Foundation gifts
Supporting the next generation
$130,000 from Aune family supports women MBAs at Concordia
The Aune family and its 11:11 Charitable Foundation gave $130,000 to the Campaign for Concordia: Next-Gen Now in 2025 to ensure the growth and impact of the Ruth P. Glenen Awards. This builds upon past commitments made in 2019 and 2022 totaling more than $300,000.
The awards, which support women MBA candidates at the John Molson School of Business, honour the late Ruth Glenen, BA 80, MBA 85.
A native of Montreal’s East End, Glenen began her career as a secretary at Nesbitt Thomson and worked her way up to treasurer. Known for her combination of tough love and pragmatic advice, she guided students through their studies and early careers, often inviting them into her home.
Trevor Aune, vice-president of 11:11 Charitable Foundation, emphasizes that the awards that bear his aunt’s name are about more than financial support.
“The most exciting thing that we are really focusing on now is building a community,” he says. “We’re bringing together past and current recipients, giving them a chance to network, mentor each other and have another outlet outside of school or professional life to share developments in their careers.”
Trevor’s sister, Shayna Phetsarath, BA 99, is leading 11:11’s efforts to expand the reach of the Glenen Awards. Last fall, two recipients from the University of British Columbia joined the cohort.
Her approach draws in part on lessons from her time at Concordia.
“The school’s strong curriculum and variety of programs helped me find my way, even when I wasn’t sure what to study,” says Shayna. “I met incredible people and had a great experience, and I saw first-hand how much a supportive community can shape your path.”
The family’s most recent gift to Concordia reflects the vision of Trevor and Shayna’s late uncle Brian Aune, Ruth Glenen’s husband. The former chairman and CEO of Nesbitt Thomson served on Concordia’s Board of Governors from 1988 to 2002, and his approach to philanthropy shaped the foundation’s work.
“Our uncle’s motto was, ‘Business is people and money — if you have the right people, the money takes care of itself,’” says Trevor. “We approach philanthropy the same way, supporting people who are passionate and capable.”
Ruth Glenen, BA 80, MBA 85, Trevor Aune and Brian Aune
Highlights
The Wilson Foundation made a $3-million gift to establish the Henry Habib Diplomacy Accelerator Endowment in the Department of Political Science.
A gift of $2,311,513 from the Fondation Sandra et Alain Bouchard will establish the Sandra and Alain Bouchard Professorship in Creative Arts Therapies and create graduate student awards in the field.
The Claudine and Stephen Bronfman Family Foundation contributed $468,972 to fund post-graduate fellowships for new MFA or PhD graduates.
The McCall MacBain Foundation donated $390,000 to renew support for the Homeroom Program, Concordia’s flagship first-year transition initiative.
The KPMG Foundation made a $350,000 gift to support the Business Decarbonization Initiative at the John Molson School of Business. The audit, tax and advisory firm provided a further $150,000 in in-kind services.
The Luigi Liberatore Foundation donated $125,000 to support the 2025 Concordia Golf Classic.
A gift of $105,000 from the Rideau Hall Foundation will support student exchanges and experiential learning through Concordia’s Sustainable Polygeneration for Communities Initiative, which focuses on renewable energy and resilience in the face of climate change.
The Azrieli Foundation contributed $100,000 to the Frederick Lowy Scholars Endowment.
The Naim S. Mahlab Foundation contributed $100,000 in support of the Naim Mahlab Fellowships Endowment.
The Vinesh Saxena Family Foundation contributed $75,000 to launch the Vinesh Saxena Family Foundation Lecture Series, exploring themes of the soul and consciousness.
