Canada Life invests $250,000 at Brescia University College to launch innovative diversity in leadership initiatives
London, ON - At a virtual announcement on Wednesday, January 13th, Canada Life will present Brescia University College with a $250,000 contribution to the University’s LEAD WITH US Campaign to launch diversity in leadership programming in 2022. This innovative programming will support non-traditional students, with a focus on inclusive leadership where everyone can belong, contribute and thrive.
“Investing in women’s leadership and diversity not only demonstrates a commitment to our students today, but really our world tomorrow,” says Brescia Vice-Principal and Academic Dean, Dr. Lauretta Frederking. “We’re grateful to Canada Life for their collaboration and generosity, which will not only help Brescia to expand our educational offerings to new and diverse students – who have so much to offer to our community and society at large – but will also help elevate Brescia and London to be Canada’s hub for women’s leadership.”
Of Canada Life’s gift, $100,000 will fund scholarships and bursaries for non-traditional students. According to the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO), some examples of a non-traditional student, include: those who are older, work full-time, have a disability, are a single parent, first-generation or Indigenous, and including virtually any student demographic that has previously been underserved by, or under-represented, in the university sector. The remaining $150,000 will serve to increase faculty and program development and research. This design ensures students have access to programs and will be supported throughout their studies to complete their education.
“The world is changing quickly, and the need for strong leaders is more important than ever. Teaming up with Brescia as they invest in diversity and leadership today will create a world of possibilities tomorrow,” says Jeff Macoun, President and Chief Operating Officer, Canada, at Canada Life. “We’re proud to help create the diversity in leadership programming and are eager to see what its graduates will accomplish.”
Canada Life’s gift reinforces Brescia’s mission to educate and prepare women to lead with wisdom, justice, and compassion in our ever-changing world. Opportunities will be offered to students who have received post-secondary credentials, as well as students working towards an undergraduate degree. Canada Life employees are eligible to pursue these programming initiatives to grow their leadership capabilities.
The programs will address unconscious bias; organizational structure barriers for women and racialized individuals; leader character and leadership issues and challenges. Our shared goal will be to provide students with the tools that they need to change workplaces and broader societal systems, which often disadvantage women and racialized leaders.
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For more information, please contact:
Rhea Johnson, Acting VP Students at rhea.johnson@uwo.ca or 519-636-9408, or Caitlin Core, Acting Manager, Communications, Marketing & External Relations at ccore@uwo.ca.
Liz Kulyk, Assistant Vice-President, Media & Public Affairs, The Canada Life Assurance Company at media.relations@canadalife.com or 204-391-8515.
About Brescia University College
Brescia University College, Canada’s women’s university college, is affiliated with Western University. The 1,600 women registered as either full- or part-time students at Brescia study a wide variety of subjects in the Schools of Behavioural & Social Sciences, Food & Nutritional Sciences, Humanities, and Leadership & Social Change in an empowering, compassionate, student-centred and invigorating environment. Degrees are granted by Western. As a Catholic University College, Brescia welcomes students from all backgrounds and values diversity. For more current and archived news, a listing of faculty experts, and photos please visit our Online Media Room, at brescia.uwo.ca/communications/media_relations.
About The Canada Life Assurance Company
Canada Life is a leading insurance, wealth management and benefits provider focused on improving the financial, physical and mental well-being of Canadians. For more than 170 years, individuals, families and business owners across Canada have trusted us to provide sound guidance and deliver on the promises we’ve made.
As of January 1, 2020, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life became one company – Canada Life, and today, we proudly serve more than 13 million customer relationships from coast to coast to coast.
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