2017 Arts Alumni Achievement Award Recipient
Franca Gucciardi completed her BA in Political Science as a Loran Scholar in 1994. She then earned an MA from Carleton and has since been dedicated to discovering and investing in young Canadians who show strong leadership potential and character.
Franca is regarded as a global expert on merit scholarships, having designed and implemented the Millennium Excellence Awards. In 2004 she became the CEO of the Loran Scholars Foundation, which had given her the opportunity to attend university. Loran is now the premier merit scholarship program in Canada, so far having benefited 2,500 students entering undergraduate studies. Now, Franca is the CEO of the McCall MacBain Foundation, committed to improving global welfare in education, health and the environment.
In recognition of her commitment to her communities, Franca was named a Fellow of the International Women’s Forum, the world’s preeminent association of top women leaders. A champion of education, Franca currently advises for Western, Guelph and McGill, and is the co-author of You’re It! Shared Wisdom for Successfully Leading Organizations alongside Alan Broadbent.