Speech delivered by Jennifer Diggle, Living Benefits Specialist with The Resource Centre for Great-West Life in Winnipeg

January 10, 2009 – Winnipeg

Good evening. My name is Jennifer Diggle, and I’m pleased to join all of you tonight on behalf of Great-West Life.

For 27 years, the Manitoba International Marketing Competition has helped prepare students from here in the province, throughout North America and around the world for success in business. More than simply a competition, this event puts decision-making ability and business acumen to the test, illustrating the value of strategy, determination and perseverance. These are all qualities that will serve these students well in any business endeavour they pursue.

As a leading financial services provider in Canada, Great-West Life understands the important role education plays in business success and in building stronger communities. Through The Key to Giving™ – the national corporate citizenship program of Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life – we contribute to non-profit, charitable and community organizations across the country to address health and wellness, education, social services, arts and culture and civic initiatives. Our Key to Giving contributions support a wide range of educational initiatives across the country and here in Manitoba.

Over the years, our longstanding relationship with the University of Manitoba has resulted in funding for initiatives ranging from the Brodie Centre to the Actuarial Science Program. Several years ago, we were committed $1.5 million to establish the Research Investment Fund, supporting research in health care, high technology and the humanities. We also have a longstanding relationship with the Commerce Students Association as a sponsor of several student events, and of course, as an employer of commerce graduates.

Our relationship with the University and its students is one in which building stronger communities converges with good business sense. As one of Winnipeg’s leading employers, we look to the I.H. Asper School of Business and the University of Manitoba for a pool of outstanding talent – which leads us back to this event. As sponsor of the Manitoba International Marketing Competition, we enjoy a prime opportunity to see high-calibre business students demonstrate their aptitude.

Those of us on the judging panel for this competition faced the challenge of selecting award winners from a pool of remarkably bright and talented future business leaders. All of us are eager, as I’m sure you are, to learn which teams will win for their presentations.

Congratulations to all whose efforts have helped make this event a big success and to all competition participants. Enjoy the evening.

Thank you.