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Canadian Business Leader Awards Make a Splash in Calgary
Thursday, September 11 | An evening in celebration of two Western Canadian industry giants
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On Thursday, September 11, members of Canada’s business community gathered in Calgary to celebrate two exceptional Western Canadian leaders: Rich Kruger and Jay Westman.
The evening was a vibrant tribute to leadership, legacy and community — with no shortage of fun along the way. Guests enjoyed an inspiring program filled with meaningful connections, heartfelt tributes, and a standout performance from a local Calgary band, The Swingsetters.
Our Canadian Business Leader Lifetime Achievement and Business Leader of the Year awards honour executives who lead with impact, not only driving business excellence but who also leave a lasting impact on their communities and the Canadian economy.
The evening was guided by our President and CEO, Candace Laing, who reminded attendees that, “we need to be bold, we need to stay united, and we need to lean into what is necessary to to push the dial forward on Canada’s prosperity”.
Rich Kruger, Canadian Business Leader of the Year Honouree
Rich Kruger is a highly regarded leader in the Canadian energy sector, known for his strategic clarity, ability to drive results, and a healthy dose of competitiveness. Since joining Suncor in April of 2023, Rich’s priorities have been to increase the organization’s focus on the fundamentals and improve overall performance – and he has. Suncor’s progress has been widely noticed, including inclusion on both TIME Magazine and Forbes Global 2000 best companies lists this year, ranking above all other Canadian oil and gas producers.
Rich brings nearly four decades of global energy experience, including deep expertise in the Canadian oil sands. His leadership style is rooted in successfully driving a strong performance culture focused on safety, reliability and operational excellence, with a proven track record of enabling companies to deliver exceptional financial results and returns to shareholders.
Before joining Suncor, Rich served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Imperial Oil Limited from 2013 until his retirement in 2019. Rich Kruger’s return to the industry has been marked by decisive action and measurable impact, making him a standout leader who continues to shape the future of Canada’s energy landscape.
Jay Westman, Canadian Business Leader Lifetime Achievement Honouree
Jay Westman is a highly respected Canadian entrepreneur, visionary leader, and philanthropist, widely recognized for his remarkable contributions to the homebuilding industry and his ongoing commitment to community development. As the co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Jayman BUILT and JWI Investments, Jay launched the company in 1980 alongside his late father and mentor, Al Westman. Since then, he has guided Jayman BUILT to become one of Western Canada’s most prominent homebuilders, earning the prestigious title of Builder of the Year in Alberta 25 times.
Jay’s commitment to innovation extends far beyond the building industry, particularly in the realm of environmental sustainability. In 2005, he was instrumental in bringing Built Green to Canada, promoting eco-friendly building practices. Through the Westman Charitable Foundation, he has contributed millions of dollars to causes that resonate with him, such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research, ending homelessness and educational initiatives. His philanthropic efforts include a $3 million donation to MS research and $5 million to the University of Calgary’s Westman Centre for Real Estate Studies. Jay’s charitable efforts extend to organizations like Calgary Health Trust, which received $2.4 million, and the Mustard Seed, which was given $1.4 million, along with his contributions to the Resolve Homelessness Campaign, which totaled over $70 million in funds raised through Jayman BUILT and other prominent Alberta builders.
Entertainment was provided by the Swingsetters, a talented local group that has become a fixture at this event over the past three years. We are very grateful to the members of Calgary’s business community who joined us to celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s honourees. We would also like to thank Ferrari Canada for providing a show-stopping addition to our gala’s decor as a special treat to our honouree, Jay Westman.
We would like to extend a special thanks to the BMO Centre and all of our event sponsors.
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