W. Brett Wilson

W. Brett Wilson (born on July 1, 1957) is a Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist and the lead deal making panelist or "Dragon" of all-time on CBC's Gemini Award-winning Dragons' Den. Wilson was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Wilson was appointed to the Order of Canada on June 30, 2011.In 2012, he was one of a select group to receive the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal honouring the achievements and contributions of notable Canadians. In 2010, he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Royal Roads University for his role as a business leader, dynamic philanthropist, and entrepreneurial mentor.

Career

Wilson graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and worked for Imperial Oil for three plus years in the oilfields of Western Canada. He then graduated from the University of Calgary’s MBA program - the first person to graduate with a specialization in entrepreneurship - in 1985, and began work as an investment banker with McLeod Young Weir Limited (now ScotiaMcLeod or Scotia Capital). Wilson co-founded an investment banking advisory firm, Wilson Mackie & Co., in 1991 - a firm that enjoyed considerable success brokering oil and gas companies and properties.

In 1993, with Rick Grafton, Jim Davidson and N. Murray Edwards, he co-founded FirstEnergy Capital Corp., now a leading Canadian stock brokerage firm that provides investment-banking services to global participants in the energy sector - via offices in Calgary, AB and London, England. The firm is now 20% owned by Societe Generale out of France. Wilson retired from active duty at FirstEnergy in July 2007 but retained his role as Chairman of the company until December 2008. His primary holding company, Prairie Merchant Corporation, is the vehicle from which he makes most of his investments in the energy, agriculture, real estate, sports, and entertainment industries.

In October 2008 Wilson became a leading investor in Derby County F.C.. Derby are currently playing in the Npower Championship, the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League.

In 2010, Wilson became chairman of Canoe Financial, a privately owned investment management firm with well over $2.0 billion in assets focused on providing investors with unique opportunities to profit from Canada’s increasing prominence on the global "resource" stage.

After announcing his departure from Dragons' Den in early 2011, he participated in his own entrepreneurship-themed series, Risky Business, which aired on Slice in the fall of 2011. He has a regular column in the National Post featuring reports on his Dragons' Den investments.

In November 2011, Wilson purchased a 5% interest in the Nashville Predators of the NHL.

Philanthropy

A more comprehensive overview of Wilson's philanthropic initiatives can be found on his personal website - but even that list fails to give a complete picture of the breadth of his influence on Canada's philanthropic community. Often described as a “capitalist with a heart”, Mr. Wilson has sought to inspire, engage, and lead his contemporaries into seeing corporate social responsibility not as an obligation, but as an opportunity. He has shown first-hand that strategic philanthropy can create “blended value” – leading not only to major social benefits, but to a corresponding benefit for donating companies. With an innovative approach to philanthropy, Wilson has given, and engaged others to give, tens of millions to nonprofit initiatives. He often takes a hands-on approach to philanthropy, including shaving his head to support Kids' Cancer Care, and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to support Alzheimer’s research. He has for many years made annual trips with Youth with a Mission to Mexico to build homes with his family, friends, and business colleagues. He has chronicled his philanthropic perspectives in a series of articles written for Alberta Venture magazine.

Wilson has focused his philanthropic initiatives on his home provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. He is a supporter of his alma mater, the University of Saskatchewan, and established the Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence there in 2007. The Wilson Centre is focused on inspiring entrepreneurship and innovation in students enrolled throughout all Colleges at the University. Wilson believes strongly that all students should study a core curriculum of marketing, entrepreneurship and philanthropy starting in elementary school.

In May 2007, Wilson quarterbacked one of the largest fundraisers held in Calgary - a joint 50th birthday party with 12 other community leaders - raising over $3 million for awareness and support of prostate cancer. Also in 2007, he co-Chaired the David Foster Foundation event in Calgary which raised over $3 million for families of children requiring organ transplants. In 2009, the Foster event won an award for Best Event Produced for a Non-Profit from the Special Events Magazine International Gala Awards He is now helping out the Tomorrow Project - the largest research study ever undertaken in Alberta, the goal of which is to discover more about what causes cancer, so that it may be prevented in the future.

He is active on profiling and funding research into the issue of domestic abuse, and has funded the Wilson Centre for Domestic Abuse Studies at the Calgary Counselling Centre. He is a supporter of the Canadian Olympic Swim Team and made a significant donation toward the men’s 2008 Beijing relay team training. He also supports the sport of volleyball having bought and extensively upgraded the Rally Pointe volleyball centre in Calgary.

Wilson also organizes two annual events which over the past decade have raised millions of dollars for charitable causes. His summer Garden Party has supported diverse charities including Right to Play, Little Warriors, Boomer's Legacy, 777 Run For Sight, and Dare to Care. His annual Christmas celebrations also features both prominent and up-and-coming Canadian talent, and generate donations to the Calgary Veterans' Food Bank as well as goodwill with local women's shelters.

One of the proudest moments of his life was being invited to Afghanistan in the fall of 2010 where he spoke to Canadian troops in various operating bases and enjoyed the privilege of serving Thanksgiving Dinner to troops at a Forward Operation Base on a line staffed by General Walter Natynczyk, Defence Minister Peter MacKay, NHL legend Guy LaFleur and celebrated actor Paul Gross.

A passionate supporter of Canada's troops, in March 2011, Wilson co-organized Operation: Western Front, a gala corporate dinner to honour the selfless service of our Canadian troops and raise funds for military members and their families. All funds raised were directed through the True Patriot Love Foundation.

While the cause was very serious, Wilson and his long-time colleague, Warren Spitz, wanted to make the event itself fun. The Vancouver Convention Center was converted into a Forward Operation Base, and guests experienced a "Night in a Kandahar" mess tent. A patrolling helicopter hovered outside the ballroom to let guests - who were mingling with cocktails - know it was time to take their military-style dinner trays to the mess line. In addition to the expected black-tie and cocktail dress, guests were invited to wear the colours and style of the military - including camouflage gear.

Described by observers as "one of the most spectacular gala evenings ever to hit Vancouver" the event included many emotional tributes to the fallen in Afghanistan, by a host of artists and entertainers, and included a spirited auction, featuring KISS front man Gene Simmons. The evening raised close to $1.5 million for military families and veterans in need.

A much more extensive list of his philanthropic relationships can be found on his personal website.

Personal

Wilson was married to his engineering classmate Pamela Janzen in 1981. They divorced in 2001. They have three children - currently 20, 24 and 26.

Selected Awards

• Canada’s Top 40 under 40 - Caldwell Partners (1997)
• Top 20 Deal Makers in Canada - Globe & Mail (1999)
• Top 10 list of M&A specialists in Canada - Globe & Mail - (2000)
• Management Alumni Excellence (MAX) Award, University of Calgary, Haskayne School of Business (2003)
• International Legacy of Honour, Young Presidents Organization - recognizing the global YPO leader who best exemplifies commitment to excellence in business, community orientation and the ideals of YPO (2004)
• Spirit of Giving Award - Association of Fundraising Professionals (2005)
• University of Calgary Top 40 Alumni (2006–2007)
• Calgary’s Person of the Year - Avenue Magazine (2007)
• University of Saskatchewan Alumni Award of Achievement (2007)
• University of Saskatchewan Top 100 Alumni (2007)
• Distinguished Lecturer, CJ Mackenzie Banquet, University of Saskatchewan College of Engineering (2008)
• Business Person of the Year - Alberta Venture Magazine (2008)
• Nation Builder Award - Canadian Youth Business Foundation (2009)
• Honorary Doctor of Laws, Royal Roads University (2010)
• One of Calgary's Top 10 New Mavericks (2010)
• City of Calgary Signature Award – for bringing significant recognition to Calgary (2010)
• Appointment to the Order of Canada (2011)

External links

• W. Brett Wilson