The Confidence Effect: TRSM alum reflect on their time at Ryerson during awards ceremony
As 17 TRSM alumni were honoured for their achievements and contributions to their fields at the 2018 Alumni Awards, they shared some of their fondest memories of their days as students at Ryerson.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Ronald D. Besse graduated from Ryerson in 1960 with a diploma in Business Administration. He rose through the ranks at McGraw-Hill Ryerson where, as President and CEO, he was credited with turning the company into the largest publisher in Canada. Then, as Chairman, President and CEO of Canada Publishing Corporation, he built one of the country’s largest publishing groups at a time when most publishers were American owned.
He says his experience at Ryerson matured him and helped him to see that it’s a big world and very competitive but if you listen you will learn.
“Ryerson gave me the confidence to stand proud and to accept challenges as an opportunity,” said Besse, “I learned to dream.”
He said one of his favourite memories from his time at Ryerson was learning to play bridge in his spare time and learning to keyboard (versus two-finger typing).
Besse also held long-standing corporate governance positions at corporations such as Rogers Communications and CI Financial Corporation.
His accomplishments in publishing are matched with an admirable track record of philanthropy to higher education and healthcare causes. His philanthropic impact at Ryerson have been palpable for over three decades and he has consistently demonstrated deep devotion to the needs of TRSM students. Besse acted as Chair and Honorary Co-Chair for two fundraising campaigns and is a past member of the Board of Governors and the President’s Council. In addition to his TRSM Lifetime Achievement Award (2018), Ryerson has celebrated his success and generosity with an Alumni Achievement Award (1998) and an Honorary Doctorate of Commerce (2004).
When asked about any words of advice for current students, Besse said, “Wear the badge of Ryerson with pride.”
Top 10 of the last 10
Peter Chiu is the founder and “Chief Basil” of Basil Box – a fast-casual restaurant inspired by the bustling street markets of Southeast Asia and one of the winners of the top 10 graduates in the last 10 years award. After graduating from the Hospitality and Tourism Management program in 2008, Chiu started working in the food industry and saw the need for authentic and healthy Asian food in Toronto.
Chiu opened his first Basil Box location in Square One in Mississauga, Ont. in July 2015 and proposed a second location to Ryerson when the school decided the empty space under the SLC was going to be used for food retail.
Chiu still thinks back to his days at TRSM and says he remembers having the opportunity to develop and pitch a potential menu to Air Canada for the airlines business class passengers. Although they came in second, Chiu says the experiences he had at Ryerson helped him get to where he is now.
“The knowledge and experience I gained at Ryerson gave me the confidence and solid foundation to start my own restaurant concept.”
Trailblazer Award
Daphna Smuckler is the leader of BDO’s assurance and accounting (A&A) practice in Canada and is a graduate of the accounting and finance program (1995). As the A&A practice leader for BDO Canada and a member of BDO's Executive Leadership Team, Smuckler’s emphasis is on client services, delivering quality service and developing strong relationships with clients and the business community. She is responsible for providing leadership and direction to BDO's A&A practice and works closely with the Managing Partners to drive the firm's strategic initiatives, acting as a champion of change. Daphna also served as the chair of BDO Canada's Board.
For more than 20 years she has provided audit, management and business assurance services to clients in North America, Europe and Asia. During this time, she worked with clients ranging from early stage development to multi-national corporations. Smuckler’s areas of expertise include initial public offerings, mergers and acquisitions and complex financial reporting matters.
As a passionate supporter of creating a diverse and inclusive environment, Smuckler co-led the team that spearheaded the launch of the firm's first diversity and inclusion program: Women at BDO Initiative. She is also a member of the 30% Club, a group focused on balancing gender diversity at all levels of an organization.
Full list of the 2018 Alumni Award winners:
Lifetime Achievement Award
Ron Besse – Business Administration (1960)
Honorary Alumni Award
Mitch Frazer – Vice Chair of Ryerson University’s Board of Governors
Trailblazer Award
Al Ramsay – Business Management (1999)
Daphna Smuckler – Accounting & Finance (1995)
Volunteer Award
Ryerson Retail Alumni Association
Entrepreneurship Award
Billy Rogers – Hospitality & Tourism (2004)
Neil Schwartz – Hospitality & Tourism (2004)
Top 10 of the Last 10 years
Andrea Bartlett – Business Management (2016)
Amanda Bayly – Hospitality & Tourism Management (2010)
Ahmed Butt – Accounting & Finance (2014)
Peter Chiu – Hospitality & Tourism Management (2008)
Sara D’Elia – Accounting & Finance (2011)
Jennifer Hileman – Retail Management (2011)
Jaime Heinke – MBA in Management of Technology & Innovation (2011)
Gerald Mak – Business Technology Management (2013)
Xiyuan (Siuwin) Wang – Health Services Management (2013)
Brian Yee – Business Technology Management (2009)
