New leadership in Advancement and Alumni Relations
Spring has brought renewal to Concordia’s Advancement and Alumni Relations (AAR). Marie Claire Morin, AAR vice-president, recently announced the appointment of two new directors in her sector.
Sharon J. Fraenkel was named AAR’s director of alumni relations, sponsorships and events. In his new role, Fraenkel will supervise three professional groups — the events, sponsorship and alumni relations teams — whose synergies will continue to make a positive impact on Concordia.
Fraenkel is the first person to officially lead alumni relations in seven years and he will play a key role in shaping the future direction of AAR. He will be the principal liaison with the institution’s three alumni associations: Concordia University Alumni Association, Loyola Alumni Association and Association of Alumni of Sir George Williams University.
Fraenkel joined AAR in 2005 as director of events and sponsorships. He is a graduate of European University of Montreux, Switzerland, where he obtained a BSc in international hospitality and tourism management.
He acquired valuable experience during 15 years in the hospitality and hotel industry, working for some of the world’s most prestigious companies: Hilton International, Cirque du Soleil, Dan Hotels, as well as The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and Le Royal Meridien King Edward Hotel.
Since joining AAR, Fraenkel has built a team of dedicated professionals, developed and implemented procedures, policies and processes to maximize event logistics and services in support of the sector's goals and objectives and the university's overall mission.
Fraenkel’s team created the standards for event production at the university. They execute over 150 functions per year: fundraising and alumni relations events, as well as events for Concordia’s Office of the President.
Gilbert Tordjman, a Concordia alumnus with considerable experience in the philanthropic sector, has joined AAR as director of finance and administration.
Tordjman will oversee AAR’s administrative and service activities, manage staff and provide overall leadership. He will direct financial planning and the management of the operating budgets, while ensuring AAR meets university policies and procedures.
A certified general accountant, Tordjman earned his BSc in biochemistry at Concordia. In his most recent position, he was vice-president of administrative affairs at the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ). At the FRSQ, he implemented a new model for grant attribution and established new funding programs that led to national and international partnerships.
From 2004 to 2008, as director of finance and administration at the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation, Tordjman crafted and implemented a strategic financial plan that led to 23 per cent in savings for the organization.
He was also financial management officer at the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research at the Jewish General Hospital from 1996 to 2004. In this capacity, he implemented financial controls, policies and practices that resulted in reduced operating deficits. Gilbert also worked as an accountant, at Friedman & Friedman.
A committed volunteer, Tordjman served as chair of Federation CJA West Island, treasurer of Congregation Or Shalom and was part of the marketing committee of the Jewish Community Foundation that bridges the Sephardic population to the general community. His contribution to Jewish institutions was recognized with the 2010 Gertrude and Henry Plotnick Award for Young Leadership.
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