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Our Supporters


John and Marcy McCall MacBain

John and Marcy McCall MacBain

From volunteering for Welcome Week to leading the McGill Students’ Society, John McCall MacBain’s undergraduate experience was a formative one. “It laid the foundation for my studies at Oxford and Harvard, and for my entrepreneurial career.”

Mr. McCall MacBain and his wife, Marcy, established the McCall MacBain Foundation in 2007 to improve the welfare of humanity through focused grants in education, health and the environment. To invest in promising young Canadians at a formative stage in their lives, they underwrote five McCall MacBain Loran Awards in 2014 and announced an additional $1.2 million donation in 2015. Most recently in 2017, the McCall MacBain Foundation made a commitment to support Loran with a transformational gift in annual and matching grants over the next 10 years.

This year’s McCall MacBain Loran Scholars are Lily Bateman (Canning, NS), Cheyenne Brown (Vernon, BC), Sila Rogan (Winnipeg, MB), Ford Smith (Victoria, BC) and Finley Wheeler (Morden, MB).

“We need strong, dedicated and creative leadership to achieve positive outcomes. As Loran Scholars, young Canadians have the opportunity to learn, take meaningful risks and determine how they can best contribute to society.”

Having volunteered as a national interviewer in 2014, Mr. McCall MacBain appreciates the holistic approach to selecting scholars. “By looking at their character, willingness to learn from failure and genuine aspirations, we are able to discover young people with tremendous potential for a life of leadership and service.”

Recognizing the influence teachers had on his own life, Mr. McCall MacBain also helped to create the Loran Teachers Building Leaders Awards. This award series, now in its third year, allows graduating Loran Scholars to thank the primary and secondary school teachers who provided them with early inspiration and growth opportunities.

For his achievements as a business leader and for his contributions to academic institutions as a philanthropist, Mr. McCall MacBain was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2016. He is also the recipient of honorary degrees from a number of Canadian universities.

McCall MacBain Loran Scholars

Abnash Bassi
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2019
University of Toronto
Seaquam Secondary School
Delta, British Columbia

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Abnash is co-president of her school’s environmental club, organizing workshops at local elementary schools and community campaigns. She is co-president of her school’s debate and model UN club and a Climate Action Fellow with Be the Change Earth Alliance. Abnash participates in VEX robotics, is a member of MP Carla Qualtrough’s Constituency Youth Council, and coaches basketball.

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Abygail Montague
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2021
Western University
St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School
Hamilton, Ontario

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Abygail is student council president. She co-founded an organization that fundraises and holds community events for youth. Abygail is captain of her local lacrosse team and referees the sport. She volunteers at her church and for local organizations. Abygail is also co-creator of a social media platform with a mission to support Black-owned businesses in her community. Close Bio

Amar Farkouh
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2020
Université de Montréal
Cégep de Sherbrooke
Sherbrooke, Quebec

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Amar is a Syrian immigrant who arrived in Canada in 2016. He coordinated activities for children at the St. Éphrem Church and became a member of the Municipal Youth Council of Sherbrooke. He also participated in the Bishop’s Forum, a civic engagement program for young English-speaking Quebecers. He volunteers with SAFRIE, an organization supporting refugee and immigrant families in Estrie. Amar is currently a research student focusing on light pollution with his Cegep research group. Close Bio

Amelia Spacek
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2021
University of Ottawa
École secondaire Notre-Dame-du-Sault
Aweres Twp, Ontario

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Amelia is the prime minister of the student parliament. She teaches robotics-focused coding classes for youth and is the captain of her school’s robotics team. Amelia volunteers with the Professional Engineers of Ontario at community STEM outreach events. She plays hockey, volleyball, and basketball. Amelia also has a passion for music and performs weekly at the local hospice. Close Bio

Anna Irwin
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2022
Mount Allison University
Quluaq School
Clyde River, Nunavut

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Anna founded and leads her school's spirit team. She coordinated the school Terry Fox run and leads within the Scouting movement, helping others through local community service and international service trips. Anna’s passion for photography led to collaboration in documenting Climate Change in the Arctic presented at COP26. Close Bio

Ava Fitzgerald
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2022
University of Waterloo
Goderich District Collegiate Institute
Goderich, Ontario

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Ava is on the board of directors for Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving. She founded and was the president of the mental health team at her school. Ava is a student at the Ontario Science Centre and is on her local Science Olympics team. She plays in her school's jazz band and also writes letters to seniors in her community. Close Bio

Béatrice Allard
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2019
University of Ottawa
Cégep de Saint-Laurent
Montréal, Quebec

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Béatrice hosts a podcast promoting conversations between youth and leaders. She launched a campaign against rape culture that is now airing in several Cegeps. She sings and plays piano and trombone. As a youth consultant, Béatrice is involved with the Canadian Cancer Society and the Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui. She works as a swimming instructor at YMCA and is a member of the board of directors at her local Caisse Desjardins.

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Camille Maltais
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2020
Université de Montréal
Cégep de Granby
Granby, Quebec

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Camille is part of her Cegep’s student association and came up with numerous activities and programs to increase the feeling of belonging in the community. She contributes to several student committees and launched multiple awareness activities. Camille works as a panelist in a community center for people living with intellectual disabilities and/or those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, where she has been volunteering since she was 15 years old. Close Bio

Chidi Umenwofor-Nweze
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2019
University of Waterloo
The Mahindra United World College of India
Paud, India, -

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Chidinma is co-captain of her robotics team. She assists in a computer literacy program in a village near her school. She was a chorister and recently portrayed Alexander Hamilton in a student-led production of "Hamilton". She has undertaken infrastructural projects, such as a bus shelter and pediatric unit, within the Government of Nunavut.

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Chidiebere Okarah
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2021
McGill University
École Panorama Ridge Secondary School
Surrey, British Columbia

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Chidiebere is the Environmental Coordinator on the BC Youth Council, working to reduce single-use plastics in her community. Over four years, she served as Drumming Leader at African Stages Association of BC, empowering hundreds of youth. She has initiated various Model United Nations Conferences, organized school events as a student council executive, and performed in five school music ensembles. Close Bio

Émilia Gagné
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2022
McGill University
Collège Lionel-Groulx
Saint-Rémi, Quebec

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Émilia worked with the student association and her school’s staff to fight against systemic racism. She created a children's book in Braille and is a karate teacher. Émilia is also a mathematics and physics tutor and works at her family's vineyard. Close Bio

Emma Harris
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2021
University of British Columbia
Miles Macdonell Collegiate
Winnipeg, Manitoba

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Emma is co-president of her school’s student council, co-editor of yearbook, founder of a peer tutoring program, and leader within Physics Club and Girls in Stem Club. She volunteers with local food banks and in 2020, she helped run a hamper program for families impacted by COVID-19. Emma works part-time as a tutor and at a locally owned clothing store. Close Bio

Esha Mahmood
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2019
University of British Columbia
Banting Memorial High School
New Tecumseth, Ontario

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Esha is the student council president, organizer for Black History club, and founder of her school's Jack.org chapter – a youth mental wellness organization. She aids students in the transition to high school and helps young people to develop their leadership skills through her involvement with Count Me In Summit. She volunteers with Me to We and travelled to Kenya to build a school.

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Giovanni Ferraresso
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2020
University of British Columbia
Byrne Creek Secondary School
Burnaby, British Columbia

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Giovanni is vice-president of the student council who organizes an annual Hamper Drive, providing families relief over the holidays. He is co-president of his school's Robotics Club, which participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition. He designs free STEM camps for elementary school students. He plays lacrosse and coaches Under 11-13 teams. He works as a swim instructor and lifeguard. Close Bio

Govind Deol
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2020
University of British Columbia
L.A. Matheson Secondary School
Surrey, British Columbia

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Govind founded an after-school basketball program at an elementary school. He helps organize a summer camp that keeps youth in his community away from negative influences. As a leadership student, Govind organized a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society. He is a regular volunteer with a local charity, retirement residence, and Surrey Crime Prevention Society. He works as a cashier. Close Bio

Kai Chow
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2022
McGill University
W.J. Mouat Secondary School
Abbotsford, British Columbia

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Kai is the Concertmaster of Sinfonietta (VSO School of Music), where he established and chairs their Youth Council. He also volunteers as a violin teacher at the el-Sistema Bakerview Music Academy. He co-founded “United in Isolation”, a virtual performance featuring violinists nationwide. Through Leadership at WJ Mouat Secondary, Kai spearheaded a fundraiser for youth mental health and a diversity initiative. Close Bio

Kailyn Hanke
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2019
Dalhousie University
Neepawa Area Collegiate
Neepawa , Manitoba

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Kailyn is student council co-president and co-captain of her soccer team. She is also involved with her school division’s student advisory group, peer mentors, senior band, drama, and garden club. Kailyn enjoys volunteering her time leading her school’s social justice group, coaching volleyball, tutoring, and clerking at horticultural shows. Kailyn recently worked as a library program coordinator and museum attendant.

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Kayleigh Bowes
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2022
Queen's University
Citadel High School
Halifax, Nova Scotia

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Kayleigh is a Youth Program Coordinator at Hope Blooms. She has her own social entrepreneurship and aids youth in creating their own too. Kayleigh is also a provincial rugby player. Close Bio

Kylee Smith
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2020
University of British Columbia
Stamford Collegiate
Niagara Falls, Ontario

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Kylee is a member of the Ontario Nature Youth Council and Youth Circle for Mother Earth, and has organized multiple Indigenous Awareness weeks. She is involved with extracurriculars in her school such as volleyball, student council, and chess. Kylee works as a Pollinator Researcher. In her spare time, she takes pictures, hikes, and organizes protests. Close Bio

Laurence Breton
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2021
McGill University
Cégep de Lévis-Lauzon
Saint-Léon de Standon, Québec

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Since she was 12, Laurence has been involved in the Royal Canadian Army Cadets program. She is the coordinator of the Student Council for the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) which collects $23,000 every year to sponsor a refugee student. Among her many contributions at her Cégep, Laurence is also a board member of the Student Association. She works part-time at a ski station. Close Bio

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Photo credit: Lee Atherton.

 

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