ALBERTA, CANADA—Today the Business Council of Alberta (BCA) is proud to announce that one of Canada’s most experienced leaders in finance, energy, and governance—Mac Van Wielingen—will be the next Chair of the Council, transitioning from the founding Chair, Hal Kvisle.
“Hal has made an extraordinary leadership contribution to the corporate sector in Canada, and as the inaugural Chair of the Business Council of Alberta, and we thank him for it. We are grateful for his vision in helping create the Council and leadership in building it to what it is today,” notes Adam Legge, President of the Business Council of Alberta. “With his unique expertise in strategy and governance, we are extremely fortunate to have Mac take on this leadership position at this significant moment for our province.”
Mac Van Wielingen is an investment management executive, corporate director, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, and he has been called “Calgary’s corporate radical” for his progressive thinking and unique grasp of corporate leadership, governance, and strategy.
“My focus will remain on enhancing the long-term economic and social prosperity of all Albertans,” says Mac Van Wielingen. “We are at a critical juncture where we need our top leaders in business, government, and society to be thinking deeply and strategically about how we chart a prosperous course for both our province and country.”
“We face many critical issues from the future of energy and resource development, the realities of the ESG movement, the need for economic recovery, diversification and fiscal sustainability and more, all of which require profound leadership now. I’m proud to take on the role of Chair for this Council of diverse Alberta businesses, and to work together as leaders for collective purpose,” says Van Wielingen.
Mac Van Wielingen’s contributions to the business community of Canada are immense. He is the founder and chair of Viewpoint Group, and co-founder of Viewpoint Investment Partners. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Institute for Corporate Directors and is a member of the Chart the Future Committee sponsored by ICD and TMX Group. Mac also serves on the Alberta Economic Recovery Council (ERC) and co-founded the Canadian Centre for Advanced Leadership at the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. Previously, Mac served as Chair of Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo), founded, and remains partner, of ARC Financial Corporation, and is both founder and former chair of ARC Resources Ltd. Mac is one of the founders of the Business Council of Alberta, and has served as Vice Chair since its inception.
“I am honoured to be handing the Chair role over to Mac, who is a longtime friend of mine, and has been a strong advocate for the business community and people of Alberta for as long as I’ve known him,” remarks departing Chair, Hal Kvisle. “Back when we were first discussing the need for a Business Council in Alberta, Mac was a strong supporter of bringing businesses together to advance policy issues that would make life better for Albertans, which became the purpose of the Council. Working alongside Mac, I know that the Council is in good hands with him as the new Chair.”
Mac Van Wielingen will be taking over as Chair starting January 1, 2022, with members of the Council learning of his appointment at BCA’s November 17 General Council Meeting. In addition to his appointment, the Council is looking to welcome several new directors to the Board of Directors in early 2022.
Over its first three years the Council has grown from a fledgling organization to one of the most productive policy organizations in Canada, now representing the Chief executives of over 110 major Alberta businesses. The Council regularly establishes Task Forces to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing Alberta and contributes policy on a wide range of issues from skills and training, to childcare, agriculture, technology, energy, fiscal policy, and more.
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About the Business Council of Alberta. The Business Council of Alberta is a non-partisan, for-purpose organization dedicated to building a better Alberta within a more dynamic Canada. Composed of the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of the province’s largest enterprises, Council members are proud to represent the majority of Alberta’s private sector investment, job creation, exports, and research and development. The Council is committed to working with leaders and stakeholders across Alberta and Canada in proposing bold and innovative public policy solutions and initiatives that will make life better for Albertans.