'She will be instrumental in further fostering and developing the people and performance-centric culture at WestJet'
The WestJet Group has announced the appointment of a new Executive Vice-President and Chief People Officer at the company.
Jacqui McGillivray – who has over 30 years of HR work experience – has taken both those roles for the firm effective Oct. 7, 2024, according to the employer.
"Jacqui brings a wealth of HR and organizational change experience, along with a notable track record of leading results-oriented, multi-disciplinary, and culturally strong teams in unlocking value and sustaining growth," said WestJet Group CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech.
"She will be instrumental in further fostering and developing the people and performance-centric culture at WestJet," he added.
Recently, hundreds of Canadian HR leaders gathered for the annual Canadian Human Resources Awards.
HR leadership prior to WestJet
McGillivray joined WestJet from Element Fleet Management, where she served as executive vice-president, chief people and social impact officer. At Element, she helped drive the company’s transformation, boosting both employee engagement and client retention. Her leadership contributed to placing Element Fleet in the top five percent of companies within the TSX Composite index, according to WestJet.
Before coming to Element, McGillivray was also executive vice-president for safety & organization effectiveness at Cenovus Energy; head of global HR at Talisman Energy; and vice president for HR, brand & marketing for Global Wealth Management at the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), according to her LinkedIn page.
"As a Calgary resident for the past 14 years, I have been closely following WestJet's journey and recent strategic shift," McGillivray said. "I am incredibly impressed by the discipline and resolve of the leadership team to solidify WestJet's longstanding reputation as the home carrier of the West and the leading Canadian value and leisure airline. I am thrilled to join this Canadian aviation success story and to play a part in a bright and sustainable future for our guests, our people, and the communities we serve."
In May 2023, Unifor secured substantial wage increases for WestJet members employed at the Toronto Pearson International Airport under their first collective agreement.
McGillivray succeeded Angela Avery, who is retiring but will remain in an advisory role to ensure a smooth transition.
Von Hoensbroech also expressed gratitude to Avery for her leadership during WestJet’s recovery phase, stating, “We wish her all the best in retirement.”
