Eugene (Gene) Luczkiw was an acknowledged global thought leader and practitioner in entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial leadership and enterprise education. Gene taught entrepreneurship to business students and enterprise education to aspiring teachers at Brock University. Gene also co-authored a textbook: Creativity in Business — An Entrepreneurial Approach.
Gene founded the Institute for Enterprise Education which delivered numerous programs to help individuals discover their unique abilities. He helped guide them in finding meaning and purpose in their lives and careers. Gene also founded the Centre for Global Innovation and Leadership where he conducted valuable research into the workings of small/medium enterprises and consulted to some of the world’s largest public and private organizations.
With the Faculty of Education at Brock University, Gene co-developed the Enterprise Education Program for teachers, linking teacher education with enterprise education – a model designed to nurture students for alternative career paths and self-employment.
In 2002, Gene was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal and in 2004, the Hillmer Award for his contribution to Business Education in Ontario.
Sadly, Gene passed away in 2008. The Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards is honoured to celebrate Gene’s memory through the Spirit of Enterprise Award.