Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business exemplifies excellence in business education and research. Honoring Keith and Ryan Beedie, the school reflects their legacy of innovation, generosity, and dedication, equipping future business leaders with the skills, connections, and knowledge needed to drive change.
Since its founding in 1965, Simon Fraser University (SFU) has championed a unique educational philosophy emphasizing interdisciplinary learning, bold initiatives, and community engagement. The Beedie School of Business played a pivotal role in SFU’s history by launching Canada’s first Executive MBA in 1968.
Today, the Beedie School of Business is a premier institution for business education in Canada. The school is renowned for its dynamic teaching environment and globally recognized research contributions. Located in British Columbia, a nexus for international trade and technology, the school is strategically positioned at Canada‘s Asia Pacific Gateway.
Offering a wide range of master’s degree programs, the Beedie School of Business aims to develop socially responsible business leaders. Its vibrant community of undergraduate and graduate students across its three SFU campuses totals more than 4,000. The school also boasts 31,000 alumni worldwide in over 80 countries. The school emphasizes lifelong learning and community contribution, offering numerous opportunities to stay engaged with the school community after graduation.
SFU Beedie also holds several accreditations. It is AACSB-accredited and received the EQUIS accreditation from the European Federation for Management Development (EFMD). Fewer than 1% of business schools globally achieve this double accreditation.
In 2011, in acknowledgment of a significant donation from Ryan Beedie and Keith Beedie, the school was renamed the Beedie School of Business.
Keith Beedie (1926-2017) was a man of visionary leadership and a spirit of generosity. In 1945, at 19, he and a business partner built their first building, a woodworking shop. With only an eleventh-grade education, Keith Beedie was a self-made entrepreneur and business leader. Since those humble beginnings, he profoundly influenced British Columbia’s educational and business landscapes. He was also a great believer in the power of education.
Keith’s career tells a story of entrepreneurial drive and commitment to excellence. He was previously the founder and president of the Beedie Development Group, which built homes and completed large-scale commercial and industrial construction projects in the British Columbia area.
His son, Ryan Beedie, took over the family company in 2001. Thereafter, Keith Beedie started a foundation called the Keith and Betty Beedie Foundation with his wife, Betty Beedie.
The Keith and Betty Beedie Foundation donated significantly to healthcare, education, and community sports, reflecting their broad vision for societal betterment. They donated to healthcare clinics in Sri Lanka and local hospitals. The foundation also supported Burnaby Kidsport, which helps disadvantaged children participate in sports.
Carrying forward Keith’s legacy, his son Ryan Beedie has significantly influenced Canada’s industrial and residential property development scene. In fact, he was named the Ernst & Young’s Pacific Region Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009.
Beyond his business achievements, Ryan Beedie’s philanthropic efforts mirror those of his parents, and he has supported numerous charitable organizations. He assisted with raising over $750,000 for Lion’s Gate Hospice. Additionally, he donated $100,000 to BC Children’s Hospital. As an SFU alumnus, he also created the Ryan Beedie Annual Community Service Award, which grants business administration students $5,000 in financial aid for outstanding academic performance and leadership or community service at SFU.
He carries on his family’s mission to create opportunities for education and growth, solidifying the Beedie legacy as a cornerstone of community support.
Simon Fraser University’s faculty of business administration was proudly renamed the Beedie School of Business in 2011 after SFU alumnus Ryan Beedie and his father, Keith Beedie, donated $22 million. This was the largest donation ever made to the school. It marked a milestone in the institution’s history and set a precedent for philanthropy within the academic community. The Beedie donation is being used as an endowment, ensuring the sustained support of students and enhancing professorships and research chairs.
By naming the business school after the Beedie family, Simon Fraser University celebrates the spirit of generosity and visionary leadership. The Beedies’ legacy continues to inspire the school’s alumni in their business pursuits.
Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business takes pride in its alumni, who have established remarkable careers across diverse sectors globally.
Wanda Rockthunder, a 2021 SFU Beedie MBA graduate, embodies the school’s spirit of leadership and service. With a diverse professional background as a consultant, educator, facilitator, and teaching assistant, as well as through her volunteering work, she has supported individuals and organizations in their healing and wellness objectives. Wanda is an important advocate for fostering the well-being of Indigenous peoples. The MBA at SFU Beedie was a crucial stepping stone in her journey to achieve her PhD, which she received from The University of British Columbia. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Athabasca University in Canada.
Eric Lanoix obtained his Master of Science (MSc) in Finance from SFU Beedie in 2013. His career trajectory is varied and innovative, with success in multiple fields. His studies at SFU Beedie helped him transition from spacecraft engineering to finance. He achieved great success in the finance sector, becoming the Vice President of Quantitative Risk at Coast Capital Savings, one of Canada’s largest credit unions. He is currently the Vice President of Risk Quantification and Enterprise Risk Management at Export Development Canada in Ottawa. His alumni career journey reflects the adaptability and breadth of skills fostered at Beedie.
The Beedie School of Business encourages academic excellence and innovation to create responsible and capable business leaders.
True to the Beedie legacy, the business school has supported students in achieving career success while helping them to make meaningful contributions to society.
The achievements of its alumni across various sectors spotlight the school’s role in shaping business and community leadership. As we look to the future, the Beedie School of Business inspires new generations of leaders ready to tackle the challenges of today’s world and make it a better place.
Learn more about the Beedie School of Business and its programs.
