Lougheed legacy to inspire generations of dynamic leaders

Edmonton, Alberta, September 11, 2013 -- The Banff Centre and the University of Alberta will honour the legacy of one of Canada’s most respected citizens and leaders, the late Hon. Peter Lougheed, through a joint leadership initiative named in his honour.   

The Peter Lougheed Leadership Initiative will inspire and mentor emerging, current and next-generation leaders whose skills and vision will have a lasting impact on Alberta and beyond.  

The initiative honours the legacy of Alberta’s 10th premier, whose visionary leadership transformed a province into an engine of economic prosperity, innovation and creativity. It is the only project to which the Lougheed family has lent his name since his passing one year ago.  

“My father was deeply passionate about Alberta and devoted all his energy to working with Albertans to build a vibrant society that would be prosperous, now and into the future. Our family is proud of these achievements and even prouder still that my father’s legacy will continue to inspire the next generation of leaders with similar passions for making the world a better place,” said Stephen Lougheed, Peter’s son.  

The Peter Lougheed Leadership Initiative will build on the respective leadership development strengths of the University of Alberta and The Banff Centre through shared programming and academic collaboration.  

“It is an incredible privilege for the University of Alberta to be jointly entrusted with stewarding the name and the legacy of Peter Lougheed, one of our most beloved alumni, who from his early studies at the university exhibited remarkable leadership qualities,” said Indira Samarasekera, University of Alberta president. “Developing the leadership abilities of our students is fundamental to the academic mission of the U of A—students like Peter Lougheed whose skills and vision can change the world.“  

The Peter Lougheed Leadership Institute at the Banff Centre will build upon their 60-year legacy of leadership development through renewed programs that focus on building enhanced capacity for community governance, creativity and entrepreneurship. The institute will also offer new programming for non-profit and community leaders that foster social innovation and enterprise, and nurture creative entrepreneurs.  

“The Peter Lougheed Leadership Initiative will further the goal that Peter Lougheed pursued his entire life—the creation of a strong, inclusive and vibrant society in which every individual has the opportunity to thrive. It will equip leaders who want to change the world with the skills to do so,” said Jeff Melanson, president of The Banff Centre.  

“I know Peter was extremely proud of both these organizations, and he would be incredibly excited by the potential impact of this collaboration,” said John Ferguson, founding chair of the advisory board for the initiative. “He left a legacy as big as all Alberta, so it is fitting that this initiative will span the province and extend so powerfully into its future.”

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