Financial expert Bob Gauvreau ’01 (Lady Eaton College), accounting firm founder, best-selling author, business coach, and motivational speaker, is returning to Trent University as the 2023/24 CEO in Residence to inspire and mentor the next generation of business leaders. 

Gauvreau is founder and CEO of Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory, one of Canada’s fastest growing businesses (as recognized by The Globe and Mail, Maclean’s, and Financial Times) that works with more than 1,000 businesses across North America. Gauvreau is also author of The Wealthy Entrepreneur, creator of the mastermind coaching program The Million Dollar Year, and frequently cited in major business journals related to money, finances, and entrepreneurship. 

“The Trent School of Business is thrilled to welcome Bob back to his alma mater so that he can share his expertise and passion for entrepreneurship with current students who will learn from his wealth of experience and be inspired by his phenomenal success,” said Dr. Byron Lew, director of the School of Business at Trent University. “As Bob is a highly engaging and sought-after public speaker, we know students will gain valuable insight into challenging the status quo, investing in their personal leadership brand, and overcoming failure, so that they too can become great leaders in our community, country, and across the world.” 

Gauvreau’s residency will run from November 14 - 16, 2023 on Trent’s Symons Campus in Peterborough and at Trent University Durham GTA in early 2024. On Thursday, November 16, Gauvreau will lead a public panel discussion entitled ‘You’re the CEO of You: Building your Personal Leadership Brand through Resiliency and Challenging the Status Quo’. The panel will include faculty from the Trent School of Business including professor Dean Howley ‘06; assistant professor Dr. Ken Chen, and assistant professor Dr. Laura Ierfino-Blachford. Gauvreau will also be leading discussions in several Business classes such as Entrepreneurship, Accounting and Strategic Management, providing valuable one-on-one mentorship to students, while also gathering with senior Accounting students for a wine and cheese networking social.  

“I am so excited to return to Trent and share my passion for business and entrepreneurship with current students,” Gauvreau said. “My transformative Trent experience was foundational to my business success by providing academic leadership opportunities and the ability to form meaningful relationships with faculty. It is incredibly meaningful to now enhance that Trent experience for other students and help them achieve their dreams.”  

As a proud alum, Gauvreau has stayed connected with the University over the years. He has provided valuable co-op placements to students, supported Trent’s annual Career Fair, hired many Trent alumni as permanent employees, and championed several University initiatives. In recognition of all his accomplishments, the Trent University Alumni Association awarded Gauvreau the Young Alumni Leadership Award in 2017.  

In the community, Gauvreau has been recognized with multiple awards and recognitions including awards for Entrepreneurship, Professional Services, and being a Top 4 under 40 business leader with the Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Gauvreau has been inducted into the Junior Achievement Peterborough Business Hall of Fame. Most notably, Gauvreau was granted a fellowship with the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario, the highest professional recognition for any Canadian CPA.