Young Alumnus/Alumna Award

The Young Alumnus/Alumna Award is presented to a young alumnus/alumna who embodies the spirit of StFX through their actions and accomplishments. The recipient must be 40 years of age or less.

Nomination Information

2025 Recipient

Emily Lorra Hines ‘14

Since graduating in 2014, Emily Lorra Hines has already influenced national conversation on one of Canada’s most pressing environmental issues.  

As a Public Policy student with a specialization in Aquatic Resource Management, Emily made the most of her time at StFX as a member of the Rowing and Cheer teams, co-host of a radio show, and recipient of the Alumni Recognition Bursary.  

Her passion for exploration was ignited through a Service-Learning trip to Mexico, and later, a full-year exchange in Denmark. These experiences deepened her understanding of global water issues, leading her to pursue an MSc in Water Science, Policy, and Management at Oxford University. While there, Emily volunteered with the UK-based non-profit, Beyond Equality where her work was featured in GQ, BBC, and VICE, and collaborated with MP’s and academics across the UK to present her Masters’ thesis at prestigious European conferences.  

Currently, Emily is Director of the Forum for Leadership on Water (FLOW) and Co-Chair of the Canadian Coalition for Healthy Waters (CCHW), where she oversees more than 50 organizations including WWF and Ducks Unlimited. She has presented to Environmental Ministers and federal policymakers, testified in the House of Commons, spoken internationally at the UN COP 28 and UN Economic Commission for Europe, and met directly with the UN Special Rapporteur for Safe Drinking Water.  

Emily creates opportunities to increase awareness on water issues, organizing many high-level forums with parliamentarians, Indigenous leaders, and academics to develop sustainable water policy for all Canadians. Under her leadership, FLOW’s work was instrumental in advancing the creation of the Canada Water Agency, the first federal agency dedicated to freshwater issues.  

Emily’s enthusiasm for freshwater policy and commitment to positive change embody the spirit of StFX and make her a deserving recipient for the Young Alumna Award.