Full Name Arthur DeFehr Name Art DeFehr Website www.ArtDeFehr.com | Children Two Spouse(s) Leona DeFehr | |
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Occupation Business and humanitarian interests Known for Business, international development initiatives, education initiatives Alma mater | ||
Arthur A. DeFehr (born November 10, 1942) is a Canadian involved in business, humanitarian and philanthropic issues. His business interests include Palliser Furniture, industrial real estate and various enterprises over the years. He has been involved in humanitarian roles and projects over the years including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Somalia, Ethiopia and the Soviet Union. Organizations where he played a major initiating role include the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, LCC International University (Klaipeda, Lithuania), Canadian Mennonite University, International Development Enterprises, and immigration policy including the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.
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Early life
DeFehr was born and raised in Winnipeg, Canada in a Mennonite community with its origins in Russia and the Netherlands. Both parents had been refugees and this colored his values and experiences. He had a highly educated mother and a father who started a major furniture business.
Education
Business career
DeFehr returned to Winnipeg and the family business following his 1967 graduation from Harvard. He has been involved in that business and related companies to this day. DeFehr became CEO of the family enterprises in 1984 and purchased the part of the business that became Palliser Furniture in 1996. Real estate represents his other major business interest.