Westland Donors are the lifeline of the Westland Foundation.
Donors make a tremendous difference to inner-Winnipeg youth striving to create a better future through post-secondary education. Because of their generosity, the Westland Foundation Education Fund has reached over two million dollars and continues to grow.
We offer a heartfelt thank you to the many incredible donors who give generously in support of post-secondary education for inner-Winnipeg youth.
James Cohen, Gendis Inc.
James Cohen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gendis Inc, believes that education plays a huge role in making the world a better place.
James is the 2018 Westland Foundation Education Fund Breakfast Sponsor. His longtime connection to Westland began when friend and past Westland Foundation President, Phil Burns invited him to the Westland golf tournament in 1994. He currently serves as an honorary board member and is a loyal supporter of the fundraising breakfast.
James’ community service extends far into the community. He is the Board Chair of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and sits on the board of the Manitoba Museum.
In addition to committing time and talent to his community, James and his wife Linda McGarvin-Cohen have also been generous financially. In 2012 the couple donated money
to Winnipeg Harvest to fund the purchase of a refrigerated truck to assist in picking up surplus leftover food for redistribution to the city’s hungry. In 2013 they made a significant donation to the Assiniboine Park Zoo for its greatly-expanded Amur tiger exhibit.
Thanks to James’ belief in corporate responsibility, Gendis Inc. also has a long history of corporate giving and is a proud supporter of many local and national organizations and charities. It supports many community projects involved in arts and culture, healthcare, education, and poverty reduction projects. In 2015, Gendis Inc. received the Downtown Winnipeg Biz Place-Making Award for its downtown beautification efforts.
"What the company supports and believes in brings a sense of pride to the business and its employees. It makes employees feel proud and feel good about helping others," says James.
James is proud to be a part of the Westland Foundation because of its focus on inner-Winnipeg education. He is especially inspired by the stories of inner-Winnipeg students who have been helped by the Foundation.
“The stories that come from our Westland Scholars reminds those of us who live in the suburbs of the challenges facing the broader community. It reconnects us with issues that truly affect us all,” says James.