Les Dakens

Background

About Les Dakens

Les Dakens began his own next season in 2016, when he and James Grossett partnered with Dr. Leslie Braksick and Mark Linsz to launch My Next Season Canada. After three decades in various corporate roles, Les felt called to help fulfill the need of retiring executives who, after dedicating much of their lives to a company/career, were struggling to make the transition from a life centered on productivity to a life grounded in purpose. Les serves as Managing Director and Partner at My Next Season Canada. Prior to 2016, 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. His expertise is showcased in his three successful business books: SwitchPoints: Culture Change on the Fast Track to Business Success, Employee Performance Scorecards: Creating a Win-Win Formula for Your Organization, and The Real Deal on People: Straight Talk on How the CHRO Creates Business Value. Les holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from York University and a Business Administration diploma in marketing from Sheridan College, and is a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors Education Program. Additionally, he is a faculty member at Rotman’s HRC Program. Les serves as a Board Director with Equitable Life of Canada, Axiom Audio, Walden House, the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, and the Human Resources Professional Association.