Les Dakens is currently an Executive Advisor at My Next Season, a company that is focused on helping companies and individuals with important career transitions and ensuring they happen well. Prior to this, Les spent more than 30 years working in human resources for top-tier companies. From 2011–2013, he was Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for Maple Leaf Foods Inc. Les held the executive position of Senior Vice President, People with Canadian National Railway (CN), which he joined in 2001.
Les is widely recognized for his leadership in developing best practices as one of North America’s top human resource professionals. At the 2016 Canadian HR Awards, he received the SAP SuccessFactors Award for Lifetime Achievement in the HR Industry.
Les is currently on the boards of Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada, Axiom Audio and Planet Shrimp.
Les holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from York University and is a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors' Directors Education Program. He is also the author of three successful business books: Switchpoints: Culture Change on the Fast Track to Business Success and Employee Performance Scorecards and The Real Deal on People How the CHRO Adds Value.
