When people come first, UWIN
JP Perron’s (BA 88) approach to leadership has always been, “give people the benefit of the doubt and they will amaze you.”
It’s an approach he learned, in part, from his UWinnipeg Wesmen volleyball coach in 1986.
“Dave Unruh took a chance on me,” Perron said. “I’m not a super tall guy, and back in the day, a lot of coaches might not give a shorter setter a chance. Dave Unruh did.”
It was a chance that paid off. The Wesmen Men’s volleyball team won back-to-back National Championships in 1986 and 1987 with Perron as setter.
“I was just lucky to play with a lot of really, really talented players,” he said. “Even though it’s been many, many years ago, I’m still really proud of that time.”
Perron said he learned a lot from being a Wesmen athlete.
“It helps you with time management for sure,” he said. “It helped me understand how to perform under pressure, and about the impact we have on others.”
After 38 years of exemplary leadership and significant community involvement, the impact Perron has made is undeniable.
He completed a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from The University of Winnipeg in 1988 and took his talents and philanthropy to professional leadership roles at companies like Ceridian, MTS Allstream, and Payworks.
“Your number one job as a leader is to create an environment where people feel safe to be themselves, to just be their true, authentic selves,” Perron said.
Throughout his remarkable career in the financial and human resource sector, Perron has led by example – supporting the community through charitable giving and encouraging other individuals, companies, as well as public bodies and institutions, to do the same.
While JP Perron was President and CEO of local payroll services company Payworks, the company donated $500,000 to the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre. And, in 2021 the company was honoured with the Spirit of Winnipeg award.
“I strongly believe employees want to be part of something more than just work,” he said. “Being part of the community in a meaningful way, people appreciate that.”
Perron served on the board of World Trade Centre Winnipeg from 2018 to 2025 and has volunteered with the United Way for more than 15 years. After recently retiring from his career at Payworks, Perron took on the role of United Way Winnipeg Campaign Chair for 2025.
As Chair, he hopes to get people excited about the United Way. “I want to expose Winnipeggers to why it’s so important we invest in and protect this critical safety net. We never know when we might need community.”
Although Perron said the credit for his career truly goes back to playing Wesmen volleyball all those years ago, he reminds people it’s in the present moment where you can have the greatest impact.
“Don’t look too far ahead,” he said. “Just create excellence today.”
JP Perron will be honoured with the Distinguished Alumni Award for Outstanding Achievement at the University’s inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award Night on Thursday, October 23, at the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq. Everyone is welcome to share in this celebration. Tickets are available now on the Distinguished Alumni Awards website.
