Dr. Phil Lind was one of Canada’s most respected communications and media industry leaders. He was also a loyal UBC supporter whose strategic advice and generous support have been vital to many of the university’s endeavours.

Phil joined Rogers Communications Inc. in 1969, ultimately becoming vice chairman and helping grow Rogers into one of Canada’s preeminent cable companies. One of his career highlights was leading Rogers’ expansion in the US during the 1980s, negotiating valuable acquisition deals.

Having led Rogers’ cable interests in the US many years, Phil realized there was a dearth of learning opportunities in Canada to examine the politics of a country with which we share a border and close business relationships. In the late 1990s, he reconnected with UBC’s Faculty of Arts to establish the Phil Lind Chair in US Politics and Representation, the first of its kind in Canada, to focus on the US policy process. In addition, he supported the Lind Initiative, which brought prestigious American scholars to campus as an inspiration for UBC students. The first scholar was Dr. Joseph Stiglitz, recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. Phil also entrusted UBC to steward the Phil Lind Klondike Gold Rush Collection, which includes rare items from his grandfather John Grieve Lind, an early miner and gold prospector.

Phil was a strong proponent of multicultural programming in Canada, promoting and supporting it through such brands as OMNI TV. He also lent his time and support to several arts- and environment-focused organizations. UBC awarded him an honorary degree in 2002 for his substantial contribution to the diversity of Canadian culture and his generous support of liberal arts education through broadcasting and technology. In 2016, he received the Alumni Award of Distinction.

Phil provided invaluable strategic advice to UBC as co-chair of UBC’s remarkably successful start an evolution campaign, which concluded in 2015 having raised over $1.6 billion and engaged more than 130,000 alumni across the globe. More recently, he served as a member of the volunteer leadership circle of UBC’s current fundraising effort: FORWARD, the campaign for UBC.

Over his long and distinguished career, Phil received many honours, including being appointed to the Order of Canada in 2002. Through his philanthropy, service, and leadership, he made a lasting impact on UBC and Canadian life and culture.