Craig Kielburger

Early life

Craig Kielburger was born on December 17, 1982, in Thornhill, Ontario to Fred and Theresa Kielburger, both teachers and real estate investors.

At the age of 12, Craig’s passion for activism was ignited after coming across a newspaper article about Iqbal Masih, a young boy from Pakistan who fell victim to child labor and paid the ultimate price for speaking out against the deplorable practices in his country. This incident inspired Craig and Marc to take action, initially forming a nonprofit organization focused on combating child labor.

Career

Together with his brother, Craig co-founded Free the Children. He then founded WE.org, an international development organization and youth empowerment organization.

Craig’s philanthropic endeavors have garnered recognition both in Canada and internationally. He has been honored with 15 honorary degrees and doctorates and has achieved the status of a New York Times bestselling author, with a portfolio of 12 published books.

Remaining dedicated to their early mission, the Kielburgers have continued to drive positive change. They have empowered children through education and contributed to lifting impoverished communities out of destitution. As social entrepreneurs, they also co-founded ME to WE, a social enterprise that provides economic opportunities in developing countries, while supporting the work of WE.org

Craig’s activism and advocacy have granted him media exposure, with interviews on programs such as 60 Minutes, the BBC, and the Oprah Winfrey Show. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the youngest graduate from the Kellogg-Schulich Executive MBA program at York University. In 2007, he received the Nelson Mandela Freedom Medal and was inducted into the Order of Canada at the age of 25.

Craig has received numerous other honours, including the Reebok Human Rights Award and the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship. He continues to travel and deliver speeches, inspiring others to make positive contributions within their communities.

Net Worth

Craig Kielburger’s net worth has been speculated to be approximately around $625,000.

Achievement

Awards:

• Reebok Human Rights Award
• World Economic Forum Global Leaders of Tomorrow Award, 1998
• Nelson Mandela Human Rights Award, 2003
• Action Canada Fellowship (2005-2006)
• EY & Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2008)

Orders, decorations, and medals:

• MSM Ribbon-civilian.png Meritorious Service Medal, Civil Division, 1997
• Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship.png Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship, 1998
• CAN Order of Canada Member ribbon.svg Member of the Order of Canada, 2007
• QEII Diamond Jubilee Medal ribbon.svg Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, 2012

Commonwealth honours:

• Canada, 2007 – Present, Member of the Order of Canada CM
• Canada, 1997 – Present, Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division) MSM
• Canada, 1998 – Present, Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship OMC
• Canada, February 6, 2012 – Present, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (Canadian Version)

Honorary degrees:

• Ontario, June 9, 2005, Nipissing University Doctor of Education
• Ontario, June 2007 University of Guelph, Doctor of Laws
• Ontario, Fall 2009, University of Windsor, Doctor of Humanities
• Ontario, June 3, 2011, Trent University, Doctor of Laws
• Ontario, June 8, 2011, University of Toronto, Doctor of Laws
• Ontario, June 14, 2011, University of Western Ontario, Doctor of Laws
• Ontario, June 2011 Wilfrid Laurier University, Doctor of Letters
• Ontario, 2012, Carleton University, Doctor of Laws
• British Columbia, May 31, 2012, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Doctor of Laws
• Quebec June 2012, Concordia University, Doctor of Laws
• Ontario Spring 2013, York University, Doctor of Laws
• British Columbia, 2014, Thompson Rivers University, Doctor of Letters
• Ontario 2018, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Doctor of Laws