Meet QSB's Five new Advisory Board members
Andrew Dunin,BSc’83 andMBA’87Andrew Dunin, BSc’83 and MBA’87, graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering and joined Rockwell International as a Manufacturing/Quality Engineer. He served in a variety of engineering and management roles at Rockwell and also earned an MBA from Queen’s.
In 1989, Andrew invested in his own automotive parts business, growing it from 50 employees in one location to more than 2,000 employees in 12 locations throughout North America. The sale of the business in 2000 was one of the largest private equity transactions in Canada. Through Bracebridge Investments and the Dunin Foundation, Andrew continues to invest in a variety of businesses and charities.
Jim Leech, MBA’73Jim Leech, MBA’73, is President and CEO of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan where he oversees the management of the pension fund and the administration of pensions for 271,000 current and retired teachers in Ontario.
He joined Teachers’ in 2001 to lead Teachers’ Private Capital and succeeded Claude Lamoureux as President and CEO in 2007. Under his leadership, Teachers’ Private Capital became one of the world’s leading private equity investors. Before joining Teachers’, he was President and CEO of Unicorp Canada Corp. and Union Energy Inc. Jim serves on the boards of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd., CTV globe media, Cadillac Fairview, Toronto General and Western Hospital Foundation, Right To Play and the Stratford Festival. See his profile in the winter 2008 issue of Inquiry magazine, available online at Alumni & Donors section.
Sharon Ranson, BCom’80Sharon Ranson, BCom’80, is principal of The Ranson Group, an executive coaching firm that helps successful business people zero in on what is most important to them in their professional and personal lives. She transitioned to this role after 20+ years in the financial services industry as a respected portfolio manager and managing director of a major investment dealer. She brings a wealth of hands-on corporate and entrepreneurial experience to her coaching practice.
Sharon is a member of the International Coaches Federation, has an MBA in Finance from York University and is a Chartered Accountant. She sits on the Board of Directors of a Canadian chartered bank and Integra, a non-profit organization serving children with learning disabilities.
Donald Michael Robinson Donald Michael Robinson has served as CEO and President of CARA Operations since 2006. CARA is the largest integrated restaurant company in Canada, with brands such as Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s, Kelsey’s, Montana’s and Milestone’s.
Don’s 30-year career in general management and marketing began at Nabisco Brands and led to 23 years with Mars, renowned for global brands such as Mars Bars,
M&M’s, Uncle Ben’s Rice, and Pedigree Dog Food. Don’s tenure with Mars included service in Latin America and the Asia Pacific prior to his becoming CEO of Mars in Canada.
CARA is a major recruiter at Queen’s School of Business, and Don is a proud Queen’s parent.
Bob Wardrop, BCom’79Bob Wardrop, BCom’79, is Managing Director responsible for the European investments of Anschutz Investment Company, Anschutz Corporation. Anschutz owns several sports and entertainment properties (LA Lakers & Kings, O2 Arena in London) and a number of well-known US companies (Union Pacific Railway, Qwest
Communications, Regal Cinemas). Bob is also Co-CEO of Luxembourg based DAM Capital, providing debt financing to mid-size companies.
Bob started his career with Proctor & Gamble in 1979. In the 1990s, he led projects in the international satellite industry, including founding Digital Media Networks, a provider of satellite data services to retailers across North America. Bob received his MBA from the University of Chicago.