Zabeen Hirji, SFU Beedie Executive-in-Residence and alumnus, appointed to Order of Ontario

SFU's Beedie School of Business is proud to share that Zabeen Hirji (MBA ’94), Executive-in-Residence at SFU Beedie, has been appointed to the Order of Ontario for 2025.

One of Ontario’s highest civilian honours, the Order recognizes individuals whose distinguished service and extraordinary achievements have helped build a stronger province and country. Zabeen joins an exceptional group of leaders whose impact spans business, public service, technology, health care and the arts.

A proud SFU alumnus and recipient of SFU’s Outstanding Alumni Award, Zabeen returned to SFU Beedie as Executive-in-Residence to help shape the future of business education. Based in Toronto, she is a strategic advisor to business, government and academia. She previously spent 40 years at RBC, including a decade as Chief Human Resources Officer, where she helped lead the organization through significant transformation in talent, leadership and culture.

Now in what she describes as her “Purposeful Third Act,” Zabeen continues to drive social and economic impact through a portfolio of initiatives. At SFU Beedie, she influences new programming and advises the social innovation hub, RADIUS, on its Future of Work Program. She also articipates in the broader community through speaking engagements with students and alumni, and at public events hosted by the school. Her support of initiatives such as the MBA Leadership Challenge case competition further reflects her deep commitment to experiential learning and student success.

A recognized champion of inclusive growth and lifelong learning, Zabeen has received numerous honours for her impact on business and society, including Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal for advancing diversity and inclusion. Her appointment to the Order of Ontario reflects a career defined not only by organizational excellence, but by a steadfast commitment to people, purpose and preparing leaders for the future of work—values that are deeply aligned with SFU Beedie’s mission to develop innovative and socially responsible business leaders.

Congratulations, Zabeen, on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for all that you do for SFU Beedie and our business communities across B.C. and Canada.