Canada’s Toughest Generals Discuss and Debate Leadership

The General Rick Hillier Leadership Institute Presents its Inaugural Event in Toronto on November 12th, 2009.

General Rick Hillier will Present his Powerful Leadership strategies and experiences and then discuss and debate Leadership with Brian Burke the President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The session will be moderated by Neil Hulsman of the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business.

Brian Burke
President & General Manager, Toronto Maple Leafs

brianburkeBrian Burke was named the President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 29, 2008. The 53-year-old Burke became the 13th General Manager in Maple Leafs history and brings over 20 years of National Hockey League experience in various roles to the franchise. Since taking over the Maple Leafs, the club finished the 2008-09 regular season with a record of 27-26-7.

Most recently, Burke served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Anaheim Ducks from 2005 to 2008. In just over three seasons in Anaheim, Burke guided the Ducks to their first Stanley Cup (2007), first Pacific Division title (2007), and first-two 100+ point seasons (2006-07 & 2007-08). The Ducks also qualified for post-season contention in all three seasons, winning six-of-eight playoff series over that span.

Burke received two outstanding honours in the summer of 2008. On June 6, he was chosen by USA Hockey as General Manager of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team, and was named a recipient of the 2008 Lester Patrick Award for outstanding service to hockey in the United States on August 7. Burke is also the General Manager of the 2009 USA World Championships Team.

Burke was ranked No. 1 by The Hockey News in the magazine’s Annual GM Rankings in March of 2008, and was a finalist for The Hockey News Executive of the Year in 2006. He was named the Sporting News Executive of the Year in 2001, and was a runner-up for the same award following the 2005-06 season.

Burke joined the Ducks after a six-year stint (1998-2004) as President and General Manager of the Vancouver Canucks where he revitalized the team and the community en route to consecutive 100+ point seasons and the 2004 Northwest Division title. Under Burke’s leadership, the Canucks improved their point total in four consecutive years from 1999-2003.

Since the 2000-01 season, Burke’s teams have qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs seven times, playing in 13 total postseason series. In addition, those seven clubs recorded at least 90+ points, including four 100-point seasons.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island and raised in Edina, Minnesota, Burke was named the Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations by the Vancouver Canucks in June of 1987. Burke left Vancouver to serve as General Manager of the Hartford Whalers for one season in 1992, before joining the NHL front office as Senior Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations in September of 1993. Some of his duties with the NHL included acting as chief disciplinarian by ruling on violations for on-ice player conduct, and working closely with Commissioner Gary Bettman on league direction and collective bargaining matters.

After earning his Bachelor of Arts in History from Providence College in 1977, Burke signed with the Philadelphia Flyers prior to the 1977-78 season and won a Calder Cup Championship with the Flyers’ American Hockey League affiliate the Maine Mariners. He then returned to school and graduated from Harvard Law in 1981. Burke practiced law in Boston for the next six years, representing professional hockey players until joining the Canucks in 1987. Brian resides with his wife Jennifer and has six children: Katie, Patrick, Brendan, Molly, Mairin and Gracie.

Gen (ret.) Rick Hillier
Former Chief of the Defence Staff for Canadian Forces

generalrickhillierIn over three decades of service to his country, General Rick Hillier has remobilized support of Canadian troops, worked closely with Prime Ministers, increased Canada’s significance within NATO, and solidified Canada's reputation on the world stage. In this time of War, under enormous public scrutiny, Hillier has, time and again, made the tough but needed decisions. In terms of leadership, in terms of diplomacy, in terms of strategy, he has few peers.

Gen. Hillier has commanded troops around the world, including NATO Forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and was appointed Commander of the Army and Commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan, in 2003. Called a man of "trademark passion and urgency" by the CBC, the straight-talking Hillier has just left his post as Chief of the Defence Staff -- the highest ranking position in the Canadian Forces. For thousands of soldiers, he was a hero, a soldier's soldier," and for millions of Canadians, he was the public face of the military during this eventful and tumultuous time in its history.

General Hillier was promoted to his present rank and assumed duties as the Chief of the Defence Staff on 4 February 2005.

General Hillier and his wife have two sons, a daughter-in-law, and two grandsons. General Hillier enjoys most recreational pursuits but, in particular, runs slowly, plays hockey poorly and golf’s not well at all.

He retired from the Canadian Forces in July 2008.

Summary of Some of Toronto's major events: