Bonnie Brooks named Ivey Business Leader of the Year

Date:

Share post:


LONDON, ON – Bonnie Brooks, Vice Chair Hudson’s Bay Company, will be the first woman to receive the Ivey Business Leader Award and will address Canada’s most prominent business leaders at the annual gala dinner in Toronto on October 30, 2014.

Ms. Brooks joined Canada’s pioneering retailer, Hudson’s Bay, as President and CEO in 2008 and was appointed to President of the Hudson’s Bay Company in 2012 when Lord & Taylor (USA) was rolled into Hudson’s Bay Company. Successfully engineering a major turnaround at The Bay over the past five years, she was named Vice Chair in 2014 – one more achievement in a ground breaking career in the retail fashion industry which spans over three decades and three continents.

“Bonnie Brooks is a visionary leader in her field. Always ahead of the curve, she has a knack for boldly seizing opportunities that many do not have the courage to pursue, while simultaneously anticipating trends that will change the competitive landscape in the medium term,” said Bob Kennedy, Dean of the Ivey Business School. “I am proud to say Bonnie is one of our graduates. She embodies so many of the leadership qualities we aim to develop at the School, and we are proud of her success.”

Prior to joining Hudson’s Bay Ms. Brooks served in several retail leadership positions, including President at Lane Crawford Joyce Group, the Hong Kong based retail giant with over 500 stores in Asia, between 1997 and 2008. Previously she held executive roles with Holt Renfrew Canada including Executive Vice President / General Merchandise Manager.

“Bonnie Brooks has a corporate reputation that is second to none not only in Canada but also internationally,” said Kevin O’Brien, HBA ’93, Chair of the Ivey Business Leader Award Dinner. “She has defined herself as an outstanding leader within an extremely competitive industry serving as an inspiration for the Canadian business community.”

The Ivey Business Leader Award will be presented at a black-tie dinner at Toronto’s Ritz Carlton Hotel. Proceeds from the annual event have supported the Ivey Alumni Association Toronto Chapter HBA and MBA Scholarships established to attract top students to the School and the Toronto Alumni Professorship in Business Leadership, and will now support the new Ivey Building. 

Ms. Brooks, an Ivey MBA graduate, is also Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Ontario Museum, a member of the Board of Directors of Empire Company Limited (Sobeys), a member of the Board of Trustees for RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust and a member of the Foundation Board of CAMH.

She joins an esteemed list of past Ivey Business Leader Award recipients demonstrating leadership in both business and their communities. Past recipients of the award include:
  • 2013: George Cope, CEO Bell Canada
  • 2012: Rick George, Former CEO Suncor Inc.
  • 2011: Ed Clark, Group President and CEO of TD Bank Group (TD) 
  • 2010: Peter Munk, Founder and Chairman of Barrick Gold Corporation
  • 2009: Richard J. Currie, Past Chairman, BCE Inc. and former President, Loblaw   Companies Limited and George Weston Limited
  • 2008: Dominic D’Alessandro, President & CEO, Manulife Financial
  • 2007: Claude Lamoureux, President & CEO and Robert Bertram, Executive Vice-President, Investments, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
  • 2006: Isadore Sharp, Chairman and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels Inc.
  • 2005: Peter Godsoe, former Chairman and CEO, The Bank of Nova Scotia
  • 2002: Gwyn Morgan, President and CEO, EnCana Corporation
  • 2001: Harrison McCain, Chairman, McCain Foods Limited, and G. Wallace  McCain, Chairman, Maple Leaf Foods Inc.
  • 2000: Purdy Crawford, Chairman, AT&T Canada
  • 1999: Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, led by Prem Watsa, Chairman
  • 1998: Paul Desmarais, Chairman, Power Corporation of Canada
  • 1997: Frank Stronach, Chairman of the Board, Magna International Inc.
  • 1996: Jean C. Monty, President and CEO, Northern Telecom Limited
  • 1995: R. Jack Lawrence, Deputy Chairman, Nesbitt Burns Inc.
  • 1994: Robert Nourse, President and CEO, The Bombay Company Inc.
  • 1993: Cedric E. Ritchie, Chairman, The Bank of Nova Scotia
  • 1992: John C. Carroll, President and CEO, Molson Breweries
  • 1991: John M. Thompson, Chairman and CEO, IBM Canada Limited
About the Ivey Business School, Western University

The Ivey Business School (www.ivey.ca) at Western University is Canada’s leading provider of relevant, innovative and comprehensive business education. Drawing on extensive research and business experience, Ivey faculty provide the best classroom experience, equipping graduates with the skills and capabilities they need to tackle the leadership challenges in today’s complex business world. Ivey offers world-renowned undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as Executive Development at campuses in London (Ontario), Toronto and Hong Kong.

RELATED ARTICLES

Load more

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required

RECENT articles

Canada business groups welcome Productivity Mega Deduction as boost to investment

Restaurants Canada and the Retail Council of Canada welcome the federal government’s proposed Productivity Mega Deduction, saying it could spur investment in equipment, technology and infrastructure.

Home Depot Canada Foundation uses Fortnite to raise awareness of youth homelessness

The Home Depot Canada Foundation created a custom Fortnite map and Twitch campaign to raise awareness of youth homelessness and its challenges in Canada.

Dollarama Q2 sales increase 17.6% y/y to surpass $2 billion

Net earnings increased by 8.7% to $349.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2027, compared to $321.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2026.

RCC Names Walmart and SC Johnson Executives Inaugural Sustainable Leaders of the Year

Retail Council of Canada names Walmart’s Kathleen McLaughlin and SC Johnson’s Fisk Johnson its inaugural Sustainable Leaders of the Year.

RBC says grocery prices likely to keep rising faster than overall inflation in near term

The report said the largest recent spike occurred between 2021 and 2023, when grocery inflation reached its highest level since the early 1980s and food prices rose 11 per cent year-over-year in late 2022.

Canadian businesses face rising debt, payment stress: Equifax

Average commercial debt per business rose 7.3 per cent year-over-year to $30,581, while the 60-plus-day delinquency rate on financial credit products reached 4.0 per cent, its highest level since 2019 and a 19.7 per cent increase from a year earlier.

Daily Synopsis: September 15, 2026

Canadian companies look to capitalize on 'elbows up', Circle K capitalizes on back-to-school rush, No Frills takes North York No Frills, London Drugs launches community pharmacies, Costco opening 4 Canadian stores, and other news.

Nespresso opens new experiential kiosk in Montreal’s Royalmount

The concept is inspired by Nespresso’s collaboration with Dua Lipa and its “By the Pool” campaign, bringing a colourful, summer-inspired and immersive experience to the shopping centre.

Criterion Establishes Permanent Toronto Retail Presence After Strong TIFF Demand

The Criterion Collection establishes a permanent Canadian retail presence at Cinema Cellar in downtown Toronto following strong demand from its TIFF activations.

Holiday shopping starts earlier as retailers face growing mobile, AI customer-experience risks: Quantum Metric

As retailers roll-out new app campaigns, AI-driven features and discovery tools, they’re also introducing more opportunities for friction across the digital shopping journey.

LEGO Expands Canadian Store Network with Three GTA Locations

The LEGO Group is increasing its Canadian store network by 25% this fall, adding three Greater Toronto Area locations in what the company describes as its largest Canadian retail expansion in more than five years.

Constant Contact launches real estate marketing platform in Canada

The platform is now built for the entire Canadian real estate ecosystem — associations, MLSs, brokerages, franchises, teams, and agents — with connected, relationship-driven marketing

Walmart Canada Builds Supercentre Pipeline as Retailer Targets Malls and Growing Communities

Walmart Canada is expanding its Supercentre pipeline through 2028, targeting former department store spaces, growing communities and grocery expansion as part of its $6.5-billion investment.

Circle K, Couche-Tard launch app-based rewards campaign tied to customer visits

The Road to Rewards promotion runs from Sept. 15 to Nov. 9, and is the company's first app-integrated, visit-based campaign, according to Circle K Canada.

IKEA Canada marks 50th anniversary with new campaign focused on products’ role in everyday life

When IKEA opened its first Canadian store in 1976, home life looked very different than it does today.

The high cost of doing business in the restaurant industry: EconoLease

EconoLease’s 2026 Hospitality Operator Report found that restaurants’ most critical equipment breaks down the most, and many operators say they can’t afford to upgrade or replace it.

How Premium Brands Defend Pricing as Products Become Easier to Copy

Why can some brands still charge premium prices when cheaper alternatives are everywhere? Justin Walford examines Canada Goose, Aritzia and Arc’teryx.

Nearly two-thirds of working Albertans feel less financially secure than a year ago: Money Mentors

62 per cent of working Albertans feel less financially secure than they did a year ago, compared with 49 per cent nationally. Only 14 per cent said they are more financially secure.

Khloé Kardashian fragrance portfolio expands into Sephora in U.S. and Canada

The products will be sold in 1,300 Sephora U.S. and Sephora Kohl's locations, while Sephora will be the exclusive retailer for the fragrances in Canada.

Daily Synopsis: September 14, 2026

Italian brands launch in Canada, Maple Leaf Foods brings back Yves Veggie Cuisine, Article opens Toronto store, food inflation runs higher in Canada vs. US, Empire opening stores, and other news.