Recent alumna Makennah Murphy (centre) was recognized for her academic achievements and leadership as a Futures Fund Scholarship recipient at a national awards gala in Toronto. She is pictured with Fatima Laher (left), Deputy Chair of Deloitte and presenting partner, and Greg Hicks (right), President and CEO of Canadian Tire Corporation. (JOSEPH KRUPA/University of Windsor)
By Victor Romao
Fresh off national recognition for her leadership achievements, Makennah Murphy (BComm ’26) is already putting her skills to work in Windsor, launching her career in community health and fundraising.
The Odette School of Business graduate now serves as annual giving coordinator at the Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation, where she helps drive fundraising initiatives that support local patient care.
Her work includes supporting major fundraising events — experiences that have already strengthened her skills in donor relations and community engagement.
“Contributing to these events has been incredibly rewarding,” she said. “The role has helped me build my fundraising skills while supporting a cause that directly impacts our region.”
Murphy’s early success was recently recognized on a national stage.
She received the $10,000 Futures Fund Scholarship for Outstanding Leadership, awarded through Canada’s Outstanding CEO of the Year program. The honour placed her among a select group of student leaders chosen by business school deans across the country.
“I was honoured to be selected and grateful for the recognition,” she said. “It means a great deal to have my work at Odette recognized in this way.”
She travelled to Toronto in May to accept the award at the Royal Ontario Museum during a gala celebrating Canadian Tire CEO Greg Hicks. The evening, she said, offered more than recognition — it provided perspective.
“Attending the CEO of the Year gala was a really inspiring experience,” Murphy said. “It was motivating and gave me a lot of perspective on what a path toward leadership can look like.”
One moment that stood out was a leadership panel where she asked how professionals decide when to stay in a role or move on — a question whose answer has stayed with her.
“The response focused on three key questions: whether you are still learning, whether you are contributing in a meaningful way and whether there are still opportunities for growth,” she said. “That framework has really stuck with me.”
Murphy credits her time at Odette with preparing her to step confidently into the workforce.
Courses such as Enterprise Development Consulting sharpened her project management skills, while extracurricular involvement — particularly with the Odette Commerce Society — gave her hands-on experience organizing events and building relationships.
“Those experiences not only helped me build practical experience, but they also directly led to my connection with the Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation,” she said.
Through student initiatives, Murphy helped organize fundraisers supporting causes such as Hats On for Healthcare and Movember — early indicators of her commitment to community-driven impact.
That passion continues to shape her career path.
The scholarship, she said, has strengthened her confidence in pursuing leadership roles and encouraged her to be more intentional about growth.
“I have become more intentional about seeking roles where I can continue to learn, contribute meaningfully and grow into positions of greater responsibility,” Murphy said.
For current students hoping to follow a similar path, her advice is simple: get involved early and often.
“Say yes to every opportunity you can,” she said. “Some of the most meaningful experiences I had came from extracurricular involvement.”