Canadian Business Leader Award Recipients
CBLA recipients are individuals who have demonstrated leadership, business acumen and success, an entrepreneurial spirit, integrity, and a commitment to the community.
2024 Recipient
We are proud to introduce Gregory E. Abel ('84 BCom), who currently serves as vice-chair of non-insurance operations for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (since 2018), where he oversees a diverse set of businesses. He also serves as chair for Berkshire Hathaway Energy (since 2011), where he has previously held several key positions, including CEO from 2008 to 2018 and president from 1998 to 2018. As a global holding company, Berkshire Hathaway Energy has interests in energy and real estate, primarily in the U.S., Canada and Great Britain. He is on the board of directors for several organizations, including Berkshire Hathaway as well as The Kraft Heinz Company.
Gregory E. Abel is vice-chair of non-insurance operations for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and the recipient of the 2024 Canadian Business Leader Award.
Previous Recipients
2023 Recipient
Dave Filipchuk
President and CEO
PCL
2020 Recipient
Don Wheaton
President and CEO
Wheaton Group of Companies
2019 Recipient
Steve Williams
President and CEO
Suncor Energy Inc.
2018 Recipient
Nancy Southern
Chair and CEO
ATCO Ltd. and Canadian Utilities Limited
2017 Recipient
Elyse Allan
President and CEO
GE Canada
2016 Recipient
Monique F. Leroux
Chair of the Board, President and CEO
Desjardins Group
Other Recipients
- 2015 Larry Pollock
- 2014 Dave Lede
- 2013 Pat Daniel
- 2012 Allan Markin
- 2011 Darren Entwistle
- 2010 Gordon M Nixon
- 2009 Hal Kvisle
- 2008 Tony Franceschini
- 2007 Dominic D'Alessandro
- 2006 Jim Pattison
- 2005 Ross Grieve
- 2004 Clive Beddoe
- 2003 Gwyn Morgan & David O'Brien
- 2002 Brian MacNeill
- 2001 John Roth
- 2000 Rick George
- 1999 Gerald J Maier
- 1998 Maureen Kempston Darkes
- 1997 Eric P Newell
- 1996 J. E. (Ted) Newall
- 1995 JR Shaw
- 1994 Richard Haskayne
- 1993 Robert Stollery
- 1992 George A. Cohon
- 1991 Laurent Beaudoin
- 1990 Maxwell W. Ward
- 1989 A. Jean de Grandpré
- 1988 Rhys T. Eyton
- 1987 Stanley A. Milner
- 1986 Walter F. Light
- 1985 Ronald D. Southern
- 1984 John E. Poole
- 1983 Dr. G. R. A. Rice
- 1982 Francis G. Winspear