Lazaridis School alumnus donates $1 million to Laurier in support of Supply Chain Management research

Nov. 28, 2023
For Immediate Release

WATERLOO — Laurier’s Centre for Supply Chain Management will be renamed the Einwechter Centre for Supply Chain Management in honour of a generous $1 million donation from Laurier alumnus Dan Einwechter (BBA ’77).

Housed within the world-class Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, the primary mission of the Centre is facilitating and coordinating research in supply chain management.

“This is a transformational gift for Laurier’s Lazaridis School of Business and Economics,” said Deborah MacLatchy, Laurier’s president and vice-chancellor. “The Einwechter Centre for Supply Chain Management will enable Laurier to produce the next generation of researchers and decision makers with expertise in supply chain management who will drive business and innovation.” 

The Centre also facilitates training initiatives and assists in the development of education materials at the undergraduate and graduate levels. One of the Centre’s most high-profile initiatives is the yearly World Class Supply Chain Summit.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dan Einwechter for his very generous gift,” said Peruvemba Sundaram Ravi, director of the Einwechter Centre for Supply Chain Management and associate professor, Operations and Decision Sciences at the Lazaridis School. “Dan's gift will help us promote research in supply chain management, and it will impact supply chain management students, professionals and educators for decades to come.” 

Einwechter is the chairman and founder of Challenger Motor Freight Inc. While still a Laurier student, he started the company as a one-person, one-truck operation. It grew to one of the largest privately owned truckload carriers in Canada, employing more than 2,000 people and operating approximately 1,500 trucks and 3,300 trailers. Named one of Laurier’s 100 Alumni of Achievement, Einwechter is an active member of the Laurier alumni community, volunteering his time in campaigning and advising and supporting scholarships and athletics.

“For me, this gift is about paying it forward while also giving back," said Einwechter. "I want to give back to the Lazaridis School since I would not be where I am today without the exceptional education and connections I gained there. And I want to ensure the success of future generations of supply chain leaders, who will continue to strengthen this important industry."