About Ryerson

Adam B. Kahan

Vice-President, University Advancement

Kahan oversees the division of University Advancement and is ultimately responsible for building strong relationships with external community partners and with alumni, donors and friends; advancing the brand and reputation of Ryerson University; and supporting the university’s highest priorities through marketing and communications and private and public sector fundraising activities.

Kahan joined Ryerson in March 2003. To date he has raised over $100 million for Ryerson, has transformed the Alumni Relations unit, and has built a strategic marketing and communications team which has significantly enhanced the brand and reputation of the university.  

Kahan has extensive Canadian and international experience in leading not–for–profit organizations, and an extraordinary record of fundraising— totaling more than $3 billion US for institutions in the United States, Canada, England, Israel and South Africa.

Prior to coming to Ryerson Kahan was Founder and Co-President of ABK Associates, a management consulting firm  based in Connecticut, with clients that included a national museum and several national and international organizations. He also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1995–2001); Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer— Financial Resource Development for the United Jewish Appeal—Federation of Greater New York (1989–1995); the Executive Vice President of the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science (1986–1988); and as Campaign Director for the United Jewish Appeal of Metropolitan Toronto (1984–1986).

He served as an officer in both the South African and Israel Defence Forces.
Kahan is a graduate of the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, with a BA in Law and Sociology, and pursued graduate studies in Communications at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

About University Advancement

University Advancement's mission is to develop and foster positive relations with our internal and external partners; to enhance Ryerson's image and profile in the broader community; and to increase the financial and material resources of the university through an integrated program of communications, fundraising and service to alumni and friends of Ryerson.

University Advancement is made up of three departments that each advances the interests and reputation of the university:

• Alumni Relations
• Development
• Marketing and Communications