The EUTA Awards celebrate individuals, project teams and groups who support the University’s mission through their outstanding contributions and daily work. The recipients demonstrate the University’s Institutional Competencies: leadership; equity, diversity, and inclusion; collaboration; stewardship; and innovation & excellence.
The Division of People Strategy, Equity & Culture (PSEC) held the 2024-25 Exemplary University of Toronto Ambassador (EUTA) Awards presentation and reception on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in the Great Hall at Hart House. U of T President Meric Gertler and Kelly Hannah-Moffat, vice-president, PSEC, presented the awards. KPE’s Sharon Grandison was one of sixteen award recipients from across a wide array of University faculties and divisions.
“Receiving this award means the world to me,” said Grandison. “I feel so grateful and humbled by the experience. It’s a privilege to be able to contribute to an organization that prioritizes equity, diversity and inclusion in everything it does.”
Grandison has been with the Faculty since 2013 and is currently the director of Human Resources. With over more than a decade with KPE, she has made significant and transformative contributions to the Faculty and the University at large. She embodies the values of excellence and inclusion while overseeing an HR team that serves more than 1,250 staff and faculty members daily.
KPE Chief Administrative Officer Paul Handley nominated Grandison for the award because she works tirelessly to make U of T a better place.
“Sharon is the archetypal recipient of the EUTA award,” he said. “She consistently models a commitment to U of T’s core values. We are fortunate to have someone of her caliber managing our HR service delivery and leading through influence across KPE and the University.”
In 2018, Grandison played a pivotal role in modernizing KPE's payroll process. She also reimagined two arduous hiring processes, making them more efficient and better at supporting applicants and staff. She balances strategic vision and a forward-thinking approach with strict adherence to policy and collective agreements.
Grandison also fosters a culture of excellence by encouraging professional development within her team. When it came time to implement flexible work arrangements, she demonstrated adaptability and a commitment to employee well-being.
Her long-standing commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion has accelerated the University’s vision of a more inclusive and equitable environment for all. As a co-chair of the KPE Task Force on Race and Indigeneity, Grandison guided a process that resulted in recommendations to reshape the Faculty’s approach to inclusion.
Her visionary leadership also led to the creation of the Faculty’s director position for equity, diversity and inclusion—a role that has already had far-reaching impact for the KPE community. Grandison is the co-creator of the Connections and Conversations employee resource group, which promotes inclusion and awareness across campus. She shared her own career journey as a panel member marking the International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
“I see this award as a reflection of the giant strides we’ve made in this space recently—as a Faculty, as a University and as a team,” said Grandison. “This honour really belongs to all of the team members and collaborators who have joined me on this journey and I am grateful to have had the privilege to work alongside them all.”