A landmark investment in excellence and equity at the TMU School of Medicine
Moez and Marissa Kassam. Photo by George Pimentel.
Moez Kassam is a highly accomplished investor and philanthropist with a deep commitment to social change. As founder and Chief Investment Officer of Anson Funds (external link) , a leading alternative asset management firm, he has achieved an exceptional track record, leading one of the globe's top-performing hedge funds.
Marissa Kassam is a dedicated philanthropist and advocate for social change. She brings a wealth of experience from roles that included Vice President of Philanthropy for Royal Bank of Canada Capital Markets and positions at JPMorgan in London, Hong Kong, and New York.
Driven by a shared passion for social impact, Moez and Marissa co-founded the Moez & Marissa Kassam Equity Fund (external link) to invest in people and organizations that remove barriers and create pathways to possibility. The couple branded it a "Fund" rather than a foundation because they believe that "investing in equity maximizes returns, creating a ripple effect that empowers individuals and communities to reach their full potential."
Through the Moez & Marissa Kassam Equity Fund, they make strategic investments in organizations generating outsized gains for society: breaking barriers, building bridges, and unlocking human potential. Their investments focus on the issues most crucial to Canadians: equitable access to food, health care, housing, education, and sports.
In November 2024, thanks to the Kassams' generosity, TMU announced its first multi-million-dollar gift to the new School of Medicine. The $5M landmark gift from the Moez & Marissa Kassam Equity Fund supports the School of Medicine building project and—in keeping with the Kassams' championing of inclusive excellence in medical education—launches a program of comprehensive scholarships for high-performing medical students from equity-deserving communities.
“We believe that investing in equity generates outsized returns for society,” says Moez Kassam, founder of Anson Funds. “By supporting the education of future physicians from communities underrepresented in the medical profession, we are building a more just and equitable health-care system for all Canadians.”
Marissa Kassam adds, “True progress comes from empowering individuals and communities. By removing financial barriers to medical education, we are investing in the diverse talent that will shape the future of health care.”
Building a healthier future, together
With the opening of its Brampton facility in July 2025, the TMU School of Medicine is set to realize a new approach to medical education. By intentionally working to dismantle systemic barriers and foster an inclusive learning environment, TMU’s School of Medicine will empower the next generation of doctors to innovate, disrupt and drive meaningful change within the health-care system.
“Thank you to the Kassam family for their vision, generosity and commitment,” said Mohamed Lachemi, president and vice-chancellor, TMU. “Their investment champions a new approach to medical education, grounded in excellence, inclusion, and innovation, and addresses the changing needs for health-care delivery and practice.”
Dr. Teresa M. Chan, dean of TMU School of Medicine, adds, “We are immensely proud to make the Moez & Marissa Kassam Excellence through Equity Scholarship program part of our offering. The scholarship will cover full tuition for students from communities underrepresented in the medical profession who demonstrate academic excellence—and we are deeply grateful to the Kassam family for making it possible.”
The Kassams’ landmark investment will be recognized in the naming of the School of Medicine’s primary entranceway: The Moez & Marissa Kassam Atrium. This inspiring, sunlit space will symbolize transparency and accessibility in health care. It will serve as a dynamic hub where students, faculty, and the community can connect, collaborate and create.
Less than one week after TMU announced the Kassam’s gift, the couple were back at the podium being acknowledged for a $15M investment (external link) at SickKids to fund pediatric research and nursing. The Kassam Family Chair and Fellowship in Neurocritical Care will bring top talent from around the world to the hospital, while the Kassam Family Critical Care Award in Innovation will fund early-stage research in pediatric medicine. These gifts, along with Kassam’s support of Canada’s Olympic athletes through the Great to Gold (external link) program, earned Kassam recognition in Toronto Life’s prestigious annual article (external link) of the city’s influential individuals for the second consecutive year.
The Kassams’ transformative commitment to equity and community leadership serves as an inspiration, demonstrating the power of strategic investment to create a brighter, healthier future for all.
