Catching up with UCC award winners 

Cohon has had a varied and impressive career. He is former commissioner of the CFL, and credited with rejuvenating league interest. He’s also served as an executive with the NBA and MLB, and has sat as chair of several organizations: the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which produces the Juno Awards; Toronto Global, which looks to attract international investment; and the Ontario Science Centre.  

He’s currently chair of Georgian Bay Spirits, franchisor Founder Brands, and the Canadian women’s soccer Northern Super League, which is gearing up for its second season.  

An Old Boy of Distinction is recognized annually by the UCC Association. Recipients have demonstrated a lifetime of achievement and made a positive impact on the local, national or global community, while upholding the College’s values. 

I have my 40^th UCC Reunion this year, and that has me reflective about life and my time at UCC. It feels like it was just moments ago I was walking those hallways and in my three-point stance on the Oval, playing football.
 

What I realized over my career is that I love roles in which I’m helping build communities, whether it’s through sports, entertainment, science, or through my role at Toronto Global, helping attract jobs into this country with foreign investment. It’s all about building a stronger Canada. So being recognized for work I love to do is fulfilling and humbling.

Penguin Random House is my publisher, and it’s inspired by the life of my late dad [George Cohon, who expanded the McDonald’s chain in Canada], but is not about him. It’s about values I think are helpful in navigating the world today. It will come out in 2027, and it’s been a wonderful process thinking through these things that are very story-driven. 

One of your supporters for this award wrote that they were impressed by how, in your role at the CFL, you would listen to the fans. 

I sat in the stands and spoke with them. I learned that at a young age, when my brother [Craig Cohon ’82] and I would follow my father in his restaurants. He would talk to every employee, and we’d sit down and talk to customers. You’re not going to learn what your customer, fan, or employee is thinking about sitting in your office. Being out there engaging, listening and asking questions — there is power in that.

Ray Kroc, whom my father worked for at McDonald’s, had this expression: “When you’re green, you’re growing, and when you’re ripe, you rot.” In my mind, to keep yourself happy and fulfilled, you just have to be curious, whether through work, through reading, following the news, or engaging with younger or older people. 

Sims is president, CEO, and director of Cumberland Partners Limited and Cumberland Private Wealth Management Inc., and director of Cumberland Investment Counsel. He has served at UCC on the Campaign Cabinet, Board of Governors, Foundation Board of Trustees, and more. 

Established by the Association Council to recognize a UCC volunteer who has gone “above and beyond,” the John D. Stevenson Award honours those who have shown an outstanding commitment to service to the College. 

 

It’s very exciting. It’s unexpected. You don’t start your volunteer career by expecting anything other than showing up, doing some work, and interacting with the people you know or get to meet on your journey. At the end of the day, the institution is something that I love.

It was a reflection of having some success, learning from colleagues, and watching what was going on in the community. The first experience was an opportunity to meet and interact with people with a common goal and mission. This allowed us to anchor a thought process for something we deeply cared about. 

Many of these individuals are very impressive. I never would have had a chance to cross paths with them without that volunteer opportunity. When you contribute something for the love of the organization and not for pay, I think that demonstrates true leadership, and is incredibly rewarding.

I was fortunate enough to be on the Board when we hired Principal Sam McKinney. That was a wonderful choice that was closely followed by a strategic review of the College to review its mission, vision and values, which turned into the strategic plan and forward-looking direction under which the College is operating. Then I got the opportunity to start the initial phases of implementing that program.

During the pandemic, I sent an email to classmates that said, “Five o’clock every Friday, let’s get on Zoom. We’ll talk about what’s going on in our lives.” It turned out to be more than I ever envisioned. There were regular attendees, drop-ins, and classmates who live in Australia, Switzerland, and across Canada. Getting people together is something I’ve always enjoyed.