Robert J. Foster

Robert J. Foster, B.A, M.A. (Economics), CFA, is Founder, President and CEO of Capital Canada Ltd., an independent investment banking firm. Mr. Foster has provided years of successful support to Canadian companies and entrepreneurs in the aviation, sports and entertainment industries. As rewarding as his professional career has been in helping to finance Toronto’s Sky Dome, a Rolling Stones tour, or a small Canadian east coast helicopter company which grew into the largest helicopter company in the world, Mr. Foster’s passionate avocation has always been his volunteer work in Toronto’s arts and cultural community. Mr. Foster is currently Chair of Artscape, which in 2012 opened the extraordinary Daniels Spectrum, a 60,000 square foot cultural centre in Regent Park. He serves on the boards of the Harbourfront Foundation, Luminato, The Mayor’s Task Force – Arts & Theatre, The National Arts Centre – Ontario Scene and The Toronto Theatres Working Group. In 2011, Mr. Foster was the lead Co-Chair for a year-long examination of Toronto’s cultural capacity and priorities, which resulted in the Creative Capital Report for the City of Toronto. This has been embraced by City Council and is a guiding document for the city’s cultural funding and growth moving forward. Robert Foster was named co-recipient of the Rita Davies and Margo Bindhardt Cultural Leader Award at the Mayor’s Lunch on June 27, 2013. This award is presented biennially to an individual who has demonstrated cultural leadership in the development of arts and culture in Toronto. Over his lifetime, Robert Foster has generously donated his time, expertise and financial support to more than 30 city and country building initiatives and organizations. He is proud of his wife Julia Foster and four grown children, who all also contribute to the enrichment of the community.