Defy Gravity campaign volunteer and business leader Blake Goldring on the importance of education, volunteering and 40+ years of supporting U of T

Sep 6, 2023

Blake Goldring (BA VIC 1981) is a respected Canadian business leader, philanthropist and long-time University of Toronto volunteer who currently serves as a member of the Defy Gravity campaign steering committee. We chatted with him about his philanthropic goals, his advice for incoming U of T students and why he continues his family’s legacy of volunteering and supporting the university.

Over the years, you and your wife Belinda have supported many priorities at U of T. Your most recent focus has been surgery. What led you to support this area?

We believe that Canadian health-care systems require community support, above and beyond direct government funding — and particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic. We saw this opportunity to support Sunnybrook, a great research and clinical health hospital, together with U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine. Linking these two premier institutions was a great motivator.

During my time as chair of Sunnybrook, I witnessed some of Canada’s top surgeons perform and, to this day, I still occasionally watch first-hand while they work their magic to save lives. But after realizing there was no chair in surgical leadership at Sunnybrook, it made sense to help create such a position. Belinda and I saw this as a very tangible way to make a difference because, without good health, people can’t live their lives fully. We see it as a privilege to be able to help.

In September we will be welcoming a new cohort of medicine students from all over the world. What advice would you give them?

The University of Toronto has a plethora of great clubs, activities, sports and facilities like the Goldring Centre. So, my first piece of advice is that students should start working toward work-life balance now. As they enter their studies, they should explore all the opportunities of our great university.

Second, I would note that Toronto is an amazing city, one of the most culturally diverse in the world and certainly the most important city economically in this country. So students should definitely take full advantage of this and explore the cultural life of Toronto.

Belinda and I saw this as a very tangible way to make a difference because, without good health, people can’t live their lives fully. We see it as a privilege to be able to help.

And, third, I would advise students to spend time getting to know their fellow classmates. The friendships and connections they make at university will continue throughout their lives, both personally and professionally.

Belinda and I saw this as a very tangible way to make a difference because, without good health, people can’t live their lives fully. We see it as a privilege to be able to help.

What do you see as the biggest positive change at U of T since you were an undergrad here?

All the university’s advantages have been amplified since I was a student. U of T excels in global rankings, it offers incredibly vast and varied courses, and the research that goes on here is world-class. The diaspora of U of T grads is truly remarkable, as is the impact that alumni have made in the world. I know all of this will continue accelerating and advance even further through the Defy Gravity campaign.

In your business life, do you ever discover international connections who are also U of T grads?

My tie to U of T absolutely comes up with colleagues around the world. U of T has such expertise. Honestly, I am continually meeting people who are influencers everywhere – be it in business, arts, government or the community – who have some connection to our university. On top of this, the graduates that I engage with are always working toward building a more successful and caring society. It’s a badge of pride to be associated with U of T.

Your family has been involved with the University of Toronto since your grandfather’s time. Your sister, Judy, has also been a tremendous donor, volunteer and leader as former Chair of Governing Council. What keeps drawing your family back to U of T?

It really comes down to the fact that education is the foundation for a prosperous and inclusive society. Education, particularly a strong liberal arts foundation, allows people to engage in debate and critical analysis. It fosters an environment of research and discovery, and, frankly, I believe that higher education helps to address prejudices. My grandfather was the former head of the Toronto Board of Education and all my family on my father’s side were educators before my father became a bit of a renegade by going into business. They were principals, superintendents and teachers. So education, for me and my family, is a real bedrock. I see both education and health care as eminently worthy of support.

Defy Gravity is the third U of T campaign where you’ve been involved in a volunteer leadership and advisory role. What is it about this campaign that gives you hope for the future?

This campaign is an opportunity to address some of the issues that came to light during COVID, including building a more equitable and sustainable society. If there’s anywhere in the world that this will work, it’s Toronto. We can absolutely make it work here, no question. I co-authored a report for the city on how we can build back stronger with a specific, 26-point program for action, adopted unanimously by Toronto City Council. So the themes of the Defy Gravity campaign really resonate with me.

You might have the world’s top professors or students as prospects, but they’re not going to choose a university if there aren’t superb facilities for them. We saw this first-hand with the Goldring Centre. Once it was built, we attracted really talented athletes who would have otherwise chosen other universities.

But I’m also optimistic about what we’re physically building at U of T. I believe this doesn’t get enough limelight. For example you might have the world’s top professors or students as prospects, but they’re not going to choose a university if there aren’t superb facilities for them. We saw this first-hand with the Goldring Centre. Once it was built, we attracted really talented athletes who would have otherwise chosen other universities. So, for me, building a great university environment is an important key element of this campaign.

You might have the world’s top professors or students as prospects, but they’re not going to choose a university if there aren’t superb facilities for them. We saw this first-hand with the Goldring Centre. Once it was built, we attracted really talented athletes who would have otherwise chosen other universities.

You volunteer with several organizations working on health care, the arts, policy, the Canadian Forces and of course, education. Why is U of T among the primary areas where you devote your time and energy?

I firmly believe that I have a stake in the success of the University of Toronto and I feel a tremendous sense of gratitude to the University for its role in where I am today. My feeling is that all graduates have an implicit duty to ensure our university continues to grow, to remain one of the top universities in the world and to maintain its unwavering commitment to excellence. That’s a duty we all share: to support these goals.

Why is volunteering in general so important for our university and our city?

Those of us who have talents, including time, experience and — importantly — some ability to move things forward, can always contribute. No single institution or individual has all the answers; you will always need to collaborate with someone to create a better society. Going way back to 1958, my granddad was part of a small group that created the predecessor organization to the United Way of Greater Toronto, so the importance of volunteering has always been inculcated in my family. Belinda and I are now passing it on to our daughters. From a very young age, people should give back as much as possible because there is always a need.

Why should people support U of T?

As grads, many of us have benefited from a remarkable experience at U of T. We’ve made friends, learned and been launched into our lives or our careers. Our university is world-class and it’s essential to Canada that it maintains its global leadership in teaching, research and innovation. We’re facing a highly competitive, challenging world. We need to work together to solidify our legacy and ensure that U of T remains a great university for future generations.

About Blake Goldring

Blake Goldring is one of the University of Toronto’s most respected alumni leaders and a current member of the Defy Gravity campaign executive. He earned a BA in economics from Victoria College in 1981 and has been an engaged volunteer and supporter of U of T since then. Goldring’s grandfather and great uncle were both U of T graduates, as was his father, C. Warren Goldring, who graduated from U of T and became a generous supporter of U of T and University College. Two of his daughters graduated from Victoria College. Blake’s sister, Judy Goldring, who also holds a BA in economics from Victoria College, served as chair of U of T’s Governing Council and is Campaign Co-Chair for Defy Gravity: The Campaign for Victoria University.

Over many decades, the Goldring family has supported key initiatives at U of T, including the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport and the Goldring Student Centre at Victoria University.

Blake Goldring is executive chairman of AGF Management Ltd. (co-founded by his father) and has received many honours for his personal and professional achievements, including the Order of Canada, the Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division) and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. He was the first person to be named Honorary Colonel for the Canadian Army in 2011.