Awards

Asper students IGNITE business connections

IGNITE 2026 welcomed first-year students to the Manitoba business community with a tribute to Arni Thorsteinson.

Students speak to Arni Thorsteinson
Estimated Read Time:
2 minutes
Arni Thorsteinson chats with Asper students at the IGNITE gala dinner
Arni Thorsteinson chats with Asper students at the IGNITE gala dinner
Estimated Read Time:
2 minutes

Each year, the Young Associates of the Asper School of Business present the IGNITE award to a leader who has set high standards of leadership and philanthropy while cultivating future generations of Manitoba’s Business community. 

The IGNITE award event on September 10, 2026, brought 965 attendees to the RBC Convention Centre to honour Arni Thorsteinson, President & Principal, Shelter Canadian Properties LTD. It’s the largest-ever attendance for IGNITE, and of the attendees, half were students who were welcomed to their first networking event in the Manitoba Business Community. 

“IGNITE is a welcoming space for students to build their community as they embark on their professional journey. Many Asper grads go on to become our future leaders in Manitoba, and this is a wonderful first step,” said Robert Biscontri, Acting Dean of the Asper School of Business. 

A ballroom filled with people
A group of students with Arni Thorsteinson

Honouring Arni Thorsteinson

One of the Asper School’s most distinguished and dedicated alumni, Arni Thorsteinson has been a leader in Canada’s real estate market for nearly fifty years while consistently supporting Asper through philanthropy and volunteerism. 

He was a founding of the Associates of the Asper School of Business, who have provided advocacy and philanthropy for Asper students and academics for over 40 years. In this role he chaired the IDEA fundraising gala for two decades, transforming it into the premiere business event in Manitoba with a world-wide reach.

As Asper began to invest in new experiential learning opportunities, he was a major supporter of the Price Student-Managed Investment Fund and the Hartley T. Richardson Student Support Fund. 

He also founded Asper’s most affordable exchange program, the Arni Thorsteinson Study Exchange Program to Israel. Partnering with Ben Gurion University, Asper Students receive funding for flights, accommodation, and more. 260 Asper students have participated since the program began in 2008.

Years ago Thorsteinson was quoted by the Winnipeg Free Press as saying he wanted to be a “entrepreneur par excellence” when he grew up. Mission accomplished. And then some.

Reminiscing, he spoke about his time at the Asper School, where he held the coveted position of 'senior stick’ in 1968. Today, the tradition continues and the position is held by the Commerce Students Association President, Katelyn Ko. 

He encouraged students to think big, be modest about their successes, and try as many Asper experiential learning as they can, from volunteering in student groups, to exploring Asper Co-op and exchange programs.

Arni Thorsteinson at a podium
Asper Exchange students
Asper exchange students on the Arni Thorsteinson Exchange program
Four years go by fast - get the most of your time at Asper - get involved, pick your courses carefully and above all enjoy this special time in your life

Arni Thorsteinson

Arni Thorsteinson at a podium
Connor Egan, Corinne Gusnoski, Arni Thorsteinson, and Robert Biscontri

“Arni Thorsteinson is an incredible supporter of the Asper School of Business and has been a driving force in the success of the Associates and IDEA. It was an honour for the Young Associates to honour him at IGNITE 2026, and to give first-year students an example of what real success looks like.” said Young Associates Chair Corinne Gusnoski.

The Young Associates is Manitoba’s premier network of young professionals, working alongside the Associates of the Asper School of Business. Together, they are dedicated to the advancement of the business education at the Asper School of Business through mentorship, networking and philanthropy.

Boilerplate: Reimagining engagement

At UM, we collaborate with communities, forge partnerships locally and globally, and invite all to our campuses. Reimagining engagement is one of the strategic themes you’ll find in MomentUM: Leading change together, the University of Manitoba’s 2024–2029 strategic plan.