Louise Leatherdale

BEd

Honorary Doctor of Laws

A true Manitoban in every sense of the word, Louise Leatherdale’s legacy of philanthropy remains both permanent in the structures she has helped build and far reaching in lives she has helped enrich.

Born in Duluth, Minnesota in 1947, Leatherdale is an education graduate from Indiana University. After moving back to Minnesota to work with UnitedHealthCare, she rose to the position of retention manager, a role that saw her take part in the handling and selling of insurance products to businesses.

It was during this time that she met United College alumnus Doug Leatherdale, who she’d marry in 1988. They would become longtime UWinnipeg donors.

Leatherdale’s role as a donor is evident when walking around campus. Her generous gift of $2.5 million in 2015 attracted fundraising support for Leatherdale Hall, which officially opened in 2017.

Her continued commitment to the awards her and Doug established during his tenure on the UWinnipeg Foundation’s Board of Directors is equally as impressive. The Walter W. Leatherdale Scholarships and Dr. Douglas W. Leatherdale Global Citizen Internships, in addition to many accompanying funds, have all benefited greatly from her generosity.

With a giving history of more than $8.8 million, Leatherdale has forever changed the lives of countless students.

In addition to UWinnipeg, the Winnipeg Art Gallery and Assiniboine Park Zoo are each part of the funding trifecta she has remained dedicated to supporting – with numerous programs, exhibits, scholarships, and buildings owing their creation to her.

By championing fundraising efforts through her charities, Leatherdale has brought important change to UWinnipeg, the City of Winnipeg, and Province of Manitoba.

UWinnipeg alumna Susan A. Thompson, who was the first woman to serve as Mayor of Winnipeg, says Leatherdale has “undoubtedly helped shape our community for the better through her philanthropic endeavours.”