Full Circle Impact: Danny Su and TMARE Launch New Scholarship to Uplift TMU’s Future Leaders
When Danny Su announced the news of launching a fresh scholarship initiative with the TMARE (Toronto Metropolitan Alumni in Real Estate) committee members in May, he couldn’t help but enjoy an epiphanic moment: Life really does come full circle in the best possible way.
Growing up in a lower-income household, Su learned early on that financial stress can be a significant barrier to one’s academic success and career advancement. As one of the first students enrolled in TMU’s Real Estate Management (REM) program in 2013, he battled with that barrier with diligence and dedication: juggling several part-time jobs to alleviate his financial burden, actively contributing to the real estate undergraduate student group to help his peers, all while carrying a full course load.
With this high level of commitment to everything he did, his academic excellence and devotion to his community earned him multiple scholarships at TMU. Reflecting on what those supports meant to him, Su shared: “The scholarships … allowed me to focus more on personal, educational, and professional development, rather than financial pressures. They gave me the freedom to take on leadership roles…” For him, the greatest benefit of receiving scholarships wasn’t just the financial support, but the freedom to grow.
And Su’s growth was indeed remarkable. Without the financial burden that once weighed heavily on his shoulders, he seized the opportunity to become a Junior Analyst for Altus Group (external link) while earning a software certification that gave him a technological edge as he launched his successful career. Two years later, his efforts and accomplishments culminated in a major milestone: winning the first-ever URECC Award (external link) alongside two other prominent students, representing TMU with pride and honor.
Today, as the Vice President of Value and Risk Advisory at JLL (external link) , the president of Toronto Metropolitan Alumni in Real Estate, and a member of the Real Estate Management Advisory Council, Su doesn’t hold back his tireless efforts of giving back to the TMU community: from offering guidance to students as a speaker at the REM program to organizing TMARE alumni events such as The Well Development Tour and Summer Networking Social at a Blue Jays game, he always finds the most effective way to bring everyone together.
Su’s never-ending enthusiasm in helping his community has also had a positive impact on the people outside the real estate industry. In 2023, he partnered with the Calabrese brothers, both Ted Rogers alumni, to host TMARE’s Annual Alumni Networking Night at Door Three, the brothers’ famous nightclub, which reinforced its presence as a dynamic venue in the heart of King Street West.
When asked about why building a tight community for the alumni was so important, he shared: “As President of TMARE, building a strong and engaged alumni community is one of my top priorities. It creates lasting connections that go beyond graduation, opening doors for mentorship, collaboration, and support. A united alumni network not only gives back to the university but also helps guide and inspire the next generation of TMU students. An engaged group of alumni will be beneficial to themselves, the university and future leaders in the industry.”
Over the past few years, because of the extraordinary commitment and continued support he has shown the school’s students, faculty, and community at large, in 2022 Su was the recipient of a Ted Rogers School of Management’s Alumni Achievement Award and became one of TMU’s Alumni Rising Stars in 2025.
All these amazing achievements were made possible, in large part, by the scholarships Su received at TMU. And now, in a full-circle moment, he and the rest of the TMARE committee; Catherine Klostranec, Jordan Sleep-Tulloch, Rocky Di Bratto, Nicole Iacoucci, Kausi Vickneshwaran and Billy Caden-Clarke decided that it is time for them to give back by launching the "Danny Su and TMARE Real Estate Leadership Award. (external link) "
“For me, scholarships do more than ease financial burdens—they open up space for growth. They allow students to take academic and extracurricular risks, engage more deeply with their communities, professors, and build leadership skills with confidence. It’s an investment that continues to shape their future long after graduation and will hopefully inspire the next generation. “
Danny Su’s journey—from a determined student navigating financial hardship to a well-respected industry leader and community builder—is a powerful testament to the lasting impact of scholarship support and alumni engagement. By launching the “Danny Su and TMARE Real Estate Leadership Award,” he is not only giving back to the institution that shaped him, but also paving the way for future TMU students to thrive.
Everyone deserves the freedom to grow. If you want to be a part of Su and TMARE’s endeavor in empowering the next generation of real estate leaders at TMU, please consider supporting their efforts by making a donation.