SONJA BATA, O.C. Toronto, Canada
Sonja
Bata was born and educated in Switzerland where she studied architecture
at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich. She is the Director
of the Bata Shoe Organization, Vice Chairman Bata Shoe Foundation and
the founding Chairman of the Bata Shoe Museum. Sonja Bata has served on
the Board of Directors of several companies (incl. Alcan Aluminium Limited;
Canada Trust; Canadian Commercial Corporation) and organizations (incl.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce, North York General Hospital, Junior Achievement,
World Wildlife Fund). Her design and education related activities include:
• Member, National Design Council of Canada, Ottawa,
Ontario, (1964-1976-Chairman 1973-1975).
• Member, Board of Trustees, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario,
(1968-1974).
• Member National Capital Commission, Canadiana Fund, (1990- 1992).
• Member, Board of Governors, York University, Toronto, Ontario,
(1976-1985).
• Member of the Board of The Royal Military College of Canada, (1997-).
Sonja Bata has received numerous honors including honorary
Doctorates from five Canadian universities and 1 US University. She was
was appointed Officer of the Order of Canada, in June 1983 and Honorary
Captain in the Canadian Navy in 1989. Other honors include: CESO Award
for International Development, 1990, the Silver Medal of the United Nations
Environmental Program, 1982; and the Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary.