Ron Dembo
Encyclopedia
Ron S. Dembo is the Founder and CEO of Zerofootprint, a socially responsible enterprise whose mission is to apply technology, design and risk management to the massive reduction of our environmental footprint. Zerofootprint operates both in the for-profit and charitable domains through two entities, Zerofootprint Software and the Zerofootprint Foundation using shared technology.
The Zerofootprint Foundation was founded in 2005 to engage communities everywhere in the battle against climate change. It pursues causes that uphold values of sustainable development, risk management, research, and advocacy. The Foundation initiatives involve government (Federal, Provincial and Municipal), educators (universities, elementary and middle schools) and other not-for-profit organizations. Geographical and societal barriers do not limit its vision. Zerofootprint came in first place and won Gold in the Climate Change category at the Canadian Environment Awards
in 2008.
Prior to founding Zerofootprint, Dembo was the Founder, CEO, and President of Algorithmics Incorporated
, growing it from a start-up to the largest enterprise risk-management software company in the world, with offices in fifteen countries and over 70% of the world’s top 100 banks as clients. Algorithmics was consistently voted as one of the top 50 best-managed companies in Canada.
Dembo had a ten-year academic career at Yale University
, where he was cross-appointed between the Department of Computer Science and the School of Management. He has published over sixty technical papers on finance and mathematical optimization, and holds a number of patents in computational finance. Dembo is the author of three books: Seeing Tomorrow: Rewriting the Rules of Risk, co-authored with Andrew Freedman
, published in April 1998; Upside Downside: Simple Rules of Risk Management for the Smart Investor, co authored with Daniel Stoffman, published in March 2006; and Everything You Wanted to Know About Offsetting But Were Afraid to Ask, co-authored with Clive Davidson and released in May 2007.
In May 2007, Dembo was made a lifetime Fields Institute
Fellow. This fellowship is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Fields Institute, its programs, and to the Canadian mathematical community. In July 2007, Dembo was inducted as a charter member of the Risk Who’s Who. Dembo’s alma mater, the University of Waterloo
, honoured Dembo with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. He is also a member of the University of Waterloo's Deans Advisory Council in the Faculty of Environment, and a member of the Board of Advisors to the President at the Ontario College of Art and Design University. Dr. Dembo is also an advisor to the Board at Mount Sinai Hospital, and is a member of the Board of Governors of University of Toronto’s Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council program. In 2009, Dr. Dembo was appointed to the Steering Committee of the World Urban Campaign, coordinated by UN-Habitat.
He also recently received a Green Toronto Award from the City of Toronto for his work with Zerofootprint, as well as receiving a Certificate of Recognition, Champion of Green from the Government of Ontario.
In 2009, Dembo also established the ZEROprize, a one million dollar prize for a design to retrofit a concrete building built between 1945 and 1990.
The Zerofootprint Foundation was founded in 2005 to engage communities everywhere in the battle against climate change. It pursues causes that uphold values of sustainable development, risk management, research, and advocacy. The Foundation initiatives involve government (Federal, Provincial and Municipal), educators (universities, elementary and middle schools) and other not-for-profit organizations. Geographical and societal barriers do not limit its vision. Zerofootprint came in first place and won Gold in the Climate Change category at the Canadian Environment Awards
Canadian Environment Awards
The Canadian Environment Awards were established in 2002 through a partnership between the Government of Canada and Canadian Geographic Enterprises. The national program recognizes dedicated Canadians who act locally to help protect, preserve and restore Canada’s environment...
in 2008.
Prior to founding Zerofootprint, Dembo was the Founder, CEO, and President of Algorithmics Incorporated
Algorithmics Inc.
Algorithmics is a Toronto, Ontario based company founded by Ron Dembo that provides risk management software to financial institutions. Founded in 1989, Algorithmics employs over 850 people in 23 global offices, and serves more than 350 clients, including 25 of the 30 largest banks in the world,...
, growing it from a start-up to the largest enterprise risk-management software company in the world, with offices in fifteen countries and over 70% of the world’s top 100 banks as clients. Algorithmics was consistently voted as one of the top 50 best-managed companies in Canada.
Dembo had a ten-year academic career at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, where he was cross-appointed between the Department of Computer Science and the School of Management. He has published over sixty technical papers on finance and mathematical optimization, and holds a number of patents in computational finance. Dembo is the author of three books: Seeing Tomorrow: Rewriting the Rules of Risk, co-authored with Andrew Freedman
Andrew Freedman
Andrew Freedman was the owner of the New York Giants of the National League from through . He also served as a director of the Wright Company, established in 1909 to market the Wright brothers' airplanes in the United States. In 1895 Freedman purchased the franchise from Cornelius C. Van Cott...
, published in April 1998; Upside Downside: Simple Rules of Risk Management for the Smart Investor, co authored with Daniel Stoffman, published in March 2006; and Everything You Wanted to Know About Offsetting But Were Afraid to Ask, co-authored with Clive Davidson and released in May 2007.
In May 2007, Dembo was made a lifetime Fields Institute
Fields Institute
The Fields Institute is an international centre for research in mathematical sciences at the University of Toronto. The institute is named for University of Toronto mathematician John Charles Fields, founder of the Fields Medal...
Fellow. This fellowship is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Fields Institute, its programs, and to the Canadian mathematical community. In July 2007, Dembo was inducted as a charter member of the Risk Who’s Who. Dembo’s alma mater, the University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo is a comprehensive public university in the city of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The school was founded in 1957 by Drs. Gerry Hagey and Ira G. Needles, and has since grown to an institution of more than 30,000 students, faculty, and staff...
, honoured Dembo with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. He is also a member of the University of Waterloo's Deans Advisory Council in the Faculty of Environment, and a member of the Board of Advisors to the President at the Ontario College of Art and Design University. Dr. Dembo is also an advisor to the Board at Mount Sinai Hospital, and is a member of the Board of Governors of University of Toronto’s Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council program. In 2009, Dr. Dembo was appointed to the Steering Committee of the World Urban Campaign, coordinated by UN-Habitat.
He also recently received a Green Toronto Award from the City of Toronto for his work with Zerofootprint, as well as receiving a Certificate of Recognition, Champion of Green from the Government of Ontario.
In 2009, Dembo also established the ZEROprize, a one million dollar prize for a design to retrofit a concrete building built between 1945 and 1990.