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view . spring 2012
RICHARD PEDDIE
His experience as president and CEO of Maple
Leaf Sports and Entertainment has given UWindsor
alumnus Richard Peddie
BComm ’70, LLD ’01 great
insight into entrepreneurialism, leadership and innovation.
A new initiative of the Odette School of Business will
extend the influence of the recently retired executive.
The Richard Peddie Leadership Initiative launches with
$750,000 in initial funding raised by Dr. Peddie’s colleagues
and friends on his retirement from Maple Leaf Sports &
Entertainment Ltd., owner of signature Toronto sports
franchises including hockey’s Maple Leafs, basketball’s
Raptors, and soccer’s Toronto FC, as well as the Air
Canada Centre, Ricoh Coliseum, and BMO Field.
The initiative includes three key elements:
• The Centre for Leadership Competency
Measurement, dedicated to the measurement and
development of leadership competency for Odette
School of Business students
• The Leader-in-Residence Program, where Peddie will
be the first in a series of resident leaders who will
deliver guest lectures, be available for small group
mentoring, and generally participate as members of
the Odette School of Business
• The Richard Peddie Invitational Speaker Series, a
major annual event to feature top experts on the
subjects of leadership, management and success
measurement
Peddie’s previous recognition from the University
includes the Clark Award in 1998, an honorary doctorate in
2001 and the Alumni Award of Merit in 2009.
Leadership by example
Richard Peddie
BY KEVIN JOHNSON
He served as the Odette School of Business executive-
in-residence in 2002, when he developed and delivered a
leadership course. He has been instrumental in supporting
the Odette Business School debate team, which has
enjoyed success in competitions across North America.
High school students from across Windsor participate
in the annual Richard Peddie Invitational Debating
Competition.
The Odette School of Business formally introduced
the project during a Breakfast with Champions event in
the Odette Building on January 25. Peddie discussed the
dynamics of a winning team, drawing on insights garnered
from his three decades of senior executive roles.
For more information about the initiative, please visit
