Media releases

• Saskatchewan academic leader to become Goodman’s new Dean

  Wednesday, April 05, 2017 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 5 April 2017 – R00074

  Brock University Interim President Tom Traves announced today that Andrew Gaudes will become the next Dean of Brock’s Goodman School of Business.

  Gaudes is currently at the University of Regina, where since 2012 he has been Dean of the Paul J. Hill School of Business and the Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business.

  The Brock appointment takes effect on July 1, and today’s announcement concludes a seven-month search which shortlisted four finalist candidates for the Goodman role.
   
  Prior to his position at U Regina, Gaudes was at the University of New Brunswick from 2003-2012, where he served at various times as Associate Professor, Director of Graduate Studies and Associate Dean for International Programs in the Faculty of Business Administration.
   
  Before becoming an academic, Gaudes worked in the fields of architecture and interior design, having earned undergraduate (1987) and master’s (1998) degrees in architecture from the University of Manitoba. He then returned to U of M and in 2005 received his PhD in Management from the I.H. Asper School of Business.
   
  A specialist in organizational theory, Gaudes has published widely in his field, including nearly two dozen peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings and conference papers. He has also authored or co-authored five books and contributed chapters or sections for numerous others.

  Traves today also expressed his “deep appreciation for the leadership and service of Dr. Barry Wright,” who has served as Interim Dean of Goodman since December 2015.

  In making the announcement, Traves noted that Gaudes’ reappointment to a second term as Dean in Regina indicates strength in leadership as well as business strategy.
   
  “I am very humbled to be offered this opportunity to become part of Brock,” said Gaudes. “I have been very fortunate to have worked with great people in academics and industry, which has prepared me for this next exciting chapter in working towards the success of students at the Goodman School of Business.”
   

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:
   
  * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

  Brock University Marketing and Communications has a full-service studio where we can provide high definition video and broadcast-quality audio.

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  Categories: Media releases

• Brock student David Lisi wins Monster Pitch competition

  Wednesday, April 05, 2017 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 4 April 2017 – R00073

  For David Lisi, winning Monster Pitch was a surreal experience.

  After watching CBC’s hit show Dragons’ Den for the past five years, Lisi had the chance to take to a similar stage in a spirited student entrepreneurial competition on Monday, April 3.

  The second-year Brock student won the competition which included a funding and startup package worth up to $15,000 after pitching his business idea, Bundle, to four renowned business experts.

  “Winning Monster Pitch just gives me such great validation and confidence about Bundle and its potential,” said Lisi.

  The judging panel was comprised of Jim Treliving, one of five judges on CBC’s Dragons’ Den and chairman and owner of Boston Pizza International Inc.; Bruce Croxon, co-host of BNN’s The Disruptors and CEO of Round13; Deborah Rosati, corporate director and co-founder of Women Get On Board; and Jason Sparaga, co-founder and co-CEO of Spark Power Corp. and founder of Spara Capital Partners.

  Bundle, Lisi’s winning business idea, aims to have a substantial social impact across Canada.

  Using a one-for-one business model, Bundle donates a scarf to someone in need for every scarf purchased. The company will also contribute financially to a yet-to-be-chosen not-for-profit organization that helps people through difficult times.

  “I learned a lot from the judges and the feedback they provided,” Lisi said, adding that learning how an investor thinks is valuable as an entrepreneur.

  After judging the competition, judges gave feedback to each of the four finalists.

  “That was a lot of fun and it’s always great to hear new ideas,” said Croxon. “You’d think we’d get tired of new ideas but it’s always great to see new stuff and especially great to see new stuff coming from young people.”

  Before announcing the winner, Treliving commented on the innovative nature of each student’s pitch.

  “There are no bad ideas. There are always better ideas and you’ve created a lot of that today,” he said.

  “It was really hard to sit here and say ‘this one’s the best one and this one’s the worst one.’ It’s not like that. It’s ‘what can you go to the next level with.’ That’s what business is all about and you have done that really, really well,” he said to the finalists.

  Hosted by the Brock Innovation Group in partnership with the Goodman School of Business and BioLinc and sponsored by Spark Power Corp., the competition was held at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:
   
  * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

  Brock University Marketing and Communications has a full-service studio where we can provide high definition video and broadcast-quality audio.

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  Categories: Media releases