Gerald Schwartz & Heather Reisman

“The notion of being associated with an Institute focused on exploring technology and the human experience is exhilarating for us. We’re thrilled that we can supercharge the University’s ability to recruit and inspire the best talent in the world.”

— Gerald Schwartz & Heather Reisman

When they heard that the University of Toronto was planning a new centre dedicated to innovation, Gerald Schwartz and Heather Reisman knew they wanted to get involved. The couple sensed this was a transformational initiative and firmly believed it would lead to the creation of life-changing ideas and enterprises.

As they learned more, they also understood that U of T was probably the world’s best place for an institute dedicated to examining the impact of technology on people’s lives. Encouraged by U of T’s strengths in relevant disciplines—including artificial intelligence, social sciences, and the humanities—they made a generous gift in 2019 that made it possible for the University to establish the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society.

Mr. Schwartz and Ms. Reisman are two of Canada’s most respected entrepreneurs and business leaders. Mr. Schwartz is the founder, Chair, and CEO of Onex Corporation, Canada’s oldest and most successful private equity firm. Heather Reisman is the founder, Chair, and CEO of Indigo, the country’s leading book and lifestyle retailer.

The couple are also among the country’s most generous philanthropists. They have long supported institutions and causes across Canada, particularly in the areas of literacy, education, health care, and advanced research. At U of T, their previous gifts have made an immense difference to students, researchers, and programs in several faculties. Both have had a long relationship with the University, serving as advisors for numerous strategic initiatives. Mr. Schwartz sat on U of T’s Governing Council, and his valuable counsel helped to shape the institution we know today.

Their historic gift is also helping to construct the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus, a 750,000-square foot complex designed to anchor U of T’s unique cluster of world-leading artificial intelligence scientists and biomedical experts, its world-class entrepreneurship network, and the country’s largest concentration of student- and faculty-led startups. Now that the Campus is complete, it serves as the home of the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society.