Leonard Asper was born on May 31,1964 and is a Canadian businessperson, entrepreneur and lawyer.
14 Facts About Leonard Asper
1.
2.
Leonard Asper was president and CEO of Canwest from 1999 through its bankruptcy in 2010.
3.
Leonard Asper is the son of the late Izzy Asper, founder of CanWest Global Communications Corp.
4.
Leonard Asper is the younger brother of Gail Asper and David Asper.
5.
Leonard Asper is a graduate of Brandeis University and the University of Toronto Law School, and is a member of the Ontario Bar Association and The Law Society of Upper Canada.
6.
In 1994, Leonard Asper took over the role of corporate development for Canwest.
7.
In 1999, Leonard Asper became CEO of Canwest while leading its acquisition of Western International Communications.
8.
In 2001, Leonard Asper was named "CEO of the Year" by Playback, a media industry publication for the Canadian television and film production community.
9.
Leonard Asper stepped down as Canwest CEO on March 3,2010, to participate in a competing bid in partnership with Goldman Sachs and Catalyst Partners, which was ultimately rejected by the court, paving the way for Shaw to acquire the broadcast assets.
10.
In September 2010, Leonard Asper formed Sygnus Ventures, established to invest in and nurture digital media companies.
11.
Leonard Asper served on the Board of Trustees of Brandeis University for five years, during which time he founded the Leonard Asper Center for Global Entrepreneurship atBrandeis International Business School.
12.
Leonard Asper currently serves on the board of overseers of Brandeis IBS.
13.
Leonard Asper served for five years on the board of the University of Winnipeg Foundation and holds an honorary doctorate in laws from that institution.
14.
Leonard Asper is the vice chair of the Leonard Asper Foundation and a member of the board of governors of the Saul and Claribel Simkin Center, a seniors' housing complex in Winnipeg.