Cooke Inc. CEO Glenn Cooke received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at St. Thomas University’s Spring Convocation on May 13, 2025. During his speech, Cooke expressed gratitude to President Farooqi and the leadership at St. Thomas University for the recognition.
“To be selected as a recipient of an honorary degree from this respected institution in my home province is truly an honour,” said Cooke. He acknowledged various dignitaries present, including the Honourable Louise Imbeault, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, and The Honourable Graydon Nicholas, Chancellor of the University.
Cooke congratulated the graduates and emphasized the importance of sustainable business practices. “I’ve long believed that truly sustainable businesses must go beyond the bottom line,” he stated, highlighting the necessity for businesses to be fiscally sound, environmentally responsible, and socially committed.
He praised St. Thomas University’s introduction of its Business and Social Entrepreneurship program as a “bold and timely move.” According to Cooke, sustainable businesses are not only profit-driven but also purpose-driven.
Reflecting on his company’s journey from a single salmon farm to employing nearly 15,000 people across 15 countries, Cooke shared insights into building a successful enterprise focused on community involvement and employee development.
“Our people, our community members, our employees are the heart and soul of everything we do at Cooke,” he noted. He highlighted examples such as their initiatives in Honduras to improve local schools as part of their commitment to social responsibility.
Addressing the graduates directly, Cooke encouraged them to lead with purpose in their future endeavors. “As someone who’s had the privilege of building and leading a global company…the best decisions I’ve made were not the ones that generated the most immediate returns.”
Cooke concluded by urging graduates to reflect on their core purpose as they embark on new chapters in their lives.
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