High school: Mennonite Brethren Collegiate
University of Manitoba: Initial studies in science but graduated in 1964 with a Business degree. Awarded the Isbister Scholarship for academic performance.
Goshen College: Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.
Harvard Business School: Graduated in 1967 with a two-year Master of Business Administration. included first year Baker Scholar.
His business interests include Palliser Furniture, industrial real estate and various enterprises over the years. He has been involved in humanitarian roles and projects over the years including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Somalia, Ethiopia and the Soviet Union. Organizations where he played a major initiating role include the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, LCC International University (Klaipeda, Lithuania), Canadian Mennonite University, International Development Enterprises, and immigration policy including the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.
Both parents had been refugees and this colored his values and experiences.
DeFehr returned to Winnipeg and the family business following his 1967 graduation from Harvard. He has been involved in that business and related companies to this day.
DeFehr became Chief Executive Officer of the family enterprises in 1984 and purchased the part of the business that became Palliser Furniture in 1996. Real estate represents his other major business interest.
Officer of the Order of Canada – 2004 Order of Manitoba – 2011 Honorary Doctorate of Laws – University of Manitoba 1998 Honorary Doctorate of Laws – University College of Cape Breton – 2002 Honorary Diploma – Red River College – 2003 Goshen College – Alumni Award – 2011 Entrepreneur of the Year – Manitoba Business Magazine – 2000 Prairie Lifetime Achievement Award – Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year program – 2001 Canadian Manufacturers Hall of Fame – 2009 Canadian Home Furnishings Alliance – Lifetime Achievement Award – 2012 Spirit of Life Award – City of Hope (National Home Furnishings Industry Humanitarian Award).
