Emerson (Emmy) Mascoll

Emerson (Emmy) Mascoll, BSc. LLD. (Hon.)

St. Francis Xavier University

• BSc 1957
• LLD 1991

Retired

Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia

Married to Beverly Mascoll (deceased)

Son: Eldon Mascoll

PREVIOUS CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

• Vice President Corporate Affairs Nabisco Brands Ltd
• Vice President Operations Wines & Spirits Nabisco
• Vice President Operations McGuinness Distillers Ltd.

VARIOUS BOARDS AND ASSOCIATIONS:

• CN Rail
• Chairman CN Tower
• Vice Chairman Exhibition Place
• Grand Trunk Western Railway
• Canada Sports Hall of Fame
• Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)

Dr. Emerson Mascoll – A Champion for All

St. Francis Xavier University is proud to count Dr. Emerson Mascoll ’57 among its most distinguished alumni - a former X-Men hockey Captain, accomplished scientist, trailblazing executive, and 1991 Honorary Degree recipient.

Born and raised in the industrial heart of Sydney, Cape Breton, “Emmy” crossed the Canso Causeway in 1955 to attend “the Big X,” as did so many Cape Bretoners of his generation. A gifted athlete and scholar, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry before beginning his career at the Sydney Steel plant’s chemistry lab. But his ambitions stretched far beyond the limits of what small-town opportunities and the racial barriers of the era would allow.

In 1958, Emerson moved to Toronto, knocking on countless doors before finding one willing to open. McGuinness Distillers saw the talent others overlooked, and within three years he became Chief Chemist, advancing steadily to Vice-President of Manufacturing, and later to Vice-President of Corporate Affairs of Nabisco Brands Ltd, a $1 billion company that acquired McGuiness.

As one of Canada’s most senior Black business executives, Emerson used his influence to inspire others, open long-closed doors, and challenge systemic barriers. He brought his expertise to many boards, including the CN Tower, Exhibition Place, and the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. In a historic milestone, he was appointed – by the Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney, a fellow 1959 StFX graduate - as the first Black member of the Board of CN Rail, a groundbreaking achievement at a time when many Black railway employees rarely advanced beyond middle management.

Beyond the boardroom, Emerson was a devoted philanthropist, chairing many fundraising campaigns, including for the United Way and St. Joseph’s Hospital.

In the 90s, Emerson established one of the first-ever awards for Black students at his alma mater, StFX, to help students overcome financial barriers to post-secondary education.

Emerson’s late wife, Beverly, was equally a force for change. A pioneering entrepreneur and community leader, she identified a glaring gap in the Canadian market for Black hair care and skin products and responded by founding Mascoll Beauty Supply. Under her leadership, the company grew into one of Canada’s leading distributors of ethnic beauty products.

Beverly’s impact extended far beyond business. She was a tireless advocate for the Black community, spearheading, among many things, fundraising efforts to establish Canada’s first Black Canadian Studies program at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. In recognition of her many contributions, Bevely received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Ryerson University in 1999. The following year, at age 55, she enrolled in York University’s Women’s Studies program, earning her Bachelor of Arts in 2000. Sadly, Beverly passed away the following year from breast cancer, leaving behind a profound legacy of empowerment and advocacy.

Together, Emerson and Beverly Mascoll shared a deep and enduring commitment to education and equity. Their joint vision lives on through their many initiatives, in particular, the Emerson Mascoll Endowment at StFX, which has provided bursaries to over 250 Black students at StFX, helping to diversify StFX campus and support the next generation of Black students. This impact is especially remarkable given that Emerson was one of the few Black students on campus in the 1950s. Today, hundreds of Black students attend StFX, a testament to the legacy of inclusion and opportunity Emerson and Beverly helped build.