MNP Donates $1M to Honour Late Founder

MNP DONATES $1M TO

PRAIRIE INNOVATION CENTRE, IN HONOUR OF LATE FOUNDING

PARTNER,Don Penny

Assiniboine has announced a $1 million donation toward its Prairie Innovation for Sustainable

Agriculture from Brandon-founded, national professional services firm, MNP. The donation, made in honour of the late Don Penny, who co-founded the firm in 1958, will help to create space for collaboration among farmers, industry, students and government.

“Don Penny’s warmth and charisma made him the consummate people person who was known to lead with both his head and his heart. He believed in people, in discovery, in technology, and in hard work —exactly the activities that will take place in this new Prairie Innovation Centre,” said Jason Tuffs, Chairman and CEO of MNP.

A vital part of the Prairie Innovation Centre vision is integrating education and connection, providing a venue where producers, industry, researchers, government and students can come together, solve problems and share ideas. “With roots in Westman, both Don Penny and MNP, have long been valuable partners to Assiniboine. Don’s passion for collaboration and innovation, willingness to share knowledge, and his inspirational leadership align closely with what we are working to achieve with the Prairie Innovation Centre,” said Mark Frison, President of Assiniboine.

In 2017, Assiniboine awarded Don Penny its first ever Courage Award for his courage to take risks and pursue a vision that saw a Westman-based firm become a major national leader in accounting, consulting, tax and technology services, all while

Don Penny's family members who were able to attend the event (L-R): Sandra Penny, Jackson Potter, Leanne Penny, Diane Penny Johanne Ross, co-chair of the Prairie Innovation Centre campaign, brings remarks at the announcement event.

Assiniboine welcomed MNP, Don Penny's family and friends, and various community partners to campus on June 22, 2022 to announce and celebrate this remarkable contribution.

Following an official program of remarks, guests gathered on the lawn for a reception, enjoying food, drink and conversation, in tribute to Don Penny's legacy.

dedicating himself to community organizations and efforts along the way.

“It will be a pleasure to see his legacy live on through this Centre. Don understood that Canadian agriculture is driven by people working together, and this generous contribution in his honour will be transformational for the agricultural industry and in the lives of so many students,” said Frison.

The Prairie Innovation Centre is a one-of-a-kind Canadian college project that will bring together collaborative learning spaces, applied research labs, multipurpose spaces and amenities that will serve both industry and the college community.

“When this opportunity was presented, it wasn’t a long or hard decision for us. We felt the Prairie Innovation Centre represents what Don was all about—bringing visionary minds together to create successful activations that got results. The fit couldn’t be more ideal,” said Tuffs.

MNP Chairman and CEO, Jason Tuffs brings remarks at the announcement event.

FALL 2022

SUPPLY CHAIN TRAINING

PART-TIME &

ONLINE TO FIT YOU!

Whether you’re in the supply chain industry or seeking a career change, the new Supply Management Training program provides you with the skills to handle the entire production flow—from a to z—of a product or service. Available in a part-time online format, this program is offered through a series of technical courses and soft-skills workshops. For more information, visit assiniboine.net/supplymanagementtraining.