Today, the Ivey Business School is pleased to announce that Kathleen (Katie) Taylor has been named the 2025 Ivey Business Leader Award recipient. The esteemed executive and corporate leader will be recognized at a gala dinner in Toronto on October 22, 2025, where she will address notable members of Canada’s business community.
Taylor has had a distinguished career spanning multiple industries. She currently serves as Chair of Altas Partners and Element Fleet Management and is the former chair of the Royal Bank of Canada and a former director of CPP Investments. She is also the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, where she played a pivotal role in expanding the firm’s global portfolio over her almost 25 year career.
Beyond her corporate leadership, Taylor is deeply committed to philanthropy and advancing equity in business. She chairs the Board of Trustees of the Hospital for Sick Children, is the Former Chair of the SickKids Foundation. She is also a Founding Visionary of The Prosperity Project and has been inducted into the Hall of Fame of WXN’s Canada’s Most Powerful Women. A Member of the Order of Canada, she is a recognized advocate for early childhood education and the advancement of women in the economy, and has repeatedly been ranked among Canada’s most powerful business leaders. In 2025, Taylor received the King Charles III Coronation Medal recognizing her contributions to Canada, specifically her years of service as chair of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference.
"Katie Taylor is an exceptional leader whose impact extends far beyond the boardroom," said Julian Birkinshaw, Dean, Ivey Business School. "From global hospitality to financial services to philanthropy, her leadership has shaped some of Canada’s most prominent organizations. Taylor’s commitment to governance, innovation, and social impact makes her an exemplary choice for this year’s Ivey Business Leader Award."
Taylor’s extensive leadership experience includes multiple board roles. She is currently the vice chair of The Adecco Group, a director and incoming chair of Mattamy Asset Management, and a director of Air Canada, where she chairs the Human Resources, Compensation, and Pension Committee. She is also chair of the board of The Cabot Collection and co-chair of the C.D. Howe Institute’s Human Capital Policy Council. Additionally, Taylor is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council of the Schulich School of Business and serves as Chancellor of York University.
She holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Toronto. She has also received Honorary Doctorates of Laws from York University, McGill University, Trent University, and the University of Toronto, as well as an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Mount Saint Vincent University and an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Huron University College.
"Katie Taylor represents the very best of Canadian business leadership," said Dominique Fortier, MBA ’96, Global Managing Partner, Financial Services at Heidrick & Struggles, and co-chair of the Ivey Business Leader Award Committee. "Her track record of success across industries and her deep commitment to strengthening Canadian business and society set her apart as a role model for leaders at all levels."
Fortier and Anthony Ostler, MBA ’97, President & CEO, Canadian Bankers Association, jointly chair the Ivey Business Leader Award, which will be presented at a gala dinner at the Royal York Hotel on October 22, 2025. Proceeds from this year’s event will support Ivey Business Leader Scholarships, helping deserving students achieve their academic and professional aspirations.
Taylor joins an esteemed list of past Ivey Business Leader Award recipients, all of whom have demonstrated leadership in both business and their communities.
About the Ivey Business School
The Ivey Business School (www.ivey.ca) at Western University is Canada's leading provider of relevant, innovative, and forward-thinking business education. Drawing on extensive research and real-world knowledge, Ivey faculty utilize novel experiential learning techniques to equip graduates with the skills and capabilities they need to tackle the critical issues and leadership challenges in today's complex business world. Ivey offers world-renowned undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as Executive Education at campuses in London (Ontario), Toronto, and Hong Kong.
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