Schulich Welcomes Rick Waugh (MBA ’74) for Gimme a Crisis Book Launch
On November 4, 2025, the Schulich School of Business hosted a special evening celebrating the launch of Gimme a Crisis: In the Room with Global Banker Rick Waugh, written by veteran business journalist Howard Green. The event brought together students, alumni, and faculty for an insightful fireside chat with Rick Waugh (MBA ’74), former CEO of Scotiabank, in conversation with Green about leadership, risk, and resilience in the face of uncertainty.
Held at the Executive Learning Centre, the event featured opening remarks from the Dean, followed by a dynamic discussion that explored Waugh’s 43-year career in banking — from his early days as a teller in Winnipeg to leading one of Canada’s largest financial institutions through the 2008 global financial crisis.
In Gimme a Crisis, Green captures Waugh’s remarkable journey and his ability to stay calm and decisive amid volatility — a quality he credits to his upbringing as the son of a firefighter, someone “who could literally handle the heat.” The book also highlights Waugh’s ongoing connection to the Schulich School of Business, reflecting his commitment to mentoring the next generation of business leaders.
The conversation touched on several of the book’s memorable moments, including Waugh’s role in helping bring the Toronto Raptors to Canada; a story that underscored his belief in teamwork, vision, and taking calculated risks beyond traditional banking.
“Rick’s story isn’t just about banking,” said author Howard Green during the event. “It’s about judgment, humanity, and what it takes to lead through turbulence — lessons that resonate far beyond finance.”
Reflecting on his own journey, Waugh shared, “Schulich taught me to think globally and act with integrity, values that guided every decision I made.”
Following a lively audience Q&A, moderated by Professor Andrew Thomson, attendees enjoyed a networking reception and book signing, with 100 complimentary copies of Gimme a Crisis distributed.
As one of Canada’s most respected financial figures, Waugh’s career exemplifies the Schulich spirit of leadership through adversity. His story — and this event — underscored that in every crisis lies an opportunity to lead with courage, clarity, and humanity.
