Blackline Safety’s Meaghan Whitney Named Among Globe and Mail’s 2025 Best Executives for Transformational HR Leadership
Blackline Safety Corp. (TSX: BLN), a global pioneer in connected safety technology, proudly announced that Meaghan Whitney, its Chief People Officer, has been named one of the 2025 Best Executives by the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business. The annual awards program honors senior business leaders across Canada who demonstrate excellence in their fields and make outstanding contributions to their companies and industries.
Whitney’s recognition comes in the Human Resources category, celebrating her influential leadership and the transformative impact she has made at Blackline Safety since joining the company five years ago. As CPO, Whitney has been instrumental in reshaping Blackline’s organizational culture, talent development strategy, and employee experience—fostering a workplace environment that champions innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth.
Driving Growth Through People
Since stepping into her leadership role at Blackline, Whitney has spearheaded initiatives that have dramatically enhanced the company’s people-first culture and fueled its business performance. Under her direction, Blackline has seen its workforce more than double—from 280 employees to nearly 600 globally. This expansion reflects not only the company’s strategic growth trajectory but also Whitney’s success in attracting and retaining top-tier talent in a competitive technology landscape.
Alongside this workforce growth, key employee metrics have also significantly improved. Employee engagement has surged to 80%, while job satisfaction has climbed to 82%—both substantially higher than the technology industry average of 67%, according to industry benchmarks. These numbers underscore Whitney’s commitment to cultivating a workplace where employees feel valued, empowered, and connected to the company’s mission.
In addition to increased satisfaction and engagement, employee retention has improved markedly. The average tenure at Blackline Safety has risen to 3.5 years, exceeding the tech industry’s typical benchmark of around two years. This longevity is particularly notable in a sector where rapid turnover is common, further highlighting the effectiveness of Whitney’s strategies in building a loyal and motivated workforce.
A Visionary Approach to HR Leadership
As a certified SHRM-CP and Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR), Whitney brings deep expertise and a progressive mindset to the evolving role of human resources in today’s business world. Her leadership style combines data-driven decision-making with a strong emphasis on empathy, creativity, and cultural intelligence—qualities that have become increasingly critical in a post-pandemic, hybrid-working era.
One of Whitney’s standout qualities is her ability to connect with people on a human level. Drawing from her early career in the performing arts, she has developed a keen emotional intelligence and an adaptive, creative approach to leadership. These traits enable her to build trust and inspire collaboration across all levels of the organization.
“Meaghan is an exceptional leader who has built high-performing teams and fostered a collaborative culture that has been vital to our ongoing success,” said Cody Slater, CEO and Chair of Blackline Safety. “Her contributions have played a key role in enabling our 32 consecutive quarters of year-over-year revenue growth. On behalf of everyone at Blackline, I extend my sincere congratulations to Meaghan on this well-deserved honor.”
Cultivating a Culture of Belonging and Growth
One of Whitney’s core beliefs is that people thrive when they are seen, heard, and supported as their authentic selves. At Blackline Safety, she has led several initiatives aimed at promoting employee well-being, inclusion, and career development. These include enhanced onboarding experiences, leadership coaching programs, mental health resources, and internal mobility pathways that enable employees to grow within the organization.
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition, which truly reflects the dedication and passion of our entire team,” said Whitney. “My mission has always been to create an environment where people feel respected and supported as whole individuals. When people feel they belong and are empowered to contribute meaningfully, they can achieve extraordinary things—and that’s what continues to drive our collective success at Blackline.”
Her emphasis on holistic employee support is also reflected in the company’s evolving workplace policies, including flexible work arrangements, expanded parental leave, and employee recognition programs that celebrate achievements big and small.
Industry Impact and Community Engagement
In addition to her work at Blackline Safety, Whitney is an active contributor to the broader HR community. She frequently shares her insights through industry panels, podcasts, webinars, and published thought leadership. Her voice is particularly influential on topics such as workplace culture, employee engagement, inclusive leadership, and talent development in high-growth tech environments.
Her thought leadership has resonated widely, helping to shape best practices not just within Blackline, but across the technology and manufacturing sectors. She’s known for her ability to bridge the gap between strategic HR and operational execution—ensuring that people initiatives align with and actively support business objectives.
Celebrating Executive Excellence in Canada
Now in its fifth year, the Report on Business Best Executive Awards celebrate leaders in the Canadian business community who are driving innovation and excellence across various disciplines. The 2025 awards honor 28 exceptional executives working at the SVP, EVP, and C-suite levels, across six functional areas: Finance, Human Resources, Operations, Sales and Marketing, Technology, and Sustainability.
Recipients are selected by the Globe and Mail editorial team based on nominations submitted by colleagues, peers, and organizations across the country. The honorees represent a cross-section of industries, each recognized for making meaningful contributions to their organizations and to Canadian business more broadly.
For Whitney, the award not only acknowledges her personal accomplishments but also highlights the importance of people-centered leadership in achieving long-term organizational success.
