Dean's reflection
Dear Friends,
This past year has been remarkable. As I reflect on the progress we have made at the Ted Rogers School of Management, I feel immense pride and gratitude for our community of supporters. Thank you to our donors, alumni and the entire Ted Rogers School community for your continued partnership and support.
Last year, we set out an ambitious roadmap to empower student learning, strengthen programming, drive research and build connection and community. So many of you stepped up to help make that vision possible, through your philanthropy, your time and your belief in our students and our school. That generosity was capped by an extraordinary commitment of $12.5 million, the second largest gift in our school's history. Together, your support will help protect student access in a period of financial uncertainty, expand experiential learning opportunities, catalyze student entrepreneurship, invest in technology and innovation, and support emerging faculty research.
Together, we worked towards achieving the faculty’s goals by introducing new academic programs and research centres, expanding student learning opportunities and support, building new partnerships and strengthening connections within our school community and beyond.
This progress touched every part of our community, from students who found new doors open to them, the connections built across campus and the research shaping change. This year, we proudly:
- Launched a new Health Services Management major in Business Management, preparing students to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals who can manage within the complex Canadian healthcare system. The major combines the strengths of the Business Management program with specialized courses in healthcare administration.
- Increased funding for student support through new awards, donations to support experiential learning and other areas of greatest need.
- Established the Loretta Rogers Global Research Impact fund – our largest research investment yet.
To every donor, graduate and friend who invested in our school through donations, sponsorships and your time, thank you for believing in our vision. This year’s progress and success was made possible because of you. We are truly grateful for your support.
Sincerely,
Dr. Cynthia Holmes
Dean, Ted Rogers School of Management
Student learning and success sits at the centre of everything we do at the Ted Rogers School. We continue to develop our programs and supports to ensure our students' continued success. The Business Career Hub and Fit for Business keeps students trained and up-to-date on the skills relevant to industry, while our Program and Academic Advising Office provides them with the writing support and guidance to successfully complete their program. Donor support allows us to provide tuition relief to our students, access to co-op opportunities and experiential opportunities through awards and scholarships.
With the newly established awards, we look forward to showing how these funds will support Ted Rogers School students, and what’s possible when support grows.
$1.8 million+ committed to new awards
634 awards and scholarships distributed
Awards and scholarships
The Ted Rogers School continues to build on our commitment to student success by increasing the number and value of student awards, with a focus on equity-deserving groups and international students. A total of 75% of our students rely on financial support, and recent changes to the OSAP funding structure have made the support more critical than ever. Our goal is to create a more inclusive education that meets the needs of our students today while preparing for the future. Support from donors through scholarships, awards and bursaries moves us closer to making education accessible for everyone.
Donor support in action
“My family and I had been discussing how I would manage tuition and commuting costs this term, and I was considering taking on more work hours, which would have taken time away from my studies and the commitments I care about. Donor support eases that pressure and allows me to stay focused in the classroom and on the goals I have set for myself. These awards also allow me to continue working toward my long-term goal of becoming a keynote speaker who shares authentic stories and encourages others to recognize their own potential. Having fewer financial worries makes a meaningful difference in how I can show up, learn and stay involved in my community.”
Tristan Kim
Bcomm, Accounting and Finance, 2027
Tristan is the 2025-2026 recipient of the Soberman Goldstein Accounting Award and the Wayne McFarlane Award.
Ronald Alphonso Award
The Alphonso Family has committed $100,000 to establish the Ronald Alphonso Award. Created in honour of the late Ronald Alphonso, a double business alum, the award reflects his legacy of resilience, growth and reinvention. This endowed fund will support incoming graduate students who are investing in their education as part of a career transition, helping them advance their goals and unlock new professional pathways.
Excellence in Management Award
An anonymous donor has generously committed $1.25 million to establish the Excellence in Management Award. This award will provide financial support for five years to support 50 students annually at the Ted Rogers School who have financial need and demonstrate academic excellence.
Don Inouye Scholarship in Business Ethics
Don Inouye has committed $10,000 towards the Don Inouye Scholarship in Business Ethics. This award will provide financial support for Law and Business students at the Ted Rogers School with the highest grade in the Law and Business Ethics course.
Seymore Obront Award
Jeff Mooney has made a generous commitment of $50,000 towards the Seymore Obront Award. This award will provide financial support to Retail Management students who demonstrate academic excellence, a strong commitment to retail management and the shopping centre sector, as well as entrepreneurial experience.
Dorothy Quann General Counsel Scholarship in Law & Governance
Dorothy Quann has committed $10,000 to establish the Dorothy Quann General Counsel Scholarship in Law & Governance. Inspired by Dorothy's vision to continue an award once funded by Julia Shin Doi, this award will support Law and Business students at the Ted Rogers School with the highest grade in LAW 604 - Legal Foundations of Corporate Governance.
Marilyn Sealy Excellence Award
Double Ted Rogers School alumnus Morgan Blacklett (Marketing '22; MBA '23) has committed $10,000 to create the Marilyn Sealy Excellence Award in honour of his mother. This award will provide financial support for Black female students at the Ted Rogers School.
Tax Executive Institute Award
The Tax Executive Institute has committed $3,000 towards an award supporting students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement in pursuing a curriculum emphasizing studies that could lead to a career in taxation.
Kevin Ladner Doane GT Foundation Scholarship
Doane Grant Thornton LLP has committed $25,000 to launch the Kevin Ladner Doane GT Foundation Scholarship, celebrating Kevin Ladner's legacy of purpose-driven leadership and dedication to developing future accounting professionals. Established to mark his transition from Chief Executive Officer, this scholarship will uplift a student in the accounting and finance program in third-year or higher with strong academic performance and community impact.
Ted Rogers Students’ Society (TRSS) Bursaries and Awards
Ted Rogers Students’ Society (TRSS) has generously renewed seven of their awards and doubled their pledge to $400,000. These awards will support students with various backgrounds and financial needs. They will continue to fund:
- TRSS Course Material Bursary
- TRSS General Bursary
- TRSS Emerging Leaders Student Award
- TRSS Indigenous Student Award
- TRSS International Student Award
- TRSS Leadership Award
- TRSS Scholars at Risk Award/Refugee Resilience
Thank you to all of the donors who established an award, and the Ted Rogers Students’ Society for building a culture of philanthropy among the student community.
Donor support is providing our students with access to global learning opportunities. This year, thanks to funding from the Dean’s Circle and Ted Rogers Students’ Society (TRSS), nine students were provided with the opportunity to participate in the Japan Program of Global Entrepreneurship Exchange 2026 for six days in Japan in June. This program brought together students from Japanese universities, including Chiba University and Ted Rogers School to tackle real-world challenges around regional revitalization in the area surrounding Narita International Airport. Through workshops, site visits and real customer interviews, participants engaged directly with local issues. We continue to work towards integrating more experiential learning opportunities into the curriculum (including travel courses). Thank you to TRSS and our Dean’s Circle members for making this opportunity possible.
“Thank you so much for making this opportunity possible. Your generosity gave me an experience that I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. Because of your support, I was able to travel to Japan, immerse myself in a new culture, work alongside incredible students and gain experiences that simply can't be learned in a classroom. This trip pushed me out of my comfort zone, helped me grow both personally and professionally, and gave me memories I'll never forget. It also inspired me to continue pursuing opportunities that challenge me and help me grow. I truly can't thank you enough. Your support didn't just fund a trip, it opened a door to an experience that has changed the way I see the world. I hope one day I'll be in a position to give someone else the same opportunity you gave me.”
Saanujean Tharmasri
Bcomm, Global Management Studies, 2026
Hands-on experience often means a seat at a competition, a pitch to real judges or a spot at a conference most students couldn't otherwise afford to attend. This past academic year, Ted Rogers School student groups were successful in securing over $200,000 monetary sponsorships and 100+ in-kind sponsorships supporting a number of key events, including competitions, conferences and networking events. This included a sponsorship from Rogers Communications Inc. for the Ted Rogers Management Conference. Other sponsors of our Ted Rogers School student groups included Yardi, RBC, Fidelity, CPA, Colliers, Deloitte and more. Thank you to all of this year's sponsors for your support.
Longtime supporter of the Ted Rogers School, Zabeen Hirji, has committed $46,000 to establish the Zabeen Hirji MBA Responsible Leadership Challenge, a new experiential learning initiative for MBA students at the Ted Rogers School focused on responsible leadership, inclusion and human capital.
Boardroom Bound Fund: Supporting students’ greatest needs
Meeting students where they are
Ted Rogers School faculty and staff do more than teach and support students. This year, 31 of them gave their own time and money to the Boardroom Bound Fund, which covers the hidden costs that stand between a student and their next opportunity: groceries, a transit card, a coffee chat with a prospective employer, a first professional blazer or a fee to compete in a conference.
Thank you to Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited, who contributed $10,000 to launch the Ted Rogers School Business Wear Initiative, which helps students in need purchase professional attire.
Donor support in action
Thank you very much for the support and for loading the $100 onto my TMU OneCard. I really appreciate the generosity of the Boardroom Bound Fund and everyone who contributed to this initiative.
This support genuinely helps a lot. The $100 means I can get at least 10 fresh meals from convenient locations around campus, which makes a real difference during busy days when I’m spending long hours at school. Having access to meals nearby takes a lot of pressure off and helps me stay focused on my studies.
I’m also currently a third-year student, and this semester involves many assignments and project deliverables that require color printing. The funds will also help cover some of those printing costs, which is a big help during a busy and expensive part of the term.
Thank you again for the support and for looking out for students. It truly means a lot.”
The community at the Ted Rogers School isn’t confined to a classroom. This year, donor support helped create spaces and opportunities for the community and connection. From a sales floor to a basketball court to a conference stage, students built the relationships and skills that will stay with them after graduation. Three different rooms, one shared idea: donor support gives Ted Rogers School students more ways to find community and more reasons to stay in it.
Ted Rogers Sales Leadership Program
The Ted Rogers Sales Leadership Program (TRSLP) blends academic learning with real-world experience, bringing together 150 undergraduate students, academics and sales professionals. With the generous support of our sponsors, including FedEx, Owner, RBC, Rogers Communications, Cintas, Fidelity Investments, Salesforce, Softchoice, TEKsystems and the Institute of Sales Professionals, the program gives students the experiential learning that prepares them to become sales leaders and builds the skills leading Canadian employers are looking for.
That support helped make this a standout year. With our sponsors behind them, the Ted Rogers School hosted the second annual Canadian University Sales Competition in January 2026, welcoming students from 13 universities across Canada to compete in roleplay and speed sell events. Ted Rogers School students placed first as Overall University Champion, reinforcing the program's leadership in Canadian university sales education.
Sponsor investment also helped the program reach a major milestone. This year, the TRSLP was elevated from Associate to Full Member status with the University Sales Center Alliance (USCA), the first Canadian institution to earn it. Full membership is awarded only to programs that demonstrate a mature, well-resourced and institutionally supported sales centre and that pass a formal review and verification process. The recognition reflects the TRSLP's growing international impact and places it among a select group of leading sales programs globally.
Thank you to our sponsors for helping make these achievements possible.
Business Career Hub and Heart in the Game Event
Building community and engagement is at the foundation of the Ted Rogers School. All of our members are passionate about the work that is being accomplished here. Our faculty and staff are equally as passionate about supporting our students, made evident by the activities that they spearheaded and supported this year.
From May 1-3, the Business Career Hub at the Ted Rogers School partnered with Heart in the Game to host a charity basketball tournament and fundraiser benefiting SickKids Research Institute, the Ted Rogers School Changemakers Fund and TMU Bold Athletics.
The event brought together students, alumni and business leaders for real-world networking opportunities in an energetic and fun setting. Students competed and volunteered on and off the court, starting with Challenges Night and a high-energy three-point contest.
The Ted Rogers School is grateful to BMO, title sponsor of the Heart in the Game tournament and charity event.
“At the Ted Rogers School, we’re always finding new ways to prepare students and create opportunities. Heart in the Game gave us the opportunity to innovate networking, a critical part of career development. This event allowed students to network differently, showcasing not just basketball skills, but transferable workplace skills, while raising funds for three great causes.”
Medhat Sedarose
Senior Manager, Co-operative Education
The Reimagining Women in Leadership 2026 Conference
Students from five MBA programs in Canada came together to exchange ideas on socially impactful business matters and explore themes centred around women in leadership at the 6th annual Reimagining Women in Leadership (RWIL) event, Ted Rogers MBA’s flagship conference and case competition.
The event, which took place from March 6 to 7, 2026 at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Student Learning Centre (conference) and the Ted Rogers School (competition), was co-organized by the student-run Ted Rogers MBA Women in Leadership Association (WiLA) in partnership with the Ted Rogers School’s Graduate Programs team, and tied to International Women’s Day (March 8). This year’s theme was “The Business of Culture: Women Driving Creativity, Innovation and Impact.”
Thank you to CIBC, Empire Homes, SGGG Fund Services Inc. and Mississauga Golf and Country Club.
With new priorities guiding our work, Ted Rogers School researchers are tackling today’s biggest business challenges with fresh perspectives and real-world impact. This past year, we focused on building momentum through interdisciplinary partnerships, student-faculty collaboration and strategic investments. Among our achievements, this year’s $12.5 million gift created the Loretta Rogers Global Research Impact fund to retain rising faculty and turn their research into real-world change. The school also established new sustainability partnerships and continued its research supporting Canada’s aging population. Here's how donor support is fuelling these activities.
Partners investing in the future
As the Founding Member of Ted Rogers School’s Sustainability Leadership Network, Schneider Electric committed $25,000. The Sustainability Leadership Network was established to bring together organizations and new ventures that actively model and advance sustainability goals, including alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Research to support the aging population
National Institute on Ageing
The National Institute on Ageing improves the lives of older adults and the systems that support them by convening stakeholders, conducting research, advancing policy solutions and practice innovations, sharing information and shifting attitudes. Their work centres on four pillars: Income Adequacy, Ageing in the Right Place, Healthy Ageing and Social Inclusion, all in service of a Canada where older adults feel valued, included and better prepared to age with confidence. Grounded in evidence and shaped by real experiences of older adults, the National Institute on Ageing works across sectors while remaining independent, focusing on solutions that are practical.
Thank you to this year’s sponsors and donors: Manulife Financial, Teladoc Health, Sienna Senior Living Inc., Canada Health Infoway Inc., Deloitte LLP, PriceWaterhouseCoopers Canada, Shoppers Drug Mart Inc. and Extendicare Inc.
This year, an anonymous donor gave $12.5 million to the Ted Rogers School, the second largest gift in our history. The gift supports students, faculty and research across the school, and it will help us carry our Strategic Plan forward in the years ahead.
Strengthening leadership and student success
Many of our students rely on financial support to stay in school, and some take on extra work hours that cut into their studies and campus involvement. The new Excellence in Management Award will support students who have financial need and strong academic records, so they can stay focused on their education.
The gift also expands learning outside the classroom. The Changemakers Program will grow, placing more students in co-op roles at non-profits working in Indigenous services, community development and youth empowerment, many of which can't afford to hire students on their own. The new Experiential Learning Innovation Fund will help more students take part in international exchanges, national competitions and travel courses.
Students who want to start a business will have new support through the Student Entrepreneurship & Innovation Fellowship, which offers mentorship and access to TMU's incubation ecosystem while they build their ventures. The Student Technology Fund will give students hands-on experience with applied AI platforms and the Student Managed Investment Fund, where they manage a real portfolio under faculty supervision. The gift will also help the Ted Rogers Leadership Centre continue the Top 200 Leadership Program, the National Ethical Leadership Case Competition and the Ted Rogers Sales Leadership Program.
Investing in research
The largest part of the gift establishes the Loretta Rogers Global Research Impact Fund, named in honour of Loretta Rogers, whose family's support helped bolster the Ted Rogers School. The fund will help us retain rising faculty, support graduate researchers and give our researchers access to the databases and software their work requires. It will also help us share Ted Rogers School research with the policymakers and industry leaders who can act on it.
Our students benefit from this investment too, since the faculty it supports are the same people teaching and mentoring them.
Together, these commitments reach nearly every goal in our Strategic Plan. Thank you to the donor for believing in our vision and for helping us plan for the years to come.
This year’s $12.5 million gift activated priorities across our Strategic Plan, but the work is far from complete. We’re building toward:
- Expanding Fit for Business to every year of study
- Growing co-op participation so more students graduate with hands-on experience
- Launching new professional Master’s programs
- Establishing more research chairs and fellowships
- Starting a new research cluster focused on sustainability in business
Every gift at every level moves one of these priorities forward. If you’re ready to be part of what comes next, we would love to hear from you. Contact us to learn how your generosity can help us keep the momentum going.
