Parker: Celebrating the indefatigable Irene Pfeiffer
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There is a wide range of Google definitions to describe a philanthropist, and Irene Pfeiffer is a fine example of most of them. They list such things as the giving of time, talent and treasures as a form of altruism to make positive changes happen to humanity.
Philanthropy has always been her passion and in 2007 her exceptional volunteer service was recognized with membership in the Order of Canada.
Earlier this month, she was installed as president of the Alberta College of Pharmacy, the first public member to be elected by her peers.
Pfeiffer brings a wealth of experience in business, community and health care. She has served on the council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, including a term as its president. That makes her the first woman public member to serve in both capacities.
A board member of the council for six years, Pfeiffer says, “I am humbled by the confidence that my fellow councillors have in me, but I accept that responsibility. Fifty per cent of our council are non-pharmaceutical professionals and I think it’s time a public member takes the helm.”
Installed as president at the college’s Celebration of Leadership event on June 8, Pfeiffer was thrilled that it was an in-person occasion.
“I’m a people person,” she says, “I found Zoom to be efficient for meetings. But I like to feel the presence of people. Just to be able to hug old friends again was a real gift.”
And Pfeiffer is surely a people person who has contributed so much to others since she came to Calgary in 1974 to join Mount Royal University (then a college) as director of human resources.
She became involved in all facets of human resources with companies such as Mobil Oil, Suncor and Shell, and after six years as vice-president, executive search for Price Waterhouse Coopers, joined Russell Reynolds Associates, responsible for Western Canada operations.
A natural leader, her volunteerism includes dedicating her time and wisdom as past-president of both the Calgary and Alberta chambers of commerce, past co-chair of the Health Quality Council of Alberta and board member of Stars Air Ambulance. Add co-founder of the Pearls of Wisdom scholarship fund for MRU, former executive-in-residence at the Banff Centre and being instrumental in the creation of the women’s loan program for Alberta, and one has to wonder where she finds the time.
Involved in so many other worthwhile causes that are just too many to record, it should be noted that after her husband John died 20 years ago, she established a scholarship in his name at SAIT to help new Calgarians upgrade to obtain suitable employment.
Still presented annually, it fits in well with the college’s support of newcomer professionals to upgrade through University of Alberta courses to become much-needed pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Alberta.
The college is a regulatory body and in the wake of too many robberies has mandated all drugstores to install 15-minute time-release safes to store narcotics.
Awards have been many for this energetic lady, who walks two hours each day with her border collie, and although she has never been a member of Rotary Club, she has been recognized as a Paul Harris Rotary Fellow.
Today, Pfeiffer refuses to slow down but is focusing on her roles as president of the college and as chair of the national board of Teen Challenge, an organization to help young men and women overcome substance abuse, working out of 18 centres across the country.
Calgary-based Hempalta is an agricultural technology company focused on innovative hemp processing and product creation. It manufactures high-value hemp products that have many uses from HempyCat Litter to Hemp-Fresco that keeps food fresh in the fridge crisper.
Its latest offering is a sponsorship with the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo to provide naturally antibacterial hemp, a softer and more sustainable option of bedding, to the zoo’s family of giraffes, supporting its standard of providing world-class animal care.
David Parker appears regularly in the Herald. Read online at calgaryherald.com/business. He can be reached at 403-830-4622 or by email at info@davidparker.ca.
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