Longtime University of Calgary supporters Geoff Cumming, Brian Felesky and Stephanie Felesky have been named to the 2025 Alberta Order of Excellence, the province's highest honour. The Order recognizes enduring contributions to the province through exceptional leadership, innovation and service.
From left: Ed McCauley, Geoff Cumming, Anna Cumming and Todd Anderson at a UCalgary event in June 2024
Geoff Cumming
Cumming, BA '74, Hon. LLD'16, is a prominent international philanthropist, economist, business leader and respected investor.
Last year, marked the 10-year anniversary of his historic $100-million donation to his alma mater's medical school, which was then re-named the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM). This gift, matched by the Alberta government, laid the foundation for global leadership in research on brain health, chronic disease and inflammation.
"Geoff's inspired business leadership and astounding philanthropy is nothing short of visionary, largely because Geoff himself is equal parts compassion and vision," says UCalgary President Ed McCauley.
"For Geoff, however, it is not just about donations: it is about devoting his own time and knowledge to support the people, institutions and businesses working to make the world stronger and healthier for all."
McCauley adds Cumming also took note of how a UCalgary faculty-founded non-profit, the Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST), was empowering developing nations to improve their drinking water and hygiene. The tremendous work of this non-profit inspired his next gift of $6 million, along with another UCalgary philanthropist, David O'Brien, that expanded CAWST's reach to low-resource communities globally.
CSM Dean Todd Anderson says Cumming has a strong vision for the School's future.
"Geoff asked one powerful question: Where could this school be in 20 years?' That vision has propelled us forward in ways we couldn't have imagined," says Dr. Todd Anderson, MD'85, dean of the CSM. "His support built research infrastructure, attracted world-class scientists and sparked discoveries that are changing lives."
One of the school's standout facilities is the International Microbiome Centre (IMC), a globally recognized hub for microbiome supported by Cumming and the largest of its kind in a Canadian university.
The Cumming gift has also attracted and enabled recruitment of top research talent. Dr. Braedon McDonald, PhD'13, MD'13, PGME'18, an intensive care unit physician-scientist at the CSM, joined the IMC thanks to the Cumming gift. McDonald credits Cumming's vision for enabling his own groundbreaking research into life-threatening hospital infections.
"The IMC is the only one of its kind in Canada and rivals any other facility in other countries," McDonald says.
"It's fair to say we are the only people working on this microbiome-related infectious diseases research as it is the only place in Canada, if not the world, where we can do this type of work.
"Geoff Cumming has singlehandedly transformed this institution and the snowball effect it has had for research and for the community at large, it's incredible to see just how much of a difference it has made."
Philanthropy with international reach
Cumming's philanthropy extends beyond Alberta. In 2022, he donated $222 million (AUD$250 million) to the University of Melbourne's Doherty Institute, establishing the Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics to accelerate global preparedness for future pandemics. That generosity prompted joint research in pandemic preparedness and microbial medicine solutions between the University of Melbourne and UCalgary.
His business career is equally impressive. From advising Alberta's government on international tax policy in his early years to leading energy ventures and founding several international investment firms, Cumming has had a diverse, impactful and successful domestic and global business career.
Despite his many accolades including induction into the Alberta Business Hall of Fame in 2019 and being one of very few over the past century to be honoured as a Fellow of the University of Melbourne Cumming remains deeply proud of, and grounded in the values passed down by his parents: a belief that life should be dedicated to purpose and impact.
Brian and Stephanie Felesky
Brian, left, and Stephanie Felesky were invested to the Alberta Order of Excellence in June 2025. Photo Credit: Jared Sych, courtesy RedPoint Media
Joining Cumming in receiving the Alberta Order of Excellence are Brian and Stephanie Felesky, whose deep commitment to community building, philanthropy and public service has left a lasting mark on UCalgary and the province.
Brian Felesky, KC, Hon. LLD'09, is a founding partner of the nationally recognized tax law firm Felesky Flynn LLP. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Brian earned a reputation not only as a leader in legal and business communities, but also as a passionate civic advocate. He is the founder and chair of InterGen, an organization that supports scale-up companies through capital and mentorship, and co-creator of the Top 7 Over 70 Awards celebrating senior innovation.
Brian has served on numerous boards, including the UCalgary Board of Governors, plus the boards of Suncor Energy, Precision Drilling and others, as well as acting as Deputy Chair of Credit Suisse Canada (investment banking). He has also been instrumental in many community projects, including as co-founder of the ORGANization, a medical community initiative to change the organ transplantation and donation system in Alberta.
UCalgary alum Stephanie Felesky, BEd'94, LLD'09, is a committed community leader and corporate director, currently serving as the vice-chair of the board of UCalgary Properties Group, which is overseeing development of the University District and the emerging University Innovation Quarter. She is a founding director of the Calgary Affordable Housing Foundation and a passionate advocate for initiatives that support women and youth, police, military, veterans and health. Her leadership extends across multiple Calgary organizations.
Together, the Feleskys have given generously to causes across education, health care, mental health, housing and the arts. Their support for UCalgary includes pivotal giving to the Mental Health Initiative for Stress and Trauma (MIST) Chair, a cause also supported significantly by their son, Adam Felesky, as well as the UCeed Neuro Fund.
"The Feleskys' support has been instrumental in advancing neuroscience research at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute," says Institute Director Dr. David Park, PhD.
"Their generosity has directly contributed to the creation of the UCeed Neuro Fund and supported critical infrastructure and research programs," says Park.
"Their vision and unwavering support empower our researchers to tackle complex brain and mental health challenges, accelerating innovations that will benefit Albertans for generations to come."
Supporting law, business schools and the Board of Governors
The Feleskys have also strongly championed UCalgary's Faculty of Law, most notably through the renovation of the Brian and Stephanie Felesky Student Lounge and the establishment of the Felesky Flynn Prize in Taxation Law.
Brian's contributions have been recognized through awards such as the W.K. Moore Award and his role as a Jarislowsky Fellow at the Haskayne School of Business.
Stephanie co-chaired the university's Take Your Place campaign and has served on the UCalgary Board of Governors and other advisory committees.
"Their collective legacy is a testament to the power of leadership rooted in generosity, vision and an unwavering dedication to community," adds McCauley.
October ceremony
The Feleskys and Cumming will be officially inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence during a ceremony in Edmonton this October.
They join a distinguished group of six other Albertans receiving the honour this year, bringing the total membership of the Order to 229.
