Colleen Wilson is a multifaceted Canadian whose classic looks drew the attention of people in the fashion industry, becoming a model in Canada and the United States, but at the urging of her mother, she continued with her studies graduating from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law at age 21. Blending fashion with her education and ability to speak, Colleen soon became a recognizable media personality, appearing on her daily talk show with the Global Television Network, five days a week for 25 years. She interviewed some of the world’s most celebrated entertainers, politicians, business and religious leaders, health and lifestyle gurus, and many other interesting people that make up the fabric of Canada.  As a lawyer, she simultaneously practiced corporate and entertainment law, chaired a government quasi judicial commission for 16 years, and as a highly relatable person to speak to, spent 4 years hosting talk radio for a popular country music station.

 

Well known to her audience for her personal style and fashion flair, she turned her sense of style to design and combined it with her legal career to grow the Mid-West Group of Companies with her husband, and in 2004 co-founded Meridian Development and Meridian Resorts with her other business partner, becoming a successful real estate developer and owner of multi-million dollar commercial and residential properties, and hotels in Canada and the United States. Her sense of design is evident in all of the real estate projects she is involved with.  Her companies’ projects have received numerous awards, both for new construction and adaptive reuse of heritage property.  Colleen was inducted into the JA Business Hall of Fame in her home province, and serves as a business mentor in the Raj Manek Business Mentorship Program for entrepreneurs. 

 

With her profile, diverse career, common sense and candor, Colleen is frequently described as a trailblazer and an inspiration for women of all generations. She has appeared both as panelist and moderator at many regional and international business and industry events, and is tapped to speak at women’s events. She was enthusiastically received as the keynote speaker at Bank of Montreal‘s national initiative, “Celebrating Women”.

 

Colleen has used her media and business profile to help shine a light on a wide variety of worthwhile charitable causes. She is well known for her affection and charity work for homeless animals, including cofounding, “Pets in the Park”, a family oriented charity event that focuses on the special bond between humans and animals that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for homeless companion animals.

 

Colleen is an avid equestrian who has ridden and owned several champion show horses. At 17 she was the youngest licensed Thoroughbred trainer in Canada, saddling several stakes winners. She remains a racing enthusiast, always concerned first with the welfare of the horses. She enjoys oil painting with her work being represented in private and public collections in North America. A music lover, she can occasionally be found singing as a guest artist appearing with of some of her distinguished musical friends at jazz festivals or charitable fundraisers for causes she supports.

 

Colleen has said that meeting and interviewing so many fascinating people over the years, several of which resulted in lasting friendships, has without doubt been a special privilege, but the unexpected special moments of her media career continue to be when young women, many of whom have become very successful in various careers, tell her that she was their inspiration and gave them the impetus to think they could do anything. The animal lover she is,  Colleen says it remains the most heart warming for her to hear from the many people who tell her their stories of how they saw a homeless dog or cat featured on her television show and were moved to rescue it, but soon realized the pet actually rescued them and became an irreplaceable part of their family.

 

Raised in the heartland of Canada in a close-knit Christian family, Colleen credits that upbringing with the values that have guided her life. In her busy career Colleen truly values family time at her home on the river, or on her family’s nearby horse farm where she enjoys riding through the countryside followed by family barbecues. Among her favorite memories is working together as a family, campaigning their homebred racehorse, Josh’s Hero, to his popular and unprecedented win, in becoming the only Saskatchewan bred horse to capture the coveted Canadian Derby Championship.  

 

When not on the go, Colleen and her husband (and their house pets), divide their time between homes in Canada and California.

 

In 2023 Colleen Wilson was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, sanctioned by Her Majesty before her passing, to recognize Canadians who have given outstanding service to their country in commemoration of her 70 year reign and service to her country.