Stephanie McDonald: Recognized as One of Canada’s Best Executives in 2025
On April 30, 2025, MDA Space Ltd., a reputable player in the global space industry, celebrated the exceptional achievement of its Chief People, Culture and Transformation Officer, Stephanie McDonald. Recognized as one of Canada’s Best Executives by The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business Magazine, McDonald’s award highlights her significant contributions to the company and the broader Canadian business landscape.
The Best Executive Awards, established in 2020, honor outstanding leaders other than CEOs within Canadian businesses. Awardees are chosen based on their professional accomplishments, leadership style, and positive impact on their organizations. McDonald’s tenure at MDA Space began in 2023, marking her as the first individual to fill this crucial role. In just 18 months, she and her team successfully onboarded more than 1,500 new employees, reflecting the company’s aggressive growth trajectory.
According to Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space, McDonald's disciplined leadership and ability to foster enterprise-wide collaboration have been pivotal in transforming the business. He praised her capacity for patient coaching, exemplary communication skills, and emotionally intelligent approach to leadership, stating that these qualities enable the staff to recognize the importance of change and understand how their contributions help drive company success.
Before joining MDA Space, McDonald amassed a wealth of experience as a seasoned executive, working with large multinational corporations navigating through transformative phases. Some of her significant endeavors include leading organizations through complex business integrations, corporate turnarounds, and rapid scaling efforts. Her educational background includes a Master of Business Administration with Academic Distinction from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Saskatchewan. Additionally, she is a certified Culture Coach from the Maslow Research Center.
Founded over 55 years ago, MDA Space has made its mark as a pioneer in robotics, satellite systems, and geointelligence. The company has played an essential role in over 450 missions, establishing itself as a global leader in satellite communications, Earth and space observation, as well as exploration and infrastructure. Currently, the MDA Space team comprises over 3,400 experts across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, all dedicated to transforming ambitious client visions into actionable missions.
With a commitment to building an engaging and transformative workplace culture, McDonald is set to further enhance MDA Space’s impact in the space industry and beyond. For those who dare to dream and push boundaries in both terrestrial and celestial pursuits, MDA Space is the partner that brings those dreams to fruition. To learn more about MDA Space and its mission, visit their official website at mda.space.