STOCK TITAN

Leadership change at Stantec (NYSE: STN) as Gord Johnston moves to vice chair

Filing Impact
(Neutral)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
6-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Stantec Inc. announced a planned leadership transition, with Gord Johnston retiring as president and chief executive officer effective October 1. He will remain on the Board of Directors as vice chair, providing continuity of oversight.

Susan Reisbord, currently chief operating officer for North America, has been appointed the next president and CEO. She brings more than 30 years of industry experience, including prior service as CEO of Cardno before it was acquired by Stantec in 2021, and has led Stantec’s Environmental Services business and its largest geographic operating unit.

The company emphasizes that this change stems from a long-standing, Board-led succession plan, with client relationships, project delivery, and operational focus described as unchanged. Stantec highlights Johnston’s eight-and-a-half-year tenure as CEO as a period of global expansion, strategic refinement, and investment in people and capabilities.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.

Insights

Stantec outlines a planned CEO transition with strong continuity signals.

Stantec is implementing a Board-led CEO succession, with Gord Johnston retiring as president and CEO on October 1 and remaining as vice chair. This structure keeps his institutional knowledge on the Board while handing day-to-day leadership to Susan Reisbord.

Reisbord’s background includes more than 30 years in the industry, prior CEO experience at Cardno, and progressive roles at Stantec since 2021, culminating as chief operating officer for North America. That track record suggests familiarity with Stantec’s largest markets and operations.

The company stresses continuity in client relationships, project delivery, and operational focus, framing the transition as the product of a long-standing succession plan. Forward-looking statements acknowledge that timing or details of the appointments could change, so subsequent disclosures will clarify execution of this succession if any adjustments arise.

CEO transition effective date October 1 Date when Gord Johnston retires as president and CEO
Press release date June 17, 2026 Date of Stantec’s leadership transition announcement
Johnston CEO tenure Eight-and-a-half years Period Gord Johnston served as CEO
Reisbord industry experience More than 30 years Length of Susan Reisbord’s experience in the industry
Year Cardno acquisition 2021 Year Stantec acquired Cardno, where Reisbord was CEO
Year promoted to COO North America 2025 Year Reisbord became chief operating officer for North America
foreign private issuer regulatory
"Form 6-K REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16"
A foreign private issuer is a company organized outside the United States that meets tests showing it is primarily foreign-controlled and therefore qualifies for a different set of U.S. reporting rules. For investors, that means the company files less frequent or differently formatted disclosures with U.S. regulators and may follow home-country accounting and governance practices, so buying its stock is like dining at a well-reviewed restaurant that follows its home kitchen’s rules instead of the local menu — you get access but should check what standards apply.
succession plan financial
"This transition is the result of a long-standing, Board-led succession plan."
forward-looking statements regulatory
"This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the executive succession plan"
Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.
vice chair financial
"Mr. Johnston will remain on the Board, taking on the role of vice chair."
chief operating officer financial
"Susan Reisbord, currently chief operating officer of the North America business"
A chief operating officer (COO) is a senior executive responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of a company, ensuring that all parts of the organization work smoothly and efficiently. They often act like a company's operational quarterback, translating strategic plans into practical actions. For investors, the COO's effectiveness can influence a company's performance and stability, making them an important figure in assessing the company's management strength.
See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google
Add on Google
 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of June 2026

Commission File Number: 001-32562

STANTEC INC.
(Translation of registrant's name into English)

300-10220 103 Avenue NW
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T5J 0K4

(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F [   ]      Form 40-F [ X ]

 

 


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

      STANTEC INC.    
  (Registrant)
   
  
Date: June 17, 2026     /s/ Vito Culmone     
  Vito Culmone
  Executive Vice President and CFO
  


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number Description
  
99.1 Press Release dated June 17, 2026

EXHIBIT 99.1

Gord Johnston to Transition to Vice Chair of Stantec’s Board of Directors

Susan Reisbord Appointed President & Chief Executive Officer

EDMONTON, Alberta and NEW YORK, June 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TSX, NYSE:STN

Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, announces today that Gord Johnston will retire as president and chief executive officer, effective October 1. Mr. Johnston will remain on the Board, taking on the role of vice chair. Susan Reisbord, currently chief operating officer of the North America business, has been appointed as the next president and chief executive officer.

“Susan is a proven leader with a strong track record of delivering results,” said Doug Ammerman, chair of Stantec’s Board of Directors. “Under Susan’s leadership, Stantec is well positioned to deliver on its commitments today, while advancing into its next chapter of growth, including the development and execution of the Company’s next Strategic Plan.”

“Susan is the right leader for Stantec’s next chapter,” said Mr. Johnston. “She understands our business, our strategy, and our culture, and will continue to drive operational excellence and growth across the company. I have full confidence in her and in the Company’s future.”

Deep Commitment to Continuity

This transition is the result of a long-standing, Board-led succession plan. Stantec’s client relationships, project delivery, and operational focus remain unchanged, reflecting the strength and consistency of its leadership platform.

Ms. Reisbord brings more than 30 years of experience in the industry, joining Stantec in 2021 with the acquisition of Cardno, where she was the CEO. Ms. Reisbord became the business operating unit leader for Stantec’s Environmental Services business line, before being promoted in 2025 to chief operating officer for North America, the company’s largest geographic operating unit.

“As I step into the role of CEO, I’m excited to do so from a position of strength and stability—which is a direct reflection of the quality of our people,” Ms. Reisbord said. “Stantec does astounding work that matters deeply to the clients and communities we serve. I’m proud to take this great company forward, and I thank Gord for the foundation he’s laid before me.”

A Strong Legacy, a Clear Path Forward

During his eight-and-a-half years as CEO, Mr. Johnston led Stantec through a period of significant transformation—strengthening its global platform, sharpening its strategic focus, and reinforcing a culture grounded in collaboration, technical excellence, and purpose. Under his leadership, Stantec advanced its position as a truly global, innovative, and resilient professional services firm, navigating industry cycles with discipline while continuing to invest in people, capabilities, and long-term growth.

“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Gord for his outstanding leadership,” said Mr. Ammerman. “Over his tenure as CEO, he expanded our global footprint, refined our strategy, and built a deep, capable leadership team that positions the company well for the future.”

“As I step away from the role of president and CEO, I do so with great pride and gratitude—pride in our people and gratitude for all we’ve been able to accomplish together,” said Mr. Johnston. “Stantec is a strong company with a bright future. I have tremendous confidence in where it is headed under Susan’s leadership, and I look forward to continuing to support the Company’s success as vice chair of the Board.”

About Stantec

Stantec empowers clients, people, and communities to rise to the world’s greatest challenges at a time when the world faces more unprecedented concerns than ever before.   

We are a global leader in sustainable architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting. ​Our professionals deliver the expertise, technology, and innovation communities need to manage aging infrastructure, demographic and population changes, the energy transition, and more. ​

Today’s communities transcend geographic borders. At Stantec, community means everyone with an interest in the work that we do—from our project teams and industry colleagues to our clients and the people our work impacts. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure.  ​

We are designers, engineers, scientists, project managers, and strategic advisors. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.​

Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN. Visit us at stantec.com or find us on social media.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the executive succession plan described above. By their nature, forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. There is a risk that the executive appointments described above may be accelerated, delayed, suspended or terminated. This could cause future results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made in this news release. Except as may be required by law, Stantec undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are provided herein for the purpose of giving information about the succession plan referred to above and its expected impact.

Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

Media Contact
Danny Craig
Director, Public Relations
Ph: (949) 632-6319
danny.craig@stantec.com           
Investor Contact
Jess Nieukerk
Stantec Investor Relations
Ph: (403) 569-5389
ir@stantec.com                  


FAQ

What executive leadership change did Stantec (STN) announce in this Form 6-K?

Stantec announced that Gord Johnston will retire as president and CEO effective October 1 and remain on the Board as vice chair. Susan Reisbord, currently chief operating officer for North America, has been appointed the next president and chief executive officer.

Who is Susan Reisbord, Stantec’s incoming CEO, and what is her background?

Susan Reisbord is currently Stantec’s chief operating officer for North America and has more than 30 years of industry experience. She joined Stantec in 2021 through the Cardno acquisition, where she was CEO, and has led Environmental Services and the company’s largest geographic operating unit.

When will Stantec’s CEO transition from Gord Johnston to Susan Reisbord take effect?

The transition is scheduled to take effect October 1, when Gord Johnston will retire as president and CEO. He will then move to the role of vice chair of Stantec’s Board, while Susan Reisbord assumes the president and chief executive officer positions on that date.

Is Stantec’s CEO change part of a planned succession process?

Yes. Stantec states the leadership change results from a long-standing, Board-led succession plan. The company says its client relationships, project delivery, and operational focus remain unchanged, underscoring an emphasis on continuity in strategy and operations during the transition to the new CEO.

How does Stantec describe Gord Johnston’s tenure as CEO in this announcement?

Stantec describes Johnston’s eight-and-a-half years as CEO as a period of significant transformation, including strengthening its global platform and sharpening strategic focus. The Board highlights his role in expanding the global footprint, refining strategy, and building a deep leadership team that supports the company’s future direction.

Does Stantec include any forward-looking statements about the CEO succession?

Yes. The company includes forward-looking statements about the executive succession plan, noting assumptions and risks that appointments could be accelerated, delayed, suspended, or terminated. It explains these statements are provided to describe the succession plan and its expected impact, subject to applicable securities law requirements.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

1 document