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Thompson Rivers University
Thompson Rivers University

At a glance

4,817 students

pursued a business and economics education at TRU Gaglardi during the academic year 2022-2023

76 full-time faculty

engaged in teaching, learning and research

24,047 alumni

form a powerful network of all of TRU Gaglardi’s graduates to date

5 departments

offer 14 programs, from entry-level certificates to master’s degrees

Growing the regional business community

3.2 times its value

for every dollar spent, TRU Gaglardi provides 3.2 times its value in contributions to BC’s GDP

6,709 jobs

supported in the BC Interior through work carried out by TRU Gaglardi

$294M earned

in wages and salaries in the Interior through work carried out by TRU Gaglardi

$700M contributed

to the GDP of British Columbia as a result of TRU Gaglardi activities

Numbers based on activity from 2018 to 2022

The Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics has been instrumental in cultivating innovative leaders who are now pivotal in advancing our local business community. Their graduates bring fresh perspectives and robust strategies, significantly contributing to our economic development. Furthermore, the Kamloops and District Chamber of Commerce proudly recognizes TRU Gaglardi's role in driving innovation and sustainability, demonstrating how their collaborative efforts and practical focus have contributed to a dynamic and prosperous business ecosystem in the Kamloops region.

Acacia Pangilinan
Executive Director, Kamloops and District Chamber of Commerce

TRU Gaglardi Dean’s Advisory Council

The school is supported by a broad cross-section of leaders in business, government, media and public sectors, reflecting the diversity of our community.

Paul Donald
CEO, Simpcw Resources Group
Peter Antturi
President, Anglemont Financial Services Ltd.
Starr Carson
Office Managing Partner, KPMG LLP
Fiona Chan
Retired, previously AVP, Credit Risk Management Business Development of Canada
Beverley DeSantis
Representative, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
Jason Fawcett
President, Kelson Group
Dr. Richard Game
COO, Evans Consoles Corporation
Rod Graham
President and CEO, Velocity Truck Centres Canada
Amanda Hobson
Senior Finance Executive and Board Member, BC Hydro and Powerex
Adam Miron
Interim-CEO and Chair, Brane Capital; Co-Founder, HEXO Entrepreneur in Residence, Thompson Rivers University
Christopher Krywulak
Founder and Lead (CEO), Chrysalis
James McCreath
Senior Investment Advisor and Portfolio Manager, BMO Nesbitt Burns
Peter McKenna
President and CEO, NRI Distribution Inc. Los Angeles
Trish Morelli
Executive Director, Kamloops Wineries Association
Andreas Pylarinos
Owner, AK Solutions Inc.
Dan Rink
CEO, iTel Networks Inc.
Brendan Shaw
Managing Broker, Brendan Shaw Real Estate
Kate Stebbings
Senior Engagement and Communications Consultant
Richard Weir
Executive Vice-President, Bosa Developments Corp.

Empowering the next generation of leaders

1,046 Gaglardi graduates

completed their program of choice in 2023

$975,966 in awards

given to students to support their studies in 2023

54% of students

say TRU Gaglardi helped them identify and form connections beyond the BC Interior

$408,944 in funding

received from April 2023 to February 2024 to support student success, entrepreneurship and research

TRU and the Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics provided me with opportunities to further my education outside of the traditional classroom. From attending speaker panel events to learn from and network with professionals in the financial services industry to volunteering with Enactus TRU and representing our university regionally and nationally, I gained valuable skills to succeed in my career.

Gontran Nzobonimpa
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator, Fidelity Canada

Thank you to our 2023-24 donors

Aberdeen Mall Kamloops
Adina Gray
Aniljit Uppal
Anonymous
Aramark Canada Ltd.
Bannister Automotive Group
BC CPA Education Foundation
Bob & Mirella Holden
Brent & Kari Ashby
Brian & Linda Turner
Bruce and Theresa Gysel
Campbell & Schreurs Chartered Professional Accountants Inc.
Chemo RV
CIBC
Community Futures Thompson Country
Costco Wholesale Canada
Daniel Thompson
Dr. Alan Shaver
Dr. Bruce Martin
Dr. Ken Lepin
Dr. Laura Lamb
Dr. Peter Tsigaris & Lian Dumouchel
Dr. Robert Androkovich
Dr. Terry & Lisa Lake
Drs. Michael Henry & Jane Hewes
Elizabeth Charles
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Fiona Chan
First West Credit Union
Fiscal Realities Economists Ltd.
Frank and Shirley Luciani
Grant Thornton LLP
Guy Mercier & Family
Harvey & Barbara Comazzetto
ICP Insurance Solutions
IndoCan Links
James McCreath Family
Jason and Pamela Fawcett
John Dobson Foundation
Kelson Group
KPMG LLP & KPMG Foundation
Michael & Melissa Oatway
NRI Distribution Inc.
Paul and Sue Siluch
Paul Mumford & Lindsay Holmes
Paula Presta
Philip & Melissa Arkinstall
Pylarinos Family
Raymond James Canada Ltd.
RBC & RBC Foundation
Rob and Kristin Williamson
Rudi Eiter & Leni Reichor
Ryan Adkin
Scotiabank
Starr & Gayle Carson
TELUS Sustainability and Environment
Tenisci Piva LLP
The Daley Family
The Game Family
Tom Adkin
Troylana and Bart Manson
Valley First

If we missed you, we sincerely apologize.
Please contact Tatiana Gilbert at tgilbert@tru.ca to let us know.

Connecting BC's Interior to the world

1,941 Gaglardi students

were enrolled in Open Learning programs during the academic year 2022-2023, allowing them to study from anywhere in the world

1,882 students

have graduated with a TRU Gaglardi dual business degree at Tianjin University of Technology in Tianjin, China, to date

909 students

have graduated with a TRU Gaglardi dual business degree at the Shanghai Institute of Technology in Shanghai, China, to date

Twenty-two years ago, Tianjin University of Technology expanded its reach through our joint Bachelor of Business Administration program offered in collaboration with the Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics at TRU. Together, we have walked a long way, and I believe our partnership will only continue to thrive. It is thanks to TRU’s and TUT’s joint efforts that thousands of graduates get to see the world and embark on an educational adventure of a lifetime.

Dr. Wang Jingbin
Dean, School of Management, Tianjin University of Technology

Promoting community well-being

1 in 5 Courses

are either sustainability-focused or sustainability-inclusive

62% of students and alumni

say that the school has enhanced their understanding of sustainable development in the Interior

4 research clusters

exist at TRU Gaglardi; they focus on sustainability, social good, corporate responsibility and supply chain

149 papers

were published by Gaglardi faculty between 2018 and 2022; close to half of them aligned with the UN’s SDGs, Indigenization goals or sustainability themes

94 theses

were produced by Gaglardi students between 2014 and 2021

The City of Kamloops was delighted to be able work with the Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics on the book, A Study of the Value of Kamloops Parks. The information is now used as key research as we develop our Parks Master Plan in 2024. The City has benefited from having access to the sharp minds of the students and academic professionals of TRU!

Jeff Putnam
Parks and Civic Facilities Manager, City of Kamloops

To the community

The Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics is proud to call Kamloops home. Together, we have accomplished so much in the past year – from empowering bright minds so they can make a difference in our community, to promoting our city’s natural assets by assessing the value of its parks, to forging strong partnerships at home and across the globe. Our school helps connect the British Columbia Interior to the world.

As you can see in this report, the work we do matters to our community. From 2018 to 2022, the school contributed $700M to the GDP of British Columbia and created 6,709 new jobs in the region. We support the local business community with fresh talent and new ideas. Our students and faculty members conduct research into homelessness, economic and environmental sustainability, and social enterprises – work that creates positive change.

We couldn’t do this without our partners, donors, local business leaders and community champions – people like you, who are reading this report right now. Thank you for your support. We look forward to the exciting projects and collaborations that the future holds, and we welcome your ideas and comments.

A message from
Dr. Michael Henry
Dean, Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics

Get in touch

General inquiries: gaglardioffice@tru.ca

Dean's office
Mike Henry
gaglardidean@tru.ca
Research
Ehsan Latif
elatif@tru.ca
Business engagement
Kate Morford
kmorford@tru.ca
Giving to Gaglardi
Tatiana Gilbert
tgilbert@tru.ca
International partnerships
Lisa Lake
llake@tru.ca
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