Peter Lougheed Leadership Initiative announces founding leaders

Edmonton, Alberta, April 14, 2014 -- Canada’s 19th prime minister and an internationally renowned authority in design, leadership and innovation will serve as the founding leaders of the Peter Lougheed Leadership Initiative.

Former prime minister, the Rt. Hon. Kim Campbell, joins the University of Alberta as founding principal of the Peter Lougheed Leadership College. The inaugural vice-president of The Peter Lougheed Leadership Institute at The Banff Centre will be Dan Buchner, an award-winning designer with more than thirty years’ experience as a VP and Director of leadership and innovation programming at globally-focussed organizations such as Moen, Continuum, and the Center for Creative Leadership.

The college and institute are the two components of the Peter Lougheed Leadership Initiative, a collaboration between the U of A and The Banff Centre where students and leaders from around the world will receive a one-of-a-kind learning experience to enhance their present skills and inspire positive change for the future.

“These two highly-qualified, experienced individuals truly define leadership. Their talents will inspire creative collaboration and challenge both institutions to be innovative and exceptional in the programs they develop,” said John Ferguson, chair of the Peter Lougheed Leadership Initiative advisory board. “I couldn’t be more pleased with the selections, which reflect our aspirations to create the best leadership development program in the world.” 

Ms. Campbell and Mr. Buchner will lead the development and delivery of programs offered by their respective institution, and will also oversee the collaboration between the college and institute, a key aspect of the Peter Lougheed Leadership Initiative.

“It is a great honour to join the University of Alberta and serve as founding principal of an academic program bearing the name of one of Canada’s greatest leaders, the late Hon. Peter Lougheed,” said Campbell. “Peter Lougheed himself once said, ‘Strive for the extraordinary,’ and that is exactly our aim—to deliver an extraordinary learning experience that inspires a new generation of students and leaders.”

“Leading the Institute at The Banff Centre is a wonderful opportunity to work with innovators, entrepreneurs and artists in a collaborative, inspirational environment.  I am excited by the potential of what we will create together to benefit leadership in the educational, Indigenous, arts and culture, social and business sectors,” said Buchner.

The Peter Lougheed Leadership Initiative took a major step forward in March 2014 when the Government of Alberta committed $70 million in funding over the next 10 years in the provincial budget. 

“This institute will create the leaders our province needs for the future,” said Premier Dave Hancock, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education. “Former Premier Lougheed would be proud to be associated with this important institute. The University and The Banff Centre have created something special here through a partnership that will benefit students for years to come.”

Announced in September 2013, the Peter Lougheed Leadership Initiative recognizes former premier Peter Lougheed’s strong passion for education, teamwork and community, and honours his teamwork and legacy in making our province stronger for all Albertans.   

At the University of Alberta, the Peter Lougheed Leadership College will include a dedicated leadership program along with access to leadership development courses and other learning opportunities for a broad, inclusive community of undergraduate students and scholars from all faculties and disciplines. 

At The Banff Centre, the Peter Lougheed Leadership Institute will develop current and emerging leaders who are focused on building strong communities, influencing positive change at a system wide level, and shaping a better world.  The Institute’s global summits, interdisciplinary programs and incubation residencies will match Banff’s inspirational environment with collaborative thinking and cutting-edge creative and business practices.

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About The Banff Centre: The Banff Centre's mission is inspiring creativity. Thousands of artists, leaders, and researchers from across Canada and around the world participate in programs at The Banff Centre every year. Through its multidisciplinary programming, The Banff Centre provides them with the support they need to create, to develop solutions, and to make the impossible possible. Moving forward, the Centre will disseminate the art and ideas developed in Banff through initiatives in digital, web, radio, and broadcast media.