2012 Bay Street Hockey Tournament Magazine - Toronto General ...

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PROCEEDS FROM THE bAy stReet hockey TOURNAMENT WILL HELP FIND THE ANSWERS TO HEART DISEASE
2012 TOURNAMENT PRESENTED BY:
IN CONvERSATION WITH…MR. jIM LEECH
Serving on the Board of Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation since 1996,
Mr. jim Leech is President and Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.
He has led large public companies operating and investing in the financial services, real estate
and energy industries, as well as start-up technology businesses.
theTICKER
asked jim to share his thoughts
on philanthropy, his involvement
with TGWHF and which team
is going to take home the
Stanley Cup this year…
What was your experience with “giving” growing up? What was your aha moment when it came to embracing
philanthropy as a way of living?
My first experience was with UNICEF boxes on Halloween!
I also remember community food drives organized by churches in My aha moment was the realization that I could make a
my neighbourhood. As a teen and young adult it was less about difference. It came shortly after I joined the Board of a struggling
giving money and more about volunteering.
theatre company in Toronto. Although I knew nothing about
theatre, I discovered I had some skills and knowledge that were
transferable and could have impact- it was then that I saw that
What influence did your parents play in your “giving”?
I could make a difference.
Both my parents and later the military, always encouraged
volunteering in the community – “community service”.
My first big commitment was coaching children’s sports
teams starting when I was twenty years old.
How do you choose where to give?
For the past 30 years I have always tried to support through
volunteer time four activities at the same time: Education;
Healthcare; Arts; and International NGO. My largest financial
commitment has been to the United Way of Greater Toronto.