A shared affinity for education
The university’s classic-style Toronto Dominion (TD) Bank Building sits at the corner of Ste-Catherine and Guy streets, while the John Molson School of Business (JMSB) Building next door features the 300-seat BMO Amphitheatre and the 120-seat TD Bank Financial Group and Manulife Financial amphitheatres.
Those company monikers can also be found on a number of student awards, such as the TD Insurance Meloche Monnex (TDIMM) scholarships and bursaries, TD Bank Financial Group Bursaries and Bank of Montreal (now BMO) bursaries and scholarships. Manulife Financial gifts to Concordia include the Manulife Financial Professorship in Financial Planning in the JMSB.
That these facilities and awards share the names of Concordia’s valued affinity partners — TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, BMO MasterCard and Manulife Financial — is not coincidental. “Our partnership and business relations span more than 26 years,” explains Nancy Hammond, BComm 89, MBA 93, vice-president of TD Insurance Meloche Monnex for Quebec and Atlantic Canada.
TD also has a long history of supporting Concordia through corporate donations, given that education is a key pillar of its community giving strategy.
“We have a strong relationship with Concordia. We want to create opportunities for young people,” she says.
Hammond herself has strong links to the university. The two-time graduate has volunteered for the JMSB and Concordia University Alumni Association board of directors. She also participated in two Concordia Shuffles, the university’s annual walkathon.
Before stepping into her current post in 2010, Hammond was a district vice-president for TD Canada Trust. Today, she oversees TDIMM’s relationships with more than 100 professional orders and associations.
Concordia’s affinity partners TDIMM, BMO MasterCard and Manulife Financial offer alumni discounts for their services. In return, they sponsor a number of university projects and events, such as Concordia’s annual Alumni Recognition Awards Banquet.
TDIMM’s affinity partnership with Concordia dates back to 1985, when the company was known as J. Meloche Inc., a pioneer of the affinity partner model. After subsequent mergers and acquisitions, the insurer joined TD Bank Financial Group in 2000.
No matter the names or company divisions, Hammond says, their focus remains on customer service and strong ties to Concordia. “We have shared values of education and supporting students with the university.”
Related links:
• Advancement and Alumni Relations benefits and services
• “An affinity for Concordia” – NOW, February 27, 2012
• Partners with a Concordia affinity
• 2012 Alumni Recognition Award Banquet
Affinity partner websites:
• TD Insurance Meloche Monnex
• BMO MasterCard
• Manulife Financial