John Simpson and his family donated $2.5 million to the Leadership and Student Engagement initiative. (Photo by Riley Brandt)
John Simpson, the CANA Group of Companies president and director, makes no bones about what it takes to get to the top. And he should know—after all, how many company presidents can count being a champion equestrian rider and former Olympian among their list of achievements?
“To become a leader, you have to believe in yourself. You have to be able to visualize and say this is what I can do; this is what I can be,” says Simpson.
Head of the firm that built many of the city’s iconic landmarks and the university’s new Taylor Family Digital Library, Simpson learned that being a successful leader boils down to hard work, mentors to look up to and the fortitude to recover from failure.
“In riding, I learned how to win. Then I learned how to lose. And then I learned how to win again.”
With his family’s gift of $2.5 million to the University of Calgary’s Leadership and Student Engagement initiative, Simpson hopes to help others get up and stay on that proverbial horse. This three-year pilot program, which launched last fall, centralizes and co-ordinates all leadership activities on campus into one shop. The only one of its kind in Western Canada, it will provide undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to gain the personal and professional leadership skills they need through training and mentorship programs, community service learning, and other support throughout their university careers. Already, more than 15,000 students have participated in some aspect of the program.
“I truly believe a university leadership program like this one will help graduating students take on the tasks and challenges they will face in the working world,” he says.
He credits his parents for inspiring the leader he is today—driven, determined and not afraid to roll up his sleeves to get the job done right.
Simpson’s mother, Mary, was instrumental in his life, particularly for her unwavering support during the tough times. And from his father, Jack, he learned about vision, recognizing opportunity and believing in all possibilities.
“My dad was very driven and he drove me,” he recalls. “He taught John Simpson how to believe in John Simpson.”
