Kerry and Matt Bennett, HBA ’96, first met while standing in line to get their cases on day one of their HBA program in 1994. Matt turned around to ask Kerry where she was living (he was still trying to find a place, himself) and after some conversation, they realized they were in the same section and shared an East Coast connection.

When Matt learned that Kerry was from Cape Breton, N.S., he told her that while his family was based in Kingston, Ont., his father was actually a Newfoundlander.

“That gives you a little bit of credit when you're talking to someone from Atlantic Canada,” he jokes.

When Kerry went home that night, she called her mother, who asked how her first day went and if she’d met any new people. She responded, “I think it'll be a great program. Also, I met the guy I’m going to marry.”

Serendipitous seating

The next time Kerry and Matt saw each other was in the classroom, where they were seated alphabetically according to their surnames. “Because my last name is Bennett and Kerry's maiden name is Boyd, we were only a couple of people away from each other,” says Matt. When seats were reassigned in the second half of the year, they wound up directly beside each other.

Over the next two years, their section spent a lot of time together at various events and social outings. After graduating in 1996, Kerry and Matt both landed in Toronto, Ont., where they were hired by different management consulting firms in the same building on Bay Street. They grabbed lunch together and hung out often with other graduates from their class who also worked downtown. It wasn’t long before the two started dating, and only three years later, in June 1999, they were married in Cape Breton, N.S. Many of their HBA classmates were in attendance — friends they’re still in touch with today.

By September, the two had moved to Boston, Mass., where Kerry began her MBA at Harvard. They lived in the Boston area for about 12 years, welcomed two sons, and eventually settled in Maine, where Kerry is now the President of Highlands Advisory LLC and Matt is the Founder and Portfolio Manager of Bennett Selby Investments.

“We wanted to live somewhere with natural beauty, accessible to hiking, beaches and outdoor adventure that was more like small-town Canada,” says Kerry, “and in the U.S. northeast so we could visit family easily.”

“Maine has similarities to the Atlantic provinces,” Matt adds. “It's a very beautiful and friendly place.”

Establishing the Atlantic Canada HBA Award

Discussions around giving back to Ivey began in early 2023. “We were considering our giving, and thinking about how to best align it with areas that were personally meaningful," says Kerry. "Ivey is very important to us. We were so fortunate to attend a world-class business program, get to know so many motivated, creative people, and learn in such a dynamic, collaborative environment. It's not only the place we met, but it sparked our enthusiasm for business, broadened our worldview, and enabled us to pursue engaging careers where we continue to learn every day."

Even though it’s been nearly 30 years since they graduated, Matt says, "It's remarkable — we still recall specific lessons and phrases our professors shared in class."

The Bennetts credit Ivey’s HBA program with opening many doors for them. “We've had tremendous opportunities in our careers directly because of it,” says Kerry. “And we’re very grateful.” They noticed, however, that there weren’t many Atlantic Canadians in their HBA cohort, so when they were thinking about how to give back more significantly to Ivey, they felt compelled to try and bring those numbers up.

“We think students from Atlantic Canada bring a different perspective to the class,” says Kerry. "Our hope in establishing the award is to raise awareness among Atlantic Canadian students about the Ivey Business program and to provide a little additional encouragement to apply."

The Atlantic Canada HBA Award is a $6,000 scholarship awarded to a full-time student entering HBA1 based on academic achievement and who has graduated from a high school in an Atlantic province. The award is renewed in HBA2 if the recipient maintains a 70% average.

Creating a lasting impact

Michael Fallows, HBA ’26 candidate, didn’t think he had a shot at Ivey, let alone the award.

Despite having deep roots throughout the Atlantic region — born in Fredericton, N.B., moved to St. John's, Nfld. at the age of five, and graduated from Holy Heart of Mary High School — he thought being a transfer student from Memorial University of Newfoundland might work against him. “There was a lot of uncertainty,” he says.

But when he learned he’d gained acceptance and received the award, he was thrilled. “It made me feel like my application wasn't an accident, and I deserve to be here. It also meant something that it was tailored to where I came from.”

“Ivey tuition can be consuming, and a hard number to look at,” says Fallows. “This award gives me flexibility with my education.”

When Jiahuan Edward He, HBA ’25 candidate, found out in his HBA1 year that he’d be receiving the award, he was shocked. “When I opened the email, a wave of disbelief and gratitude washed over me,” he says.

“This support provided me with peace of mind and the necessary resources to fully immerse myself in my education, alleviating the worry of financial constraints while also recognizing my academic achievements and potential.”

Born in Inner Mongolia, China, He was 16 when he moved to the small town of Windsor, N.S., attending King’s-Edgehill School from grade 9 through 12. He then started his studies at Western before gaining acceptance into Ivey’s HBA program.

Set to graduate in June, He has received the award again in his HBA2 year. “Learning that the award would be renewed in my second year was truly humbling and deeply appreciated.”

Donating was a seamless process

The Bennetts have loved hearing from the current award recipients and hope to continue to see outstanding candidates.

“Everybody who gets into the HBA program is accomplished, intelligent, and analytical,” says Kerry. “In addition, the three characteristics we would associate most closely with students from Atlantic Canada are integrity, a strong work ethic, and a down-to-earth nature.”

When asked what advice they might give to other alumni couples or individuals who are considering establishing an award, Kerry says “The process was extremely easy. People may be reluctant because of anticipated complexity or administrative burden — but Ivey made it seamless. I would encourage folks to consider it because it’s a simple, fun way to contribute to the school.”

Just as Cape Breton, N.S. holds special meaning for the Bennetts, with some of their fondest memories being family summer trips back home, the future of Ivey’s HBA program does, too.

“It's important to us that the HBA program continues to strive to be the best undergraduate business and leadership education in the world with a diverse student body motivated to have a positive impact,” says Kerry. “We're just delighted to have the opportunity to contribute in some way.”

If you are interested in establishing a student award or scholarship, please contact Rachel Hill at rhill@ivey.ca.