James (Jim) Dinning, C.M.
Chair Emeritus

Calgary, AB

Jim Dinning is Chair Emeritus of the Foundation having served as our chair from 2010 to 2013 and on our board since 2003. He serves as a corporate chair and director of a number of public and private companies and not for profits.

Mr. Dinning is a graduate of Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters in Public Administration. He received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Calgary in 2002, and is Chancellor Emeritus of the University of Calgary

Until December, 2004, Mr. Dinning held the position of executive vice president, TransAlta Corporation. Prior to joining TransAlta in 1997, Mr. Dinning held several key positions during his 11 years as a member of the legislative assembly in Alberta. Of note is Mr. Dinning’s service as provincial treasurer from 1992 to 1997.

In 2015, Jim was named a member of the Order of Canada and a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Directors. He was honoured by Canada’s Public Policy Forum in 2014 when he received the Peter Lougheed Award for Leadership in Public Policy In 2011, Mr. Dinning was presented with the TaxFighter Award by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (awarded to individuals who have shown a commitment to taxpayer emancipation.)

Mr. Dinning is married, has four children and an ever growing number of ‘grands’ and resides in Calgary.