Made in the Mist
A Podcast by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs. Journey behind the stories from Niagara's most accomplished founders, leaders, and innovators.
Made in the Mist
John McCall MacBain, McCall MacBain Foundation
Season 2 of Made in the Mist continues with an extraordinary guest, John H. McCall MacBain. John is a Canadian businessman and philanthropist, renowned for founding the McCall MacBain Foundation and Pamoja Capital SA. His impressive career began with the acquisition of an Auto Trader in Montreal, which he expanded into Trader Classified Media, operating in 23 countries. He holds degrees from McGill University, Oxford, and Harvard Business School.
John has dedicated a significant portion of his life to philanthropy. Since establishing the McCall MacBain Foundation in 2006, he has contributed approximately $500 million in grants towards education, health, climate change, and environmental projects. He also serves as Chancellor of McGill University and is a member of The Giving Pledge. His historic $200 million donation to McGill University for a graduate scholarship program highlights his commitment to academic and environmental causes globally.
Beyond his professional achievements, John is an avid skier, marathon runner, ice hockey player, and cyclist, as well as a commercial land and sea pilot.
0:00-0:59 Introducing the podcast and hosts
1:00-1:20 John Macbain intro
1:21-2:03 "How John Macbain came to be"
2:04-4:34 Story of his first business
4:35-5:02 What sparked his interest in marketing/business
5:03-7:13 university life
7:14-8:07 intro to auto trader
8:08-8:55 his book 65 lessons for success
8:56-20:02 Auto trader and business ventures