[This biography was posted before Kevin Jenkins's commencement as President of World Vision International. Click
here for the most
up-to-date version of this biography.]
Kevin Jenkins, who will become president of World Vision International in October 2009, has extensive experience in business and working with Christian organisations.
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| Kevin Jenkins has been appointed to become World Vision's international president. |
Jenkins is currently vice chair of the board of World Vision Canada. He has been an active member of the World Vision Canada board for the past nine years, leading three significant initiatives with major donors related to HIV/AIDS in Zambia, microfinance in Ethiopia and schooling in Mali and Zambia. He served on the board of Young Life of Canada from 1992 to 2008, including as board chair from 2004 to 2008.
Jenkins is also currently managing director of TriWest Capital Partners, a Calgary-based, independent private equity firm that invests in companies and works with their management to create growth opportunities.
He joined TriWest in 2003 after seven years as president and chief executive officer of The Westaim Corporation, whose technology investments included medical devices, flat panel displays, aerospace coatings and specialised engineered products. Jenkins moved the company from technology research to developing and selling commercial products. At the height of the technology boom in 2000, Westaim’s market capitalisation was $1.8 billion.
From 1985 to 1996, Jenkins held senior executive positions at Canadian Airlines, including the post of president and chief executive officer his last two years with the airline. Maclean’s magazine, Canada’s leading newsweekly, called him an innovative go-getter, noting that he immersed himself in understanding all aspects of the business, working briefly as a steward, a baggage handler, even a toilet cleaner.
During the last year of Jenkins’ tenure, Canadian Airlines operated 130 aircraft, had approximately 16,000 employees and generated more than $3 billion in revenue. As president, he completed a $1 billion financial restructuring of the company, revised the route network to improve profitability and increased yield per revenue passenger mile.
Jenkins began his professional work career at an Edmonton law firm where he practiced in the areas of corporate finance, acquisitions, securities regulation and restructuring businesses.
He earned a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard Business School in 1985 and a law degree from the University of Alberta in 1980.
A resident of Calgary, Jenkins and his wife, Helen, have three adult children. They are members of Westside King’s Church.