Brandon University alumnus to host philanthropic book launch event at BU library

A celebrated Brandon University alumnus will return to campus for a philanthropic book launch event as part of a national tour.

Andreas Souvaliotis is one of Canada’s most unusual, successful and socially conscious businesspeople. He graduated from Brandon University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science. He says his return to Brandon is a special one.

“Brandon represents the most important and meaningful stop in my cross-country book tour,” he said. “This is the gorgeous community that first embraced me and taught me all about the real beauty of Canada, about inclusion and mutual respect and all the things that make us such a special country. Brandon is where I was shaped and nurtured so fundamentally as a proud Canadian and an authentic misfit.”

The book launch event will take place in the Gathering Space area of BU’s John E. Robbins Library on Friday, April 5 beginning at 7 p.m. Along with a presentation and Q-and-A with Andreas, there will be a wine-and-cheese reception and a book sale. All proceeds from the sale of this book will go 6 Degrees, a global forum on inclusion and citizenship.

“We are privileged to be able to welcome Andreas back to BU and we invite all alumni as well as everyone in the community to join us,” said Carla Eisler, Director of Advancement and Alumni Affairs at BU. “The inspiring lessons of Andreas’ book resonate universally, and it is even more powerful that he is donating the proceeds to such a worthy cause.”

Born in Greece, Andreas was raised at a time when being on the autism spectrum wasn’t easily diagnosed or even discussed. Minds like his were simply considered odd. He also knew from an early age he was gay, and it terrified him, as he was growing up with openly homophobic parents in one of Europe’s least tolerant societies.

Andreas’ differences made him an outsider, right through to his mid-forties. And then suddenly, everything changed. Misfit is the extraordinary memoir of a man who realized there was strength in his strangeness, that it could be used as a force for good.

“It all happened in a flash,” he said. “On a beautiful spring morning in 2007, sitting in my backyard and licking my wounds from a spectacular career derailment, I came up with a big idea — and I found myself contemplating the most daring and unconventional pursuit of my life.”

The weird kid from Greece was on his way to making his world, and everyone’s world, a better place. Andreas Souvaliotis’ inspiring story shows us that everyone has what it takes to trigger positive change, and that none of us should see our differences and quirks as handicaps.

About Andreas Souvaliotis

Andreas Souvaliotis is the founder of Carrot Rewards, Canada’s most popular wellness app and the world’s first national health rewards program. A decade earlier he started Green Rewards, the world’s first mass eco-loyalty platform, which was acquired and fused into the popular AIR MILES program.

Andreas has been recognized globally for his achievements and thought leadership in harnessing nudge theory to promote positive behaviour shifts on a mass scale.

As a bestselling author and prolific speaker, Andreas is a leading Canadian advocate for innovative approaches to address public health, climate change, diversity and citizenship.

He serves on the Boards of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, Windmill Microlending and the Young Presidents’ Organization, and also advises a number of academic institutions and NGOs.

Success is built at Brandon University. Our growing, progressive campus welcomes a diverse and inclusive community that combines proud tradition with shared ambition. Through our excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship, we educate students to make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders. Join us at BrandonU.ca

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