History

Thanks to a very generous founding gift from Wallace and Margaret McCain, the Wallace McCain Institute was founded in 2006 to build & nurture the most inter-connected community of entrepreneurial business leaders in North America for the betterment of themselves, their companies & their region.

By early 2008, the WMI programs were launched to target specific ingredients of a better region to accomplish the vision of making the Greater Atlantic Area the best place in Canada to start and grow a company.

WMI was founded in New Brunswick, but our regional expansion has resulted in a growing membership base outside of New Brunswick. Family businesses represent the largest category of WMI members.

Today, WMI offers three significant programs for entrepreneurial leaders across Atlantic Canada to advance the economic prosperity of our communities.

The Wallace McCain Institute at UNB runs programs for growing business leaders to give them what they need to succeed. Focusing on leaders that are at a crossroads in their life & company, we surround them with experiences to inform their gut and push beyond where they ever thought they could go.

WMI is about building business judgement rather than teaching text book skills. This is offered through three peer-group programs: Entrepreneurial Leaders Program (ELP), Strategic Executives Program (SEP) and the Family Business Program (ECHO). The program’s are so impactful that after the year is over, 100% of the groups commit to continuing to meet quarterly for the rest of their lives.

"Why starting the institute was important to Wallace McCain." - Margaret McCain

"Reflections on the Start of the Wallace McCain Institute in 2006" - President Emeritus Dr. John McLaughlin.

“Early Days of the Wallace McCain Institute at UNB” - Derek Oland, Moosehead Breweries and Founding Chairman of the Wallace McCain Institute

Overview