Robbie Shaw receives 2024 Weldon Award for Unselfish Public Service

Known for his inclusive and empathetic leadership style, Shaw has focused on not only achieving organizational success but also bringing out the best in the people he worked with.

“All business leaders need to work hard, but should also be focused on public service,” he says. “Non-profit organizations can benefit from our experience.”

For decades, he gave his time generously to countless organizations including the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, the Northwood Foundation, and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. At age 82, and living with the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, he has pared back his volunteer commitments but remains active with St. Andrew’s United Church in Halifax.

The 2024 Weldon Award for Unselfish Public Service honours Shaw’s legacy. Named for Richard Chapman Weldon, the law school’s founding dean, this award recognizes law school alumni who have made outstanding contributions to the community and the legal profession. Schulich Law’s commitment to unselfish public service, referred to as the Weldon Tradition, is a guiding principle of the law school community.

“I have received other awards, but this is the most meaningful because it is in recognition of my contribution to the community,” he says. “That makes me feel warm and fuzzy.”

Learning by example  

Born in Halifax in 1942, Shaw was raised in a loving family who had “roaring debates” around the dining room table. His wife, Jean, grew up in a similar household. “Our parents were activists who were interested in the country and politics,” he says. They credit their families for providing them with the tools they needed to not only raise their own children, but also give back generously to their community.

His father, Lloyd Robert Shaw inspired his son’s commitment to public service. “My father was the best role model anyone could ask for,” he adds.

A businessman who believed in progressive politics, Lloyd Robert led the family’s 163-year-old business, now called the Shaw Group, and served as the first research director for the federal New Democratic Party’s (NDP) predecessor, the national Co-operative Commonwealth Federation. He was also an early financial backer of the NDP when it was formed in 1961. Shaw’s sister, Alexa McDonough, became leader of the federal NDP in 1995.

It was at Queen Elizabeth High School that Shaw got his first taste of leadership. He became involved in the Hi-Y group, sponsored by the YMCA, and before long began leading its 600 members as the local branch president. Eventually, he stepped into that role for the national organization. “My high school years had a significant impact on the rest of my life.”

After graduation, Shaw attended Queen’s University in Ontario. He studied politics and history, but his grades suffered because he focused on student politics instead of studying. Uncertain about his future career path, he followed his friends and attended law school at Dalhousie University. “It was an incredible experience,” he says of his time there. “I loved it.”

It was there, he dove back into student politics becoming president of the Dalhousie Student Union and the first student on the Dalhousie Board of Governors. He and his childhood friend, retired Senator Jim Cowan, also initiated a successful project to build a new Student Union Building on campus.

Following his passions

Following law school, Shaw articled with the Halifax firm of Stewart McKelvey – he left after three months knowing he didn’t want a law career but instead wanted to use his law degree as a stepping stone to other opportunities. He maintains his belief that a law degree holds tremendous potential for students with varied professional dreams.

“Law school is a good foundation for doing anything, especially business because you learn to be an analytical thinker.”

Drawn to the business world, Shaw’s next job was with the firm Hardman, Bryson and Associates, where he worked on the development of Halifax’s Scotia Square. For four years, he took notes from local business icons like Frank Sobey and Roy Jodrey, who both sat on the company’s board of directors. “Watching that board of leading businessmen was such a great learning experience,” he says.

In 1970, Shaw joined his family’s business, becoming president and general manager of Clayton Developments. He grew its Halifax housing development from a few streets in Clayton Park to a community of thousands and then started the development of Colby Village in Dartmouth.

Most proud of his work with Clayton Developments, Shaw stepped away in 1976 to allow other members of his extended family to grow the company.  He went on to work in the public sector as assistant to Gerald Regan, the then premier of Nova Scotia.

Calling his own career “eclectic”, Shaw harnessed his executive leadership skills to move seamlessly between the business world and the non-profit sector. He served as Dalhousie University’s vice president of finance and administration and developed its first major capital campaign, was executive vice president of National Sea Products, and managed a $123-million expansion project of the Nova Scotia Community College.

“According to my wife’s count, I’ve had at least nine different jobs,” he says. “I don’t know why I moved from job to job except that I liked the stimulation.”

Keeping family at the forefront

Despite his many professional and community commitments, Shaw has always been deeply devoted to his family. While Halifax is home, he and his wife spend several months each year in Chester Basin on Shaw Island, a place named after his great uncle. “It is kind of like heaven on earth,” he says. “When we cross the causeway to the island, our shoulders just relax.”

Last summer, they gathered with their three children, seven grandchildren, and dozens of other family and friends to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. “It’s hard to adequately express my gratitude,” says Shaw. “My wife and I have been so lucky in so many ways.”