More than 400 members of Canada’s business community gathered at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel on October 22 to celebrate Kathleen (Katie) Taylor as the 2025 recipient of the Ivey Business Leader Award. The signature annual event raised $620,000 to support scholarships for outstanding Ivey Business School students.
Connection, trust, and mentorship
In her address, Taylor reflected on a lifetime of leadership shaped by connection, trust, and mentorship.
“Almost every meaningful outcome we pursue in life takes shape with the support of those around us,” she said. “Personal growth demands exposure to people with unwavering values and diverse perspectives. Great leadership is cultivated through mutual trust. And happiness is deeply rooted in our sense of belonging with those who believe in us.”
Taylor, one of Canada’s most accomplished executives, spoke about the importance of empathy, mentorship, and learning from others.
“The key is to seek guidance whenever and wherever you can, and then take some calculated risks,” she said. “Hear from people who have done it before, and perhaps from those who got there in a different way.”
The Ivey Business Leader Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of business in Canada and who demonstrate leadership in both business and community life.
Career highlights and industry impact
Taylor’s distinguished career spans multiple industries. She currently serves as Chair of Altas Partners, Element Fleet Management, and Mattamy Asset Management and is the former Chair of the Royal Bank of Canada. Earlier in her career, she was President and Chief Executive Officer of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, where she guided the company’s expansion into a global luxury brand.
A Member of the Order of Canada, recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, and Chancellor of York University, Taylor also chairs the Board of Trustees of the Hospital for Sick Children and continues to champion initiatives that advance women’s leadership and equity in the workplace.
Her extensive board work also includes The Adecco Group, Air Canada, The Cabot Collection, and the C.D. Howe Institute, among others, reflecting the trust and respect she has earned throughout her career.
Inspiring the next generation of leaders
Taylor joins an esteemed list of past Ivey Business Leader Award honourees whose influence extends well beyond their own organizations.
Her remarks served to remind business leaders that success depends on investing time in others, building trust, and creating lasting relationships that help others grow.
“Relationships have made my world go round, broadening my outlook, widening my aperture, and taking me places that were unexpected and even unimaginable,” said Taylor.
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