Laurier Grads Soar is a multi-part series that returns for it's fifth installment for the 2020-21 academic year. The segment features former Wilfrid Laurier University athletes and student-leaders in the Athletics and Recreation Department, and the success they have enjoyed since leaving Laurier. Written by award-winning journalist David Grossman, different features will be released throughout the year that will emphasize the role Athletics and Recreation played in helping them achieve success.

Roberto Aburto: Municipal Lawyer and Partner, Gowling WLG

Clarity and precise information are quite evident in a conversation with Roberto Aburto, and there is none of the jibber jabber stuff.

Maybe it's part of his routine, practicing law and presenting cases at the Ontario Superior Court in civil litigation, as a partner in one of the largest legal firms in Canada specializing in municipal law.

Then again, maybe it's just embodied in his natural character and general interests.

Aburto has come a long way since those early years when, then an honours academic student at Toronto's St. Michael's College, he shared his time in a variety of ways. Among his activities, there was competing in varsity sports and playing bassoon in the school band.

In the early years, Aburto's journey in life had no serious road map. But there was an ambitious and energetic force that would surface in time. It was a serious investment in care and helping humanity. Some might find it difficult to understand that it involved a sport – life saving.

Lifesaving Sport is a worldwide movement attracting thousands of participants and training individuals to develop and improve essential physical and mental skills that are needed to save lives in an aquatic setting. The sport consists of a series of team competitions, like open water swimming and emergency response, intended to develop and demonstrate lifesaving skills and fitness.

In Canada, the Lifesaving Society is the national governing body for lifesaving - a sport that is recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

Aburto competed, and made the quarterfinal round, in the 2002 Lifesaving World championship held in Daytona Beach and Orlando.

A grinder, hard worker and team leader, these qualities were all evident during his teen years when he helped revive the swim program at the all-boys' private high school.  Swimming was important to him – be it at school or during the summer.

Choosing to attend Wilfrid Laurier University was interesting. It started with a tour of the campus, where he watched people engage in fun and experience a genuine jovial atmosphere. Yet, it was the reputable Business program that really attracted Aburto to Laurier. His final decision may have left a bad taste with another post-secondary institution as Queen's University figured he was heading to the Kingston school.

At Laurier, Aburto wasted little time finding the Athletics and Recreation Department, and went on to become captain of the swim team. With volunteering at something he enjoyed and thrived on, Aburto contributed his time and expertise in many ways.

“Laurier was the place where I really learned how to work, and the relationships that were developed were very special,” said Aburto. “There was a challenge every day and I learned a great deal.”

“I remember that Laurier was a place that had a large focus on volunteering – and that was important to me. When I look at community service, it was Laurier that embedded me with that responsibility of giving something back.”

When he graduated from Laurier with a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honors), he would leave having also been recognized with a special award for his non-stop work. He also played a part in leading Laurier to an Ontario university championship in life saving.

Unsure of his future career after Laurier, he worked in insurance and coached at the Region of Waterloo Swim Club. What followed was an interest in law. Aburto devoted four years to studies at Michigan State University College of Law and the University of Ottawa. At both, he earned law degrees.

Practising law for the first time, it was in Waterloo where he initially returned to work. There was also a fortuity to coach.

“I was an assistant coach with Laurier's swim team, really enjoyed it,” said Aburto. “I think I was a better coach than a swimmer. One thing is certain, I am always cheering for Laurier.”
 
Dean Boles, now the Chief Executive Officer for Swim Ontario, was a former Laurier grad and praised the work of Aburto.

“There was this huge effort in everything (Aburto) did, nothing stopped him,” said Boles. “What he lacked in talent, he made up for in tenacity and resilience. For him, it was all about other people. He was a huge leader and very much a special kind of guy.”

Commitment and responsibility continue to be important to Aburto. 

From those days of being a lifeguard, to coaching the Mississauga Lifesaving Club. Aburto also made a pledge to be involved in his legal firms' National Council promoting the principles of diversity and inclusion. He has also been the legal adviser on the Board of Directors for the Lifesaving Society (Ontario Branch).


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David Grossman is a multi award-winning communicator and storyteller with a distinguished career in Broadcasting, Journalism and Public Relations in Sport and Government Relations. In 2018, he was the recipient of Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Media Member of Distinction. 

2016-17 Features
Steve Griggs - Chief Executive Officer and President, Tampa Bay Lightning
Sophie Kotsopoulos - Senior Director of Integrated Marketing, National Hockey League
Mike McKenna - Former Director, Telecom, Media and Technology Investment Banking
Nicole Lee - Director of Integrated Marketing, National Hockey League
Mike Bartlett - Executive Director, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Foundation
Rebecca Watts - Manager, 2017 World Junior Hockey Championship
Hugh Lawson - Director of Business Development, Staples Promotional Products
Cheryl Pounder - Former Canadian National Women's Hockey Team Member
John Morris - 2010 Olympic Men's Curling Gold Medalist
Bill Burke - Chief Executive Officer and Owner, Niagara Ice Dogs

2017-18 Features
Tania Pedron - Manager of Administration and Operations, Maple Leafs Sport and Entertainment
Wayne Kemick - BMO Wealth Advisor
Denise Burke - President, Niagara Ice Dogs
Kevin McDonald - Vice President of Football Operations and Player Safety, CFL
Dr. Megan Yaraskavitch - Neurologist
Andrew Agro - Director of Corporate Sponsorship and Business Development, New York Jets
Marcia Powers-Dunlop - Senior Manager of Professional Support Services, Toronto District School Board
Joe Vernon - Lawyer, Miller Canfield
Emily Rudow - Founder, Oneiric Hockey
Todd Cooney - Vice President and Broker, CBRE Limited
Jennifer Elliott - Sports Information Officer, uOttawa Gee-Gees
Rohan  Thompson - Social Worker and Professor, Conestoga College
Dr. Fiona Aiston - Family Doctor
Jeremy Hedges - Founder and President, Inksmith
Sadie Anderson - Firefighter
Andrea Elliott - Sports Information Specialist, Ryerson Rams
Alyssa Lagonia - Professional Soccer Player

2018-19 Features
Ashley Stephenson - Teacher and member of Canada's national women's baseball program
J.R. Edwards - General Manager/Country Director, Carlsberg USA
Ginger Whitney - Vice President, Whitney and Company Realty Limited
Sandy Nixon - Loopstra Nixon law firm
Christina Polano - Lawyer
Donnie Ruiz - CFL alum, artist, personal trainer, and award-winning body builder
Jahmeeks Beckford - Support Worker, Carizon Family and Community Services
Melanie Witzell - Founder and Agency Director, Mad Hatter Technology
Eric Calder - Owner and President, Skills Plus Hockey
Ryan MacDonald - Strength and Conditioning Coach, Volleyball Canada National Beach Team

2019-20 Features
Chrissy McEwan - Account Executive, Detroit Pistons
Ian Noble - Lawyer
Tamika Marks-Grant - Marketing & Branding, Canadian Olympic Committee
Dean Boles - Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technical Officer, Swim Ontario
Andrew Quattrin -  Professional Rugby Player, Toronto Arrows
Scott Driscoll - NHL Official
Steve Bienkowski - Chief Operating Officer, Kitchener Rangers

2020-21 Features
Pat Langdon - Executive Managing Director, Newmark Canada
Cassandra Mensah - Education Fellow, National Women's Law Center
Allister Scorgie - Director of Sport Hosting, Region of Waterloo
Alena Luciani - Owner, Training 2XL