Estelle Oliva-Fisher, Managing Director of the Troost Institute for Leadership Education in Engineering, is one of three recipients of the University of Toronto’s 2025 Chancellor’s Emerging Leader Award.
Part of U of T’s Pinnacle Awards Program, this honour recognizes an individual who demonstrates outstanding leadership and significantly advances the University’s mission to foster an academic community in which the learning and scholarship of every member may flourish.
Oliva-Fisher first joined the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering in 2010 as a Leadership Education Specialist with the Troost Institute for Leadership Education in Engineering, providing support for student and staff learning and development. Currently, she serves within the Institute for Studies in Transdisciplinary Engineering Education and Practice (ISTEP), where she leads and develops student co-curricular initiatives and industry partnerships.
During her time at the faculty, Oliva-Fisher has led multiple innovative initiatives, identifying and addressing gaps, developing impactful strategies, and then implementing plans to ensure the solutions continue beyond her immediate oversight.
Some of her notable accomplishments include the creation of the Engagement & Development Network for the faculty’s staff, her leadership of the Decanal Task Force on Mental Health and implementation of its recommendations, the development of the Professional Experience Year Co-op Preparatory Program, and being an original member of the team that expanded the Leaders of Tomorrow program faculty wide,
“Estelle consistently builds strong partnerships with her colleagues, students and alumni across U of T Engineering, creating an inclusive environment where all can thrive,” says Professor Greg Evans, Director of ISTEP.
“Her investment in the success of our faculty across so many initiatives has been a tremendous benefit to our students’ experience, and we are thrilled that her leadership has been recognized with this award.”