[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/fox_feather_2007.jpg” caption=”Wayne Fox (left) presents the Distinguished Alumni Award named in his honour to David Feather, president, Mackenzie Financial Services Inc.”]

The DeGroote School of Business will celebrate alumni, faculty and students at the annual Accolades event this evening.

The centerpiece of the evening will be the Wayne C. Fox Distinguished Alumni Award, DeGroote's highest honour. This year's recipient is David Feather, president, Mackenzie Financial Services Inc.

As president, Feather oversees the distribution and product management of a wide range of Canadian and international mutual funds and related financial products. Over the past 15 years, Mackenzie has grown from $4 billion in assets to $58 billion.

“David has achieved significant career success in a relatively short time,” says Paul Bates, Dean of the DeGroote School of Business. “His focus on his clients and his commitment to innovation have made Mackenzie a leader of the financial services industry.”

In addition to Feather's professional achievements, he is a director of two charitable groups: Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation and Child Development Institute. In 2002, he was recognized among the Top 40 Under 40.

The Accolades evening will also include the presentation of the annual faculty research award of excellence to Nick Bontis, associate professor of strategic market leadership.

Bontis is a leading pioneer in the fields of intellectual capital, knowledge management and organizational learning. His work examines how knowledge resources, including human capital, relate to organizational performance.

DeGroote will also recognize student leaders.