Stephen Jarislowsky

Early Life

Stephen Jarislowsky was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1925. His family fled Nazi Germany in 1939 and sought refuge in Canada. Jarislowsky attended public and high school in the Netherlands and France. He then immigrated to the United States in 1941.

Rise to Success

Jarislowsky's educational journey included studying mechanical engineering at Cornell University, service in the US Army during World War II, and studies at the University of Chicago and Harvard Business School, where he earned an MBA. In 1955, he founded Jarislowsky Fraser Limited in Montreal, which grew to become one of Canada's largest and most successful investment management firms. Jarislowsky served as the CEO until 2012 and currently holds the title of Chairman Emeritus. In 2018, Scotiabank acquired Jarislowsky Fraser.

Key Business Strategies

Jarislowsky's success is rooted in a conservative investment approach focused on thorough research, high-quality companies, and a long-term perspective. He emphasized strong fiduciary duty and corporate governance, advocating for shareholder rights and ethical business practices.

Philanthropy

Stephen Jarislowsky is a dedicated philanthropist, donating millions annually through the Jarislowsky Foundation. The foundation supports education, medicine, the arts, and environmental initiatives. He and his wife have endowed numerous university chairs across Canada.