Shannon Bowen-Smed

Shannon Bowen-Smed is a strategic CEO with deep HR expertise and financial acumen with a proven track record for growing and evolving a successful workforce management company through multiple market cycles. Her performance-based attributes are underpinned by vast civic, community, and business relationships.

Shannon joined BOWEN Group in 1984 and worked her way up the ranks to become the CEO in 1996. Along the way, she honed her skills in various roles within the company, including administration, recruiting, sales, marketing, HR, and operations, and oversaw BOWEN Group’s Divisions, including Industrial, Technical and Indigenous Recruitment.

Shannon helped grow the BOWEN Group from an employment agency to an industry leader, delivering recruitment and contingent workforce management solutions from coast to coast. During her tenure, BOWEN Group’s annual sales increased exponentially and was named a Best Managed Company by Deloitte Canada in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Shannon is highly accomplished and recognized in the Canadian workforce. In addition to being inducted into Canada’s Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs – Hall of Fame, she was named a SHEInnovator by the United Nations, 2018 Women Business Enterprise of the Year, and 2015 EY Entrepreneur of the Year.

Outside of her role as a business leader, Shannon also serves as a member of the Calgary Economic Development Board of Directors. She joined Bow Valley College’s Board of Governors on April 20, 2021, and has been appointed to the future role of Board Chair.