McLean & Company Names Nine Winners in Inaugural HR Excellence Awards Program

The 2026 winners are recognized for using McLean & Company diagnostic insights to improve how their organizations listen to employees, align people priorities, and guide HR decisions.

TORONTO, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Global HR research and advisory firm McLean & Company has revealed the nine winners of its HR Excellence Awards program. Chosen from 45 finalists, the winning organizations represent standout achievement across three categories: Employee Listening, HR Organizational Alignment, and HR Management & Governance. Their recognition reflects how diagnostic insights can help HR teams identify priorities, take action, and support stronger people and business outcomes.

"The organizations recognized through these awards understood the value of listening to their people and made employee feedback and assessment a genuine priority," says Laura Hansen-Kohls, vice president of HR Diagnostics, Advisory & Data Insights at McLean & Company. "Their strong participation and results reflect clear strength in employee experience, HR practices, and organizational alignment. These achievements set a high standard for evidence-based HR leadership, and we are proud to recognize them through the first HR Excellence Awards."

The nine winners are organized by award category and organizational size segment, with Small, Medium, and Large/Enterprise honorees named in each category. The winners were selected from the 45 finalists announced earlier this year.

2026 HR Excellence Award Winners

The 2026 HR Excellence Award winners are:

Employee Listening

Small: WESTconsin Credit Union

Medium: Riddell Inc.

Large/Enterprise: Gildan Activewear, Inc.

HR Organizational Alignment

Small: Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency (SAMA)

Medium: Bryant University

Large/Enterprise: DexKo Global

HR Management & Governance

Small: Collège Boréal

Medium: MTN Ghana

Large/Enterprise: VINCI Construction USA

The winners were announced live during the firm's annual HR conference, McLean Signature in Las Vegas on October 6, 2026.

Please visit McLean & Company's awards page for more information about the HR Excellence Awards and future program updates.

Media seeking research-backed insights or commentary from McLean & Company experts on the awards program, employee listening, organizational alignment, HR management and governance, or the future of work can contact Senior Communications Manager Kelsey King at [email protected].

About McLean & Company's HR Excellence Awards 

The HR Excellence Awards are powered by McLean & Company's diagnostics and recognize member organizations that use data to identify opportunities, focus action, and improve HR and organizational outcomes. The awards celebrate excellence across Employee Listening, HR Organizational Alignment, and HR Management & Governance, with winners recognized by organizational size segment.

About McLean & Company

McLean & Company is a global HR research and advisory firm and trusted partner to people leaders navigating today's most pressing workforce challenges. Informed by its work with thousands of HR professionals and executives, the firm provides evidence-based research, diagnostics, practical tools, hands-on support, and services spanning advisory, learning, and coaching. From workforce strategy and leadership to culture, engagement, retention, and AI adoption, McLean & Company helps leaders move from direction to execution and deliver measurable results for their people and organizations.

McLean & Company is a division of Info-Tech Research Group.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software, and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected].

SOURCE McLean & Company