Tricolour Society Member And Former AMS President Honoured With Alumni Mentorship Award

Bruce Alexander, Com’60, LLD’11, believes in the power of mentorship. He lists several Queen’s people – former registrar Jean Royce, 14th Principal John Deutsch, Political Studies Professor Emeritus John Meisel, and former university chaplain Padre Laverty – who “all had a hand in shaping my destiny.”

Those mentors helped launch Mr. Alexander’s illustrious career. Mr. Alexander practiced law before working in senior positions in the Ontario government and as managing director of then Fraser, Beatty (now Dentons). He was also as a special advisor to former Prime Minister Joe Clark during negotiations of the Charlottetown Accord.

Over the years, Mr. Alexander has opened doors for other people by starting many scholarship and mentorship programs to help visible minorities. Mr. Alexander’s commitment to helping others is the reason he is this year’s Alumni Mentorship Award recipient. He will be honoured at the QUAA Awards Gala on April 2.

“I’ve had more satisfaction mentoring people than anything else I have done. I know it makes a difference because people tell me they might not have tried to seize an opportunity if I hadn’t helped and encouraged them,” says Mr. Alexander, a Tricolour Society member and former Alma Mater Society president who received the John Orr Award in 2001 and an honorary degree from Queen’s in 2011.

In 2010, he started The Shadow Cabinet (TSC) to help inspire the next generation of minority leaders. It is a group of more than 30 young women from Toronto and Ottawa who Mr. Alexander feels have the potential for greatness. Thanks to Mr. Alexander’s connections, the group has met prominent Canadians such as former Prime Minister of Canada Joe Clark, former Ontario Liberal cabinet minister Mary Anne Chambers, and former Speaker of the House Peter Milliken, Arts’68. The TSC  meets regularly for outings – they have attended Question Period in Parliament and toured the Supreme Court of Canada – as well offer each other encouragement, support and advice.

“I wanted to help people who are the most underrepresented in the corridors of power – minority women and immigrant women. I knew they could advance their positions. They need mentors to give advice, encourage and open doors,” says Mr. Alexander. “Some people who haven’t had the advantages I had have struggled. I want people to achieve their greatest potential.”

Shadow Cabinet member and former Alma Mater Society president Safiah Chowdhury, Artsci’11, is grateful for the hundreds of hours Mr. Alexander has unselflessly invested to help empower everyone in the group.

“Everyone I have met through Bruce has been incredible,” says Ms. Chowdhury. “To me, Bruce represents all the best parts of Queen’s – the intergenerational support, the strong alumni connection, and the sense of giving back. I cannot think of anyone better for the Alumni Mentorship Award than Bruce.”

Do you know any outstanding alumni? Email the QUAA to find out how to nominate someone for next year’s QUAA Awards.