November 17, 2020, Winnipeg – We are delighted to announce the appointments of two new Co-Chairs to the Winnipeg Chapter of Canadian Associates of Ben Gurion University of the Negev (CABGU). Please join us in welcoming Diandra Etkin and Aaron Migie to their new roles.

Diandra has served as a CABGU board member in Winnipeg for two years. She is a teacher by profession, and a passionate advocate for education. Diandra traveled to Israel three times and during her most recent visit she attended an Ulpan course. “I am excited to be given the opportunity to co-Chair the Winnipeg board. I wholeheartedly believe BGU graduates will continue doing great things for the world, and I am glad to be able to support their learning.”

Aaron has also served as a board member with the Winnipeg Chapter of CABGU. He is a Certified Financial Planner with Assante Wealth Management – Migie Wealth Group. Aaron is actively involved with several community organizations including FINCA International, Winnipeg Harvest and local cancer initiatives. “I am very honoured to have the opportunity to co-Chair the board in Winnipeg. I hope to assist in furthering the support that our organization provides to BGU, an educational institution in Israel that has so much positive impact on a global scale.”

Diandra and Aaron will begin serving as Co-Chairs immediately.

We also thank our outgoing Chair, Sheldon Zamick, for his years of service. Sheldon was appointed Chair in 2013. During his 7 years of service Sheldon led countless successful fundraising campaigns and helped to guide the direction of the Winnipeg office.

“I was proud to serve as Chair of CABGU Winnipeg. During this time, I believe a lot of positive accomplishments occurred. We honored Marjorie and Morley Blankstein at a gala in 2014 and helped to build a cyber security unit at Ben Gurion University, our first event in many years drew over 360 people and raise over $500,000. Our collaboration with the St. Boniface Hospital for joint research in the areas of brain, cardiovascular, autism, and nutraceutical science has raised just under $2 million! At our gala in 2019, honouring Hope and Howard Morry, we raised over $650,000 and had over 600 people in attendance. The Hope and Howard Morry Leadership Initiative will be a project that transforms the university from the top down for years to come.  In my years as Chair I attended 2 board of governors in Israel. I participated as a national board member for the last five years and I served on the national audit committee. I am immensely proud of the work we have done.. After 7 years as the Chair I felt it was time to move on and allow our young leaders on the board to take on the exciting challenges of the future! I wish everyone all the best and look forward to all the amazing achievements to come.”

ABOUT CABGU

CABGU fulfills its mission by raising funds and awareness for Ben Gurion University (BGU) across Canada, showcasing BGU’s academic excellence and cutting-edge research from the desert for the world. Activities include educating individuals, foundations, and media about the University’s ground-breaking research through a series of exciting, informative communications, educational programs, and events featuring world-renowned faculty.

CABGU promotes the pioneering spirit of Israel’s founders that continues to flourish in the vast desert wilderness of the Negev. A unique oasis of innovation, BGU is making the desert bloom, providing expertise in desert studies, alternative energy, ecological conservation, water purification and management, bio- and nanotechnologies, community medicine and global health, social work, and Jewish literature and culture.

CABGU supports these endeavours and the University’s extensive outreach to the Negev’s diverse communities, its Arab neighbours, developing nations and the world.

For more information please contact Zach Ostrove, Winnipeg Executive Director, CABGU at 204-942-7347.