About the Foundation

Laura Arrell is the managing director of the Arrell Family Foundation, which works to improve human and planetary health through food. A director of her family’s foundation for many years, she has been running it since 2015. 

Prior to working at the foundation, Laura worked at US investment bank, Raymond James. She was at Raymond James 15 years, working most recently as Managing Director, US Institutional Equity Sales.  She is also mother to three children, and is passionate about cooking and anything related to food, and travel.

Hugh Anthony (Tony) Arrell grew up in a small town in the farming community of Caledonia, Ontario. Tony attended the University of Guelph, where he earned a BSc in Agricultural Economics, and York University’s Schulich School of Business, where he received his MBA. Early on, Tony developed a deep interest in business and investing; he bought his first stock while in his third year of Guelph.

Tony began his career as an Investment Analyst in 1969 before becoming Director of Research at several prominent investment firms. His investment approach was influenced by an encounter with Warren Buffett early in his career, his friendship with Prem Watsa, and a long earlier association with the late George Gardiner.

In late 1992, Tony became the largest shareholder and CEO of a fledgeling operation, Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. Burgundy has been in business for over 30 years and during that time has earned an outstanding reputation for its culture and integrity. He gave up his CEO role in 2019 but continues to be very active in the firm as Chairman, analyst, and investor.

Tony has also been involved in the business community, serving as Director for a number of private and public companies. A former Director of the Toronto Stock Exchange, Tony was also a founding Director of the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance.

Tony is ever grateful for being in a position to try to help make a better world. His family’s philanthropic efforts focus on food security, education, and health organizations. In 1999, Tony and his wife Anne established the Arrell Family Foundation to support organizations involved in food security, mental health, and medical research. Today, their daughter Laura plays a leadership role in the foundation and their daughters Ashleigh and Nicole are directors. The couple also supports the Canadian Opera Company and the National Ballet of Canada. Tony is a long-time Director at St. Michael’s Hospital and the St. Michael’s Foundation.

Tony has a deep passion for his community, both in Toronto and in Creemore, Ontario, where he and Anne have a farm. In 2019, Tony and several community members incorporated the Creemore Community Foundation to raise the capital to construct the Creemore Village Green, a significant civic enhancement for this rural community.

Tony has been honoured numerous times for his contributions to the community including honorary doctorates and awards from the two universities he attended. In January 2017, he was appointed a member of the Order of Canada. Tony was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame in 2023.

Tony has been married to Anne for 56 for years. They have three daughters and five grandchildren.

Margaret Suzanne (Anne) Taylor was born in Toronto but was brought up in the small rural town of Elmira where her parents moved into wartime housing in 1946. Anne’s father was a teacher who had a love for farming and as the family expanded to six children, he purchased a small parcel of land on the edge of Elmira where he created a small orchard of 300 trees and chicken operation while he continued to teach. This love of agriculture was passed on to his children, including Anne.

Anne attended the University of Guelph where she graduated with the BHSc (Honours) in 1968. Tony and Anne met first year at the University of Guelph and married just before her graduation. Anne’s educational career continued by getting her Type A Teaching certificate and teaching high school for several years until they had their four children, one of whom, their son Cameron, died of Cystic Fibrosis at age 16 ½.

The Arrell’s bought their first farm in 1970, where they established a beef cattle operation. The Arrell’s sold this farm in the late 90’s and in 2001 purchased Scarlett Hills Farm just south of Creemore. This farm continues to operate as a cow calf operation to this day.

Anne has been very supportive in helping Tony as he was building Burgundy Asset Management. Anne and Tony are frequent mentors to young adults via their personal and business experiences, fostering the next generation of talent and philanthropic young people.

Anne is a very active volunteer in the community. She is currently Chair of the Arts Access Fund, and has been a volunteer at the University of Guelph, the Toronto Garden Club, and Timothy Eaton Church. Anne is a devoted supporter of the National Ballet, L’Arche Canada, and Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

Anne feels very fortunate to be able to make a positive impact in the world.