About Speaker Chip Wilson…
Chip Wilson is a passionate entrepreneur and visionary who is best known for his creation of lululemon athletica. Chip founded the dynamic, yoga-inspired athletic apparel company in 1998 with the mission to create components for people to live longer, healthier and more fun lives.
As Founder, Chairman of the Board and the Leader of Bluesky Development, Chip influences innovation in all areas of the company. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, lululemon manufactures, distributes, and retails its products in more than 151 stores across North America and Australia.
Chip’s career in the apparel industry began with Westbeach Snowboard Ltd. in 1979. As Founder and CEO of this surf/skate/snowboard clothing company until 1997, Chip gained significant experience and knowledge which he used to successfully lead lululemon to its current position.
Chip holds a BA in Economics from the University of Calgary. In 2004, he was named Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year for Innovation and Marketing by Ernst & Young.
Wilson is passionate about numerous philanthropic ventures. With his wife, he established the Chip and Shannon Wilson School of Design at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, committed to educating students in innovative design for fashion, interiors, graphics, product and technical apparel. Additionally, they founded Imagine1Day, a non-profit organization that’s committed to bringing quality education to all Ethiopians funded free of foreign aid by 2030.