Toronto, Ontario, Oct 09, 2024 - Optimé International is proud to announce that Laurentian University will award our co-founder Tom Blake an honorary Doctorate at this fall’s convocation ceremony on Nov 02, 2024. The honorary degree recipients will be in attendance to be recognized alongside graduating students. Read Laurentian University Press Release
One of the world’s most respected and dynamic sales executives. Tom is the author of the best-selling book “Championship Selling”, is the Co-Founder of Optimé International, and worked for 18 years from the entry-level to executive at global sales and marketing leader Procter & Gamble. Tom and Optimé have trained hundreds of sales organizations like AT&T, PepsiCo, P&G, and many other Fortune 100 companies. The company was recently recognized as a 2024 Top Sales Training Company by Selling Power. In 2011, he co-founded Sprout Wellness Solutions, a holistic digital health and wellness solution, which was acquired by Telus Health in 2022. Tom was part of the inaugural intake for the School of Sports Administration (SPAD) in 1972 and is one of SPAD’s first graduates. Tom has regularly contributed to Laurentian over the past 50 years by serving on multiple Advisory Boards, hiring Laurentian graduates, and interns and designing and teaching Championship Selling in the Sports Administration (SPAD) program for 15 years.
Another distinguished leader, Jason F. McLennan, will be awarded the Doctorate honor (Architecture) alongside Tom Blake. Jason is the Chief Sustainability Officer of the global firm Perkins & Will and the founder of McLennan Design. He stands as one of the world’s most influential individuals in the field of architecture and the green building movement.
The ceremony will be streamed live via YouTube and is available from laurentian.ca
“We are very fortunate to have these inspirational leaders join us to be recognized and speak to our graduating class. Both Tom and Jason have accomplished so much in their distinguished careers and I believe they will demonstrate to the graduating class that there is no ceiling on their futures. Jason is both a pioneer and innovator in his industry, and Tom is another world-class leader who has chosen to give back so much to Laurentian. They are both so deserving of the highest honour we can bestow.” said Dr. Lynn Wells, President & Vice-Chancellor, Laurentian University.
Celebrating the achievement, Optimé CEO, Hugues Gibeault, added, “We are incredibly proud to see Tom receive this well-deserved recognition. His career has been a remarkable journey of leadership, innovation, and mentorship. From his early days at Procter & Gamble to co-founding Optimé and shaping the future of sales organizations globally, Tom’s dedication to excellence is unparalleled. This honorary doctorate not only honors his professional achievements but also his profound impact on Laurentian University and its graduates over the past 50 years.”
About Optimé International
Optimé International is an industry-leading sales training company headquartered in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Specializing in sales training and sales leadership development solutions, Optimé serves clients across industries ranging from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies. With a keen focus on performance, Optimé excels in crafting sales training solutions that are tailored to our clients’ needs and drive quantifiable & sustained results. Optimé’s breadth of development programs and expertise ensures that sales capability development needs across all levels of the organization are successfully met. Our solutions are grounded in research, and purpose-built to prepare sales professionals and leaders to consistently win with their customers.
About Laurentian University
Laurentian University, located in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, excels in bilingual education and innovation. Since 1960, it has offered diverse undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. Renowned for its unique Sports Administration program and strong mining industry ties, Laurentian provides exceptional hands-on learning opportunities. The university’s vibrant campus life includes various student unions, athletic programs, and cultural activities, fostering a supportive community. Committed to equity, diversity, and Indigenous inclusion, Laurentian ensures a welcoming environment for all. Focused on academic and research excellence, Laurentian University shapes future leaders and contributes significantly to society.