Concordia Journal Home > Archives > November 20, 2008 issue >

Chancellor energizes sustainable leadership 

Thanks to the generous support of our chancellor, Concordia will continue to demonstrate leadership in environmentally and socially aware business education.

The David O’Brien Centre for Sustainable Enterprise and the David O’Brien Distinguished Professorship in Sustainable Enterprise were announced at a reception on Nov. 18.

O’Brien’s gift of $2 million will establish the Centre that will work with organizations in environmental protection, social justice and ethical corporate governance, among other areas. The academic exploration funded by this gift will establish the Centre as a leader in research, teaching and practice in this field.

“I feel strongly about providing future generations with the knowledge and resources they need to protect our environment and improve social equity," said O'Brien. "Concordia has proven to the business community and others that it is a Canadian leader in sustainability. I am pleased to choose to establish this professorship at my alma mater.”

This new endeavour has found the perfect home at the John Molson School of Business. Dean Sanjay Sharma held a Canada Research Chair in Organizational Sustainability at Wilfrid Laurier University before coming to Concordia in Aug. 2007.

“The Centre will focus on environmental and social problems as business opportunities, not as a cost of doing business. The solutions to these complex issues will be framed as positive business trajectories rooted in innovation and enterprise development,” said Sharma.

“Mr. O’Brien’s profound generosity bolsters our efforts to become a leading international teaching and research hub in corporate sustainability and will allow us to further strengthen our ties to the community," said Concordia President and Vice-Chancellor Judith Woodsworth. "We are proud of his success as an alumnus and are grateful for his willingness to give back, both as Chancellor and as a major donor.”

In addition to his role as chancellor, Loyola graduate O’Brien is Chairman of the Royal Bank of Canada and Chairman of EnCana Corporation.