Business student Sarah Fisher was one of only 10 students from across Canada chosen to receive the Futures Fund Scholarship for Outstanding Leadership at a gala reception for Canada’s Outstanding CEO of the Year.

Ms. Fisher was flown to Toronto in November to accept the $5,000 scholarship.

“The gala was amazing,” she said. “Everyone was very friendly and there were a lot of opportunities for networking with business leaders from different backgrounds and industries. All of the scholarship winners were introduced to the CEO of the year and he congratulated us on our achievements and really made us feel welcome.”

Ross A. Grieve, president and CEO of PCL Constructors Inc., was awarded the top honour of the night and 10 students were awarded the Futures  Fund scholarship in recognition of exemplary leadership in their academic and extra-curricular activities.

Ms. Fisher, a fourth year bachelor of commerce student, was awarded the scholarship on the strength of her academic excellence, community involvement, and leadership skills. As the vice-president of Based in Business with SIFE Memorial, Ms. Fisher was responsible for organizing and managing a project that brought five Canadian Forces members to Memorial’s campus for a week-long, entrepreneurship training session.

The project, a partnership with the Department of National Defence, also includes a year-long mentorship program to support the participants as they put their entrepreneurial plans into action. 

Dr. Dale Foster, acting dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, said that Ms. Fisher is a natural choice for this award.

“As well as being an excellent student, Sarah is also entrepreneurial in spirit. She seizes opportunities and turns them into reality through her hard work and persistence,” Dr. Foster explained. “I am sure that her ability to inspire confidence in others and to lead with vision and passion will continue to be rewarded throughout her career.”

In January, Ms. Fisher will spend a semester at Memorial’s Harlow campus. She said the Futures Fund scholarship will help her offset the costs of studying abroad. 

“I’m really looking forward to studying at Harlow and taking advantage of all of the opportunities there and this scholarship will be a huge help,” she said. “I’m really thankful to the selection committee and the scholarship donors who have chosen me for this award.”