Sorbara joined the family business in 1967 after completing a bachelor’s degree in Commerce at the University of Toronto and a master’s degree in Business Administration at the University of Chicago.

Learning the values of hard work and philanthropy from his parents, his business acumen is guided by two principles: his company ‘should care about quality because the family’s name goes on everything’, and with whatever they build, they should ‘make sure it works’. Mr. Sorbara has always led by example. To encourage a spirit of philanthropy in his children, he and his wife Marisa brought them to volunteer with Meals on Wheels, SickKids and Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged, and to attend various charity events.

He has received many accolades, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, honouring his significant contributions and achievements in the community and Canada. As a member of one of 20 Italian-Canadian families who supported the creation of Galleria Italia at the Art Gallery of Ontario, in 2015 he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the Star of Italy. In 2016, he also received a Real Estate Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award from the Greater Toronto Chapter of the National Association for Industrial and Office Parks for his outstanding leadership, achievements and contributions. In 2018, he received The Senate 150th Anniversary Medal for his generosity, dedication and volunteerism.

He is well-regarded in the building and land-development industry, and by business associations across the country. His achievements reflect a commitment to the development industry and to serving all Canadians. In 2019, he received the Building Industry and Land Development Association’s (BILD) Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his legacy in the building and land-development sectors. He has served as:

• President of the Urban Development Institute of Ontario and of Canada.
• Member of the founding Steering Committee of the Toronto City Summit Alliance, where he Co-Chaired the Affordable Housing Coalition.
• Long-standing member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors and the National Association of Industrial and Office Parks.

Mr. Sorbara continues to play an active role in supporting communities. He is a former United Way of Greater Toronto board member and currently sits on the Archdiocese of Toronto Finance Council and related Catholic Cemeteries’ Board. He is also Treasurer of the Board of the Villa Charities Foundation, and founder of their annual Giro Cycling Fundraiser. Additional leadership roles include membership in the Literary Circle of the Toronto Public Library Foundation, and founding the Vaughan Breakfast for Prostate Cancer Canada.