Red Wilson, Business Executive

The Importance and Relevance of Teaching Canadian Business History

Mr. Wilson will speak about the importance of teaching history in Business Schools in order to provide context for business decisions. He will describe why he and four others contributed $3 million to establish the Wilson Currie Chair in Canadian Business History. This will include the glaring omission of historical knowledge in management education in Canada. He will note the importance of business history knowledge to helping making strategic decisions for future success.  Red Wilson is Chairman of the Wilson Foundation and Chancellor Emeritus of McMaster University. He has had a distinguished career in both the public and private sectors.  Founding Co-Chair, Historica Canada.

Lauren Epstein, Director of Investments, Epstein Enterprises

Don’t know the past? You may be doomed to repeat it.

Business is both hard and full of opportunity. Those who came before us can teach us and lead us if we know their history. It is essential to learn Canadian business history as a person in Canadian business in order both to avoid the same mistakes as others and to understand and leverage the rich context in which we interact.

Joe Martin, Director of Canadian Business History, Rotman School

No Business in History, No History in Business.

My paper will explore the lack of business content in the teaching of Canadian history. It will then go on to explore the lack of interest in history in the business community and in business schools.