Sonya Bata, business executive, humanitarian, and design advocate, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the 4:00 p.m. ceremony on Friday, June 17, “in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the fields of design and business.”
Educated in Switzerland, Bata is perhaps most renowned as Vice-Chair of one of the most successful international family-run businesses, the Bata Shoe Foundation. Her love of shoes and architecture helped her contribute to Bata’s incredible international success. The organization serves more than one million customers per day and operates 4,600 retail stores, with a retail presence in more than 30 countries.
Her keen business sense, passion for design, and humanitarian efforts have garnered her the respect and admiration of many. She has been actively involved with numerous high-profile organizations, particularly those serving youth, education, and culture, including the World Wildlife Fund, the North York General Hospital Foundation, and the Council for Business and the Arts in Canada, among many others. Her contributions have had an impact both at a community level and internationally.
Sonja Bata is the recipient of numerous previous honours including a Canadian Business Hall of Fame Award and a Silver Medal of the United Nations Environmental Programme. She has received honorary degrees from St. Francis Xavier University, the University of Manitoba, Dalhousie University, York University, Mount Saint Vincent University, and Wilson College in Pennsylvania. She is also an Officer of the Order of Canada.