At the Helm Jeff Orr’s ‘75 Journey After Loyola
As President and CEO of Power Corporation of Canada, Jeff Orr ‘75 stands among the most respected business leaders in our country. Leading one of Canada’s largest companies, he has helped steer Power Corporation’s evolution into a global financial services leader, serving over 40 million clients worldwide and managing $3.5 trillion in assets across North America, Europe and Asia. Yet beyond the boardrooms and balance sheets lies a foundation of principle and purpose, one formed decades ago at Loyola High School. After Loyola, Jeff continued his education at John Abbott College and the Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario, before entering the financial services industry. He began his career at BMO Nesbitt Burns, later acquired by the Bank of Montreal, where he spent 20 years, ultimately becoming Chair and CEO. He joined the Power group in 2001 where he served as CEO of Investors Group and Power Financial before being appointed to his current role. He believes effective leadership in business is about treating people with the same values as you would treat your family or close friends. “The only real differentiator in business over time is people and culture,” he explains. “By fostering a culture based on respect, honesty and fairness, you attract and retain the best people and create the most effective teams”. Jeff remembers his very first class at Loyola with English teacher Pat Dubee, who along with Dan Russell and many other teachers, made a lasting impression. Although he didn’t know it at the time, Loyola taught him how to think critically and instilled in him the importance of living by a strong set of values. Loyola’s emphasis on values re-enforced what Jeff learned at home. “My mom would continually say to
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LOYOLA HIGH SCHOOL