Michael Burns
Fall 2017 Honorary Degree Recipient
Doctor of Laws (honoris causa)
Canadian business leader Michael Burns has spent years working to help lighten the load for soldiers and military veterans and their families. His philanthropic leadership as co-founder of the True Patriot Love Foundation has resulted in millions of dollars raised to improve the health and well-being of military personnel and veterans. And as CEO of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017, Mr. Burns has provided an even bigger platform for celebrating the spirit, drive and determination of soldiers and veterans from around the world.
Mr. Burns has more than 20 years of leadership experience in marketing, financial services, entrepreneurship, and technology, having served as president of two investment management companies, in vice-presidential roles at others, and as a co-founder of firms in both the wealth management and e-commerce sectors. Most recently, Mr. Burns worked as Vice-President, Corporate Development of AudienceView, an industry leader in intelligent ticketing and e-commerce.
Mr. Burns took a leave of absence from AudienceView to serve as CEO of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017, the largest international adaptive sport competition in the world for wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and veterans. His work with the True Patriot Love Foundation has raised more than $23 million to support soldiers and veterans’ programs for mental health, physical rehabilitation, career transition, and family services.
Mr. Burns is Chair of the Michael Garron Hospital Foundation Board (formerly the Toronto East General Hospital Board Foundation) and helped lead the team that secured the largest gift ever made to a Canadian community-teaching hospital. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Toronto venues Roy Thomson Hall and Massey Hall. Among the awards and honours Mr. Burns has received are the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service.