AGE-WELL is proud to recognize three outstanding leaders — Mimi Lowi-Young, Andrew Sixsmith and Michael Tamblyn — as recipients of the 2025 AGE-WELL Honorary Fellow Awards.
The award recognizes members who have made long-term and substantial contributions to research and innovation in the AgeTech sector, as well as a significant contribution to AGE-WELL.
AGE-WELL is deeply appreciative of our new Honorary Fellows for their exceptional service and lasting impact.
Mimi Lowi-Young
Mimi Lowi-Young is an inspiring leader who served as Chair of the AGE-WELL Board of Directors from 2018 to 2025 and is now Immediate Past Chair. She has over 40 years of experience in health care leadership in acute care, continuing care, community care, and health charities. Ms. Lowi-Young was CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Canada and the inaugural CEO of the Central West Local Health Integration Network. Currently, she is a Senior Fellow and Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, School of Public Health, at the University of Toronto.
Andrew Sixsmith
Dr. Andrew Sixsmith is a founding and former Co-Scientific Director of AGE-WELL. He played a pivotal role in building AGE-WELL as Canada’s national network for technology and aging, fostering partnerships across academia, industry and government. Dr. Sixsmith is a Professor of Gerontology at Simon Fraser University and Director of the STAR (Science and Technology for Aging Research) Institute. An internationally recognized leader, he continues to guide AGE-WELL as lead of the Healthy Lifestyles & Wellness Challenge Area. And a member of our Research Management Committee.
Michael Tamblyn
Michael Tamblyn is the President and CEO of Rakuten Kobo and the inaugural Chief Entrepreneur of AGE-WELL. In that volunteer AGE-WELL role, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the network and the AgeTech sector. Mr. Tamblyn has generously shared his knowledge and experience with AGE-WELL, supporting innovators through mentorship and guidance. A pioneer in digital reading, he has led Kobo’s global growth and oversees Rakuten’s eReading businesses. Previously, he was the founding CEO of BookNet Canada and co-founded Canada’s first online bookstore, Bookshelf.ca.
The 2025 AGE-WELL Honorary Fellow Award recipients were announced at the AGE-WELL 10th Annual Conference in Montreal on October 23, 2025.
Photo: From left to right: Bridgette Murphy, CEO, AGE-WELL; The Honourable Stephanie McLean, Secretary of State (Seniors); in the centre, Mimi Lowi-Young, Andrew Sixsmith and Michael Tamblyn, recipients of the 2025 AGE-WELL Honorary Fellow Award; and Ian Struthers, Chair, AGE-WELL Board of Directors.