Renison University College has appointed one of Waterloo's top business leaders as its ninth chancellor
Renison University College has appointed one of Waterloo's top business leaders as its ninth chancellor.
Manfred Conrad, CEO and founder of The Cora Group Inc., succeeds the Right Reverend Ralph Spence, who has served since 2008. The installation ceremony will take place May 7, at Renison's Founders' Day service and convocation. Renison is an affiliated college of the University of Waterloo.
“I am honoured to be invited to step into the role as chancellor of Renison University College,” said Conrad. “As a member of the Board for the past seven years, I have been able to witness the importance of the education Renison provides at the community, national, and international level and look forward to continued growth in the future.”
Conrad is a founding member of Communitech. He supports many initiatives and institutions within our community including The Conrad Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology Centre at Waterloo, the Manfred and Penny Conrad Institute for Music Therapy and Research at Wilfrid Laurier University, and the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts.
Born and raised in Germany, Conrad came to Canada in 1963. He established The Cora Group Inc. in 1978 and spearheaded it to become one of Waterloo Region’s largest commercial real estate development companies. A leader in the community, he has served on many boards, including the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra, the Four Points Church, and Realex Properties Corporation. He is also a long-time supporter of the German-Canadian Business and Professional Association, past member of the Kitchener Downtown Business Association, and current member of Renison University College’s Board of Governors.
“With Manfred Conrad’s proven commitment to higher education and to furthering educational and community initiatives, we are delighted and proud to have him as the chancellor of Renison University College,” said Wendy Fletcher, Renison's principal and vice-chancellor. “His great capacity for systematic analysis and strategic thinking along with his ability to build relationships across a diverse sector of local and global communities will be critical as we plot our course into the next chapter of growth at Renison.”
In 2009, Conrad received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Waterloo for his outstanding business and philanthropic community leadership. Renison inducted Conrad as an Honorary Senior Fellow in 2013 in recognition of his work in the spirit of volunteerism, service and the community. He was inducted into the Waterloo Region Entrepreneur Hall of Fame in recognition of the positive impact that his business excellence has had on the community and economy in the Region of Waterloo.
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Manfred Conrad will be installed as Renison University College's ninth chancellor in May.
