DeGroote’s support network helps the School transform business and society

business-recap_1

The many successes of the DeGroote School of Business, both inside and outside the classroom, have been well documented. Behind the scenes, there’s a large and enthusiastic group of stakeholders helping the School further its mission of transforming business and society.

Comprised of industry partners, corporate sponsors, alumni, and enthusiastic donors, the philanthropic efforts centred around DeGroote have a profound impact on the School’s initiatives. Many supporters, including McMaster alumni Kevin Lockhart, Adam Felesky, Mary Lou Maher, and Mark Thompson, are choosing to directly support student success.

In October, Lockhart donated $300,000 to establish the Kevin A. Lockhart Family Scholarship Fund. The Fund will provide two scholarships of $5,000 each for students entering the new Integrated Business and Humanities (IBH) program. When the program commences in 2017, IBH students will be exposed to a variety of learning opportunities via coursework and co-curricular activities, with an emphasis on responsible leadership and management tactics for our changing global economy. “The Integrated Business and Humanities program is truly progressive,” says Lockhart, a 1987 Humanities alumnus and current Head of Leveraged Finance Origination with BMO Capital Markets in New York. “I chose to support this program because it’s going to equip the business leaders of tomorrow with more than just practical skills.”

The Adam Felesky MBA Scholarship, valued at $30,000, is an invitation-only competition that was created to award a DeGroote MBA scholarship to one outstanding, newly admitted MBA student each year. It is supported by the generosity of Felesky, President of Portag3 Ventures and former CEO of Horizons Exchange Traded Funds, and an Engineering and Social Sciences alumnus from 1999. This year’s winner of the scholarship, Michelle Zhu, was thrilled to earn the award. “This scholarship relieves a huge financial burden for someone of my age, and I will be using the award to pay for the MBA tuition,” she says. “Having this financial support will allow me to focus my efforts more on extracurricular activities that will enhance my experience and leadership development at DeGroote.”

Maher, a Commerce grad from 1983, chooses to throw her support behind the DeGroote Experience Fund – a pool of funding available to students for national and international competitions, conferences, leadership workshops, and a wide variety of events. “Championing diversity in the workplace is extremely important to me. That’s why I contribute to the DeGroote Experience Fund,” says Maher, Partner, Business Unit Leader, GTA Audit & Chief Inclusion Officer at KPMG. “I want students at DeGroote from all walks of life to be able to access key resources and contacts outside the classroom. Sometimes, all it takes is a little support to help students make the next big leap in their lives and careers. We all have the power to make a difference.”

Mark Thompson, a fellow Commerce alumnus from 1983 and current Chief Operating Officer & Chief Compliance Officer with Foyston, Gordon & Payne Inc., echoes Maher’s sentiments through his support of the DeGroote Experience Fund. “I want to alleviate some of the financial stress for DeGroote students, so they can make the most of their time at university. There’s a significant upside to getting involved in activities outside the classroom.”

When it comes to corporate relationships, DeGroote has also benefited greatly from connecting with industry leaders.

The School’s new Executive MBA in Digital Transformation (EMBA), which welcomed its first cohort in September, has joined forces with five corporate partners: theScoreCIBCIBMSAS, and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. As part of the innovative 13-month program, students partake in four residential modules – held in Ontario and Silicon Valley, California – where they learn from industry experts on site. The program’s reputation and strategic partnerships have already attracted students from around the world, including Indian cardiologist Dr. Ashutosh Vashistha, who want to learn about digital transformation and its intersection with business strategy.

The DeGroote Commerce Society Student Lounge is the official student space exclusively for undergraduate Commerce students. Located beside the Gould Trading Floor, the lounge serves as a popular location for students to work together on assignments or socialize between classes. In 2016, KPMG renewed their support of DeGroote Commerce students with a gift to support renovations of the lounge, helping to further enhance the student experience. KPMG also contributes to student success through Commerce scholarships and ongoing recruitment of DeGroote internship and co-op students, and graduates.

On the event side of DeGroote’s operations, the School’s extensive list of partnerships with industry and media players fosters a deep connection between members of the broader community.

The Burlington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) recently signed-on as a series sponsor for the popular Burlington Knowledge @ DeGroote and DeGroote Women’s Professional Network events. BEDC has been a committed partner with DeGroote since the School first expanded into Burlington in 2010. When it comes to documenting DeGroote events in the Burlington area, local media partner Cogeco features interviews with faculty and staff and event recaps on their Halton Insider program.

More recently, Raymond James joined the DeGroote Women’s Professional Network as the 2016-2017 series presenter. “I’m very pleased to be able to formally welcome Raymond James, and thank them for their contribution towards the success of the DeGroote Women’s Professional Network,” says Kristine Leadbetter, Advancement Officer at the DeGroote School of Business. Raymond James is led by Chairman and CEO Paul Allison, a proud DeGroote MBA alumnus, who feels the Network is perfectly aligned with the principles of the Raymond James Network For Women Advisors.

The DeGroote School of Business takes a relationship-based approach to building the DeGroote Network to ensure close alignment between the organization’s goals and those of its many partners and stakeholders. Contact Mark John Stewart to discuss how you might join DeGroote’s mission to transform business and society. Be sure to also view DeGroote’s event calendar to learn about more inspiring and informative events coming up in 2017.

Related Stories