Dr. M. Elizabeth Cannon, a member of the Board of Directors of the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) is one of five people to be inducted into the 2022 Alberta Business Hall of Fame’s southern Alberta class.
Cannon will be inducted to the Hall of Fame by Junior Achievement Southern Alberta on June 1 along with fellow Calgary business leaders Wayne Chiu, Trico Homes, Eleanor Chiu, Mount Royal University, Nancy Knowlton, Nureva Inc. and the late Charlie Fischer, Nexen Inc.
Cannon is a professional engineer who served as president and vice-chancellor of the University of Calgary from 2010 to 2018. She is now president emerita. During her tenure at UCalgary, she greatly expanded the university’s connection to the business community including initiatives like the OCIF-supported Life Sciences Innovation Hub.
The 2022 inductees more than doubles the number of women in the Hall and Cannon told the Calgary Herald she hopes it paves the way for others. “Seeing women being recognized I think inspires others,” she told the Herald. “It’s been important in my life and hopefully it sends a signal that women are making a difference in our city and beyond.”
“Elizabeth embodies the vital connection between the academic and business worlds and how that intersection can drive progress in society. She brings an invaluable perspective to all of the OCIF Board discussions and is deeply deserving of this honour,” said OCIF Board Chair Mark Blackwell. “On behalf of the OCIF Board, I extend my sincere congratulations.”