I was happy to see Aldea Landry inducted into the JA Business Hall of Fame last night. She’s not a traditional candidate – someone who built a large and successful business in New Brunswick – but she has had an impressive business career. After politics she started several businesses, was an investor, sat on numerous business boards, was the first woman to Chair APEC, sat on the Bank of Canada board, and the list goes on. She was deliberate about having a dynamic and successful career and she was successful.
She had mentoring women as a common thread throughout her career. She was a trailblazer herself and wanted to raise up other women leaders.
I was particularly struck about her comments relating to women and what she called their complicated relationship with ambition.
Anyway, I am always looking for the next generation of transformative business leaders – I am more interested in the next 20 years than the last 20 years.
Ran into Dave Grebenc on the way out of the dinner. Dave is co-owner of Innovatia – up to 500 staff now. In 15-20 years, it will be him and Roxanne up there getting their accolades.
Now I need to find the other 499 or so that will be needed if we are to strengthen our economy.
Aldea is a deserving recipient of this award. Her work in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors has certainly earned her a place in the NB Business Hall of Fame.