Arianna Huffington recipient of the 2018 International Distinguished Entrepreneur Award
Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post, founder and CEO of Thrive Global is the recipient of the 2018 International Distinguished Entrepreneur Award (IDEA).
Ms. Huffington received the award at the gala dinner held in Winnipeg’s RBC Convention Centre on June 12, 2018.
Ms. Heather Reisman, Chief Executive Officer of Indigo, 2003 IDEA honouree and a University of Manitoba Honorary Degree recipient, presented Ms. Huffington with the gold IDEA medallion, which is custom designed and cast by the Royal Canadian Mint.
Huffington also spoke to University of Manitoba students at the Asper School of Business the morning of June 12 in Drake Centre, Fort Garry campus, giving them advice on how to be successful in business without burning out.
“The University of Manitoba is honoured to recognize the vision and achievements of Arianna Huffington,” says University of Manitoba President and Vice-Chancellor David Barnard. “She is an inspiration to all of us who seek to balance professional success and happiness with societal impact.”
President and Vice-Chancellor, David Barnard with Arianna Huffington at IDEA Dinner
Since 1984, the University of Manitoba and its Associates of the Asper School of Business have presented the International Distinguished Entrepreneur Award to outstanding entrepreneurs who have made an exemplary contribution to global economic life.
“Arianna is an accomplished author, entrepreneur, and innovator whose insights and advice are sought by governments and corporations around the world. We are excited that she will be sharing her experiences and global outlook with the students, faculty, and supporters of the Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba.” says Arni Thorsteinson, Chair of the IDEA Committee and President of Shelter Canadian Properties Limited.
Arianna Huffington launched The Huffington Post in 2005. The news site quickly became one of the most widely read, linked to, and frequently cited media brands on the Internet, and was subsequently acquired by a media conglomerate. Last year, she launched Thrive Global, the behaviour change media and technology company with the mission of changing the way we work and live by ending the collective delusion that “burnout” is the price we must pay for success. Some of the 15 books she has authored have dealt with this issue, including one of her latest bestsellers, Wonder and The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night At A Time.
Originally from Greece, she moved to England when she was 16 and graduated from Cambridge University with a master’s in economics. At 21, she became president of the famed debating society, the Cambridge Union. Later, Time magazine declared her one of the world’s 100 most influential people and Forbes placed her on its Most Powerful Women list.
“We at RBC partner with the University of Manitoba Business School Foundation and the Asper School of Business year after year because of the tremendous role they play in our province in inspiring and facilitating business education excellence,” shares Kim Ulmer, RBC Regional President. “We also support the IDEA Gala year after year because it honours those who choose to lead a life that is both extraordinary and meaningful while lighting the way for others to follow. Arianna Huffington is such an inspiring example of female empowerment and as someone who time and again uses her voice to influence the conversation while demonstrating the entrepreneurial spirit through action.”
Arianna Huffington joins past distinguished IDEA recipients including, last year’s recipient David Foster, Albert D. Cohen, Israel H. Asper, Richard Branson, Paul Desmarais, Akio Morita, Ross Perot, Heather Reisman, Dame Anita Roddick, Gerald Schwartz, Stu Clark, David Thomson, Linda Hasenfratz and Prem Watsa.
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