Early Life and Education
Mitchell Goldhar was born in 1962. He holds a Bachelor of Political Science degree from York University. He has also been an adjunct professor with the Joseph L. Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto since 2004, where he was awarded Teacher of the Year.
Rise to Success
Goldhar's career is rooted in real estate development. He founded SmartCentres in the early 1990s, and since then, has developed over 265 shopping centers across Canada. His strategic partnership with Walmart, including developing the first Walmart store in Canada, proved to be a cornerstone of his success. Goldhar's innovation helped shape the Canadian retail landscape. In May 2015, he sold most of SmartCentre's assets to SmartREIT.
Key Business Strategies
Key business strategies include identifying strategic locations for retail centers and securing partnerships with major retailers. Goldhar's ability to anticipate market trends and capitalize on opportunities has been pivotal. He also owns the Penguin Group of Companies, and is involved in the development of mixed-use communities. In addition, he has been involved in the development of SmartVMC, a master-planned city centre.
Philanthropy
Mitchell Goldhar is an active philanthropist. He has supported medical research and other causes, with beneficiaries including SickKids, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. He made a $10 million donation to Mackenzie Health, which named a surgery unit in his honor. Goldhar is also a Director Emeritus with the SickKids Foundation.