A legacy of leadership

When Donald Mackenzie,‘59 BCom, ‘03 LLD (Honorary), took the stage at the University of Alberta’s Convocation ceremony in 2003 to accept an honorary doctorate of laws degree, he reflected on what he’d learned over the course of his remarkable career. 

“Leadership is the art of influencing others to achieve the aim,” he explained to the graduating class. 

Twenty years later, Mackenzie’s wife Margaret hopes current and future students in the Alberta School of Business will continue to be influenced by the example of the legendary alumnus, who passed away in 2021. 

Rising through the ranks

Leadership was an art that Mackenzie mastered in his lifetime.

After growing up in Mexico, he began his career in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), where he applied for pilot training and quickly fell in love with flying. 

He rose to the rank of captain before deciding he wanted to upgrade his educational background. This led him to take a leave from the RCAF in 1957 to pursue a business degree at the U of A. 

“He was such a good student that he received a scholarship and completed the three year program in two years,” recalls Margaret, who worked as a nurse at the University of Alberta Hospital to support them during those years. 

But the business world would have to wait for Mackenzie to make his mark there. After earning his bachelor of commerce degree, his passion for flying took him back to the RCAF where he held a variety of leadership positions over nearly three decades. These included serving as Military Attaché to the Canadian Embassy in Rome and Spain, Commanding Officer of the Canadian Forces VIP Squadron and Commander of the Air Transport Group.

Mackenzie completed his military career in 1986 as Deputy Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) – the highest international appointment for a RCAF officer. 

He then entered the business world, serving as a consultant at Public Affairs International and as director of the board of Pan-American Beverages Inc.. In this role he successfully helped the company, which at the time was the second-largest bottler of Coca-Cola products in the world, transition to being publicly traded. 

Giving back

Throughout his career as both a military and business leader, Mackenzie maintained a close connection to his alma mater. 

“He never forgot what the U of A had done for him,” says Margaret. “We both felt that the U of A helped us to realize a dream of ours and that we are fortunate enough to give back and help students in a similar way.”

Their decades-long support of the Alberta School of Business includes establishing the Donald and Margaret Mackenzie Undergraduate Teachings Awards for Teaching Excellence. Mackenzie also served as an Executive in Residence. 

Now, Mackenzie’s legacy also includes his family’s support for the newly-established GOLD Scholarship Fund, which will be given to high-achieving entrance students coming to the Alberta School of Business. 

“Any university education is a special opportunity, and to provide help to students who have shown they have the drive to succeed is important,” comments Margaret. 

In recognition of the family’s long standing relationship with the school, a space in the new Carruthers Student Commons will be named in honour of Donald, Margaret and their sons Donald and Scott.

The Mackenzie Family Atrium will be a fitting tribute for someone who always made space in their life for the U of A. 

“How do I feel about my past life?” Mackenzie reflected in a video celebrating his 2003 U of A Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognizes outstanding lifetime accomplishments. “I wouldn’t change any part of it – and of course the University of Alberta has played a very important part in that.”