Kathleen Richardson

Kathleen Richardson is a well-known Canadian philanthropist and supporter of the arts.

She has served on several corporate boards including those of Gulf Canada, Barclays Bank of Canada, Sun-Life Assurance Company, and James Richardson & Sons.

Widely recognized for her philanthropic work, she has volunteered on the boards of the Manitoba Arts Council, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Pan-Am Games Society, and The Winnipeg Foundation.

As President of the Kathleen M. Richardson Foundation, she has supported such arts groups as the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. She was president of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet from 1957 to 1961 and has been honorary president since 1963.

In recognition of her community service, Kathleen has received many awards and honours, including a Manitoba Golden Boy Award, the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal, Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, and Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

She received an honorary doctorate from the University of Manitoba, and she was inducted into the Order of Canada and the Order of Manitoba. In 1973, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada then later promoted to Companion in 1993.