Great Concordian: Darren Entwistle, CEO of Telus

As the longest-tenured CEO in global telecommunications, Darren Entwistle, BA 86, LLD 12, has transformed TELUS from a regional telephone company to a worldwide leader in communications and information technology.

Under his guidance, TELUS has consistently delivered world-leading total shareholder returns, including a 730 per cent return over the past 20 years – nearly double the TSX’s return of 444 per cent and more than triple the MSCI World Telecom Services Index’s return of 229 per cent.

What’s more, the company’s brand value has increased from $900 million in 2000 to $12.1 billion today. TELUS has been recognized as the eighth-most valuable brand in Canada and the 15th most valuable telco brand globally by Brand Finance. It has also earned Brand of the Year honours from Strategy magazine.

Consequently, for the past 25 years, Entwistle has inspired the TELUS team to make the future friendly for their customers and communities worldwide.

“There is a symbiotic relationship between business success and the welfare of the communities in which we operate,” he says. “Indeed, in order to do well in business, or in life, we must do good in the communities where we live, work and serve.”

The Great Concordian’s dedication to community impact has propelled the TELUS team to realize significant achievements.

Under Entwistle’s leadership, TELUS became the first Canadian company to be named the Most Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation globally by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He has also guided TELUS in being named: to the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for 23 consecutive years – a feat unequalled by any of its North American peers – and to the World Index 14 times; one of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2024 by TIME, ranking 21st out of 500 companies globally, the top Canadian telecommunications company and the second place company in Canada, overall; one of the 2025 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World by Corporate Knights for the 13th time; and one of the 100 Most Sustainably Managed Companies in the World by The Wall Street Journal, ranking 29th in their 2020 list and 15th, globally, in the subcategory of social capitalism, making TELUS the only telecommunications company on the list.

In addition, TELUS became the first organization inducted into the Best of the BEST Hall of Fame by the Association for Talent Development. TELUS has also been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures, earning a spot in their Corporate Cultures Hall of Fame; and was ranked first in Canada and 40th globally on Forbes’ World’s Best Employers list.

Reflecting Entwistle’s commitment to building a diverse and inclusive culture, TELUS is a founding member of both The 30% Club and the Canadian Board Diversity Council. In addition, 46 per cent of TELUS’ board members are women, two identify as a visible minority and one identifies as Indigenous.

For his accomplishments at the vanguard of corporate social responsibility, Entwistle was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2018. He has also been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals.

In 2022, Entwistle was named Canadian Business Leader of the Year by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce while also being inducted into the Business Laureates of British Columbia Hall of Fame, and he received the International Horatio Alger Award from the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans in 2023. In 2011, Entwistle was recognized with the CEO Leadership in Action Award from Diversity Journal as well as the T. Patrick Boyle Founders Award by the Fraser Institute for outstanding leadership in business and philanthropy, and was named the National Philanthropy Business Leader of the Year in 2010 by the David Foster Foundation. Entwistle is an Honorary Fellow of The Royal Conservatory in Toronto and has received five honorary doctorates, including from Concordia in 2012.

Of his alma mater, he observes: “Concordia has a legacy of promoting integrated, transdisciplinary thinking that supports research, develops partnerships and encourages the entrepreneurial mindset that results in sustainable, real-world success.”

When you reflect on your time as a Concordia student, what stands out?

Darren Entwistle: My time at Concordia was both memorable and a key building block in my career. I was always tremendously inspired by the way the university consistently remained at the forefront of social and technological innovation, ensuring students had the tools, knowledge and confidence to serve and progress our country and our world.

The knowledge and experiences that I gained during my years at Concordia are still relevant in my life today. Importantly, they helped shape my passion for innovation and social purpose.

What are some of the factors that have enabled your success?

DE: Following my graduation from Concordia, when I was pursuing a career in telecommunications, my father taught me an important lesson about how to create the circumstances to contribute to society. He said, ‘Embrace technology as a way to enhance our quality of life. But do not forget that it is not, and never will be, a substitute for authentic human compassion.’ We need to be passionate about giving back to those in need, particularly through volunteering our time and talents to building healthier, more vibrant and more caring communities.

What advice do you have for students who may want to follow in your footsteps?

DE: As you progress your careers, I urge you to gravitate to what inspires you, in your chosen field and in life, and the rewards will follow. Pursue goals that you feel passionate about on a visceral level.  By embracing your sense of social purpose, you can help stimulate positive change in the world.

Moreover, exemplify the courage to take calculated risks because without risk, there is no innovation. I have learned from experience that there is no linear path to success and failure is a building block to tomorrow’s success. I encourage you to take greater risks, embrace innovation and always learn from failures and successes alike. However, above all, strive to create the circumstances for us all to be better, more compassionate and more caring human beings.

How does it feel to be a Great Concordian?

DE: I am extremely humbled by this distinction from Concordia. It is an honour to be a graduate of a university with such an inspiring commitment to excellence in education, research, creative activity and community partnership.

The notion of social purpose and community is rooted in the very name of Concordia itself, which was inspired by Montreal’s motto, Concordia salus, which means ‘well-being through harmony.’  This is a legacy TELUS is privileged to support, and that has continually inspired me over the course of my career. I am very proud to be a Concordia alumnus and thankful for this recognition from my alma mater.