Speakers

Isadore Sharp is Founder and Chairman of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. The first Four Seasons, a 125-room motor hotel in Toronto, was built and opened in 1961 after the company was founded by Mr Sharp the previous year. He has since authored a book (2009) detailing the history and philosophy of the company entitled "Four Seasons: The Story of a Business Philosophy". As a graduate in architecture from Ryerson Institute of Technology he previously worked for his father, Max Sharp, in the construction business. 

 

Mr Sharp is also an Honorary Director of Scotiabank, Director of Clairvest Group Inc and very active within the community. As Director of the National Terry Fox Run he initiated the corporate sponsorship programme supporting the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope and is Founder of the annual Terry Fox Run programme. He also acts as Director of Canadian Unity Council, Governor of the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews, Honorary Officer of the Board of Directors, Mount Sinai Hospital and was the first recipient of the Ruth Hartman Frankel Humanitarian Award for work on behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society, 1983. 

 

He holds positions within the U.S. Travel Hall of Leaders, U.S. Travel Association, 2010 and Companion to the Order of the Canadian Business Hall of Fame, 2008 (first inducted in 1998) and his most recent awards include Marketing Hall of Legends Visionary Award, 2008, Lifetime Achievement Award, International Hotel Investment Fund, 2009 and Ivey Business Leader Award by the Ivey Alumni Association/Toronto, 2006.