Fred Kasravi

Fred Kasravi is a successful entrepreneur, a generous philanthropist and a volunteer whose efforts have enriched the lives of people all over the world.  A native of Iran, Fred Kasravi studied engineering at Cambridge University and then completed a Master of Engineering degree from the University of Tehran in 1960.  Following a successful business career, he immigrated to Canada and quickly moved up the corporate ladder, achieving the distinction of top salesman for numerous life insurance companies.  One of his proudest business accomplishments has been the creation of an innovative land information system and surveying company, Teranet. Teranet was formed in the early 1980s and the company is worth millions today. Kasravi has also been the president of Ontabia Business Development Corporation for two decades, and he recently signed on as chair of the unique Victoria-based software company, LogicLynx Technologies Inc.

Kasravi’s numerous charitable endeavours include serving on the boards of organizations and institutions such as the Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Place, and the Royal Roads University Foundation.  He also founded and chaired the Friends of HMCS Haida, and by his efforts this historical naval vessel was successfully preserved and is now a museum in Toronto.  For many years he also worked tirelessly on behalf of the Kidney Foundation of Canada as well as helped to create kidney foundations in Japan, Portugal, England, France and the United Arab Emirates. His career has been marked by community involvement in the arts by serving on the boards of the Canadian Opera Company and the Canadian Stage Company.  His fundraising efforts have benefited numerous charities such as the Liver Foundation, where he serves as a member of the Board of Governors, as well as the Christian Children’s Fund of Canada and the Global Relief Fund, which provide assistance for disadvantaged children around the world.  Since moving to Victoria he has been an active member on the board of the Capital Region Prostate Centre, and in 2003 he was appointed chairman of the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa.  In his new role as chairman he looks forward to assisting the museum’s goals of promoting awareness of Canada's natural heritage through permanent and traveling exhibitions, public education programs and research.

Kasravi’s accomplishments are many and include, Citizen of the Year in 1991 (Canada), Order of St. Georgers 1981 (Grand Officer of France), Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts in 1981 (Britain), The Silver Benefactor Medal-the Royal Life Saving Society of Canada in 1987, and Instituto of Socorros Naufrages (Portuguese medal granted by the parliament of Portugal) in 1971 to name a few.