London and District Business Hall of Fame
October 23rd, 2025 | RBC Place London |
Former Laureates Attending the 2025 Gala
The London & District Business Hall of Fame has recognized an impressive list of community leaders over the years, creating a legacy network of peers. Laureates currently confirmed to be attending this year’s event include:
- Bill Brady
- Allan Drewlo
- Wayne Dunn
- Ryan Finch
- Jeff Macoun
- Carol Stephenson
- Jill Wilcox
2025 Raffle Winners
- Liam Sullivan
- Mark Brown
- Carol Turnbull
Congratulations!
Thank you to everyone who was able to join us at the 2025 London and District Business Hall of Fame Gala. It was a great night celebrating three inspiring people! Pictures from the event will be linked here soon. And you can find the full program from the event here:
On October 23, 2025, the London and District Business Hall of Fame inducted Jo-Ann Fisher of Hangar9 and Dale and Mark Hunter of the London Knights into the Hall of Fame based on their outstanding contributions to business, entrepreneurship, ethics, and philanthropy.
The London and District Business Hall of Fame supports Junior Achievement South Western Ontario and honours respected members of the London and area business community, past and present, for their exceptional achievements in business and community leadership.
If you have any questions about the event, please contact Alicia at agall@jaswo.org or 519-439-4201 x 231.
Nominations open for 2026!
About the Hall of Fame
Each year, in recognition of outstanding contributions and ethics in business, Hall of Fame Laureates are nominated and selected by respected members of the London and District business community.
Established in 1990, the London and District Business Hall of Fame supports the work of JA South Western Ontario. It was created to honour respected members of the London and area business community, past and present, for their outstanding contributions to business, entrepreneurship and philanthropy.
This annual signature gala event showcases the lives of the Inductees allowing us to learn about their achievements and how they have developed and nurtured their legacies. The 2025 London and District Business Hall of Fame Inductees will join a distinguished list of previous Laureates.
About the Innovator Award
This award will recognize those: Operating their business for 2-10 years, entrepreneurial in spirit, community focused (volunteerism, philanthropy, service above self), and contributing to the local economy. The Innovator is changing the landscape locally or has emerged in the local setting because of their work. The Innovator is an inspiration, full of energy, passionate about work, courageous, and a promoter of change and innovation in search of the greater good.
JA South Western Ontario seeks diverse candidates who represent the communities we serve, contributing to the greater good in tangible ways, and whose stories and achievements inspire the next generation.
About the Alumni Award of Achievement
Established by JA London and District in 2001, the Alumni Award of Achievement has recognized the personal and professional achievements of former JA Company Program participants who exemplified the positive impact JA programs had on them. The award has been carried on by JA South Western Ontario (JA SWO) and celebrates all JA Alumni, including Company Program Alumni and those otherwise associated with JA.
Recipients of this award stand as role models for participants in JA. By recognizing the achievements of JA Alumni this award is a testament to the way in which JA inspires and prepares youth for success.
About the 2025 Laureates
JO-ANN FISHER
Founder & Principal
Hangar9
DALE HUNTER
President, Head Coach, Owner
London Knights
MARK HUNTER
Vice President, General Manager, Owner
London Knights
Jo-Ann Fisher’s entrepreneurial journey began with a passion for empowering women, first sparked through her work as a Mary Kay beauty consultant. She quickly discovered that her true calling was helping women feel confident through personal style.
In 1985, Jo-Ann opened her first boutique in London, Ontario, laying the foundation for what would become Hangar9—a trusted name in Canadian fashion for over 40 years, expanding to a location in Toronto and building an eCommerce presence. From the start, Jo-Ann’s philosophy has been simple yet powerful: relationships always come before sales. She believes in putting clients first, building trust through authentic connection and personalized care.
A pioneer in her field, Jo-Ann was an early adopter of the capsule wardrobe concept. She developed the Hangar9 Formula—[H9] + 9 = 36—designed to simplify wardrobe decisions through nine essential pieces that create 36 versatile looks. The formula reflects her commitment to helping women save time, invest wisely, and enjoy fashion without stress.
Four decades later, Jo-Ann remains actively involved with Hangar9—as a stylist, strategist, leader and the heart of Hangar9’s community. She shares her passion for fashion and entrepreneurship with her three daughters, who now lead the family-run business and carry on its mission.
Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades over the years, including the Business Integrity Award, Enterprising Family of the Year, eCommerce Business of the Year, Best Places to Work, and Best Women’s Clothing Store in London.
At the core of it all is Jo-Ann’s unwavering mission: to help women uncover a style that reflects who they are, and gives them the confidence to take on each day. Through Hangar9, she continues to inspire women to see fashion not as a trend to follow—but as a powerful expression of self.
Mark and Dale Hunter bought the London Knights with Basil McRae in May of 2000. They went on to help build the John Labatt Centre in downtown London, which brought new life into the downtown. Under Mark and Dale’s leadership, the Knights have turned into one of the most successful organizations in the history of the OHL, both on and off the ice, raising the profile of London provincially, nationally and internationally. Under their direction the team’s season ticket holder base has grown significantly since the team was first purchased in 2000.
Mark and Dale are well respected in the hockey community, not only in the OHL but also in the NHL. Under their leadership, over 70 London Knights players have gone on to play in the NHL. And many alumni that do not go on to NHL careers credit Mark and Dale in helping them develop into business leaders in the community.
Recently, the London Knights captured their third Memorial Cup title. With the win, the Knights join the Cornwall Royals, Kamloops Blazers, and Windsor Spitfires as the only CHL clubs to claim three Memorial Cup titles since 1972.
Mark and Dale have worked to ensure the Knights make a positive community impact through active engagement in community events and have led by example with a strong work ethic, continually dedicating themselves to nurturing young people to reach their potential. Their motto is “hopeful and humble”, reflecting their approach to business and life. They give back to the community personally and through the London Knights Alumni Foundation which has donated millions of dollars to local charities since 2000 and continue to give back in many ways.
Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors
Marketing & Design Sponsor
Accelerate Sponsors
Photobooth Sponsor
Incubate Sponsors
Favour Sponsors
Silent Auction Sponsor
Venture Sponsors
Canada Life
Talbot Marketing
Spriet Investments
Fairstone Financial
Ernst & Young LLP
Award Sponsor
Floral Sponsor
Nothers The Award Store
Boxwoods London
Highlight Sponsor
Thank you to our Silent Auction Donors ($500+)
Digital Creative Arts Centre
Skye Chase Estate Winery
Aqua Medical Spa
Talbot Marketing
London Music Hall
Kellogg Lane / Hard Rock Hotel
All Women L.E.A.D
Chris Allaway
Lisa Chiborak
EY
Zucora
London and District Business Hall of Fame Laureates
1990
John Labbatt II
Henry J. McManus
1991
Col Thomas F.G. Lawson
J. Allyn Taylor
1992
Walter J. Blackburn
William Mowbray Sifton
1993
Sir Adam Beck
Edwin R. Jarmain
1994
A.M. (Mac) Cuddy
Colonel D.B. Weldon
1995
Donald J. Smith
Col. J. Gordon Thompson
1997
Jack W. Adams
Earl H. Orser
1998
Merv L. Lahn
Ron Logan/ Gord Patton
1999
Richard G. Ivey
T. Fred Kingsmill
2000
Tony J. Crncich Sr.
J. Allyn Taylor*
2001
Ronald C. Dawson
Norton P. Wolf
2002
John (Jake) H. Moore
Andrew M. Spriet
2003
Mitchell A. Baran
Warren R. Schram
2004
Cpt. Joseph Jeffery
David Patchell-Evans
2005
T. Brayl Copp
Peter J. Ivey
2006
Henry J. Jones
H.J. (Hank) Vander Laan
2007
Gen Alexander R. McIntosh
John C. Nash
2008
Gloria Dona
Dr. Geno Francolini
2009
Sheldon Aaron
Donald J. McDougall
2010
Bill Brady
Bob Siskind
2011
Perry Ferguson
John Strybosch
2012
Paul Cocker
Carol Stephenson
2013
Tony Marsman
Howard Rundle
2014
Denis Crane/ Wayne Dunn
Terry Zavitz
2015
Vito Frijia
Col. James G. Thompson
2016
Don Crich
Paul Seed/ Ken Kalopsis
2017
John Drake
Mike Smith
2018
Bill Gray
Claude Pensa
2019
Jeff M. Macoun
Richard Sifton
2020
Kyle MacDonald
Ewart and Edwin McLaughlin
2021
Karen Fryday-Field
Joel McLean
2022
Tina Bax
Michelle Quintyn
2023
Allan Drewlo
Jill Wilcox
2024
Steve Copp
Ryan Finch
2025
Jo-Ann Fisher
Mark and Dale Hunter
* Laureate of the Century
I’m going to use this information I learned today to help me make my overall decision on what career option I want to pursue. I’m also using this information to improve on how I present myself to potential employers and others.
– JA Student
