At the presentation of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce International Business Executive of the Year Award on November 15 in Toronto, Donald Guloien took the opportunity to thank all of the employees and partners at Manulife Financial Corp. who have contributed to this award and success.

“This award truly belongs to all of Manulife’s employees, past and present. I am extremely proud and humbled to receive this award on their behalf,” said Guloien.

“Mr. Guloien and his Manulife colleagues are outstanding partners at all levels of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce network and remain a model of Canadian success both at home and abroad,” said Perrin Beatty, president and CEO, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

Beatty also presented Guloien with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, an award that recognizes Canadians who have made a significant contribution to their fellow countrymen, their community, or to Canada.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty noted, “This is a well deserved honour for a great Canadian business leader. Don has led the way with Manulife in Asia, which is a great credit to a Canadian-based executive.”

Guloien has held a variety of leadership roles within Manulife, through which he developed operating experience in Canada, the United States., Europe and Asia. From 1994 to 2001, he led Manulife’s Business Development unit, spearheading a number of key acquisitions, divestitures and strategic initiatives and from 2001 to 2009, he was responsible for Manulife’s worldwide investment operations.

Guloien became president and CEO of Manulife Financial (TSX:MFC) in 2009. Over the past three years, Manulife Financial’s Asian operation has become its fastest growing division, representing about one-third of the company’s earnings excluding notable items. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were $515 billion as at Sept, 30, 2012.