Our Donors Hit New Milestones for iCAST!

Zhigang Jin, Macy, Lily and Amy Deng attended Branksome's Lunar New Year celebration on Jan. 29.

Amy Deng and Zhigang Jin understand why iCAST is an investment in our students’ futures. As a former director at China Central Television, the national television broadcaster of China, naming the iCAST Media Studio was perfectly aligned with the value Amy places on creative expression.

“Our gift will help bring students’ creativity and dreams to life,” she says, alongside her proud daughter Lily JIN’24, who is in her first year of commerce at the University of Toronto. “The Branksome community and student families are inter-connected. We depend on each other and when I contribute to a higher quality education, our students have a better future."



Amy is also excited about other areas of iCAST, especially the state-of-the-art Studio Theatre.

Her younger daughter, Macy, is in Grade 6 at the Junior School and loves theatre. She is perfectly positioned on her school journey to look forward to taking advantage of all iCAST will offer for performance. 

“There’s not enough space at Branksome for performance and all the school events and iCAST will offer so many more opportunities,” says Amy. "The future society will be led by technology. We believe that iCAST will support and offer the girls more opportunities to learn in technology and STEM-related fields." Thanks to the family’s generous gift, Macy will see her parents’ legacy and the value they place on creativity, on display throughout her iCAST journey and for years to come. 

Shalini and Raman Srivastava are supporting the Stepping Stones Donor Wall.

Shalini and Raman Srivastava recognize iCAST as a bold and forward-thinking initiative designed to empower both current and future Branksome students for success. Inspired by the school’s commitment to innovation, they are proud to support this transformative endeavour through the Stepping Stones initiative in iCAST’s lobby.



“STEM skills are critical for success for these girls and it’s very encouraging that Branksome is placing a huge value on them," says Raman, who is the CEO of Insight Investment. As someone whose work focuses on growth priorities, talent development and succession planning, he is well-placed to note that recruitment favors male applicants. “Branksome stood out to us because it is aiming to close the hiring gap over the coming years for Surina and for students who come after her.” 

Likewise, the school’s multidisciplinary focus is a big asset, says Shalini. “It’s not just about acquiring the technical skills as it relates to STEM subjects but also the ability to communicate those ideas clearly. Branksome’s well rounded approach stands out in this way.” Additionally, with developments in STEM-related industries moving so quickly, they’re delighted that future girls will benefit from the diverse partnerships iCAST will host to gain access to leading-edge technology. 



Thanks to donors such as the Srivastavas and the collaborative learning it will impact, tomorrow’s recruitment doors will swing open for more women. As the donors themselves say, "The magic lies in developing creative instincts, finding inspiration in problem-solving and engaging different parts of the brain—an invaluable and often overlooked skill”

Learn more about the Stepping Stones Donor Wall.

The Class of '79 enjoying their 40th Branksome Reunion in 2019 (left to right): Pam PEPPER Zimmerman; Ann DUNCAN Birch; Becca McCORMACK Scarratt; Judy GARAY MacKay; Lesley ADAMSON Skelly

Every graduating class has a certain personality and former Branksome boarder, Becca McCORMACK Scarratt’79, says hers remains “rambunctious.” To this day, Becca and lifelong best friend, Judy GARAY MacKay’79, travel together regularly and even attended their 25-year reunion together. 

“Our entire class always has a lot to chat about,” says Becca. That’s why she’s passionate about adding her name to the Alum Donor Wall, a highly visible installation in iCAST celebrating our generous alums. Shaped in a five-foot-tall BH, 300 alum names will greet visitors as they enter from the overpass connecting the Athletics & Wellness Centre (AWC) to iCAST.

“Branksome taught me to set my own objectives and achieve them,” says Becca, crediting the school’s values for her acquired ability to just go for it.

She now owns a physiotherapy clinic in Rimouski, Quebec. It took courage for her to set up a successful private clinic in a francophone environment (armed only with her Senior School French classes!).

Becca got the most out of her Branksome opportunity. As the only boarder on sports teams in Grade 9, she received special privileges to go straight to dinner in her athletic wear. In Grade 13, she was a Prefect and captain of the basketball team.

“I’m passionate about giving back,” says Becca, who has also contributed to Branksome's financial assistance program to pay forward the opportunities she received from other donors’ generosity. “Thanks to Branksome, I am still committed to pushing myself beyond my perceived limitations.” 

Learn more about reserving your legacy with the Alum Donor Wall.  

Dana DELUCE'96 with sons Liam and Oliver, husband Dave Shaw and daughter Audrey  

Wherever Dana DELUCE’96 goes, a Branksome connection is sure to follow. Whether it was time spent in New York in her 20s, a decade in Las Vegas marketing luxury brands and interior design or her most recent move to Westport, CT, fellow alums are always around or, at most, “a few towns over.”

That’s why her ongoing support of financial assistance, for the past three years, is rooted in a desire to change another life as Branksome changed hers. “To give children with the highest potential this life-changing opportunity is really important to me,” says Dana. Dana’s sisters Aynsley DELUCE’94 and Lindsey DELUCE’99 are also alums and Dana sees the life-changing Branksome effect in her niece, Lindsey’s daughter Brooklyn in Grade 7.  

“Besides lifelong friendship, the greatest gift Branksome gives you is confidence,” she says. “I can walk into rooms where I don't know anyone and yet feel comfortable because Branksome encouraged me to be myself whether I failed or succeeded. I’ve watched Brooklyn come out of her shell in such a short time.

Those years are challenging for most but at Branksome you are so supported by teachers that when you graduate you feel completely prepared to really get out into the world. It’s wonderful to be able to contribute to this transformational experience.”

Be Our Valentine

We’re sweet on our donors! The recent snow day postponed pre-Valentine’s Day plans to share a candy treat in appreciation for our community’s generosity which is helping us Make Way for iCAST, expand financial assistance, enrich co-curricular programs, and so much more, empowering girls to dream big and break barriers in the most innovation-forward careers of tomorrow. Instead, Branksome’s Advancement and Community Engagement (ACE) team was out on Tuesday to show some love and gratitude.  



Circle Donor Reception for Dr. Lisa Damour

We welcomed our wonderful Circle donors (gifts of $1,000 or over) for a special reception in the Athletics & Wellness Centre on Jan. 22 with a special guest, author Dr. Lisa Damour (right). The renowned psychologist was this year’s Rachel Phillips Belash Speaker later that evening, where she shared valuable takeaways and parenting strategies. Here is a photo gallery from the evening and a full news story.  

iCAST Comes to Life

You’ve seen the blueprints and maybe taken a virtual tour. The time has come to get real —starting with the Studio Theatre. We shared the first in a mini-series of hard-hat tour videos, hosted by knowledgeable students, faculty and community members, on Jan. 23. More to come and watch our first tour here. 



Parents Stepping Up for iCAST

Why are parent Lisa Kruger and new parents Chester and Evelyn Dawes (shown) choosing to pledge their support for iCAST by naming a Stepping Stone?

Watch our video and find out. 

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