Commitment to Community

Board member Edward Kennedy is a natural fit for Canada’s History Society. Chair of the Stories Campaign, which aims to raise $5 million, Edward has been an outstanding volunteer, raising significant funds and highlighting what Canada’s History Society has given and continues to give to people all over our country.

“Canada’s National History Society is the national advocate for our history,” Edwards says. “We see a Canada where people connect with their shared past to help build a more cohesive, inclusive and vibrant country for all. As we explore our complex histories more deeply and Canada becomes more diverse, we believe that the time has never been more important to invest in this vision.”

Born and raised in the northern Manitoba community of The Pas, Edward attended high school as a boarding student at St. John’s-Ravenscourt in Winnipeg. He holds an Honours Degree in Business from the Ivey Business School at Western University and a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. His wife, Stella, also attended the Ivey School and earned an Honours Degree in Business. A Chartered Professional Accountant, Stella worked in financial services in Toronto before moving to Winnipeg with Edward. The couple has four children: Grace, Teresa, Simone, and Daniel.

Edward began his career with The North West Company in 1989 as Chief Operating Officer of North West and then Chief Executive Officer of the Alaska Commercial Company. Returning from Alaska in 1997, he accepted the role of President and CEO of The North West Company. He transformed the historic business into the multifaceted, complex organization it is today, while maintaining an unwavering focus on the well-being of its customers.

It’s that same commitment to social initiatives and community-support programs that made social responsibility integral to North West’s identity. Edward emphasized the health and well-being of communities, implementing programs resulting in better access to healthy food and improvements to the environment, as well as funding for active-living opportunities such as nutrition classes, sport programs and running clubs.

Edward is a past board member of Canada West Foundation, the World Presidents’ Organization, and the Associates of the Asper School of Business as well as a member and past officer of the Business Council of Manitoba. He is a past Chair of the Winnipeg United Way Campaign and is a past board member of several other for-profit and non-profit organizations. He currently participates on advisory committees for the United Way and the Build Winnipeg Partnership Taskforce. Not surprisingly, Edward has received several national industry and community recognitions over his career.

Today, Edward continues to advocate for community well-being as President and CEO of Eskay Partners Limited — an advisory and private capital enterprise — and CEO of Livlite Co. a Vancouver based zero-waste e-commerce grocery business.