Tributes pour in for David LePage, a giant in Canadian social enterprise
Why It Matters
LePage founded and nurtured several social enterprises in his career and had only retired a few months before.
Colleagues and loved ones are remembering David LePage as a visionary whose passion for social justice improved numerous lives.
LePage died on May 16 in Vancouver from pancreatic cancer. He was 85.
A leader in the social enterprise community, he was a founder and Chair of the Social Enterprise Council of Canada and a co-founder of the Social Enterprise Institute and many other programs.
“He was recognized internationally as a social enterprise and social procurement leader, practitioner, and public policy architect,” reads his obituary.
While those in the social impact sector celebrated his numerous accomplishments, his kindness, generosity and mentoring spirit topped it all, according to numerous friends and colleagues.
“In the opening pages of ‘Marketplace Revolution,’ David LePage invites the reader to join him on a journey,” reads a post from Buy Social Canada.
“When you worked or spent time with David, it was a journey sprinkled with stories, teaching and coaching, and solutions-focused ideas. All shared with patience in a soft and thoughtful voice. Plus, a side of San Pellegrino, lemon and no ice.
“David was always generous with his time and knowledge. He would have coffee chats with anyone who reached out and wanted to connect about social enterprise or social procurement. He was a mentor, a co-conspirator, an aggravator (in the best way) and a true revolutionary. He believed that we have everything we need to make our communities healthy and whole. We just need to get started. “Build it, ship it, fix it,” he would say,” they added.
“A man of action and purpose who led many and leaves a legacy and a hole in many hearts. David’s actions will have ripple effects that many people who never hear his name will benefit from. He is sorely missed.”
LePage became involved in CCEDNet after arriving in Canada from the U.S.
“David travelled a lot (the Air Canada lounge was a second home) and joined many early remote meetings from the Pacific time zone. We will remember fondly his unique mixture of seriousness and laughter, his constructive criticism, and quick phone calls while he walked to his office in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside,” said a statement from CCEDNet.
“We offer his family and friends our deep condolences. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Social Enterprise Policy Fund, which David established, are encouraged.
Here’s what colleagues and peers had to say in their own words.
“David always had a smile on him. He radiated joy, was curious and ever so passionate about making the world a better place. I met him for the first time in 2020. I was still trying to figure out my career, having landed in Canada a few months prior.
“Following that first conversation, David did not hesitate to help me find work, including making introductions to professionals in his circle. That was my introduction to the social impact sector in Canada. He did not ask me for Canadian experience. He appreciated my international experience and was eager to see me start contributing to the sector in Canada. This certainly boosted my confidence as I navigated my career and helped me push back against some employers’ narrative about internationally experienced candidates not being a right fit due to lack of Canadian experience.
“Over time, David and I would meet many times in person in Vancouver over coffee or lunch and share wonderful conversations about the work he was dreaming up, Buy Social Canada’s recent achievements, stories of his early career working in the U.S., and our shared frustration about homelessness and the drug addiction crisis in the Vancouver downtown eastside.
“David was exceptional in many ways. He made room for others—and by this, I mean people like me who don’t fit neatly in the system. For any opportunity to drive change, including Indigenous, Black, and racialized people, David would open that door or at least advocate for it. He didn’t remain silent or stand by because he genuinely wanted to see change happen. I feel proud to have witnessed his work.”
-Minnie Njeri, CEO, Celebrate Africa Tours
“David, thank you so much for being such a great mentor to me and inspiring me in every conversation we had.
“When we first met, it was such a relief to meet a like-minded person who really “got it.” I felt less alone in the social enterprise space. Our great and sometimes heated discussions pushed us both to expand and collaborate in thought leadership, and we definitely laughed a lot, too!
“Thank you for being an incredible person who followed a “road less travelled” and creating immense impact by doing that. Words can’t express how truly grateful I am for you and your wisdom. Your early morning walks and thinking time have inspired me to create spaces like that in my life.
“I will miss your insights and the book tour we never got to do. I will listen for “whispers from you” as you will watch over us.”
– Gurbeen Bhasin, Executive Director, AANGEN: A Community Service Organization
“David and I got involved in CCEDNet at the same time – organizing the 2001 National Policy Forum. Since then, his contributions throughout Canada and around the world have made a huge difference. Sincere condolences to his family, friends, and so many others who were touched by his drive for a marketplace revolution.”
– Michael Toye, Executive Director, Canadian CED Network
“A few years ago, I had the privilege of working with David on the S4ES project. I learned so many new things from him and admired his dedication to social enterprise and social impact through a business lens. He laid a good foundation and strong path to make a better world. Through his tireless work, he made allies, friends, and supporters—known and unknown to him. May he rest in peace.”
– Muhammad Andri Mulia, Project Manager, CHEO
“I am just so sad. David was a mentor and an advocate and I learned so much from him. He was so generous in bringing others along, sometimes gently, other times with more enthusiasm! Just these last few months, he mentored ONN with a social procurement policy. My thoughts are with his family and friends and Buy Social community.”
– Cathy Taylor, CEO, The Lawson Foundation
“He was one of those rare people who was influential and yet accessible. I would call him up and he didn’t even really know who I was! My first call to him, I was 23. I would call him, and he would listen intently, give advice and then connect me to all these amazing people. He left behind so much good. Sending love to his family and friends.”
– Leni Goggins, Project Manager, New Inclusive Economy
“Sending love & prayers to our brilliant and beloved colleague David Lepage’s Family. Really sad to read this news.
“We give thanks for over a decade of working with this remarkable visionary. I am grateful that he was able to end his journey at peace with loved ones and having accomplished so much. What a legacy, and what a legend. I will most definitely miss our conversations, his humour, candor and unparalleled commitment to community economic development. Sending prayers and condolences to his family and loved ones.”
–Victor Beausoleil, Executive Director, SETSI
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