SCHOOL of BUSINESS

Allard Chair in Business

For more than three decades, the Allard Chair in Business, in partnership with the Allard Foundation, has upheld Dr. Charles Allard’s vision to recognize a distinguished businessperson and community leader, and to provide students and faculty members an opportunity to meet an inspiring role model.

Individuals selected for this honour possess exemplary business acumen, demonstrate remarkable leadership skills and have made significant contributions to the community. We proudly continue to celebrate excellence in business with the addition of our 35th Allard Chair in Business.

Allard Chair in Business, 2021

cameron naqvi

Cameron Naqvi

President of Cameron Corporation

Cameron Naqvi graduated with a bachelor of science degree in construction engineering from Arizona State University and a construction engineering diploma from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). He began his career in the U.S. as a real estate representative for Safeway. Upon his return to Canada in 1999, he joined Cameron Corporation and has held various leadership roles until becoming president in the summer of 2018.

Mr. Naqvi plays an integral part in setting the strategic direction of the privately held family company, which has grown and expanded into residential land, mixed-use, multi-family residential, home building and industrial development. Cameron Corporation is one of the most active real estate developers in western Canada and is responsible for over eight million square feet of commercial development, over 2,100 lots of residential development, over 500 multi-family residential units and more than 600 homes.

Naqvi has been and continues to be involved in several industry-related boards and committees, and holds the Institute of Corporate Directors, Director (ICD. D) designation. He is an active member of the Urban Development Institute, the International Council of Shopping Centres, Entrepreneurs Organization and YPO (Young Presidents' Organization). He currently serves on the Board of Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Edmonton, the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y), Al-Baqir Academy School and the Canadian Mental Health Association Housing Committee.

In 2005, Naqvi received the Spirit of NAIT Award in recognition of success early in his career. He was also honoured with the Business in Edmonton 2015 Leaders Award recognizing people in the business community who contributed to making Edmonton a great city. In 2018, Naqvi and his family won the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Naqvi has been married for over 20 years and has four sons who keep him active.

Celebration event

Cameron Naqvi was presented the 35th Dr. Charles Allard Chair in Business award at a celebration on February 10, 2022.

About Dr. Allard and the Allard Chair in Business

In 2013, Alberta Venture profiled Edmonton’s Dr. Charles A. Allard as one of the five greatest Alberta entrepreneurs, arguably one of the greatest in Canadian history.

Dr. Allard was a man of many talents: a surgeon, broadcaster, property developer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. A member of the Canadian Business Hall of Fame, he had very diversified business interests, including Canadian Western Bank, Seaboard Life, ITV (now Global Edmonton), Crosstown Motor City, and the Edmonton Oilers. Dr. Allard left an indelible mark on his community and continues to do so with a legacy of caring. In 1985, he established the Chair in Business honorary teaching award at the School of Business.

Dr. Allard’s vision was an award that would not only recognize a distinguished business and community leader, but would give students and faculty an opportunity to meet one-on-one with an inspiring role model. The Chair in Business program continues to be supported through the Allard Foundation.

The Story of Dr. Charles Allard

Dr. Charles Alexander Allard (1919-1991), a man who demonstrated tremendous vision throughout his professional career as both a doctor and businessman. He carried his vision through diverse experiences, including radio and television broadcasting and as well as one of the original owners of the Edmonton Oilers, then the Alberta Oilers of the World Hockey Association. As a philanthropist, innovator, and entrepreneur, Allard made major contributions to the medical and business fields – and to our community as a whole.

Allard graduated from the University of Alberta as a Medical Doctor and post-graduate studies in Montreal and Boston. Allard practiced medicine specializing in surgery at the Edmonton General Hospital.

Allard created Allarco Developments, a public conglomerate, which included Northwest Trust, Crosstown Motor City and International Jet Air. He founded the Northwest International Bank and co-founded The Canadian Western Bank.

In 1965, Allard became involved in broadcasting, establishing the first independent television station in western Canada, CITV. His company, Allarcom Limited, drew worldwide attention to Alberta, through the Celebrity Concert series and SCTV comedy television series.

Founder of CANCOM, Canadian Satellite Communications, Dr. Allard finalized the sale of his broadcast conglomerate including television stations CITV and CKRD, Allarcom Pay Television (Superchannel) and 50% of The Family Channel to WIC, in March 1991.

Allard was also a diplomat of The American Board of Surgery throughout his professional career, and a member of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and a lifelong supporter of Junior Achievement. The Allard Foundation still provides generous support for charities and arts organizations in the community.

The Chair in Business program connects the business leaders of today with our students. MacEwan University School of Business has had the privilege to welcome these outstanding business leaders into our classrooms to inspire and ignite passion for careers in business.

Naseem Bashir, 2020
Tom Redl, 2019
Teresa Spinelli, 2018
Dr. Ray Muzyka, 2017
Nicole Bourque-Bouchier, 2016
Simon O’Byrne, 2015
Dave Mowat, 2014
Dale Wishewan, 2013
Bill Comrie, 2012
Irv Kipnes, 2011
Liz O’Neill, 2010
Art Meyer, 2009
Diane Brickner, 2008
Robert Rosen, 2006-07
Ruth Kelly, 2005-06
Harry Buddle, 2004
Larry E. Anderson, 2002-03
Nizar J. Somji, 2001-02
Hon. Jim Edwards, 2000-01
Cheryl Knebel, 1999-00
Audrey Luft, 1998-99
Gary Ford, 1997-98
Gary Elliott, 1996-97
Laural Manegre, 1995-96
Martin McConnell, 1994-95
Margot Franssen, 1993-94
Stanley A. Brown, 11992-93
Sherry Ruteck-Orr, 1991-92
John R. McDougall, 1990-91
Barbara Rae, 1989-90
Donald Stanley, 1988-89
Mark Blumes, 1987-88
Jerry Goodis, 1986-87
Hugh Hardie, 1985-86