“Canadians can play on the world stage just like anyone else.” So says Peter Beresford, senior vice-president for global brand development at the world's No. 1 fast-food chain, McDonald's Corp. He should know.
Beresford is one of the many Canadian managers we found as we scoured the world for homegrown “global leaders.” He's been to Russia, Japan, the United Kingdom and, now, he is at McDonald's U.S. headquarters, mentoring the next generation of managers.
This is the second time we've looked for Canadians who rank among the cream of the crop among global executives. With a reputation for combining North American-style business smarts with sensitivity toward cultural diversity and language differences, Canadians are one hot commodity.
Top Canadian executives
Canadian Business wondered how well Canadians were represented at the top of the world's 100 largest corporations. So we asked each one to identify its top Canuck. Not all responded, however one-third named a high-ranking Canadian. Some are posted abroad; typically they named the head of their Canadian division. But all are global leaders.
Global Leaders
Robert Booth: Executive director, Emaar Properties
Peter Beresford: Senior vice-president, global marking, McDonald's Corp.
Daniel Lalonde: President and CEO, LVMH Watch & Jewelry North America
Kerri Molinaro: President, Ikea Canada
Michael Rapino: President and CEO, Live Nation Inc.
Alexander Mirza: Senior vice-president, Hilton Hotels Corp.
Tro Piliguian: COO, WPP
