When Gord Johnston graduated from the Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Faculty of Engineering, he never imagined his career would one day mirror the extraordinary rise of the company he would go on to lead. Today, as president and CEO of , Johnston is being recognized with the 2026 Canadian Business Leader Award (CBLA) for his vision, integrity and commitment to people.
“It’s a real honour to even just be considered for the award, and frankly, it’s a little bit overwhelming,” says Johnston. “It feels like a full-circle moment. I graduated from the Â鶹ÊÓƵ, started my career in Edmonton, and now have the chance to lead a truly made-in-Edmonton global champion.”
Johnston’s career began close to home, first with the City of Edmonton’s water branch (now EPCOR) and then with Alberta Transportation. He joined Stantec in the early 1990s just as the firm was expanding into Eastern Canada. His first leadership role took him to Cambridge, Ont., and soon afterward, he was tapped to manage a major project in Kuwait. “My career evolved from technical to people-focused leadership to more geographic opportunities,” he says, “as Stantec was also growing nationally and globally.”
When Johnston became CEO in 2018, his first priority was to make life simpler for employees. He sold a construction division the firm had inherited through a merger, refocusing Stantec on its strength as a professional services company that partners with — rather than competes against — builders. He also streamlined decision-making by giving leaders clear accountability. “We wanted to make things easier for our people,” he says. “Since then, good things have happened.”
The results speak for themselves. Under Johnston’s leadership, Stantec’s market capitalization has risen over 300 per cent, net revenues have grown by more than 70 per cent, and the firm has completed 25 strategic acquisitions. Today, Stantec ranks among the world’s top 10 design firms, employing more than 34,000 people across six continents.
Yet Johnston is just as proud of the company’s culture as its performance. He recalls leading Stantec through the uncertainty of the pandemic as one of the defining chapters of his career.
“We put people first,” he says. “I was writing a newsletter every week about working from home — how I had to string a 100-foot ethernet cable up the stairs, and dealing with slow wi-fi. People could relate. We knew we were all in this together.”
Employee trust in leadership rose during that time, he notes, and Stantec continues to record some of the lowest voluntary turnover rates in the industry.
At the heart of Johnston’s leadership philosophy is humility and teamwork. He views leadership as a team sport — surrounding himself with people who are dedicated, smart and of the highest integrity, working together to set strategy and then empowering them to carry it out. For him, the leader’s role is to provide direction and accountability, then step back and let people do what they do best.
He is also a strong advocate for equity, inclusion and mentorship. “Culture for us is intentional,” he says. “It’s having the right people at the table with diverse perspectives. What’s important is that when we appoint someone, people say, ‘Of course, who else would you have given that job to?’ That’s when we know we’ve succeeded.”
His advice for students and young professionals is straightforward: success depends as much on relationships as on technical skill. A strong product or service is important, but without partners and networks, it is difficult to move forward. He encourages graduates to stay curious, embrace opportunities as they arise and step outside their comfort zones, knowing that growth often comes from taking risks.
Looking ahead, Johnston emphasizes resilience as a defining trait for businesses and leaders. He points to the constant cycle of economic, geopolitical and technological challenges — from artificial intelligence to whatever comes next — and he stresses the importance of preparing the next generation by hiring well, providing training and empowering future leaders.
For Johnston, it all comes back to Edmonton and the Â鶹ÊÓƵ. “Edmontonians and Albertans have a strong work ethic, humility and a sense of community. That’s been central to Stantec’s success, and it shapes how I lead. Having grown up in Sherwood Park, studied at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ and built my career here, this recognition is deeply meaningful.”
About the Canadian Business Leader Award
Excellence in business leadership has been defined — and nationally awarded — by the Â鶹ÊÓƵ for the last 42 years. The Canadian Business Leader Award (CBLA), established and developed by the Alberta School of Business and now presented by the Â鶹ÊÓƵ, is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated leadership, business acumen and success, an entrepreneurial spirit, integrity and a commitment to the community.
The award will be presented to Johnston at the annual CBLA dinner — a Â鶹ÊÓƵ signature event, attended by hundreds of members of the Alberta business community — on March 4, 2026, in Edmonton. More than 100 students will be able to attend thanks to individual and company sponsorships.
If you would like to attend the event, watch for more information on the CBLA website.