Michael Budman
Born in the United States in 1946, Michael Budman attended elementary and high school in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan. In 1968, he graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Communications.
In 1956, Michael began attending Camp Tamakwa in Canada’s world-famous Algonquin Park, north of Toronto. It marked the start of his lifelong love for Algonquin Park, celebrated for its unspoiled wilderness and natural beauty. Over 13 years, Michael spent his summers at Tamakwa as a camper, counsellor, canoeing instructor and camp director. It had a strong influence on him, contributing greatly to his attraction to Canada. In 1969, he moved to Toronto where he taught history at a local high school.
In 1973, Michael and fellow Tamakwan and former Detroiter Don Green founded Roots Canada, which they first conceived of in Algonquin Park. Beginning as a maker and retailer of footwear, Roots proved a near-instant success and in time would develop into Canada’s leading outdoor lifestyle brand, known around the world for its quality leather goods and active apparel.
In 1981, while living in France where he was overseeing the European operations of Roots, Michael helped establish Paris Passion, the acclaimed city magazine. He was Executive Publisher of Passion, which covered contemporary Paris life, French culture, the arts, entertainment, literature, design, architecture, style, fashion and politics.
In addition, Michael has been involved in numerous cultural and entertainment events. He has served as an advisor on several films and music productions and played a key role in Roots sponsoring many arts-oriented initiatives in Canada and the United States including the Toronto International Film Festival, Luminato Arts Festival (Toronto), Idea City (Toronto) and the Comedy Festival in Aspen.
Through both Roots and personally, Michael has long supported many community-related projects, charities and organizations, especially those involved in helping the environment, sports and children. He’s been an active supporter and Board Member of Right to Play, which improves the lives of underprivileged children around the world through sport. He’s also been a Board Member of Waterkeeper Alliance, which protects rivers and lakes in North America.
Reflecting the passion of Don and Michael for sports and Canada, Roots gained worldwide recognition for outfitting Canada’s Olympic athletes at several Winter and Summer Games, which led to the United States, Great Britain and Barbados engaging Roots to outfit their respective Olympic teams.
With Michael and Don at the helm, Roots became a leader in Canada’s retail industry due to its exemplary product line and in-store experience coupled with its firm commitment to social responsibility and the promotion of an active, healthy lifestyle.
In 2016, Michael and Don were appointed members of the Order of Canada, recognized “for their leadership in establishing a unique retail brand and for their commitment to the environment and healthy living.”
It followed many previous honours they received including the Distinguished Retail Founders Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Retail Council of Canada in 2014 and induction into the Canada Marketing Hall of Legends in 2005.
Following Searchlight Capital’s purchase of a majority stake in Roots in 2015, Michael has remained involved with various aspects of the company, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The milestone speaks to the brand’s enduring appeal and iconic status, which are a testament to the creativity, core values and business acumen of Michael and Don.
In 2017, completing a circle, Michael, along with his wife Diane Bald, purchased Camp Tamakwa, which first brought him to Canada as a 10-year-old camper and which played a seminal role in his youth. Their motivation was to lead its development and ensure that current and future generations would benefit from being in nature and gain from the outdoor experiences of camp, as he did.
Michael and Diane, a successful Toronto-born architect, divide much of their time between their home in Toronto and their cabin in Algonquin Park. They have two children, both of whom are currently based in the US. Their son, Matthew, is an eminent film producer while their daughter, Alex, is an accomplished documentary filmmaker and content creator.
Don Green
Born in the United States in 1949, Don Green attended elementary and high school in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan and majored in history at Michigan State University. As a teenager, he worked as a water boy for the Detroit Lions NFL football team for three seasons.
In 1964, Don began attending Camp Tamakwa in Canada’s world-famous Algonquin Park, north of Toronto. It marked the start of his lifelong love for Algonquin Park, celebrated for its unspoiled wilderness and natural beauty. Don spent many summers at Tamakwa, first as a camper and then on staff, as the head of waterskiing. It proved a seminal experience for him, contributing greatly to his attraction to Canada. In 1972, he moved to Toronto after living in Jamaica for two years.
In 1973, Don and fellow Tamakwan and former Detroiter Michael Budman founded Roots Canada, which they first conceived of in Algonquin Park. Beginning as a maker and retailer of footwear, Roots proved a near-instant success and in time would develop into Canada’s leading outdoor lifestyle brand, known around the world for its quality leather goods and active apparel.
Through both Roots and personally, Don has long supported many community-related projects, charities and organizations, especially those involved in helping the environment, sports and children. They range from Waterkeeper Alliance to Right To Play, the Jane Goodall Institute and the Canadian Red Cross. The beneficiaries also include a wide variety of projects involving hospitals, amateur sports, health and education.
Don has also supported and been involved in many cultural initiatives over the years. In the 1980s, he was Co-Executive Publisher of Paris Passion, an innovative English-language city magazine in France that he helped establish. In 1990, he co-wrote the foreword to Preserving Our World: An Environmental Call to Action, by Warner Troyer.
Don has served on the Board of Directors of the Mabin School in Toronto and is an active supporter of the Irwin Green Foundation and its work for cooperation and co-equality between Jews and Arabs in northern Israel.
At the instigation of Don and Michael, Roots sponsored a wide range of arts-related activities in Canada and the United States including the Toronto International Film Festival, Luminato Arts Festival (Toronto), Idea City (Toronto) and the Comedy Festival in Aspen.
Reflecting the passion of Don and Michael for sports and Canada, Roots gained worldwide recognition for outfitting Canada’s Olympic athletes at several Winter and Summer Games, which led to the United States, Great Britain and Barbados engaging Roots to outfit their respective Olympic teams.
With Don and Michael at the helm, Roots became a leader in Canada’s retail industry due to its exemplary product line and in-store experience coupled with its firm commitment to social responsibility and the promotion of an active, healthy lifestyle.
In 2016, Don and Michael were appointed members of the Order of Canada, recognized “for their leadership in establishing a unique retail brand and for their commitment to the environment and healthy living.”
It followed many previous honours they received including the Distinguished Retail Founders Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Retail Council of Canada in 2014 and induction into the Canada Marketing Hall of Legends in 2005.
Following Searchlight Capital’s purchase of a majority stake in Roots in 2015, Don has served as an advisor to the company. In 2023, Roots is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The milestone speaks to the brand’s enduring appeal and iconic status, which are a testament to the creativity, core values and business acumen of Don and Michael.
Don and his wife, Denyse Green, who long had an active role at Roots, have three children and six grandchildren. His passion for hockey, both as a player and as a fan, is as strong as ever.
