Delana Mckinsley takes a vision and makes it a reality through sound strategy development. She intuitively sees the threads of opportunity that wind through an organization, brings them together into a coherent whole, helps others extend their thinking, and drives material business advantage.   

She is an inspirational leader who tells stories that inspire action while at the same time is grounded in financial information that levers the business.  Respected as a credible voice in decision making, finding strategic talent, partners, and establishing governance boundaries, Delana earns a seat at the table wherever she serves.

In her most recent position as the Head of Culture and Organizational Effectiveness for Canadian Telecommunications leader, Shaw Communications, she successfully steered the 10,000 people-strong organization through a pivot to align vision, socialization, design, and implementation of organizational capability models to build talent management programs and investments. Introduced capabilities-based leadership framework that overhauled talent assessment, recruitment, onboarding, launched digital coaching and development program. Shaped and launched talent performance and total rewards systems and practices. Filled learning gaps and developmental needs of individuals, introduced a modern, digital talent marketplace to the organization. Teamed key leaders with executive coaches to enhance evaluations and succession practices. Developed vision and strategy for diversity and inclusion beyond equity compliance. Defined metrics for listening, focused feedback, and responses delivered. Originated consultative outreach to internal and external colleagues. Partnered with employee resource groups; created first-ever diversity index. Designed and instituted reporting mechanisms; created executive dashboards including cross-functional, internal, and external metrics. Repeatedly recognized as a company with an enviable culture and known for fostering diversity and inclusion.

As a Consultant, Delana has focused on business incubation, talent management and Human Resources and has many years of proven experience collaborating within alliances supporting incubation, scale, and growth. Services included business funding, seed capital, talent management, performance assessment, business strategy, and project management. She served across industries and sectors, driving early board governance, engaging stakeholders, and delivering leadership reporting.

Earlier she rose through the ranks in Corporate industries in Insurance and Financial Services and specialized in People, Culture, Learning and Leadership Development, creating an impact on bottom-line results through strength in crafting a vision, strategy, overseeing teams & implementing with excellence. She is known for performance coaching and hands-on operational management; change management and business transformation, learning innovation and organizational development, leadership development, program management, full-cycle talent acquisition and recruitment, talent assessment, succession planning, employee engagement, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

Delana has multiple licenses and certifications coupled with well-rounded formal business education. Her graduate studies include completion of a certificate in strategic change and operations management, a graduate diploma in business administration and an MBA that specializes in Global Strategic Human Resource Management.

She has published articles focused on all aspects of Human Capital, serves on committees as an advisor on employee equity, corporate leadership, learning and continuing education.

She is proud to be a part of CIVS Marketplace and assisting clients in sourcing and starting their business in Canada.