Arlene Dickinson, 2016 Concordia Honorary Doctorate

Arlene Dickinson is one of Canada’s most respected business leaders, and is at the forefront of the country’s entrepreneurial movement. Originally born in South Africa and raised in Calgary, Arlene got her start in business by joining Venture Communications in 1988. In ten short years, she took sole ownership of the agency and grew it from a small, local shop in the Prairies to one of the nation’s largest independent marketing and communications firms. Between Venture’s offices in Calgary and Toronto, her team of marketing professionals maintain a blue- chip client list, including the likes of Toyota, Scotiabank, and Tourism Calgary.
In 2014, Arlene decided to focus Venture on helping entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial organizations. This repositioning led to the addition of several new clients to Venture’s roster, like MaRS Innovation, FYIdoctors, and SoCIAL Lite Vodka.
After receiving a number of honours, including Calgary Business Owner of the Year, PROFIT Magazine’s Top 100 Women Business Owners, the Pinnacle Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence, and Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100, Arlene was asked to become a venture capitalist on the hit CBC show, Dragons’ Den. Over the course of eight seasons, she’d demonstrate her business savvy by making several successful investments, and become a household name in Canada.
In 2014, Arlene set out to create an organization that helped entrepreneurs succeed, so she left the den to open the District Ventures Accelerator. With a focus on innovative companies in the CPG industry, District Ventures is the first accelerator of its kind in Canada. In just six months, District Ventures has connected its members to over 1000 hours of mentorship with industry leaders, over $1 million in capital funding, and a handful of national distribution deals. Arlene is also the CEO of YouInc.com, an online platform that connects entrepreneurs to resources and celebrates the entrepreneurial lifestyle.
She is the author of All In and Persuasion, two national best-selling books, that provide a humanizing perspective on the professional and personal lives of entrepreneurs. Her leadership has been recognized by the Royal Canadian Navy, who named her an honorary Captain, and her business acumen has garnered her honorary degrees from Mount Saint Vincent University, Saint Mary’s University, and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.
Arlene sits on the Leadership Council of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, and several boards including the Omers Venture advisory board. She is a proud recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
When Arlene isn’t on the lookout for the next great Canadian idea, a quick scan of her Instagram reveals a love for travel, fashion, and her five grandchildren.

Видео Arlene Dickinson, 2016 Concordia Honorary Doctorate канала Concordia University