Scotiabank wins Beedie School of Business diversity award
Sep 28, 2011Contact:
Derek Moscato, 778.782.5038; derek_moscato@sfu.ca
Dixon Tam, dixon_tam@sfu.ca
Michelle Cobb (Scotiabank)
Phone: 778-327-5451
Email: michelle.cobb@scotiabank.com
September 28, 2011
Scotiabank was today recognized with Simon Fraser University’s Nancy McKinstry award for leadership in diversity. The SFU Beedie School of Business corporate award, presented during a sold-out breakfast at the university’s Segal Graduate School campus in downtown Vancouver, recognizes an organization that exemplifies the values of diversity in the workplace.
The Canadian bank was recognized for its core values, based on diversity, equity and inclusion – scoring particularly highly for the diverse composition of its staff, management and board. The award was presented to Scotiabank’s Barb Ruff, Vice President, Southeast B.C., Central East Vancouver District.
“Scotiabank should be commended for its commitment to diversity, which not only benefits society as a whole but also the success of organizations,” said Daniel Shapiro, Dean of the Beedie School of Business. The organization’s outreach activities, workplace culture, and the composition of its workforce were all cited as deciding factors.
Also at the awards breakfast, Milton Wong was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award — given to an individual who has devoted him or herself to promoting diversity in business and society. In winning the award, Wong was described as a nation-builder – internationally respected for his tireless advocacy for multiculturalism and its role in enriching Canadian society.
SFU MBA student Alice Longhurst received the 2011 Nancy McKinstry graduate student scholarship for leadership. The $1,500 award is given to a Beedie School of Business graduate student who has been a leader in promoting opportunities for women in business. Longhurst is formerly the Director of Mentorship Programs for the Women’s Executive Network – and has worked tirelessly to support Canadian women in society and business through her work for organizations such as the YWCA.
The Awards for Leadership in Diversity were established in 2009 to honour Dr. McKinstry for her contributions to SFU as Chair of the Board of Governors. The Nancy McKinstry Graduate Scholarship for Leadership is supported by the Nancy McKinstry Endowment, established to honour McKinstry and build on her legacy.
Simon Fraser University is deeply committed to promoting the values of diversity and social equity both in our own employment practices and through our community engagement activities. The university boasts an incredibly diverse student body and has forged strong connections with Vancouver’s multicultural communities. SFU is ranked as one of British Columbia’s Top 55 Employers, and for the fourth year in a row, SFU has been named one of Canada’s Top 100 employers.
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