Grosvenor Award for IBPOC Students aims to shape communities by supporting diverse future leaders in real estate

A gift from international property company Grosvenor is making a meaningful difference in the lives of undergraduate students at the UBC Sauder School of Business – bolstering equal access to education and employment in the real estate industry.

Three $15,000 annual awards have been made available through the Grosvenor Award for IBPOC Students, which provides support for domestic UBC Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) students who are First Nations, Inuit, or Métis or who identify as Black or as a Person of Colour. The gifts total $225,000 over a five-year commitment. 

“We share a commitment with UBC Sauder to nurture resilient and responsible leaders and equip students with the skills required to work in the real estate industry and beyond,” said Tanja Milosevic, Associate Vice President – Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) at Grosvenor – Property Americas. “We hope this award will remove some of the barriers that exist and we’re excited to continue our partnership with the school.” 

The award is the latest collaboration in a longstanding relationship between Grosvenor and UBC Sauder. In 1999, financial support from Grosvenor led to the creation of the Real Estate Mentorship Program and, in 2013, the Grosvenor Professorship of Cities, Business Economics, and Public Policy. 

Milosevic says the Grosvenor Award for IBPOC Students seemed like the perfect next chapter in the company’s record of philanthropy because supporting youth and education is extremely important to the organization.

A look at the impact on BCom students
 

Jason Suyama says he is honoured to have been one of the recipients of the inaugural Grosvenor Award for IBPOC Students and that hearing the news was a major moment for him and his family.

“Coming from a family of Indian and Japanese immigrants, my parents and I were thrilled and grateful to find out about the financial support,” recalled Suyama. “It helped lift the financial burden of pursuing a business education and provided me with the means to fully immerse myself in my coursework and engage in extracurricular activities."

As a 2023 graduate of the BCom program with a dual specialization in finance and real estate, Suyama now works as a financial analyst at a real estate development company headquartered in Vancouver. He said the award has had a positive impact on his professional development after graduation.

“It feels surreal to have started working in commercial real estate, learning about the field and gaining incredible real-world experience,” said Suyama. “Thanks to Grosvenor’s generosity, I am grateful to now have the freedom to take greater risks and try new things to gain a more comprehensive understanding within the real estate industry and learn how I can add the most value for others.”

Isaac Hill is another recipient of the 2022/23 Grosvenor Award for IBPOC Students. Hill is a member of the Haida Nation and was raised in the community of Skidegate in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. 

In the fall semester of 2022, Hill was working as financial advisory analyst intern at Deloitte, serving as an Indigenous Peer Mentor for course COMM 390, and completing the required electives for his degree. He says the financial support from Grosvenor helped him balance his busy schedule. 

“Being a student and an active member in my extracurricular activities, I am always struggling to manage my time and provide for myself during the academic year,” said Hill. “The support of the Grosvenor award has given me more flexibility and has allowed me to focus on the aspects of my life I am passionate about: family, friends, and academics.” 

An involved workforce and a focus on young people   
 

Milosevic is a founding member and current chair of Grosvenor’s employee-led Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Committee. She said 34 per cent of employees in the North American operating company are involved in the committee and participate in the groups of Racial Justice, Gender Equity, Ability, Culture, and Pride@Grosvenor. All of these groups work together to educate, attract diverse talent, and foster a sense of inclusion.

While some strides have been made in the real estate industry for recruiting and retaining candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, there is still room for improvement, said Milosevic. Many of Grosvenor’s philanthropic endeavours are geared towards young people for that reason. “We believe that the best way to continue that improvement is to support people when they’re starting their studies.”

Funding via the Westminster Foundation, the charitable arm of Grosvenor’s international businesses, is also provided to the Urban Land Institute's UrbanPlan program in Vancouver, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., the Real Estate Exchange High School Career Exploration Program, and the Urban Alliance Property Management High School Internship Program. The company is also involved in the All Stars Project’s Development School for Youth internship program in San Francisco. 

‘Shaping the communities in which people live, work, and play’
 

With financial pressures having been eased during their studies, Suyama and Hill are focused on the next stage of their professional lives.

“Real estate plays a vital role in every other industry, and is quite literally the base of every community,” said Suyama. “In the next five to 10 years, I hope to continue pursuing new and unique ways to innovate and promote sustainability in the global real estate industry.”

“One of many reasons I chose to pursue business is the aspect of teamwork and building relationships,” said Hill. “I believe commercial real estate is a great potential fit for me post-graduation.” 

Milosevic couldn’t agree more – she said the real estate industry is a perfect place for people who want to make an impact and that new graduates like Hill and Suyama offer valuable perspectives.

“Real estate is an exciting business to be in because you are shaping cities – you are shaping the communities and the environments in which people live, work, and play,” said Milosevic. “Having people from diverse backgrounds with the youth, energy, and excitement that these students have will help to develop these spaces. I’m looking forward to seeing how things change with fresh ideas and perspectives.”