ALUMNI DIARY

Paying it forward As this entrepreneur advances, his connection stays strong

ILLUSTRATION BY LEEANDRA CIANCI

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Giving back with passion

Marsha Brown, Social Work ’09, is intentional about how she spends her volunteer time.

This year Brown will take on a new volunteer role as a director on the Ryerson University Alumni Association.

Fresh from her second school build in Jamaica with Food For The Poor, Brown, who in her day job is vice-president of the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment, accepted Ryerson’s G. Raymond Chang Outstanding Volunteer Award in June 2018. The award recognized:

• Brown’s participation on the Viola Desmond Awards Committee since 2015, celebrating the work of faculty and staff and providing bursaries for students pursuing post-secondary education.
• Co-chairing the School of Social Work Alumni Committee.

“Ryerson is dear to my heart,” Brown says. “My involvement is meant to promote excellence and encourage other alumni to give back.”

An international philanthropist, she believes that “it’s paramount to support the institution that guided your professional journey.”

—Sue Horner

30 Ryerson University Magazine / Winter 2019