Rising Stars 2020: Maeghan Albiston

Maeghan Albiston, 39
Assistant vice president of investor relations and pensions
Canadian Pacific

Nominator’s quote: “Maeghan has earned the trust, respect and support of the many stakeholders she encounters while acting as a positive and engaging role model for emerging talent across our company. Her tenacity and willingness to take on new challenges, alongside her deep understanding of the railroading business, make her an invaluable member of CP’s leadership team.” — Leena Wadher, Canadian Pacific

What is your educational background?
I have a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta.

Describe your current job and responsibilities.
I am the assistant vice president of investor relations and pensions at CP and act as the primary point of contact between CP and the financial community. In my role, I am responsible for the strategic management of CP’s investor relations program, in addition to overseeing CP’s $13 billion pension plan.

Describe your career path.
I started as a capital markets analyst in 2005 at CP and have held a range of roles in various finance functions such as treasury, corporate planning, financial analysis and investor relations.

How did you get into the railroad industry?
CP is an iconic Canadian company so I was intrigued when I saw they were recruiting for new graduate positions on my university campus. Up until then the railroad hadn’t been an industry I’d considered. As I learned about the vast opportunities available and gained an appreciation for the dynamic nature of the business, I knew it was a career path I wanted to pursue.

What is the best career advice you’ve received?
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” I’ve always found this to be very true. Hard work, tenacity and preparation create all sorts of opportunity.

What advice would you give to a new railroader?
Be curious, learn the business and build your network. There is so much learning opportunity at the railroad and people are usually more than willing to share their knowledge and experience.

What was your very first job?
I had a paper route. I was pretty young at the time, but I enjoyed having the responsibility and being outdoors. It was also an early lesson in customer service and the importance of reliability.

Describe a fun fact about yourself.
I am an avid traveler and photographer.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Calgary is in close proximity to the Canadian Rockies. In my spare time I enjoy heading out to the mountains to hike, ski and explore.

What is the biggest challenge the rail industry now faces or will face?
Disruption is a challenge all industries face. The rail industry is not immune. Through continued innovation and advancements in technology and automation, I believe there is the potential for our industry to convert this challenge into an opportunity and drive further improvements in safety, efficiency and customer service.