George A. Cohon O.c

Biography

Mr. George A. Cohon, O.C., O.ont., B.Sc., J.D., Ph.D., founded McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited in November 1968. In 1967, Mr. Cohon moved to Toronto as the Licensee of McDonald's Corporation for Eastern Canada. He served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited until July 1992. He spearheaded the opening of McDonald's in the former Soviet Union. He serves as Co-Chairman of the Toronto Santa Claus Parade. He has been an Independent Director of Astral Media Inc. since December 14, 1984. He serves as a Director of Royal Trust Corporation of Canada, Mcdonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited, Royal Trust Company and several not for profit organizations. He was a Director of RBC Financial Group of Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company since 1988. Mr. Cohon served as a Director of Royal Bank of Canada from June 1, 1988 to February 29, 2008. For five years, he served as a Director of Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corporation. He is the founding patron of Ronald McDonald Houses and Founder of Ronald McDonald Children's Charities in Canada and in Russia. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1992. He served as its Senior Chairman of McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited. He has played an active and prominent role in numerous charitable organizations. In 1998, he was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. He is the author of his best-selling autobiography, To Russia With Fries. Mr. Cohon has received many awards for his business and philanthropic achievements in Canada and internationally.

Research Interest

Management