Rayla Myhal has received the Honorary Alumna Award, an Engineering Alumni Network Impact Award in recognition of her significant contributions to U of T Engineering.
“To call my reaction a surprise would be inadequate; I was genuinely unaware that I would be receiving this award. I am profoundly honoured and deeply moved by this recognition, especially knowing I join a small, distinguished group of previous recipients,” says Myhal.
“I hold the Engineering department and all its accomplishments — from the stellar faculty to the exceptional caliber of its students — in the highest regard. It is a true pleasure simply to observe the mentorship and cultivation of these promising individuals.”
Myhal has proved to be an invaluable member of the U of T Engineering community — consistently spearheading projects that advance equity and access to STEM education. She and her husband George Myhal (IndE 7T8) paved the way for groundbreaking teaching and research at U of T Engineering by establishing the Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation & Entrepreneurship in 2018. Today, the state-of-the-art facility supports exceptional engineering education and research, providing meeting spaces for students to collaborate and develop the next big startup idea.
In addition to her work in STEM education advocacy, Myhal is known for her ability to bring people together and build community. This past summer, she opened the doors to her Niagara vineyard, Featherstone Estate Winery, inviting U of T alumni to reconnect over good food, fine wine and live music.
“Her empathy, enthusiasm and visionary thinking are what make her an exceptional leader,” says Ines Lucia Fernandez (IndE OT9 + PEY), president of the EAN Council.
“She embodies the values of the U of T Engineering community, and I’m so excited about this award and that we can officially call her an alumna.”
Beyond her work with U of T Engineering, Myhal’s impact as a leader and philanthropist is wide-ranging. Myhal, who serves as vice-president of corporate and social responsibility for Windermere Investment Corporation and sits on the board of directors for the St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation, has made meaningful contributions to the arts, health care and global humanitarian efforts. Notably, through her work as president and director of the Myhal Family Foundation, she helped mobilize support for humanitarian relief in Ukraine. And at the Royal Conservatory of Music, where she serves as vice-chair of the board of directors, she’s unlocked educational and scholarship opportunities for music students, including facilitating the Carnegie Hall debut of the Glenn Gould School student orchestra last year.
“Rayla’s exceptional record of leadership and social responsibility speaks for itself. She thinks like an engineer — rolling up her sleeves to develop solutions to problems communities are facing,” says Dean Chris Yip.
“Rayla, thank you for all the ways you are making U of T Engineering stronger and congratulations on this well-deserved honour.”
Learn more about the other 2025 Engineering Alumni Network Awards recipients:
- Natasha Baker (ECE 0T8) — Rising Star Award
- Rudolf Seracino (CivE 9T3, MASc 9T5) — Research & Innovation Award
- David McColl (ElecE 7T9) — Industry Award
- Jacquelyn R. MacCoon (MSE 1T2+PEY, MEng 1T4) — Citizenship Award
- Michael H. May (ChemE 9T1, PhD 9T8) — Distinguished Alumni Award
