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Major donor joins fellow lecturer and department chair to publish leadership guide

Finding the Suite Spot seeks to bridge world-class learnings with their application in the real world
April 24, 2025
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By Ian Harrison, BComm 01


Constantine is standing by a lake with blue water and green grass behind him. “We hope to complement teachings by John Molson School professors, with our experience of their application in the real world.”

Graduate, donor and part-time lecturer Constantine Constandis, BComm 79, has co-authored a new book aimed at preparing the next generation of finance leaders for executive roles.

Finding the Suite Spot: Preparing YOUR Journey into the Boardroom (Kendall Hunt Publishing) was written with Matthäus Tekathen, chair of the Department of Accountancy at the John Molson School of Business, and Ian Gergovich, BComm 79, a retired partner of PwC in Montreal and a fellow part-time lecturer. The book blends personal experience, academic insight and professional expertise to guide aspiring CFOs and other C-suite leaders.

Constandis, who spent more than 30 years in senior leadership roles across global markets in the wine and spirits industry, brings a candid, experience-driven perspective.

The book cover show a man standing and looking out of a window.

“We hope to complement teachings by John Molson School professors, with our experience of their application in the real world,” he says. “The goal was to share what we’ve learned in a way that’s honest and accessible. Leadership is never just about the title. It’s about preparation, judgment and values.”

The book grew out of an elective course developed by the co-authors at the John Molson School in 2024. Its success prompted the trio to expand their message to a wider audience.

Tekathen sees the project as a powerful example of collaboration. “This book reflects how academic and executive perspectives can complement each other. It brings valuable real-world context to the classroom and beyond.”

Constandis and his wife, Anne Upton-Constandis, BComm 80, recently pledged a major planned gift to Concordia in support of MBA students and future CPAs.

Royalties from the Finding the Suite Spot will go toward experiential learning initiatives in business schools across North America — a natural continuation of a shared belief in the power of education.



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