Are you searching for the best CEOs in Canada? If yes, then here is the answer to your curiosity. By reading this article you will get a description of the 20 best CEOs in Canada according to the new ranking of 2023. Canada is a well-developed country in the world. It is considered as World’s second-largest country by area. Furthermore, the Canadian economy is ranked in the Top 10 economies of the world and its estimated GDP nominal was 2.200 trillion$ in 2022.
Canada’s population was estimated as more than 39 million in October 2022 and is currently home to people with different origins, languages, cultures, and ethnicity. Canada is always considered among the best countries for businesses and it is the hub of more than 100,000 employers and more than 200,000 nonemployer businesses.
If you want to establish a business in Canada or want to increase your business skills by taking inspiration from the best CEOs in Canada, then here are the 20 best CEOs who are surely capable to look upon while taking inspiration. Because these are the men with the highest business skills and innovative ideas that make them best and unique from others.
Best Ceos In Canada:
Chief Executive officers (CEO) are the main body that controls each and every department of a company. CEO alone is responsible for the performance of different departments such as finance, marketing sales, human resources, legal operations, etc. The CEO is responsible for making policies and monitoring their implementations. In other words, we can say that the CEO is the top controlling body that acts as the backbone of his company.
If you are looking for the best CEOs, particularly in Canada, then here is the list of the 20 best CEOs in Canada.
- Tobias Lutke
- Seetarama (Swamy) Kotagiri
- Gregory L. Ebel
- Tracy Robinson
- Bruce Flatt
- Bharat Masrani
- Darry White
- Keith Creel
- Ken Seitz
- Mark Bristow
- Charles Brindamour
- Luke Gould
- Linda Hasenfratz
- Eric R. La Fleche
- Michael B Medline
- Patrick Dovigi
- Dareen Entwistle
- Philip Fayer
- Randy Smallwood
- Alexander L’Heureux
1. Tobias Lutke:
The very first person on my list is none other than the CEO of Shopify. He was born on 16 July 1981 in Germany. Tobias used to like computers from a very young age. He started to rewrite code at the age of 12. He dropped out of school and entered Koblenzer Carl Benz School to become a computer programmer.
Lutke was the co-creator of Snowdevil, an online snowboard shop. After that, he built an e-commerce platform with the help of Ruby on Rails. After snowboarding, he shifted his concentration toward E-commerce and launched Shopify in 2006.
Shopify is one of the largest e-commerce platforms operating in almost 175 countries with more than 1,700,000 businesses. It is currently a choice of 1.58 million websites and producing billions of revenues. Lutke is one of the successful CEOs of this leading e-commerce platform due to his dedication to his work.
2. Seetarama Swamy Kotagiri:
Another best CEO on our list is Swamy Kotagiri. He is currently serving as CEO of Magna International effectively. He took charge of this post on 1 January 2021. Magna is one of the largest companies in Canada and one of the largest automobile parts manufacturers in North America.
Magna is supplying automotive systems to Tesla, Toyota, General Motors, BMW, Mercedes, Tata Motors and Volkswagen, etc. Katagiri has 21-year work experience in Magna particularly and 30-year work experience in general. He has done his bachelors from Karnataka University and masters from Oklahoma State University in mechanical university.
He has served in various posts in Magna. Before this, he was a former president of Magna International Inc and former Chief technology officer from 2014 to 2019. Moreover, he is currently a member of the Business Council of Canada and the MIT presidential board. Prior to Magna, he had also worked with General Motors and Cosma Internationals.
He is a well-known personality in business sectors in Canada. Due to his innovative ideas and quality leadership, he has achieved this Nobel post. As a matter of fact, with his strong personality and ability to make the right decisions at the right time he is listed among the best CEOs in Canada.
3. Gregory L. EBEL:
The next wonderful personality on this list is Gregory Ebel. He became CEO and President of Enbridge on 1 Jan 2023 after succeeding AL Monaco. Enbridge is a multinational pipeline and energy transporting company. this company is operating pipelines and transports gas, crude oil, and natural gas throughout Canada and the United States.
Ebel did his bachelors from York University and completed his graduation from Harvard Business School in the Advanced Management program. Prior to Enbridge, Ebel also worked with Duke Energy as a managing director of Mergers and Acquisitions in March 2002. He was the Executive Director of the World Bank group in Canada. He is the former chief of staff to the Deputy Finance minister and former Deputy prime minister of Canada.
Ebel has also served in various positions in Spectra Energy. Initially, he was the Chief financial officer of Spectra Energy Group in 2007. After that, he became Chairman, President, and CEO of Spectra Energy from 2009 to 2017. He has vast experience working in the Energy sector. Because of that, he is considered among the best CEOs in Canada.
4. Tracy Robinson:
Tracy Robinson is the President and CEO of Canadian National Railway Company. She took charge of this position on 28 Feb 2022. She is one of the smart CEOs in Canada due to her brilliance and dedication to her job.
Tracy is the Former Executive vice president of TC Energy and President of Coastal Gaslink. Initially, she served in various posts at Canadian Pacific Railway including General Manager of Transportation. She was Vice President and Treasurer, and Vice President of marketing and sales.
Tracy has vast experience of more than 27 years in the Railway industry. In short, she is one of the renowned personalities in the Railway and Transportation Industry.
5. Bruce Flatt:
Flatt was born in 1965. He is a Canadian Business magnate and CEO of Brookfield Asset Management. Brookfield Asset Management is a Canadian multinational company that is one of the largest alternative investment management companies in the world. It focuses on controlling investments in real estate, renewable power, and infrastructure industries.
Flatt started his career as a chartered accountant at Ernst & Young. After that, he joined Brascan. Brascan was the predecessor of Brookfield in 1990. He became Chief Executive of Brookfield Properties in 2000. Later on, he became CEO of the whole company. Due to his dedication and hard work, he is considered one of the best CEOs in Canada.
6. Bharat Masrani:
Bharat Masrani is currently serving as Group President and Chief Executive officer of Toronto Dominion Bank (TD Bank). Masrani took charge of this post on 1 November 2014. He graduated from York University in 1978. Bharat has completed his master’s degree from Schulich School of Business, York University.
Masrani started his career at TD Bank as a Commercial Lending Trainee. In 1993 he was appointed as Head of Corporate Banking in Canada. Moreover, He was relocated to Mumbai India, where he set up TD’s first office in India. Later on, he became President of TD Bank North in 2006.
After the retirement of Edmund Clark, he became CEO of TD Bank due to his massive work experience. He is known as one of the best CEOs in Canada due to his zeal for achieving more and more for his company.
7. Darry White: 
Darry is a Canadian banker and CEO of The Bank of Montreal. He took charge of this post on 1 November 2007 after succeeding Bill Downe. He did his Bachelor of Arts from the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. White has completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. Darry became part of BMO in 1994 and became Head of Montreal Investment & Corporate Banking in 2006.
Apart from his responsibilities at BMO, he is also serving as a member b of the Ottawa-based business council, Washington-based business c council, and Mayor of Beijing International Business Leader Advisory. Due to his Smart decisions and efforts to reduce economic disparity in this region, he is known as among the Best CEOs in Canada.
8. Keith Creel:
Next, the best CEO on this list is Keith Creel. Keith has been serving as president and CEO of Canadian Pacific Railway since January 2017. Prior to becoming CEO, he was a chief operating officer in 2013. He became part of the board of directors in May 2015.
Keith did his Bachelor of Science in marketing from Jacksonville State University and completed his Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. He began his career at Burlington Northern Railway in 1992.
Initially, he served in various posts including Superintendent and General Manager at Grand Trunk Western Railroad and director of the corridor operation at Illinois Central Railroad. Moreover, he has vast experience of working in the Railroad industry. He is considered among the Top CEOs in Canada due to his sincerity towards his work.
9. Ken Seitz:
Ken is currently serving as President and CEO of Nutrien. It is one of the largest Canadian Fertilisers companies. It is the world’s largest producer of Potash and 3rd largest producer of Nitrogen. Ken became an Executive Vice President and CEO of Potash in October 2019.
Prior to joining Nutrien, he served as CEO of Canpotex. He has previously served in Cameco Corporation for 18 years in various posts such as Senior Design Engineering and Senior Vice President etc. As a final point, he is known among the best CEOs in Canada. Due to his vast experience of more than 25 years in the agriculture and mining sector.
10. Mark Bristow:
Next, one of the best CEOs in Canada according to this list is Mark Bristow. He is currently serving as CEO and President of Barrick Gold. It is one the largest mining companies in Canada which are operating in thirteen countries. Barrick Gold is a leading producer of Gold and Copper with mining sites in different countries such as Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Zambia, the United States, and much more.
Mark became the CEO of Barrick Gold in January 2019 after the merger of Barrick Gold with Randgold Resources. Prior to becoming CEO of Barrick, he was serving as CEO of Randgold. Moreover, he was a pioneer of Randgold exploration work in West Africa. He is well known in the gold mining industry due to his remarkable work in promoting the gold mining industry in Africa.
Mark achieved his doctorate in Geology from Natal University, South Africa. Due to his vast experience working in the gold mining industry, he is considered among the Best CEOs in Canada.
11. Charles Brindamour:
Charles Brindamour is currently serving as CEO of Intact Financial Corporation. Intact Financial Corporation is the largest insurance provider company in Canada. Brindamour became CEO and President of Intact in 2008. He began his career with Intact in 1992. Initially, he did his graduation in Actuarial Science from Laval University. After that, he received his honorary degree in Ph.D. from HEC Montreal. He has served in various posts in Intact since 1992. Moreover, he has played a pivotal role in making this company an independent and widely held company in Canada.
Under his leadership, Intact has made one of the largest acquisitions in the history of Canada’s property and casualty insurance. Due to his dynamic leadership, he is known as one of the best CEOs in Canada.
12. Luke Gould:
Luke Gould is currently serving as CEO and President of Mackenzie Investments. Mackenzie Investments is one of the largest Canadian investment management firms. It is providing investment advisory and other related services. In fact, it is a part of IGM Financial Inc. It was founded in 1967.
Luke started his career in Mackenzie Investments in 1997 and since then he is serving in various posts. Initially, he became Vice President and Treasurer of IBM financial in 2005. After that, he took charge of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at IG wealth management in 2012. He was Chief Financial Officer at IG Wealth Management in 2013.
He did his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Manitoba. Currently, He is working as the CEO and President of Mackenzie since 2022. Apart from his working in Mackenzie, he is also working as a Director of China Asset Management Co, Ltd and Northleaf Capital Group, Ltd. He is well-known among the best CEOs in Canada due to his smart business ideas and innovative investment plans.
13. Linda Hasenfratz:
Linda Hasenfratz was born in June 1966. She is one of the top Canadian businesswomen. She is currently serving as Chairman, CEO, and President of Linamar. Linda got this position after succeeding her Father Frank Hasenfratz in 2002. Before starting her career, she got her bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Western Ontario.
Initially, she joined Linamar in 1990 as a Machine operator. Linamar works on creating solutions that power vehicles, motion, and work for the future. Under her leadership, Linamar has achieved the target of 58 plants in 13 countries across Asia, Europe, and North America.
Linda has several credits under her belt. Furthermore, She was the first Business woman to be named as Canada’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year. Moreover, She has served as Chairman of the Business Council of Canada and much more. Due to her charismatic personality and dynamic leadership, she has been ranked among the best CEOs in Canada.
14. Eric R. La Fleche:
Another best CEO listed in this article is none other than Eric Richer La Fleche. He is serving as Chief Executive Officer and President of Metro Inc. Metro Inc is one of the largest food retailer companies in Canada. It has more than 900 grocery Stores and more than 600 Drug stores present in different locations.
Eric did his Bachelor’s from the University of Ottawa Civil Law after that he went to Harvard Business School to earn his MBA degree. He started his career as a General Manager at Metro Inc in 1991. After serving in various posts he became CEO and President in 2008. Apart from Metro, he has been part of the Bank of Montreal and Gestion Masson St-Pierre.
He has served in various posts such as Co-Chairman at Centraide of Greater Montreal, and Senior Vice President of Super C. Eric is also performing his duties as an Independent Director of Bank of Montreal while holding the office of CEO at Metro. Moreover, He has been ranked as the Best CEO of the Year 2020 by the Financial Post.
15. Michael B Medline:
Another important personality on this list is none other than Michael B Medline. He was born on July 4, 1963. Michael is a Canadian businessman. He is the CEO of Empire Company Limited. It is one of the largest food retailing companies in Canada. Empire Company is the parent company of Sobey Inc.
Sobey Inc is the largest supermarket chain in Canada and Michael is serving as collective CEO of both Empire and Sobey Inc. He did his MBA from the College of William and Mary while an LLB from the University of Toronto. He became CEO and President in January 2017. Initially, his career started in different senior positions at Canadian Tire Corporations.
He had served in the Ontario service commission in 1989. After that, he practiced Law with McCarthy Tetrault. Moreover, he has the privilege of serving PepsiCo Canada as Corporate Counsel. Besides his work in Empire. Apart from that he is serving as a board member of the SickKids Foundation. In short, after seeing his career growth in the corporate sector it is pretty obvious that he is one of the best CEOs in Canada.
16. Patrick Dovigi:
After listing incredible businessmen and CEOs above, another best CEO on this list is Patrick Dovigi. He is a former hockey goaltender. He is the founder, president, and CEO of Green for Life (GFL). GFL is a Canadian Environmental service company, providing services in solid and liquid waste management.
Patrick studied business management at Ryerson University in 2000. Initially, Patrick started his career by playing league hockey. However, after some time he lost his interest in hockey and started gaining Business experience.
From 1999 to 2002 he served as vice president of the right lease. After gaining experience in the business sector, he founded his own company GFL in 2007. He has several achievements under his belt. In 2017, Patrick was the winner of Entrepreneur of the Year in the power, utility, and environment sectors. If we sum up all of his achievements, it is pretty obvious that he is one of the best CEOs in Canada.
17. Dareen Entwistle:
Another best CEO on this list is none other than Dareen Entwistle. Entwistle was born in 1962. He is also a Canadian businessman, CEO, and President of Telus. Telus is one of the largest Canadian telecommunication companies. It is providing a wide range of telecommunication products and services.
Their main services are providing internet access, voice entertainment, healthcare, video, and IPV television. Dareen did his bachelor of economics from Concordia University after that he went to McGill University (France) to complete his MBA. He started his career at Telus in 2000 as a President and CEO.
Telus has achieved a lot under his leadership because he has vast experience of working in different companies. Prior to being designated to this senior post he has served in George Weston Ltd, the business council of Canada, TD bank financial group, and much more. If we sum up all of his achievements, we can clearly see that he is one of the best CEOs in Canada.
18. Philip Fayer:
Philip Fayer is the founder, Chairman, and CEO of Nuvei. Initially, it was known as Pivotal Payments. Fayer founded this company in 2003. Under his leadership, his company expanded its services to a larger scale in more than 200 global markets. Nuvei was ranked among Canada’s best-managed companies in 2020 because of his dynamic leadership.
Philip received several awards and distinctions. He was named in Canada’s Top 40 under 40 in 2019. He was an achiever of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. After seeing his remarkable achievements, we can say that he is no doubt one of the best CEOs in Canada.
19. Randy Smallwood:
Second, the last person on this list is Randy V J Smallwood. He is currently serving as President and CEO of Wheaton Precious Metals. It is a Canadian multinational precious metal streaming company. Wheaton Precious metals are one of the largest producers of Silver and Gold.
In 2004, Randy was involved in establishing the foundations of Wheaton. However, he joined Wheaton as full-time vice president later in 2007. He was designated as President in 2010. Later on, he was appointed as the CEO of Wheaton. Randy did his Geological engineering at the University of British Columbia.
He has served as a board member of various other mining industries including Defiance Silver Corp, Ventana Gold, Castle Peak, and Tigray Resources Inc. Apart from this, he has also received several awards including the British Columbia Institute of Technology Distinguished Alumni Award in 2019 and the much more. In sum, we can say that he surely is one the best CEOs of Canada.
20. Alexandre L’Heureux:
Last but not least on this list is none other than Alexandre L’Heureux. He is serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of WSP Global Inc. It is a Canadian company with American and British roots. WSP is one of the leading engineering services firms.
Alexander started his career at WSP as a Chief Financial officer in July 2010. After that, he took charge as CEO of WSP in October 2016. Under his dynamic leadership, WSP completed 60 acquisitions. Prior to WSP, he was Chief Financial Officer at Auven Therapeutics. He has also served as vice president of operations at Citibank hedge bank services.
He is currently a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and the Chartered Financial Analysts Institute. In short, his dedication and hard work make him one of the best CEOs in Canada.
In Closing:
CEOs no doubt act as the backbone of their respective companies. So if you want to take inspiration from Canadian CEOs, then here is a complete list of the 20 best CEOs of Canada that will surely inspire you in making your future business strategies. These wonderful personalities with remarkable achievements are enough to inspire any person. Although, Their never to stop attitude surely deserves to be appreciated on every platform.
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