Alumni Global Citizenship Award

Presented to a Queen's alumni or group of Queen's alumni in recognition of distinguished work or volunteer service which has made a difference to the well-being of others either at home or abroad. 

In 2022, the QUAA renamed this award from the previous Alumni Humanitarian Award. The QUAA respectfully acknowledges the past recipients of the Alumni Humanitarian Award as the terms of the award remain unchanged. 

Award eligibility and criteria

Candidates should be:

  • A Queen's alumnus/alumna or group of alumni
  • Someone who has made an outstanding difference in the well-being of others within her/his community, or further afield
  • Recognized by their peers or by the public as having demonstrated humanitarian service that has enhanced the lives of others. This accomplishment may include but is not limited to research, innovation, or sustainability. 
  • An individual who has accomplished this service in either a professional or volunteer capacity

2025 Recipient

Laura Tamblyn Watts

  • Artsci’94

Laura Tamblyn Watts looking at the camera smiling, Laura is wearing a blue collared shirt with a diamond pattern and a read flower. in the background is a book titled "Let's Talk About Aging Parents" by Laura Tamblyn Watts

Laura is the CEO of CanAge, Canada’s national seniors’ advocacy organization. She is a lawyer, seniors’ advocate, professor, media commentator, and the international bestselling author of Let’s Talk About Aging Parents.  

Laura is an assistant professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto and the recipient of several national and global awards for her work, including a Community Leadership in Justice Fellowship by the Law Foundation of Ontario. She has previously served as National Director of the Canadian Centre for Elder Law and Chief Public Policy Officer at the Canadian Association of Retired Persons. She currently sits on the boards of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization, AGE-WELL, PACE Independent Living, and the Bereavement Authority of Ontario.  

At Queen’s, Laura was involved with several groups, including Queen’s Model United Nations, where she was president, Queen’s Women’s Centre, where she was also president, and Queen’s Fencing. As an alum, she worked with the Office of Advancement to create The Queen’s Community Connections program in partnership with Queens and CanAge to address social isolation of seniors and connect them with solo alumni over 70 years old.  

Laura says she is beyond honoured by this award, which she gratefully shares with all who work tirelessly to improve the lives of others and make Canada, and the world, just a bit better, a bit fairer, and a bit more kind.