Rick Goossen

Chairman of the ELO Group

Dr. Richard (Rick) J. Goossen is a meaning-driven entrepreneurial leader. He serves an extensive network of entrepreneurs and family/business owners built over decades of client contributions, collaboration, research, public speaking, and volunteering, impacting approximately 100,000 leaders annually. 

Rick is Chairman of the ELO Group, which has grown since 2005 to provide comprehensive resources for meaning-driven entrepreneurial leaders: family business / strategic planning consulting; Forums (i.e., conferences), peer advisory group network & week-long leadership programs at the University of Oxford and Harvard University.

Rick is a sought-after strategic counsel and chair/advisory board member working with a range of clients in terms of size and industry. He works at Nicola Wealth, the fastest-growing independent wealth management firm in Canada, where he focuses on business development and family business dynamics.

Rick has extensive experience doing business in Asia and previously worked in Hong Kong for five years. He is a professional public speaker. He has taught entrepreneurship, strategic management and business law as an adjunct professor (BBA and MBA programs) and guest lecturer at universities around the world. Rick has edited five books and authored six books on the topics of entrepreneurship, leadership and public speaking. Two of the books he authored are available in six translations.

In terms of credentials, Rick earned a Ph.D. from Middlesex University, London, UK; a Masters of Law (LL.M.) from Columbia University, New York City; a Juris Doctor (JD) from McGill University, Montreal; and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) (Hons.) (First Class) from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver. Rick was admitted as Barrister and Solicitor of the Province of British Columbia, Canada and voluntarily withdrew his membership to focus entirely on business pursuits.

Rick has been a Visiting Scholar at Regent's Park College, University of Oxford and St. Stephen's House, University of Oxford. He has previously collaborated with Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford. He has worked with prominent University of Oxford professors since 2018 to deliver the ELO Oxford Leadership Program. Through ELO he is working as a partner with the Human Flourishing Program, Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University to deliver the ELO Harvard Leadership Program.

Rick has been recognized for his expertise and contributions in various ways. He was awarded the "Alumnus of the Year" by Columbia Bible College. He was offered the "Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal" in recognition of community contributions across Canada. He has also been recognized at various conferences in Canada for his contribution to the business community.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAITH DRIVEN ENTREPRENEUR