This article is part of the Bright Leaders of Calgary series, which features prominent corporate leaders and their insights on the local business community and vision for the future.
In a city known for its entrepreneurial spirit and adaptability, Calgary is powered by leaders advancing innovation, inclusion and talent development. Carolyn Levy, Managing Director & Head of Canada at Randstad Digital, has built her career helping businesses navigate change and advocate for a more diverse, skilled workforce.
Her work is driving conversations about how Calgary can attract, retain and upskill the talent needed to fuel our growing digital economy — key aspects of the city’s economic action plan, Uplook.
We sat down with Carolyn to discuss Calgary’s shifting workforce, the future of work and what gives her optimism for the city’s economic future.
How have you seen Calgary evolve in the last few years?
There was a time when Calgary had a bit of a “wild west” edge — full of energy and opportunity, but maybe a little out of reach if you weren’t already part of it.
But now, the vibe has shifted. We've made great strides towards becoming more inclusive. It's no longer about "Come to Calgary and become a Calgarian." Instead, it's about "Come to Calgary, and bring yourself." This approach not only fosters innovation and creativity but also allows us to become more adaptable and profitable.
Each new person who moves to Calgary adds a unique piece to this ever-evolving mosaic of who we are. We've transitioned from being heavily focused in the oil and gas industry — which is an incredible industry — to now also embracing a more diverse economic landscape. Just look at the blossoming film industry, our vibrant art scene and of course our emerging technology market. We're offering more to those who choose to make Calgary their home.
Calgary is emerging as a leading hub for tech and digital innovation. What opportunities for talent do you see in this space? How can we keep the momentum going?
There’s a tremendous sense of hope here, though it’s clear there are still some gaps to bridge. What stands out about Calgary is that people often describe it as “different” when they visit. It’s the curiosity, the drive to work hard, play hard, and the kindness that truly defines this community. Calgary embodies the “art of the possible.”
That’s what’s starting to resonate on a global scale — it’s why new startups are choosing Calgary and what makes it appealing to them. I’d say Calgary’s ecosystem is becoming increasingly magnetic. What we need to focus on now is continuing to build and create spaces where people can come together, collaborate, and truly problem-solve.
The digital economy needs specialized talent. How can Calgary’s business community build, attract and keep the workforce needed for growth?
A new workplace baseline is emerging — where success is defined not just by what we do, but by why we do it, how we do it and who we do it with. The ‘why’ is motivated by personalization. Talent expects work to align with their personal values, ambitions and life circumstances. The ‘who’ is about fostering a sense of community. Talent wants a space where they can belong, thrive and bring their full selves to work. The ‘how’ is about creating skilling opportunities. As technological change accelerates, talent increasingly prioritize skills development – especially in areas like AI.
Attracting and retaining talent is no longer about fostering a singular, one-size-fits-all culture within each company. Instead, it’s about engaging with each generation and each individual to ask, “How do we meet you where you are?”
Let’s dive into a hot topic, hybrid work policies. Our latest Workmonitor report reveals a notable trend: the only category where talent rated it higher than organizational respondents was for coming into the office three days a week. While companies tend to favor a three or five-day workweek, talent is clearly expressing a preference for flexibility.
Creating a sense of community becomes increasingly difficult when working remotely. This is why the hybrid model has gained traction — while employees may not want to be in the office every day, they also recognize the importance of feeling connected to their workplace culture. The challenge is to balance flexibility with the need for belonging.
Equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility are top of mind for many businesses. How can Calgary businesses use EDIA to drive competitiveness and innovation?
The concerning reality with EDIA (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) is that when we break it down by country and region — especially in North America — we see that 70 per cent of individuals are choosing to hide parts of themselves at work. This is particularly troubling given the current landscape in North America.
One of the challenges I see with EDIA is that, when presented as a whole, it can feel overwhelming, almost as if you have to "boil the ocean" to make a meaningful impact.
Every business owner will agree with me if I say that it would be a true gift for employees to show up as their authentic selves, empowered to be their best. When individuals are able to bring their full selves to work, the level of output, creativity, and commitment from the team is exponentially higher. This translates directly into increased productivity and the ability to drive economic impact — in Calgary and beyond — fostering growth and creating new opportunities.
The role of EDIA in cultivating a sense of community, connection, and belonging cannot be overstated. However, if the terminology feels too daunting or threatening in today’s environment, the focus should shift to embedding these values in the fabric of your business and ensuring the outcomes truly matter.
It’s been said that people remember seven per cent of what you say and 93 per cent of how you make them feel. If we focus on making people feel equity, inclusion, and diversity, without necessarily labeling it, the results will speak for themselves.
What gives you optimism for Calgary’s future?
I’m going to go back to the spirit that’s here. I feel very connected to our Blue Sky City — it’s the sense of opportunity, the sense of optimism. When I’m downtown, walking the streets, I hear conversations, I see events happening and I feel the energy in the city.
Navigating change is the new normal. The ‘good ol’ days’ aren’t coming back, and we’re not going to stay where we are, but Calgary is poised to tackle whatever the future holds.
Calgary is like water — we courageously adapt to wherever we need to go and are not afraid to boldly and confidently forge new paths forward.
About Team Calgary: The Team Calgary corporate partnership program engages our community’s visionary thought leaders to influence Calgary’s economic growth and create long-term prosperity and opportunities for all Calgarians.
Together, we advance the economic strategy, Uplook: An Action Plan For Our Economy, as the path to make Calgary the place where bright minds and big ideas come together with an unmatched spirit to help solve global challenges