André Desmarais, BComm 78, LLD 07
André Desmarais, BComm 78, LLD 07, deputy chairman of Power Corporation of Canada, is not one to seek attention for his family’s philanthropy.
Yet his recent $6-million planned gift to his alma mater and the Campaign for Concordia: Next-Gen Now sends a powerful message about the long-term value of investing in higher education.
- Watch: André Desmarais desribes the importance of contributing to higher education in order to advance society.
His gift will further endow the France and André Desmarais Graduate Fellowships, established in 2001 by Desmarais and his wife, France Chrétien Desmarais, LLD 15.
Open to outstanding master’s and doctoral students from all faculties, the fellowships have already supported more than 100 graduate students pursuing research across disciplines from engineering and business to the arts and social sciences.
“I’m deeply attached to Concordia because it truly gave me my start in life,” says Desmarais. “I wasn’t an exemplary student before — far from it — and other universities probably wouldn’t have accepted me. But Concordia gave me a chance.”
Two renowned and influential professors transformed how he saw learning. “Thanks to Henry Habib and Howard Ripstein, I began to take my studies seriously. Suddenly, everything became interesting and worthwhile — they changed my life.”
Those early lessons at Concordia continue to guide Desmarais’s philanthropy today. With his new planned gift, his support for Concordia now totals $14.5 million.
“I give widely — across arts, education, medicine, conservation — to support the pillars of a strong and vibrant society,” he says. “And Concordia has become one of those pillars for me.”
Support across generations and disciplines
Desmarais has deliberately ensured his support spans multiple sectors at the university.
“I didn’t want to give only to the business school,” he remarks. “What really matters to me is funding all the parts that make our communities healthy and well-rounded.”
A devotee of classical music, he adds, “The arts, in particular, expand your happiness. Whether it’s music, architecture or film, they give life meaning.”
Desmarais recalls Concordia in the 1970s as a place where ambition met opportunity.
“The atmosphere was vibrant. The Guadagni Lounge on Loyola Campus was where everyone gathered between classes — playing cards or backgammon, debating politics and having lively conversations. It was a major part of the fun and the sense of community I felt as a student.”
After earning his commerce degree in 1978, Desmarais embarked on a distinguished career spanning business, public service and international leadership. He joined Power Corporation, where his father Paul played a pivotal role, in 1983 and rose to become president and co-CEO, serving until 2020.
His connection to Concordia remained strong. In 2015, he and France made a $1-million gift to launch the André and France Desmarais Seed Fund through District 3 Innovation Hub, supporting early-stage startups.
Since 2004, Desmarais has also co-chaired the annual Concordia Golf Classic, which has raised more than $8.8 million for student bursaries and scholarships.
Amid ongoing political shifts, Desmarais is mindful of broader challenges facing Montreal’s English universities.
“This city has thrived because of two heritages — not just one,” he says. “It’s essential both English and French communities are treated fairly so they can prosper together and be stronger.
“Anything favouring one over the other just doesn’t make sense — Canadians don’t like that kind of division.”
He cautions that exclusionary policies risk being self-defeating. “It’s demoralizing and makes it harder to attract talent to our city and province. But we have to take the long view and hope reason prevails.”
Giving back with purpose
Private investment plays a crucial role in strengthening institutions like Concordia from within, Desmarais adds.
In recent years, Power Corporation has made major gifts to the Campaign for Concordia in support of varsity sports programs, green-tech innovation and the creative careers of Faculty of Fine Arts alumni.
In recognition of his contributions to business and society, Concordia awarded Desmarais an honorary doctorate in 2007 and named him one of 40 Great Concordians in 2014.
France Chrétien Desmarais received an honorary doctorate from the university in 2015 and was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 2011.
André Desmarais also holds honorary degrees from Université de Montréal and McGill University. He is a Member of the Order of Canada, the Ordre national du Québec and the Canadian Business Hall of Fame.
This record of achievement is matched by a passion for nurturing the next generation.
“Young people surprise you,” says Desmarais. “They’re smart, adaptable and enthusiastic. You put them in a room and they’ll figure things out. I’ve seen it over and over.”
Reflecting on his education and the mentors who guided him, he remarks, “You grow when people believe in you. That’s what these graduate fellowships at Concordia are about — not just financial support, but a vote of confidence.”
Desmarais sees higher education as the root system of leadership across all sectors. “Whether business, public service, science or the arts, we need people who can think clearly, act ethically and lead effectively. That starts in places like Concordia.”
Beyond his alma mater, Desmarais has been active in campaigns for the Montreal Children’s Hospital, Montreal Heart Institute, Canadian Red Cross, Moisson Montréal and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
He helped launch La Ferme des Quatre-Temps, an experimental organic farm in Hemmingford, Quebec, designed to show that small-scale, sustainable agriculture can be profitable. Another passion is African Parks, which protects more than 49 million acres of land across Africa.
Despite this extensive philanthropic footprint, Desmarais shrugs off talk of legacy.
“I don’t personally believe in that word. We’re here for a limited time — so let’s do the best we can while we’re around. If you want to make a difference, do it while you’re alive, when you can actually see the impact.
“I give where the leadership is strong and the results speak for themselves. And you remember who gave you your start. For me, that was Concordia.”
Consult with our planned giving experts to learn how to support the next generation of Concordians.