The success story of brothers Mohamed and Shiraz Ali started with humble beginnings in a small village in Tanzania, along with their parents Fatima and Hussein. The family lived in poverty but worked their way through hardship, political unrest and threats of persecution. Eventually they found themselves in Canada looking for peace and a stable future.
In 1973, this culminated in the creation of SM2 Capital Partners where for over 25 years the brothers worked tirelessly, including waking up at the crack of dawn to manage the operations of their Budget Rent A Car franchise to washing cars late into the night. This was in tandem with continuing to grow the business and identify new opportunities. Fifty years later, the SM2 Capital Partners portfolio is comprised of Budget Rent A Car, parking lots in downtown Calgary and airport parking (Calgary Park & Jet), commercial real estate and hotels.
In the spirit of intrapreneurship, SM2 Capital is now led by the rising generation of the Ali family, Naim Ali, Hafiz Ali, Jamil Ali, and Rizvan Bharmal. Furthermore, the family spirit of giving back has led the entire family and their business to collectively contribute towards the creation of endowments and awards valued at $500,000 to support Bow Valley College students.
These awards create access to post-secondary education by removing financial barriers and making it attainable for international students, and students studying with the School of Health and Wellness, to launch, advance and evolve their professional journey, bettering their lives and those in their communities.
“The family feels, that together with Bow Valley College, we are truly making a difference in someone’s life,” says Naim Ali. “Our hope is that this impact will create a ripple effect of joy and inspiration that will touch our entire community.”
In recognition of the Ali family’s generosity and commitment to the college and its students, the newly named, The Ali Family - Intercultural Centre, was unveiled on Monday, November 25, 2024, along with a commemorative plaque honouring the intergenerational philanthropic impact they have created within their close-knit family. The Ali Family - Intercultural Centre will continue to serve as one of the personalized wrap-around supports offered at the college, fostering an environment of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for students and the broader college community.
Bow Valley College is extremely grateful to the three generations of the Ali family and SM2 Capital Partners for their generosity, which will have a lasting impact on students today and in the future.