18 looking forward bcs bulletin Fall 2019
gritty and achieve what you set out to do because you’ll find a way to achieve it.” Although Stephen and his wife Jill are empty nesters with Eric in Marketing at Molson and Adam at Carleton, Stephen still makes sure to keep the family up to date with the latest research. “My poor children are inundated with articles, summaries, and pdfs,” Stephen laughs. A long-time and loyal donor to BCS, Stephen has remained in close contact with his alma mater throughout the years and is still in touch with the many Stephen was a proud Williams resident during all three of his years at BCS. Pictured here in
friends he made while on Moulton Hill. “I’ve
1977 (front row, third from the left).
remained friends with a bunch of my classmates. Doug Mitchell, BCS’79, was the
Stephen took on the position of Assistant
and indeed environmental, culture and
best man at my wedding and I was best
Brand Manager on Sunlight laundry deter-
leadership on employees and youth is
man at his.” Despite a busy schedule and a
gent at Unilever. He would go on to build a
another passion that has developed in
full family life, he found the time to make
22-year career at the company, rounding
Stephen over the course of his career.
it to Montreal for his 40-year reunion in
out his time there as VP of Marketing and
“The science of the brain has really opened
September. “I flew down with Sarah Stairs,
then VP of Sales. “Much like BCS, Unile-
up so many avenues for understanding
BCS’79, and it was great to catch up with
ver taught me about the world,” Stephen
how effective leaders lead and I think it’s
her and all my classmates.”
remarks. “The company operates in almost
fascinating.” He is keenly invested in the
every country and I developed friendships
development of today’s youth and nurtur-
learned to have an opinion and to share my
all around the world.”
ing the leadership skills of his team. “It’s so
opinion, and that’s helped me in my career.
important to find people who are curious,”
I believe BCS has a role to play in helping
instrumental part in Dove’s ‘Real Beauty’
Stephen shares. “Curiosity is a mindset
our world through some of the challenges
campaign, heading up the team that led
that we should be teaching and encourag-
it is currently facing and will encounter in
the charge on developing it. “The campaign
ing in young people. And then asking our-
the future. We require leaders for tomor-
encouraged people to challenge the myths
selves, ‘How do we pique a curious mind?’”
row.” Given his passion for leadership
While at Unilever, Stephen was an
and stereotypes of what beauty looks
Outside of the office, Stephen serves
“I learned how to be a leader at BCS. I
and youth development, it’s no surprise
like,” Stephen explains. The campaign,
as Toronto Chapter Chair of ProAction
Stephen is excited at the idea of a dedi-
launched globally in 2003, was ahead of its
Cops & Kids, an organization that connects
cated leadership program at BCS. “I believe
time and the concept remains highly rele-
children from disadvantaged neighbour-
that an investment by the school into the
vant in today’s cultural climate where we
hoods across much of Ontario together
broad area of leadership, resilience, and
are finally seeing a significant turn toward
with police officers. “The police officers
how we get better at things is so worth-
this type of acceptance and promotion
develop and lead a variety of athletic,
while and will be very attractive to parents
of diversity on the part of major brands
food, artistic, and cultural programs, and
of current and prospective students.”
across multiple industries. Working at
ProAction raises the money to fund them.
Unilever, and on this campaign in particu-
I’ve been involved since 2006 and I have
appreciates his time at BCS more than
lar, reinforced a lesson Stephen first learnt
really enjoyed it.”
ever. “This school really opened up my eyes
at BCS: “It’s okay to have a different view
Besides—yet still closely aligned with—
Forty years after graduating, Stephen
as a youngster from Sainte-Thérèse in the
than others, and what’s important is being
his volunteer pursuits, most of Stephen’s
1970s, which wouldn’t have happened
confident in expressing your point of view.”
free time is taken up by his most recent
otherwise. BCS gives you a sense of the
passion for discovering the inner work-
world and global community earlier than
anniversary at Smucker as VP Sales and
Stephen is currently enjoying his 10-year
ings of future leaders. “How can we help
most people.” It’s an overall education that
Trade Marketing. “Smucker is a family-led,
younger people figure out what matters,
has served him in good stead throughout
publicly traded company, and it’s been an
what’s important, and what they are really
his career and life in general. “My parents
interesting experience to see the power
interested in, sooner rather than later?”
would say that the best thing they ever
of continuity and culture that has been
he posits. “In finding those things you
invested in was to send me to BCS.” That’s
passed down from Smucker to Smucker,”
create a passion, and if you are passionate
a statement with which Stephen whole-
Stephen says. The impact of workplace,
about something you are more likely to be
heartedly agrees.