Robert G. McFarlane, BCom, was appointed to the board of directors of Entertainment One Ltd. in October 2017. A global independent studio that specializes in the development, acquisition, production, financing, distribution and sales of entertainment content, the company's business spans film, television and music production, sales, family programming, merchandising and licensing, and digital content.
Alumni Notes
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Ross McMaster (BCom), who passed away in February, has been described as a man who exemplified life. In 48 years, Ross accomplished what most strive for in a lifetime. He was passionate in his love for his family, the adventure of travel, the arts, the competition of sports, and the exhilaration of business success. He understood the fragility of life and sought to help those less fortunate through his work in numerous charities and organizations. What drove all of Ross's energy was his devotion to his family and countless friends and associates. Son Liam and twin daughters Hope and Susan were truly the light of his life and his undeniable legacy. He leaves behind his cherished wife of 18 years, Heather, and is greatly missed by his twin brother Earle (Bernadette), sister Susan (Peter), mother Joy and father David.
Published in: Summer 2009
David Sculthorpe (BCom), a member and past Chair of QSB’s Advisory Board, was named CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada in September. He had served as CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario since 2009. He is a devoted volunteer in his community, working with several local and national organizations including the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (past Board member); PREVnet, a national network committed to stopping bullying in Canada (founding Board member and now Chair); the Soulpepper Theatre Company in Toronto (Vice-Chair); and the Crescent School (Board member).
Published in: Winter 2012
David Sculthorpe (BCom) was named CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, effective Aug. 3. The current Chair of the QSB Advisory Board and past President of Cadbury Adams Inc., he is also Vice-Chair of the Soulpepper Theatre Company Board of Directors and Chair of PREVnet, a national network committed to stopping bullying. The Heart and Stroke Foundation is a volunteer-based health charity that aims to eliminate heart disease and stroke and promote healthy living.
Published in: Summer 2009
Michael Sifton (BCom) was named Managing Partner at Beringer Capital in October 2009. He joined the firm after a 20-year career in newspaper publishing that culminated in his role as President and CEO of Sun Media, a position he held until November 2008. Beringer is an independent investment and financial advisory firm based in Toronto that focuses on the marketing services, communications and specialty media industry in North America.
Published in: Spring 2010
John Stephenson (BCom), who still lives in Peterborough, ON, was named President and CEO of Peterborough Utilities Group in February. He had previously held the position of Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Corporate Services.
Published in: Summer 2011
John Thompson (MBA) and Ellen (Clark) Thompson (BCom) have been in Moscow since April 2007. John is Marketing Communications Director on the Nestlé Russia management team. Adjusting to the empty nest and her work hiatus, Ellen is painting, learning Russian and looking for Skippy peanut butter.
Published in: Summer 2008
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Jo-Anne Brady (MBA) has been appointed Vice-Provost (Planning and Budgeting) at Queen’s after 15 years as University Registrar and five years prior to that as Business Manager in the Faculty of Arts and Science. “Some of us just can’t get away from Queen’s!” she says. Email bradyj@queensu.ca
Published in: Winter 2012
DAVID BEATTY STRIKES GOLD
David M. Beatty (BCom’82) (MPhil’85, Cambridge; MBA’87, Harvard), who co-founded Westwind Partners in 2001 and sold it for $150 million just seven years later, has gone into gold mine development and exploration in Brazil. Queen’s Executive Program alum Julio Carvalho, ex-Rio Tinto Brasil Executive Director, is his key partner in this venture. Last December, David retired from a 25-year investment banking career that included stints at Morgan Stanley, Gordon Capital and First Marathon. He didn’t retire so much as take on a new career with a distinctly global element; he was appointed CEO of TSX-listed Rio Novo Gold (RN-T, $235mm market cap) assembled by the founders of Yamana Gold. Based in Toronto and Rio de Janeiro, Rio Novo focuses on exploring and building gold mines in Brazil and Colombia. Under its new CEO, Rio Novo’s investment of $150-160 million over the next two years is expected to build two mines to produce 225,000 oz. per year. He remains deeply involved in his Toronto life, though. David has been married for 27 years to Kim (Kerr) (Artsci'81), (LL.B, UWO) and a Cambridge LL.M. grad, who is founder and Executive Director of the Children’s Bookbank. Son Christopher, 20, is at Parsons School of Design in New York; son Chas, 18, has gone “purple” playing rugby for Western. David also serves his community as a board member at the National Ballet Foundation and Covenant House Toronto.
Published in: Winter 2011
Grant McDonald (BCom), Office Managing Partner at KPMG, had the chance to re-connect with fellow BCom’82 grads at the opening of the new office in Ottawa. Pictured are Mark Murray, Dan Saikaley, Grant McDonald, Carol Devenny, Mike Roberts and Bruce Burrows. Also in attendance, but missing from the photo, was Bill Chwedchuk.
Published in: Winter 2015