October 14

Sir Byron Edmund Walker was one of Canada’s leading bankers and civic leaders in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He served as the first President of the Canadian Bank of Commerce (now CIBC) from 1867 to 1910. Walker played a key role in the merger that created the Bank of Commerce and in expanding its reach nationwide. A devoted patron of the arts, he helped found the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario. He supported composers, writers, and artists through scholarships and commissions. Walker was knighted in 1910 for his contributions to finance and culture. His leadership left an enduring mark on Canada’s economic development and cultural scene.

John William Kendrick was an engineer and businessman known for his work in railroad construction and management. He served as Vice President and Chief Engineer of the Northern Pacific Railway. Kendrick oversaw major projects including bridge-building and track expansion across the American Northwest. He later joined the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad as a senior executive. His technical expertise and leadership helped modernize railway operations. Kendrick contributed to engineering journals and promoted safety standards in the industry. He is remembered as a key figure in the growth of North American railroads.

Born in 1869 in Liverpool, he built his family art business into an international empire. Duveen cultivated relationships with wealthy patrons like Andrew Mellon and Henry Clay Frick. He played a pivotal role in transferring European Old Master paintings to major museums in the United States. His influence on art collecting defined portraiture and decorative arts trends in the early 20th century. Elevated to the peerage in 1927, his legacy continues through the collections he helped assemble.

Born in 1888, Sakurauchi rose to prominence as a successful industrialist before entering politics. He joined the Rikken Minseitō party and held several cabinet positions, including Director-General of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau. As Minister of Finance from 1937 to 1938, he navigated Japan's economy during growing militarization. He advocated for fiscal policies to support industrial growth and war efforts. Sakurauchi died in 1947, remembered for his influential role in pre-war Japanese finance and politics.

Frank E. Resnik was born in 1928 and earned a PhD in chemistry before joining Philip Morris in the 1950s. Over his career, he advanced through roles in research and product development, playing a key part in the company’s work on tobacco chemistry and safety protocols. In the 1980s and early 1990s, Resnik served as a senior executive, overseeing scientific divisions and guiding strategic initiatives. His dual expertise in science and management helped bridge the gap between laboratory research and corporate policy. Resnik published numerous papers on chemical analysis and industrial processes. He retired in the mid-1990s and passed away in 1995, remembered for his contributions to both chemistry and business.

Born Ralph Lifshitz in The Bronx, New York, in 1939, Ralph Lauren started his career in retail before launching a line of neckties under his own name in 1967. He went on to establish Polo Ralph Lauren, expanding into menswear, womenswear, home goods, and fragrances, creating a distinct American luxury aesthetic. His signature polo player logo and preppy styling redefined fashion in the 1970s and beyond, making Lauren a global household name. Beyond fashion, he has been a philanthropist, supporting cancer research and historic preservation. Over five decades, his brand has become a cultural symbol of aspiration and elegance.

Born in Tbilisi in 1973, Lasha Zhvania began his career in the private sector, founding and managing business ventures. He entered public service in the early 2000s, taking on leadership roles focused on refugee affairs and infrastructure. Zhvania was appointed as Georgia’s Ambassador to the United States and Mexico, representing his country abroad. He later served in ministerial positions, overseeing policies on emergency management and regional development. Combining business acumen with diplomatic experience, he has worked to foster economic partnerships and national security.