Michael Van Pelt

President & CEO

 

Michael Van Pelt, President and CEO of Cardus, is a 30 year veteran of Canadian public life and a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Since co-founding Cardus in 2000, Michael has helped build the organization into a leading public policy think tank and one of the most profiled and respected faith-based organizations in Canada. 

Prior to Cardus, Michael served with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the Chamber of Commerce Network and as a municipal councillor. He remains active in the family construction and development company.

A graduate of McMaster University and the London School of Economics, Michael has authored and co-authored numerous articles ranging from religion and public life to economics and government policy. He consults widely and advises numerous civil society organizations and business leaders helping them strategically connect their beliefs, their behaviours, and their institutional vision.

Michael is a vibrant ideas generator and sought after collaborator and is deeply involved in the research aspects of Cardus. He publishes numerous articles and reports, including: Leadership, Forgiveness, and Our Loves, Cardus at Twenty and Beyond, and Redefining Chaplaincy.

Michael is Chair of the Board of Directors of Fair Havens Ministries, a Christian camp and retreat centre. He also sits on the Board of Directors of Kinvest Impact Foundation and Bezulu International, two organizations that work to bring lasting sustainable change through investing in rural Africa and working alongside local communities.

He lives in Ancaster, Ontario with his wife Deani.

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Writings

A Seamless Fusion of Beauty and Utility
Mar 1, 2015
Comment Article
Converging Trends in the City
Jun 1, 2014
Comment Article
Tribute to Jim Flaherty
Apr 11, 2014
Convivium Article
Can We Have Subsidiarity Without the Regulation?
Mar 14, 2014
Convivium Article
My 2013 Top Ten
Dec 26, 2013
Convivium Article
Charity has a Political Problem
Jun 15, 2012
CPiP Article
The great issue of our day
Feb 14, 2012
Convivium Article
The Conversation
Oct 18, 2011
Convivium Article
College of Trades: An Impossible Institution
Sep 8, 2011
Research Report
Post-Election Cardus Analysis
May 3, 2011
Cardus Audio
Stronger Together: A Four Sector Approach to Renewing Canadian Social Architecture
May 3, 2011
CPiP Article
Cardus Post-Election Briefing: Conference Call
May 3, 2011
CPiP Article
Pan-Canadian Consensus and Canada's Throne Speech
Mar 2, 2010
Cardus Audio
The Canadian Culture of Generosity
Nov 20, 2009
CPiP Article
2009 Budget Analysis
Jan 1, 2009
CPiP Article
Social Architecture
Nov 1, 2008
Cardus Audio
Renewing Canada's Social Architecture
Oct 31, 2008
Research Report
About Cardus
Oct 16, 2008
Cardus Audio
Giving ideas legs
Jun 1, 2008
Comment Article
Toronto the Good
Mar 1, 2008
Research Report
Replacing the Pan-Canadian Consensus
Mar 1, 2006
Comment Article
Greenlighting Trade: A Trade Corridors Atlas
Dec 1, 2005
Research Report
Greenlighting Trade: Sample Chapter
Dec 1, 2005
Research Report
Excerpts from Living on the Streets: The Role of the Church in Urban Renewal
Oct 14, 2005
Comment Article
Living on the Streets
Oct 1, 2005
Research Report
Work
Aug 1, 2005
Comment Article
Spiritual Capital
Jul 1, 2005
Cardus Audio
Moving Trade
Apr 5, 2005
Research Report
An Interview with Herman Leusink
Jan 1, 2003
Comment Article
Pioneering Worldview Economics
May 1, 2001
Comment Article

Press Releases

Media Coverage