Edmonton boasts a rapidly growing business landscape, with numerous companies earning recognition not only locally but across Canada. Behind their success are seasoned entrepreneurs with deep expertise in business, strategic management, and project development. Learn more about leading companies in Edmonton and the stories of successful business people at edmonton1.one.
Dave Filipchuk and PCL Construction
Dave Filipchuk’s passion for construction began in his early childhood. It started with building LEGO sets and later evolved into helping his father build the family home. That passion never faded. After graduating from the University of Alberta with a degree in civil engineering, Dave joined PCL Construction Holdings Ltd. in 1984. This marked the beginning of a highly successful career within a single company—one that has left an indelible mark on Canada’s construction industry over the past four decades.
Filipchuk worked his way up from the ground level to the executive suite. He held various positions across PCL’s operating districts before being appointed President and CEO in 2016. Today, he serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for both PCL Construction Holdings Ltd. and PCL Employee Holdings Ltd. Throughout his career, Dave has noted that the company’s unique scale and culture have shaped his approach to leadership. He learned from numerous mentors and leads by example, helping others achieve their own success.
Under his leadership, PCL Construction Holdings Ltd. surpassed the $11 billion mark in annual revenue. The company has become an industry leader in innovation, safety, and sustainability, while also successfully navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dave takes immense pride in championing the company’s 100% employee-ownership model, where only active employees can be shareholders. This culture fosters a supportive environment and ensures long-term commitment to the firm. He is also a strong advocate for advancing equity, mentorship, and inclusion within the industry, which includes a commitment to doubling the number of women in leadership roles.
Beyond business, Filipchuk is a generous and active community leader. He has served on the Board of Trustees for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation and spearheaded numerous charitable initiatives, including a $1.25 million donation for multiple sclerosis research. His contributions have been recognized with the Canadian Business Leader Award and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal—proof that his career has been defined as much by community service as by corporate success.
David Kent and Nearctic Property Group
David Kent’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1979. Armed with a modest starting capital and a massive vision, he built what would soon become Nearctic Property Group—one of Edmonton’s most respected real estate development and management firms. Over more than 45 years of steady leadership, David has developed and managed commercial, industrial, and residential properties. His work has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity, creating long-term value for tenants and communities across Alberta and beyond.
The strength of Nearctic Property Group lies not just in its project portfolio, but in its underlying philosophy. David founded the company on core values such as:
- Integrity.
- Quality.
- Long-term thinking.
Rather than competing directly with publicly traded developers, he focused on operational excellence, tenant satisfaction, and community-focused design. This approach has earned Nearctic Property Group numerous accolades, including the BOMA TOBY Award for Canada’s best light industrial building (Vantage Business Park), the Mayor’s Award for Affordable Housing (Grosvenor Manor), and the Edmonton Urban Design Award of Merit for the Strathearn Heights project.
Over the years, the entrepreneur has dedicated his time and expertise to a wide range of charitable initiatives, including Valour Place, the Art Gallery of Alberta, the Snow Valley Ski Club, and Alpine Canada. He has also served as president for several community organizations.
All of these achievements led to Kent’s induction into the Northern Alberta Business Hall of Fame. According to David, he owes his success to the people who genuinely believed in him, especially his wife and his first mentor, Pat Grant.
Bob MacLean: From Small Business to Major Infrastructure Projects
Bob MacLean’s life story is a testament to hard work, foresight, and community spirit. Growing up in a large family of nine children in northern Alberta, Bob learned early on that success comes through dedication and taking responsibility. After high school, he attended Grande Prairie Regional College and became the first business student to transfer into the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Business, where he earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1975.
His entrepreneurial career kicked off with Peace Trailer Industries, a company that provided modular workforce housing across North America and eventually expanded into international markets in Russia and South America. In 1997, he founded The Crossing Group. Under the leadership of his son Ryan and a dedicated team, the business has grown into one of Canada’s largest trenchless construction companies.
MacLean has also showcased exceptional business acumen in real estate development, spearheading major projects in Edmonton like College Plaza, as well as the Varscona and Metterra hotels. Holding a pilot’s license since 1979, he helped establish the Oliver Helicopter Company in Grande Prairie and co-founded AirSprint, Canada’s first fractional aircraft ownership company.
Throughout his diverse career, Bob has stayed true to his principles and his commitment to the community. He has funded numerous organizations and initiatives. The businessman credits much of his success to his wife, who has stood by his side throughout his entire journey. Today, Bob MacLean is an active investor who enjoys spending more time with his family and travelling.
Zainul Mawji and TELUS
Zainul Mawji’s roots trace back to her family’s hotel business in Red Deer. Today, as President of TELUS Consumer Solutions, she leads a national team of thousands of employees and oversees billions of dollars in annual revenue. Her division delivers essential telecommunications services to Canadians—from mobile connectivity and high-speed internet to smart home automation. During her tenure at TELUS, Mawji has been instrumental in transforming the company’s growth strategy, spearheading national expansion and driving industry-first innovations.
Zainul attributes her entrepreneurial mindset to her parents, who constantly emphasized the importance of hard work, humility, and generosity. Helping out in the family’s hotel chain taught her the fundamentals of effective management.
Under Mawji’s leadership, TELUS has expanded its operations into new sectors, including:
- Digital healthcare.
- Home automation.
- Smart energy. The company has also forged breakthrough partnerships with major global content and technology brands.
Zainul has been recognized as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women, named to The Globe & Mail’s list of top executives, and celebrated as a trailblazer in the tech sector. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to set ambitious goals but stay intensely focused on the things within their control.