Toronto based non-profits head to Harvard

Harvard Business School Club of Toronto awards scholarships to leadership at local non-profits

TORONTO, April 17, 2013 /CNW/ - For the 9th year, Harvard Business School (HBS) Club of Toronto has awarded scholarships for leadership education to assist Toronto-based non-profits build knowledge and expertise within their organizations. This year, seven scholarships have been awarded, a record number for the HBS Club of Toronto.

"One of the fundamental areas of focus for HBS Club of Toronto is to give back to the community," said Jane Knop, President, HBS Club of Toronto. "The Harvard Business School offers many courses targeted to the management of non-profit organizations, and by offering scholarships to worthy local enterprises, we are able to help non-profits in Toronto build capacity within their organizations, which is crucial to their future success."

HBS Club of Toronto partnered with community-minded corporations to help fund the scholarships. Funding for the 2013 scholarships was made possible by a number of corporate sponsors including KPMG LLP, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, and Thorek Scott and Partners.

"We believe that the benefit from these scholarships will spread beyond the scholarship recipients," said Beth Wilson, Canadian Managing Partner, KPMG in Canada. "The recipients will learn vital skills while at Harvard Business School, skills that they can take back to their organization and will in turn benefit the people they serve."

Scholarships were awarded for two courses at Harvard Business School geared towards the non-profit sector.

Performance Measurement in Non-Profit Organizations is targeted to CFOs and COOs and explores the impact of measurement on resource allocation, organizational learning, internal processes, and internal and external accountability. Recipients of the 2013 scholarship are:

Blair Dimock, Ontario Trillium Foundation
Claudio Ruiz, The Centre for Spanish Speaking Peoples
Susan Doyle, Downsview Services for Seniors

Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management provides the opportunity for Executive Directors of non-profit organizations to examine their missions and develop new strategies for the new global economy. Recipients of the 2013 scholarship are:

Susanna Kislenko, The Furniture Bank
Alan Bernstein, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research
Claudia Hepburn, The Next 36
Robert Witchel, Right to Play

"Considering the limited budget with which most non-profit organizations operate, and the cost for this calibre of training, the financial contribution and the promotion of these scholarships by HBS Club of Toronto is truly invaluable," said Claudio Ruiz, scholarship recipient and Executive Director, The Centre for Spanish Speaking Peoples. "I plan to take advantage of every minute of this incredible opportunity."

Recipients of the scholarships will attend Harvard either in May or June.

About Harvard Business School Club of Toronto
Harvard Business School Club of Toronto's mission is to create a life-long experience for Toronto HBS alumni by providing opportunities to create strong bonds with other alumni as well as making a positive difference in the local community. Our foundation is built on three pillars: relationships, education and an active "giving back" program.

SOURCE: Harvard Business School Club of Toronto

For further information:

To arrange an interview with Jane Knop, President, HBS Club of Toronto, Robin Cory, Chairwoman of the HBS Club of Toronto Scholarship Committee, or a recipient of the Harvard Business School Club of Toronto scholarship please contact:

Robin Cory
Chairwoman, HBS Club of Toronto Scholarship Committee
416-999-1843
[e-mail]