MacEwan University's School of Business welcomes Cameron Naqvi, president of Cameron Corporation, to the honorary teaching position that recognizes a distinguished business and community leader.
Individuals selected for the Allard Chair in Business possess exemplary business acumen, demonstrate remarkable leadership skills and have made significant contributions to the community. Students and faculty members will have the opportunity to meet with Naqvi during classroom visits, lectures and special events.
“I’m so pleased to welcome Cameron Naqvi as MacEwan’s 35th Allard Chair,” says Dr. Annette Trimbee, president and vice-chancellor. “An esteemed member of the business community, Cameron’s work as an urban and commercial developer brings a significant local perspective and strengthens our connection as Edmonton’s downtown university.”
Past luminaries include Bill Comrie, Simon O'Byrne, Teresa Spinelli, Irv Kipnes and Naseem Bashir. Each has brought something unique and personal to their experiences as Allard Chair, and Cameron Naqvi, president of Cameron Corporation, is no exception.
"Cameron is a perfect fit as our 35th Allard Chair in Business for many reasons," says Dr. Craig Kuziemsky, interim dean of the School of Business. "MacEwan prides itself on being a place that is built on relationships that are developed through engagement with people and communities. In Cameron’s role as president of Cameron Corporation, he has been instrumental in helping build many of the communities around Edmonton. But Cameron also appreciates that relationship building starts with people. When I first spoke with Cameron to offer the Allard Chair, he told me that his father considered Dr. Charles Allard to be his mentor, and he sees the chair as an opportunity for him to mentor tomorrow’s societal leaders. A builder who starts with people and relationships is an ideal Allard Chair in Business."
About Cameron Naqvi
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 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.