Dominic D’Alessandro, President and CEO of Manulife Financial Corporation

The Alberta School of Business is pleased to announce that Dominic D’Alessandro, President and CEO of Manulife Financial Corporation, has been selected as the 2007 recipient of its Canadian Business Leader Award (CBLA). The award will be presented to Mr. D’Alessandro at the 26^th CBLA Dinner on March 14, 2007 in Edmonton.

“I look forward to visiting with the students and faculty of the Alberta School of Business and accepting this award,” said Mr. D’Alessandro. “I always enjoy the opportunity to meet and share views with the next generation of Canada’s business leaders.”

Recipients of the CBLA are leaders, entrepreneurs, and pioneers of progress in the business world recognized for their outstanding achievements and business acumen.

As President & CEO of Manulife since 1994, Mr. D’Alessandro has led the Company to its twelfth consecutive year of record financial performance, resulting in Manulife being among the most profitable life insurance companies in North America. He led Manulife’s successful demutualization and conversion to public company status in September 1999. This important accomplishment set the stage for Manulife to become a world leader in the financial services industry.

In 2004, Mr. D’Alessandro managed the largest cross-border transaction in Canadian history with the successful completion of the merger with John Hancock Financial Services, creating the second largest life insurance company in North America and the fourth largest in the world.

Mr. D’Alessandro has been widely honoured for his business success as well as his support of community and higher education. He was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in August 2003. Mr. D’Alessandro was also named ‘Canada’s Most Respected CEO’ for 2004 and ‘Canada’s Outstanding CEO of the Year 2002’ by his peers for his contribution to business and the community.

In June 2006, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed Mr. D’Alessandro to NAFTA’s North American Competitiveness Council. He is also a recipient of numerous honourary degrees and achievement awards from leading Canadian universities. In 2005, he received the International Horatio Alger Award honouring those who have overcome adversity and humble beginnings to achieve success.

Exposing students to award recipients is at the heart of the CBLA award, the newly created CBLA Student Leadership scholarships, and the gala dinner. The Alberta School of Business looks forward to honouring and hearing from Mr. D’Alessandro.

For further information, please contact:

Monica Wegner
Communications Strategist
Alberta School of Business
University of Alberta, Edmonton
780.492.7996 or 1.877.362.3222
monica.wegner@ualberta.ca