David Aisenstat
President & CEO, The Keg Steakhouse & Bar
A leading Canadian businessman and philanthropist, David Aisenstat’s main day job is selling steaks. In addition to owning and running The Keg Steakhouse & Bar, Canada’s premier casual dining brand, he also has a collection of other restaurants including Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar, Ki modern japanese + bar, The Shore Club, and Gotham Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar. David has been involved with the restaurant business for virtually his entire life, and his passion for it is plain to see.
Perhaps what most sets David apart in his industry is his ability to attract and retain talented people. In a business that is well known for an unusually high turnover of both management and staff, David’s people stay. The fact that The Keg has been named as one of Canada’s 50 Best Employers by ROB Magazine for the last 7 years in a row is a testament to the kind of culture that David helps to create within his restaurants and among his management and executive teams. That spirit and energy in turn enhances the experience of the more than 1 million guests who visit his restaurants each month.
David also has a passion for art and design that is evident in the look and feel of the restaurants that he operates. From the stunning urban patios in the downtown Kegs in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal, to the cutting edge design of Ki, David’s attention to every detail, except the budget, guarantees it will be done right. This keen interest in art and design is reflected in his role as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Vancouver Art Gallery, one of Canada’s most highly regarded cultural institutions.
A key element in all of David’s businesses is a strong focus on giving back. This is most clearly evident in The Keg Spirit Foundation, which was established in 2001 to commemorate The Keg’s 30th anniversary. The Foundation focuses on helping charitable organizations that aid in the development and mentorship of young people, something that The Keg has been doing for many years with the thousands of young people who are hired annually. The four million dollars that has been distributed since The Keg Spirit Foundation’s inception is certainly a source of pride to David and, in fact, to all Keggers. Most importantly, the Foundation has encouraged and inspired thousands of young staff to reach beyond themselves and give back to those less fortunate in their communities and around the world.
W. Brett Wilson
Chairman, Prairie Merchant Corporation
W. Brett Wilson is one of Canada’s most successful businessmen and respected philanthropists. A high profile Calgarian who proudly wears the label “maverick”, Brett is one of the founding partners of Calgary’s FirstEnergy Capital Corp. He helped turn an intrepid start-up into the energy industry’s leading investment bank, which has brokered thousands of financings and M&A deals worth over $150 billion. Brett’s instincts for investing in the right people have also translated into major holdings in the energy, agriculture, real estate, sports, and entertainment industries, financed through his private investment bank, Prairie Merchant.
His personal charisma and small-town charm have gained him a national audience, a platform he uses to inspire his brand of “prairie ethics” – focused on personal integrity, a commitment to community, and work/life balance. Brett uses his own larger-than-life story to illustrate what he has learned about the real meaning of success.
A self-described “capitalist with a heart”, Brett spends almost as much time giving money away as he does earning it. With an innovative approach to philanthropy, he has given – and engaged others to give – tens of millions to non-profit initiatives.
According to Alberta Venture Magazine, who named Brett Business Person of the Year in 2009, “he is single-handedly redefining the meaning of success in work-and wealth-obsessed Calgary.” His commitment to excellence and innovation has not only revolutionized the business sector in which he operates, but the community in which he lives, inspiring others to see how they can leave an equally unique mark on the world.