Thomas d’Aquino, known for leading Canada’s top CEOs and for his contributions to public policy, as well as achievements as an entrepreneur, lawyer and author, can now add honorary professor to his list of notable accomplishments.
He has been named an honorary professor at the Richard Ivey School of Business at The University of Western Ontario for lending his expertise and support to the school for many years. The title “honorary professor” is extended to those who have attained academic or professional distinction in their fields to recognize a mutually beneficial scholarly association.
Since 2006, Ivey has held an annual Thomas d’Aquino Lecture on Leadership that features prominent Canadian leaders sharing their leadership lessons. d’Aquino presented the first lecture and supports its annual presentation.
He is also chair of the advisory council for the Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management at Ivey, which advances the study of business strategy and public policy.
“Thomas d’Aquino is a highly respected leader who has been influential in shaping public policies that encourage international trade, responsible fiscal policies, competitiveness and environmental stewardship in Canada,” says Ivey dean Carol Stephenson.
“Ivey Business School is honoured to be associated with such a distinguished leader who has been referred to as Canada’s most outstanding global business ambassador,” says Dianne Cunningham, Director, Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management.
“It is a privilege to be associated with Ivey, a School with a superb reputation and a leading centre of global excellence,” says d’Aquino. “I look forward to contributing to the shaping of tomorrow’s leaders who will be among the world’s most accomplished innovators and agents of change.”
d’Aquino assumed leadership of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives in 1981 in its formative stages. Today, it is composed of Canada’s leading chief executives and entrepreneurs. Member companies administer $4.5 trillion in assets, have a yearly turnover of more than $850 billion and are responsible for the vast majority of Canadian investment, exports, and research and development. It has been referred to as the most successful organization of its kind in the world.
He will retire from his post on Dec. 31 and will be succeeded by former Liberal MP John Manley. On Jan. 1, he will continue his entrepreneurial activities as the chief executive of his own company and as Senior Counsel and Chair, Business Strategy and Public Policy at the national and international law firm of Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP.
