News & Media
Business Luminaries Gather to Celebrate the Launch of the David Sobey Centre
Date Published: March 10, 2015
Julie Toskan-Casale and Dr. David Sobey
In celebration and appreciation of David Sobey, for whom the new David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retailing and Services was named, over 150 Canadian business luminaries gathered on the Saint Mary’s campus on March 10, 2015.
Julie Toskan-Casale, founder of the Toskan-Casale Foundation and co-founder and former head of global marketing and public relations for iconic M·A·C Cosmetics was the keynote speaker at the opening of the David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retailing and Services. Toskan-Casale set the tone for the evening with her remarks tying together the important role that both innovation and philanthropy play in retail and service business today. She talked about the impact of M·A·C's VIVA GLAM campaign, and how her work as a philanthropist affected her personally. The crowd, touched, were silent during her remarks, breaking into thunderous applause at the conclusion.
Dr. David Sobey and Dean Patricia Bradshaw
Dean Patricia Bradshaw emceed the event. She noted, “The David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retailing and Services positions the Sobey School of Business at the cutting edge of one of the most important business sectors in our economy. Further, the launch of this centre honours the region’s tradition of business excellence in the retail and services industry, demonstrated by entrepreneurial excellence like that shown by the Sobey family.”
Centre Director Dr. Ramesh Venkat profiled eight recently funded research projects at the reception which followed. Dr. Venkat said, “With this Centre, we aim to be the leading source of expertise pertaining to retail and service management; we will fuel research, enhance student experiences and work with the business community. This Centre will build on the Sobey School’s strengths and help create prosperity.”
Dr. David Sobey, Dr. Ramesh Venkat, Director of the David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retailing and Services, Catherine Caffrey, Coordinator.
