UBC Sauder launches Spitz Centre for Indigenous Business Education with landmark $5M gift

UBC Sauder is proud to announce the creation of the Spitz Centre for Indigenous Business Education, made possible by a transformative $5M gift from long-time supporters and alumni, Warren and Maureen Spitz. With additional funding from the school, the Centre will launch with combined support totaling $12M. This landmark donation to the school marks a major step forward in fostering Indigenous student success, community economic development and reconciliation through business education.

The announcement coincides with the 10-year anniversary of the Spitz Fellows Program, a trailblazing initiative launched in 2015 to support Indigenous women pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce at UBC Sauder. Over the past decade, the Spitz family have helped remove financial barriers, open new opportunities and support Indigenous students in their leadership journeys.

“We believe deeply in the power of education to create lasting, generational change,” said Warren and Maureen Spitz. “Our hope is that this Centre becomes a space where Indigenous students feel empowered to succeed—and where reconciliation is not just talked about, but practiced.” 
 

Shaping the future of Indigenous business education

The Spitz Centre for Indigenous Business Education will serve as a unifying hub for Indigenous-focused initiatives across UBC Sauder. It will expand access, foster culturally grounded education, build economic capacity and a deeper understanding and allyship within the broader UBC community.

The Spitz Centre will focus on three key objectives:

• Empowering Indigenous student success. Supporting students from high school through to graduation with tailored programming, culturally safe spaces and continued financial assistance through the Spitz Fellows Program.
• Creating a welcoming home and entrepreneurial community. Providing a space for Indigenous students to learn, connect, and thrive as part of a growing network of Indigenous business leaders and changemakers.
• Strengthening economic development in Indigenous communities. Through initiatives like the Ch’nook Management Program and expanded programming, the Spitz Centre will support the growth of Indigenous-led businesses and sustainable economies.

“This gift will create new opportunities for Indigenous students to thrive through the Spitz Centre for Indigenous Business,” says Dennis Thomas-Whonoak, Executive Director of Indigenous Business Initiatives & Engagements at UBC Sauder. “This is more than a financial contribution—it’s a powerful step toward reconciliation that acknowledges the importance of Indigenous voices, knowledge and leadership in business. The new centre will provide a lasting foundation to support Indigenous learners—strengthening the community and inspiring the next generation of Indigenous business leaders.”
 

Celebrating a decade of impact through the Spitz Fellows Program

The Spitz Fellows Program was shaped by the collective vision of the Spitz family. Together with Maureen and their daughter Kelsey; whose background in social impact and gender justice helped define the program’s leadership focus. Additionally, it was Warren Spitz’s early work experiences in Namu and Bella Bella that exposed him to the barriers many Indigenous community members faced in accessing higher education. Motivated to make a difference, the Spitz family partnered with Ch’nook to engage with band councilors, chiefs, educators and community members to better understand the challenges Indigenous British Columbians encounter in pursuing business education. 

The program has grown into a model for holistic support and has impacted dozens of students at UBC Sauder.  

“Joining the Spitz Fellows Program has been truly life-changing for me as an Indigenous student from the Red River Métis community. Growing up in Winnipeg, I always dreamed of attending UBC Sauder, but I knew financing my education would be a challenge. This scholarship has not only provided crucial financial support but has also given me the confidence to pursue my goals,” says Elise Bisson, a Spitz Fellow recipient. “I am deeply grateful for the incredible community behind me. One day, I hope to pay it forward, supporting the next generation of Indigenous students just as Warren and Maureen have supported me.”  

The Spitz Centre for Indigenous Business Education will also house Ch’nook Management Program, which support Indigenous entrepreneurs and professionals and the Pathways Program, which guides Indigenous students from high school through university. It will be a unifying home for initiatives taking place across the school and will promote awareness, understanding and allyship.
 

A legacy of leadership and giving

Warren and Maureen Spitz have a long and deep connection to UBC. As Chair of the UBC Sauder Faculty Advisory Board, a member of the President’s Advisory Committee on Campaign (PACC), and a leader in the FORWARD campaign circle, Warren Spitz’s commitment to education and reconciliation has been unwavering. In recognition of his contributions, he received the alumniUBC Volunteer Leadership Award.

“The Spitz family’s generous support has had a transformative impact on our school, and this gift continues that remarkable legacy,” says Darren Dahl, Dean of UBC Sauder. “By investing in Indigenous business education, the Spitz family is helping to shape a more inclusive future—not just for our school, but for the business community at large. Their commitment to creating opportunity and driving meaningful change will be felt for generations to come, and we are deeply grateful for their vision and partnership.”
 

Inspiring the next generation of Indigenous business leaders

The Spitz Centre for Indigenous Business Education is a commitment to creating meaningful opportunities, breaking down systemic barriers and fostering long-term reconciliation through business education. 

UBC Sauder is deeply grateful to the Spitz family for their unwavering support and belief in the power of education to drive change. Their gift ensures a brighter future—not just for Indigenous students, but for communities and businesses across the country.