George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
We are delighted to welcome Marci Ien as the new President of the George Brown College Foundation.
A respected journalist, author, and former federal Minister, Marci has spent her career bringing people together through storytelling, public service, and a deep belief in the power of community.
Below, Marci shares a first note with the George Brown community — and an invitation to meet her around the table this September.
A note from Marci Ien
Dear friends,
For more than thirty years, my work has been about listening—to people’s stories, their experiences, and the ideas that shape their lives. I’ve learned that when we take the time to really listen, we often discover both what matters most and what is possible.
I’m honoured to join George Brown Polytechnic as President of the Foundation and to begin this new chapter with such an extraordinary community.
George Brown is a place where education creates opportunity. Our students are preparing for new careers, building new lives, and finding their place in a world that is changing quickly. They bring ambition, creativity, resilience, and experiences that enrich our community.
As I begin my time at George Brown, I want to listen and learn. I want to hear from our students, donors, alumni, faculty, staff, partners, and supporters about what makes this institution special, what matters to you, and what you believe is possible for our students.
That's why I'm especially pleased that one of my first opportunities to meet our community will be around a table.
On September 9, I hope you’ll join me for our Back-to-School Fundraiser Dinner, a farm-to-table evening at our Student Success Hub in support of the Communal Lunch Program.
The need is real. Roughly four in ten post-secondary students experience food insecurity, often quietly choosing between groceries, rent, and tuition.
Each week, the Communal Lunch Program gathers students, staff, and community members around a pay-what-you-can meal made largely from local ingredients. It's about more than food — it's about nourishment, connection, and belonging, and about building a community where students know they aren't navigating it alone.
As the cost of food, housing, and education keeps climbing, this is one practical way to stand behind our students.
I hope you’ll join me for an evening of good food, conversation, and connection. I’ll be there for the whole evening, and I’d be delighted to meet you at the table.
Whether you are able to come to the table, make a gift, or simply reply to say hello, I'd be truly glad to hear from you—and to learn what draws you to George Brown and to our students.
I’m looking forward to getting to know you and to all that we can build together.
Warmly,
Marci Ien
President, George Brown College Foundation
Back to School Fundraiser Dinner
In support of the Communal Lunch Program
Wednesday, September | 6–8 p.m.
Student Success Hub | George Brown Polytechnic - St. James Campus