Jim Leech receives Ontario Chamber’s 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award

(TORONTO – October 31, 2024) – The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) today announced that Jim Leech, former CEO of the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan and Chancellor Emeritus of Queen’s University, has earned its 2024 Ontario Business Achievement Award for Lifetime Achievement. Each year, the Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a businessperson who demonstrates leadership in a particular Ontario industry that has a significant positive impact on the province and beyond.

“Jim Leech’s transformational business and community leadership is a superb example of what the Ontario Chamber celebrates with its Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the OCC. “From his role in the dramatic growth of one of the world’s largest pension plans to his philanthropy and non-partisan public service at Queen’s University, UHN and the MasterCard Foundation and government advisory roles, Jim’s leadership has a long legacy – one that we honour today.”

A distinguished Canadian business leader, military officer and philanthropist, Leech is the former President and CEO of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, renowned for his transformative impact on the pension fund industry. During his tenure at Teachers’, the plan ranked first in the world for investment performance and service to members and eliminated its funding deficit, all to the benefit of Ontario’s 350,000 active and retired teachers as well as provincial taxpayers. As one of the architects of the Canadian pension model, Leech’s counsel continues to be sought by pension practitioners worldwide.

During his decades of service at the UHN Foundation, Leech participated in raising over $2.5 billion to enhance medical research in Ontario. At Queen’s University, he served almost 30 years in governance roles, culminating in over two terms as Chancellor. As Chair of the Mastercard Foundation, he oversaw transformative investments in the livelihoods of youth in Africa and in Canada’s First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities.

The Jim Leech MBA Scholarship has given deserving students the opportunity of an advanced business education and through the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship, he has allowed students and recent graduates in Africa to develop entrepreneurial skills and build their own ventures.

Leech’s many advisory roles include assignments with successive Ontario governments concerning restructuring pensions and operational effectiveness, and advising the Prime Minister of Canada on creating the Canada Infrastructure Bank. Leech’s commitment to education, exemplified by his tenure at Queen’s University and co-authorship of The Third Rail: Confronting Our Pension Failures, underscores his dedication to fostering financial literacy and sustainable pension solutions.

“I want to thank OCC for this tremendous honour which I share with the many talented colleagues, friends and family who have supported me over so many years. I am fortunate that every endeavour and challenge I have undertaken in my lifetime has led to personal growth and so much enjoyment.” said Leech. “It is particularly gratifying to be so recognized by the Ontario Chamber which has been an indispensable partner for businesses for over a century. Their continuing advocacy is essential for the prosperity of our province.”.

The Ontario Business Achievement Awards (OBAAs) is one of the most distinguished industry celebrations recognizing business success in the province. The televised Lifetime Achievement Award episode will celebrate Leech’s inspiring 45-year military and business career and his leadership in the charitable and not-for-profit sectors.

Watch the 2024 OBAAs this Fall on TLN TV. The televised Lifetime Achievement Award will air on November 16/17 and is supported by our series presenting partner, CN and broadcast partner, TLN Media Group. To learn more about the broadcast and our partners, visit the OBAAs website.

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, non-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC’s mission is to convene, align and advance the interests of its members through principled policy work, value-added business services and broad engagement to drive competitiveness and sustainable, inclusive economic growth in Ontario.

About Queen’s University 

Queen’s University has a long history of scholarship, discovery, and innovation that shapes our collective knowledge and helps address some of the world’s most pressing concerns. Home to more than 25,000 students, Queen’s offers a comprehensive research-intensive environment. Diverse perspectives and a wealth of experience enrich our students and faculty while a core part of our mission is to engage in international learning and research.

In 2024, for the fourth year in a row, Queen’s University ranked in top 10 globally of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, securing the position of 8th worldwide and 2nd in North America. The rankings measured over 2,100 post-secondary institutions from 125 countries on their work to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

For more information, please contact:

Andrea Carmona 
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
Senior Manager of Public Affairs
andreacarmona@occ.ca | 647-234-0255

Julie Brown
Queen’s University
Media Relations Manager
julie.brown@queensu.ca | 343-363-2763