As chair of the University of Waterloo's Board of Governors and chair of Campaign Waterloo, Harding has made significant contributions to the life of Waterloo, while managing a successful business career.
As a young man, Harding chose the accounting profession on advice from his father, who said the world would always need accountants. He chose Waterloo because of its co-op program. Harding's work terms helped him secure a position with Deloitte & Touche in Toronto upon graduation.
He earned his CA designation in 1981 and later joined Hees International Bancorp Inc., where he eventually became chief executive officer. When Hees merged with Brascan Corporation, he became chair. Today, he is chair of Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
Harding was honoured as one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40 in 1996 and was elected a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in March 2000. The University of Waterloo granted him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2005.
Harding has also served as a trustee for the United Way of Greater Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Toronto Mayor David Miller appointed Harding co-chair of the city's Strong Neighbourhoods Task Force. In 2002, Harding was awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for his community service.
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