Mountain Equipment Co-Op (MEC) is the overall winner of The Conference Board of Canada/Spencer Stuart 2008 National Awards in Governance, for its implementation of a sustainability strategy to ensure its short and long term success. MEC was the winner of not-for-profit sector category.
“Our view is that governance is good for business and creates value for all stakeholders,” said Anne Golden, President and CEO of the Conference Board and co-chair of the awards program. “This is obviously true of our overall winner, Mountain Equipment Co-op, which incorporates a sustainability strategy into all aspects of its business and governance, writ large.”
“Leadership is required to achieve important things, and each of these winners has demonstrated this to an impressive degree,” said Andrew MacDougall, President of Spencer Stuart Canada and co-chair of the awards program. “Superior governance, more than processes and rules, is about the long-term success and sustainability of the enterprise.”
MEC, the member-owned retail co-operative of outdoor equipment, apparel and services, was recognized for its social and environmental leadership. The nine-member board of directors has focused on establishing sustainability as a hallmark for which MEC is recognized. Given the nature of MEC's products, the board recognized that successfully achieving sustainability would ultimately give the organization a competitive advantage
Among the other winners, RBC was selected for the award in the private sector category. The University of Alberta received the award in the public sector category. In addition to the overall winner, awards recognizing governance achievements in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors were presented on Monday night at a gala dinner and ceremony in Toronto.
