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May 2012 Honorary Degree Recipient

Doctor of Laws (honoris causa)

Ms. Annette Verschuren is an outstanding business leader, a dedicated volunteer and a Cape Bretoner who has never forgotten her roots.

We are honoured to welcome her and her family today.

Ms. Verschuren is one of five children born to Dutch immigrants. She grew up on a dairy farm in Cape Breton. Her sister, Dorothy Tennant, described Annette as a loving sibling and a girl of action with a zest for life.

When, as youngsters, their father had a heart attack, Annette and her older brother took on the responsibility of milking the cows in the morning and at night. It was a job that they would continue to do long after their father recovered.

Speaking of her sister, Dorothy said: 鈥淪he never would shirk work and she always was also a big dreamer....She was a dreamer with the doing....Nothing could stop her. She never believed in, 鈥榶ou can鈥檛 do something.鈥� She always believed you could and she always did.鈥�

That belief, combined with business acumen and a tireless work ethic, has taken Annette Verschuren far. During 15 years as president of The Home Depot Canada, she saw the company grow from 19 to 180 stores. On the international stage, she was charged with bringing The Home Depot into China. And, before sharing her leadership gifts with The Home Depot, Ms. Verschuren was president and co-owner of Michaels of Canada.

Just this year, Ms. Verschuren became Executive Chair of NRStor Incorporated, an organization focused on energy storage. In a press release, she said: 鈥淚 have a reputation for building things, but never have I been so excited about the possible outcomes. Energy storage is the missing link to creating a more viable renewable energy sector and satisfying the global crisis of rising electricity demand 鈥� all the puzzle pieces exist and NRStor is going to put them together.鈥�

She has also channelled her energies, and those of others, to support Cape Breton University鈥檚 Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment.

Ms. Verschuren extends her advocacy into the community, as well. She is conference chair of the 2012 Governor General鈥檚 Canadian Leadership Conference, which starts in Halifax in June. The conference website includes an exchange with Ms. Verschuren about leadership. When asked 鈥淲hat are the qualities of an exceptional leader in today鈥檚 world?鈥� She answered, in part: 听

鈥淚 think any exceptional leader is ambitious and results oriented, but I think the qualities that really make them exceptional are their genuineness, curiosity and respect for all people. Their ability to listen, their ability to bring teams together with common goals and common action plans 鈥� those are the qualities that make exceptional leaders today. I think people that can adapt and respond quickly to changes in their workplace, changes in policy, changes in society 鈥� I think those qualities are critical to exceptional leadership. I would also say that leaders today also need to be greater risk takers; being too comfortable and going with the herd is not necessarily a great leadership quality.鈥�

Ms. Verschuren has shared her counsel and insights with many 鈥� from the federal government to corporations. She is actively involved in charitable work, making a difference for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity Canada, Volunteer Canada and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

She is an Officer of the Order of Canada and holds honorary degrees from Mount Saint Vincent University and St. Francis Xavier University, her alma mater. She is chancellor of Cape Breton University and an inductee of the Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame and Canada鈥檚 Marketing Hall of Legends.

In a story announcing her as 2005 recipient of the Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year Award by the Retail Council of Canada, council president and CEO Diane Brisebois said:

鈥淢s. Verschuren epitomizes the values of exceptional leadership in the areas of business, humanitarian and charitable activities. She is a true champion of continuous improvement, and her positive attitude motivates those around her.鈥�

For her professional and personal leadership and inspiration to others, I ask you, Mr. Chancellor, in the name of the Senate, to bestow upon Ms. Annette Verschuren the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

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