Posted on June 25: McMaster celebrates successes of three young leaders

What do an international physician, an authority on information technology, and a specialist in mutual funds have in common? Each one of them graduated from McMaster and, more recently, they were each named one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40.

The University would like to congratulate David Feather, president, Mackenzie Financial Services Inc., Samantha Nutt, executive director, War Child Canada, and Gerry Smith, president and chief executive officer, Changepoint Corporation.

The prestigious Top 40 Under 40 list is part of a national program founded and managed by The Caldwell Partners to celebrate the leaders of today and tomorrow, and to honour Canadians who have reached a significant level of success but have not yet reached the age of 40.

Each of the McMaster graduates on the Top 40 Under 40 list demonstrates innovation and acts as inspirations for other young Canadians.

David Feather is president of Mackenzie Financial Services Inc. Feather, who holds an MBA from McMaster (1989), has played a predominant part in developing Mackenzie's Marketing department, in building the mutual fund product line, and in supporting Mackenzie's broad dealer efforts and sales initiatives.

Samantha Nutt has dedicated her career to expanding the compassion and reach of medicine. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts & Science degree from McMaster in 1991, she continued her education at McMaster, earning a degree in Medicine in 1994. In 1998, Nutt founded the Canadian chapter of War Child, an international non-profit and non-governmental organization working closely with the music and entertainment industries to find creative ways of helping children traumatized by war and conflict. She currently acts as the organization's executive director.

A graduate in 1990 from McMaster's MBA program, Gerry Smith has been president and CEO of Changepoint since 1994. His vision, business management expertise, and technology sense have made Changepoint a leader in the IT business process automation market. Considered an industry authority on IT Services Automation, Smith regularly presents his vision on IT department reform and services automation at leading industry conferences throughout North America.

For, Feather, Nutt, and Smith, their innovations have led them to become three of Canada's leaders of tomorrow and members of a community of successful McMaster graduates.