Alumni Come Together at SMCSAA Networking Event Featuring Adrian Rocca
The St. Michael’s College School Alumni Association (SMCSAA) hosted another successful networking event on June 18, 2025, bringing together alumni from across generations for an evening of connection, insight, and inspiration.
The event featured keynote speaker Adrian Rocca ’00, CEO and founder of Fitzrovia, who delivered a compelling presentation on the evolving Canadian rental market. Rocca’s keynote attracted alumni from graduating classes spanning 1978 to 2023, representing a wide array of industries, with a strong showing from the real estate, construction, and development sectors.
Host Andrew Gidaro ’02 opened the evening by reflecting on his shared experience with Rocca as teammates on the 1998 Metro Bowl-winning Kerry Blues. Gidaro’s introduction highlighted how the brotherhood formed at SMCS continues to thrive beyond the classroom and playing field, reminding attendees of the core values of goodness, discipline, and knowledge that define the SMCS community.
“The alumni networking events provide great opportunities for St. Michael’s grads, young and old, to come together in a fun environment to connect,” says Gidaro. “One of the great benefits of going to a school like SMCS, beyond the great education, is the special alumni community into which you become a member. The networking events give people access to that community and to meet other alumni with whom they can create relationships that can help them professionally and personally. It’s also inspiring to listen to the extremely talented and successful alumni keynote speakers.”
During his keynote, Rocca shared his personal and professional journey—from early roles at Credit Suisse First Boston and Apollo Real Estate Advisors in Toronto and London, to his leadership positions at Tricon Luxury Residences and Tricon Lifestyle Communities. Rocca spoke candidly about the highs and lows of his career, including being let go from Tricon—a pivotal moment that ultimately led to the founding of Fitzrovia.
“Meeting Adrian from Fitzrovia was honestly the highlight for me,” says Oleksandr Feoktistov ’18. “It was eye-opening to hear his story up close, and incredibly inspiring. He’s the reason I decided to start my own property management company, so getting the chance to thank him in person and learn from his journey meant a lot. I left the event buzzing with ideas and motivation, and I can’t wait to put some of those insights into action.”
Rocca emphasized the importance of perseverance, vision, and integrity in business, underscoring how his education and values, rooted in his time at SMCS, played a pivotal role in his success. His innovative approach to rental development—integrating hospitality principles and vertical integration—has positioned Fitzrovia as a leader in the Canadian market.
Following his presentation, Rocca engaged in a Q&A session, personally connecting with many alumni.
“It was energizing to reconnect with St. Michael’s alumni from so many different years,” says Jonah Leduc ’20. “It’s special being in a room with people who share that foundation, even if we’re all on very different paths now. Adrian’s story was incredibly inspiring; the way he’s continuously navigated the complexities of real estate development from his international experience, to founding Fitzrovia. He’s not just a successful entrepreneur, but a real pioneer in the industry, showing how motivation, strategic thinking, and a clear sense of impact can shape cities and communities.”
For more information or to share suggestions for future keynote speakers, email alumni@smcsmail.com.
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