Gord Johnston carries a rare combination of grounded expertise and visionary drive. From the roots of engineering to the heart of community care, his path feels more like a story than a resume.
The Foundation: Humble Beginnings in Engineering
Johnston’s journey began with a solid technical foundation, both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Engineering in civil engineering from the University of Alberta. You can almost picture him in classrooms or field sites, absorbing the nuts and bolts of building resilient infrastructure.
In 1990, he joined Stantec’s water practice in Edmonton. Over time, he proved himself, working on infrastructure projects across North America and beyond. He moved through various roles, including water business line leader, executive vice president of infrastructure, and a key contributor to the company’s growth through acquisitions.
At the Helm: Vision with Purpose
By 2018, Johnston became President and CEO of Stantec, a role built not on prestige, but on deep experience and trusted partnerships. His leadership goals reach beyond profit. He seeks sustainable, global growth through real connections with colleagues, clients, and communities.
Education remained a priority: Johnston enriched his leadership toolkit through Harvard Business School’s program for professional services firms and a finance program for directors and executives at the Rotman School of Management.
Building a Mosaic of Community and Equity
Johnston’s leadership is rooted in values. At Stantec, he champions a “distributed, flexible leadership team”, one that embraces diversity, not just as a token, but as a source of strength. His message in the CEO’s address rings with inclusive optimism: “When we bring together diverse people, ideas, and perspectives, we achieve more.”
Hands Across the Community
His commitment doesn’t stop at boardrooms. Johnston served on influential boards, the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies (ACEC) Canada, Consulting Engineers of Alberta, the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association’s Biosolids Committee, and TELUS’s Edmonton community board.
In 2024, his leadership team at Stantec earned recognition in investor relations, winning the award for Best IR by a senior management team (mid-cap) in Canada.
Next Chapter: Serving Alberta’s Most Vulnerable
In August 2025, Johnston took on a significant new role: Chief Executive Officer of Assisted Living Alberta (ALA). Walking away from Civida, Alberta’s largest provider of affordable housing, he joins a critical mission.
At Civida, he made housing a platform for deeper care. Under his watch, the company embraced mixed-income developments, where low, middle, and market-rate homes coexist, fueling financial stability and social integration.
He didn’t stop there: Johnston backed programs building community spaces in partnership with nonprofits, leased for a symbolic US$1 a year, to bring support services close to people’s lives.
Now at ALA, he will shape a new system of assisted living services across Alberta. His aim? “A more integrated, person-centred health care system,” that adapts as people’s needs evolve. And his words reflect both humility and resolve: “I am honoured and excited for the opportunity to help build the best assisted living system in the country”.
A Leader Made for People
Gord Johnston’s story isn’t just one of titles and projects; it’s built on empathy. It’s about bringing people together: engineers, clients, communities, seniors, the vulnerable. Whether shaping urban developments or a province-wide system of care, he holds onto the belief that true leadership walks hand in hand with human connection.
This profile resonates because Gord Johnston’s story is more than a list of titles; it reflects the human side of leadership. He began as an engineer and grew into a compassionate leader, guiding purpose-driven transitions from infrastructure projects to affordable housing and now assisted living.
His career is built on grounded, diverse experience, strengthened by community service and a commitment to continuous learning. What stands out most is his forward-looking vision, one that balances growth, equity, and care. At the heart of it all, Johnston is a leader whose pulse beats for people, working to make every community stronger, kinder, and more connected.
