Nan-B de Gaspé Beaubien / Philanthropist, Co-Chair, The de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation

Nan-bowles (Nan-b) de Gaspé Beaubien is a businesswoman and a pioneer in the advancement of family enterprise. As Founder and Chair of the de Gaspé Beaubien Family Foundation, she devotes her time to philanthropic endeavours that continue to break new ground supporting enterprising women and enterprising families, public health and environmental causes. An internationally renowned expert on the topic of family enterprise, Nan-b is a regular speaker at global conferences and top universities worldwide.
Projects of the de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation
Business Families Foundation
In the early ‘90s, Nan-b and Philippe founded the Business Families Foundation (BFF), a pioneering non-profit that is devoted to helping family businesses succeed and endure. The BFF empowers enterprising families to understand and address ongoing challenges by offering specialized education on family-owned businesses. Nan-b has helped bring together professionals, academics, and experienced family entrepreneurs to exchange knowledge and develop a network of regional educational hubs in Canada, the U.S., South America, and Asia sharing her expertise globally.
Aqua Action-Climate adaptation through freshwater innovation.
Through the de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation Nan-b has devoted time and energy to helping her grandchildren and family with their project on fresh water in North America. AquaAction is presently the main focus of the Foundation engaging young innovators, helping them to activate their technologies and support them as they turn their solutions into results.
Foundation has influenced public policy and ensured sustainable social change.
August 21st, 2023
AquaAction Runs Three Tech-Focused Programs to Help Create Change, Implement Solutions & Develop Talent
Economic & Environmental Impact
Active startups Countries, coast to coast Incorporated startups Female Co-founder
$35M +
In secured investments
$100M +
In annual revenue
200 +
New jobs created in the blue economy
IMPACT
August 21st, 2023
Women’s Roles in Society
Nan-b also spends time and energy to studying, improving, and promoting the changing role of women in society and business through programs such as the Women in Entrepreneurial Families Initiative (WEFI) and the women’s Narratives Project at Smith College in Massachusetts.
International and non-profit organizations:
Nan-b helped found the Children’s Broadcast Institute (today Youth Media Alliance) and served on following Boards:
• Harvard Business School Board Associates
• Institute for Research on Public Policy
• Canadian Association of Family Enterprise
• Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Committee
• National Centre for Management Research and Development (Women in Management Program)
• Family Firm Institute (FFI Fellow)
• Canadian Council of Children and Youth – President (1970-1972)
As a complement to her business and philanthropic roles, Nan-b has served as a Director of a number of global companies such as the Campbell Soup Company and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts – and she was often the first woman to do so.
Educator and Speaker
Nan-b is a regular speaker at global conferences and organizations such as the World Economic Forum (Davos) and the Young Presidents Organization. In establishing partnerships via the Business Families Foundation, Nan-b has spoken at the Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern University), Northeastern University, the Chief Executives Organization and The Canadian Association of Family Enterprises.
Awards
With Philippe, Nan-b has been recognized for her contributions to Quebec and Canadian society with many awards, including:
• Order of Canada
• Canadian Centennial Award
• Canadian Business Hall of Fame
• Philanthropy Merit Award from the Quebec Chamber of Commerce
• Honorary Doctorate from the University of British Columbia.