GS1 Canada president and CEO Eileen Mac Donald passes away
GS1 Canada president and CEO Eileen Mac Donald, has passed away.
“Eileen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones during this challenging time,” GS1 Canada said in a statement.
The company said Mac Donald was “an integral part of our organization’s fabric,” and a “trusted partner to Canadian industry.”
In her more than 20 years at GS1 Canada, Mac Donald spearheaded many achievements. In 2021, she was tapped as the company’s chief executive.
“Known for her authenticity and people-first leadership philosophy, Eileen truly believed in seeing the person before the employee. She fostered a culture of collaboration, inclusion and genuine care for our employees and the wider community,” GS1 Canada’s statement continued.
“Eileen often reminded us that the ‘most important asset to any business is the team.’ In keeping with her vision and the culture she helped create, we are focused on supporting our GS1 Canada team and continuing to support our broader community. Eileen’s legacy will continue to inspire us, and we are committed to honouring her vision of collaboration and excellence.”
Mac Donald’s career spanned 35 years across multiple industries, marked by achievements in leadership, marketing and operations. She has been recognized with numerous accolades, including a 2022 Canadian Grocer Star Women in Grocery Award and a 2024 Golden Pencil Award.
At the time of her Star Women Award, Canadian Grocer asked Mac Donald how she would describe her leadership style. She said: “I am a people-first leader and I learned that the most important asset to any business is the team. It doesn’t matter what your strategy is, what your budget is, who’s on your board, etc. You are not a leader if you don’t have fellowship. To be privileged to work with incredibly bright, committed, focused and aligned team members is the best part of my job. My focus on people is reflected in the core of who I am as a person.”
