Stephen Leahey

Doctor of Civil Law

Stephen Leahey was born and raised in Pugwash Nova Scotia and received an Engineering degree Saint Mary's in 1964 and the Technical University of Nova Scotia. In 1966 he graduated with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Queens? University. He joined Bell Canada in the Plant Department rising to Divisional construction Manager in Toronto. Subsequently he held five Vice-Presidential postings in Economics, Systems Development, Corporate Performance, Quality and Strategic Planning. He left Bell in the 80?s and started his own companies specializing in the strategic use of communications and in quality management.

He was under contract with the Manitoba government in the economic development field enhancing the Province?s information and telecommunications infrastructure. He was also the founding President of the Manitoba Innovation Network, a non-profit company supported by all levels of government, whose mission it is to accelerate Manitoba?s move into the information economy. Over a period of 30 months he increased the budget of the Manitoba Innovation Network from $20K to $650K, while attracting more than 60 members and sponsors. Upon leaving Winnipeg, he was presented with an Honorary Citizen Award by the Mayor for his contributions to the City.

He has taught strategic planning at McGill University, conducted research at the University of Montreal, and sat for a number of years as a director of the Executive Development Program at Williams University. His past directorships include the American Productivity and Quality Centre, the Canadian Workplace Automation and Research Centre, the Canadian Healthcare Telematics Corporation, the EDI Council of Canada, TRLags, the Canadian Electronic Commerce Committee and Positron Fiber Systems. For the last three years, he has sat on the board of Directors for the Museums of Nova Scotia and the Board of the Northumberland Golf club. He is also the founding Chairman of the Pugwash Peace Exchange, and founding President of the Pugwash Estuary. Recently, he even released a book, Stories from the Lobster Fishery of Cumberland?s Northern Shore. The profits from this work all go to the North Cumberland Historical Society.