The Visionary Hennick Medal Recipient will be Remembered
Sergio Marchionne, the former Fiat Chrysler CEO who has left an indelible mark on the global automotive industry, passed away on July 25th at the age of 66.
Marchionne was widely known for his prominent turnarounds and attributed as the savior of Fiat and Chrysler. He revived Fiat to profitability after joining the Italian-based company as Chief Executive Officer in 2004, and buying Chrysler out of bankruptcy in 2009. He was also the former president of Ferrari.
Marchionne was a graduate from the LLB program at Osgoode Hall Law School in 1983 and the 2015 recipient of the Hennick Medal for Career Achievement. A prestigious award given to business and law graduates who has earned international recognition within the business and legal communities.
Alex Despotovic (MBA/JD ’19) reflected on the positive encounter he had with Marchionne, “I had the chance to meet Mr. Marchionne when he came to receive the Hennick Medal for Career Achievement in 2015. Following his address, he took the time to speak to a number of us who were at the time first-year law students. He demonstrated interest in each student individually, and despite the long lines of professionals and former classmates looking to speak to him, he made sure to ask us each about our time at the school, all while sharing stories about his time there as well. He was truly a great executive – and I’m happy to have had the fortune to meet him.”
“Sergio was a great role model for so many,” said Edward Waitzer, professor of Strategic Management/Policy at Schulich School of Business. “His accessibility was part of what made him so impactful. He will be remembered and missed.”
Photo courtesy of the Globe and Mail.