Congrats!

Omar Raza (LLB 2010), Adam Vasey (LLB 2002), and Fabio Costante (JD 2013) were honoured Thursday, November 19, at the University of Windsor Alumni Association’s annual general meeting and awards presentations.

The three young alums received Odyssey Awards in recognition of their successes in career endeavours, notable achievements in their local community or the University, or significant or innovative achievement in their professional or personal lives.

As director of Pathway to Potential, an organization dedicated to reducing poverty in Windsor-Essex County, Vasey has leveraged his training in both law and social work for the betterment of the community. He has also been an active volunteer for numerous local agencies, including Citizen Advocacy, the Alzheimer’s Society and the Ontario Association of Social Workers. Vasey has won awards from both the Ontario Association of Social Workers and the Law Foundation of Ontario, and is an instructor with the University’s MSW/JD program.

Costante, who practices law in the area of civil, administrative and constitutional litigation, is a trustee on the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board and a sessional instructor at the Odette School of Business. He has founded two non-profit initiatives that have grown in both size and impact. Enactus Windsor is a student club focused on creating economic opportunities for residents of Windsor-Essex through entrepreneurship. Our West End is a grassroots organization working to develop the community through resident engagement and empowerment.

Raza works as chief of staff to Ontario’s Minister of Children and Youth Services. In this position, he is responsible for oversight, management and controls over a broad operating budget and has worked extensively in the area of strategy management. He previously held the position of director of policy and stakeholder relations for the ministry and was also senior advisor to Windsor-West MPP Teresa Piruzza. One of significant projects Raza worked on during that time was the $1.4 billion Windsor Essex Parkway infrastructure project.

Adam Vasey BA ’99, LLB ’02, MSW ‘08

Adam Vasey has dedicated his professional career to helping those in the community in need of support. As the Director of Pathway to Potential, Windsor-Essex County’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, Adam has helped form a collaborative, multi-sector approach to reducing and preventing poverty in Windsor-Essex. As Director, Adam has been able to utilize his training in both law and social work for the betterment of the community. In addition to this work, he is active on a number of local, provincial and national poverty-related committees such as Minimum Wage Advisory Panel, an appointment by the Ontario Ministry of Labour.

Adam has also been an active volunteer for numerous local agencies and organizations including Citizen Advocacy, the Alzheimer’s Society and the Ontario Association of Social Workers. In 2012, Adam received the “Distinguished Social Worker of the Year” award through the Ontario Association of Social Workers, Southwestern Branch. Adam has also been an instructor with the University’s MSW/JD Program through the Faculty of Law. He was awarded the Community Leadership in Justice Fellowship from the Law Foundation of Ontario for 2014-15.

“It's truly an honour to receive the Odyssey Award, as I have so many mentors and colleagues from the University community to thank for my social justice advocacy in the Windsor-Essex community.”

Omar Raza BSc ’07, LLB ‘10

Omar Raza has made his mark in the area of government relations since graduating from the University of Windsor. Omar has demonstrated the ability to manage resources and relationships in his role as Chief of Staff with the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services. In this position, Omar has been responsible for oversight, management and controls over a broad operating budget and has worked extensively in the area of strategy management. He has also been the Chief Liaison and advisor to the Ontario Premier’s office on joint management and service delivery.

Prior to his position as Chief of Staff, Omar was the Director of Policy and Stakeholder Relations with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and was also the senior advisor to the local MPP for Windsor West. One of the significant projects Omar worked on during his time with the Windsor West MPP’s office was the $1.4 billion Windsor Essex Parkway infrastructure project.

"I’ve had the privilege of working with many leaders and advocates in our community, Through their work, I have learned the meaning of selfless contribution. I am humbled by the award that highlighted for me that my work has helped my community."

Fabio Costante BComm ’07, MBA ’08, JD ‘13

Fabio Costante is passionate about his community. A multiple graduate of the University of Windsor, Fabio has founded two non-profit initiatives that have grown in both size and impact. In 2006, Fabio founded Enactus Windsor, a non-profit initiative focused on creating economic opportunities for residents of Windsor-Essex through entrepreneurship. In 2010, he founded Our West End, a non-profit grassroots initiative focused on community development and capacity building through resident engagement and empowerment.

A multiple award winner including the “Rising Star” award from the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce, Fabio has helped to bring attention to a variety of social justice causes. In December 2014 Fabio was elected as a trustee to the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board where he is able to put his love for education to work. Fabio strongly believes that education is the foundation for students and for our community and looks forward to contributing and serving on the Board.

Fabio currently practices law in the area of civil, administrative and constitutional litigation. He is also a sessional instructor at the University’s Odette School of Business.

"To be recognized along with two friends and colleagues that I admire and respect is truly an honour. We are all graduates of Windsor Law, a school that values access to justice and community service, and I think part of the reason we were recognized is because of our involvement in these areas, both in and out of the practice of law.

I am a product of our great University and the Windsor-Essex community where I was born and raised. Any recognition for my efforts I owe entirely to the University, our community, my family and close friends who have not only supported me throughout my life, but have shown me ways to contribute to our community with purpose and meaning."

Congratulations gentlemen!

Check out more stories and our latest Access Windsor Law newsletter.