Chief People Officer, Bird Construction

Brian Henry is a successful human resource professional and champion of authentic and diverse leadership and is committed to nurturing a safe, professional, and progressive culture in which people can grow and thrive.

A graduate of Mohawk College’s Business Administration program, Brian is the chief people officer at Bird Construction, and a member of Mohawk College’s Board of Governors. 

Since joining Bird Construction in 2020, Brian Henry has served as the driving force behind the company's transformative, people-centric strategy. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping the organizational culture, creating a vibrant and dynamic work environment. Brian has played a pivotal role in guiding the company through its cultural evolution, spearheading initiatives such as the expansion of learning and development, talent acquisition, and talent management programs. During his tenure at Bird, the company has elevated the employee experience, improved engagement and retention, and fostered a culture of collaboration, high performance, inclusion, and employee development.

Brian attributes much of his success to his time at Mohawk College, where an influential professor helped shape his approach to problem-solving, strengthened his leadership skills, and laid the foundation for his future achievements.

“My experience at Mohawk College was transformative,” he said. “I had the privilege of learning from a professor who had a profound impact on my life. She helped me believe that I truly belonged and was just as capable as anyone else. At the time, I was uncertain about my future, but my marketing professor, Janice Shearer, instilled in me the confidence to believe I could compete with anyone, from undergraduates to PhDs. She helped me recognize my true capabilities and believe I could achieve excellence in any path I chose to pursue.”

Prior to his role at Bird Construction, Brian held the position of chief people officer at KFC Canada, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands. Under his leadership, KFC Canada experienced unprecedented growth and earned recognition as a Certified Best Place to Work in Canada for six consecutive years. Brian brings over two decades of experience in human resources leadership, having held key roles in reputable organizations such as Yum! Brands, SC Johnson, Dell Technologies, and Bond Brand Loyalty (formerly Maritz Canada).

Brian's educational background includes a Business Administration Diploma from Mohawk College, complemented by his human resources designation obtained from the University of Toronto and Queen’s University. Since 2021, Brian has served as a member of the Mohawk College Board of Governors. Additionally, he is a certified Master Practitioner for Heartstyles, a program designed to cultivate character and drive effective behaviour in leaders.