McGillivray joins the WestJet team with 30 years of executive leadership experience across global organisations. Most recently, she helped develop Element Fleet Management’s employee engagement and client retention as Executive Vice-President, Chief People and Social Impact Officer. McGillivray replaces Angela Avery who is retiring from WestJet. However, Avery will remain an advisor to assist with the transition.
“As a Calgary resident for the past 14 years, I have been closely following WestJet’s journey and recent strategic shift. 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 in service of affordable air travel for Canadians,” said McGillivray. “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.”
Her other prior roles include Executive Vice-President of Safety and Organization Effectiveness at Cenovus Energy, Head of Global Human Resources at Talisman Energy, and Vice-President of HR, Brand & Marketing for the Global Wealth Management division of RBC Royal Bank.
“Jacqui brings a wealth of HR and organisational change experience, along with a notable track record of leading results-oriented, multi-disciplinary, and culturally strong teams in unlocking value and sustaining growth,” commented Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group Chief Executive Officer. “We are thrilled to welcome Jacqui at this vital time as we look to build on the momentum of our growth strategy. She will be instrumental in further fostering and developing the people and performance-centric culture at WestJet. We are deeply appreciative to Angela [Avery], who led WestJet through a pivotal recovery period and has established a strong foundation for us to write the next chapter. We wish her all the best in retirement.”
Photo: WestJet