Acklin J. Tellis

With over 25 years of HR leadership experience, an MBA from the University of Fredericton, and a CHRL designation, Acklin J. Tellis is a respected voice in Canada’s HR community. A lifelong learner, Acklin has completed executive leadership programs at Schulich School of Business and Osgoode Hall Law School. Passionate about shaping the future of HR, Acklin mentors emerging professionals and partners with academic institutions to advance the profession.

In this interview, Acklin shares how data, AI, and emotional intelligence are transforming HR into a strategic, purpose-led partner at BGIS. His people-first philosophy emphasizes inclusion, continuous learning, and decision-ready insights that shape meaningful careers, strengthen culture, and drive sustainable business growth.

AT A GLANCE:

• Leads HR transformation with AI and business intelligence, delivering decision-ready people insights and faster workforce planning.

• Embeds a people-first, purpose-led culture aligned with ESG and community impact, improving retention and boomerang hires.

• Advances inclusion through team member-led DEIB programs, first-time presenter opportunities, internships, future-leader pathways, and career roadmaps; women in management are nearly 50 percent.

• Develops EQ-driven leaders using behavioural, regular 360 reviews, mentoring, LMS learning, and a 24-month high-potential program supported by MyCareer and a clear job architecture.

Strategic HR Transformation and Inclusion

HR at BGIS has evolved from a transactional function to a strategic partner, leveraging decision-ready information to drive business outcomes. By combining business intelligence with AI, we turn human capital information into actionable insights, supplemented by engagement surveys, pulse checks, fireside chats, and focus groups. This approach allows us to stay ahead of our team member needs, improving our ability to respond swiftly and strategically.

Recognizing the importance of team member well-being, we have made wellness and work-life balance a priority. Through continuous team member feedback, we have introduced flexible on-site schedules that foster well-being and collaboration.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion drives business results by fostering innovation, improving problem-solving, and strengthening team performance. To support this, we create leadership opportunities through initiatives like fireside chats, creating space for emerging leaders to share their voice and showcase their potential, internships opportunities, and tailored career roadmaps, empowering all voices and fostering a culture of belonging.

“Leadership is the force that transforms vision into reality and challenges into opportunities for a better world. At BGIS, we lead with purpose— embedding care for our people, our communities, and our planet into every decision we make. By igniting engagement and championing innovation, we cultivate a culture that not only delivers exceptional results but elevates responsibility and purpose as the foundation of sustainable success.”

These efforts are further strengthened by our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) initiatives, led by passionate team members from diverse backgrounds, creating inclusive environments for persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, and our Indigenous communities at BGIS. We have made significant strides in advancing gender diversity within our organization. Today, women hold nearly 50 percent of our management roles—a milestone made possible through the unwavering support and mentorship provided by our leadership team. This progress reflects our commitment to early talent identification, robust mentorship programs, and targeted learning opportunities delivered through various learning channels. Together, these initiatives have empowered women to thrive and lead, shaping a more inclusive and dynamic management team.

To further support our commitment to growth and development, we launched MyCareer, a platform that connects team members with mentors and tailored career advancement opportunities. In addition, we offer a 24-month leadership program for high potentials, which provides structured career paths and real-time development opportunities to prepare these future leaders. Through these initiatives, we transform talent acquisition into talent development—ensuring team members progress within BGIS and evolve into leaders who champion our core values and commitment to care.

Fostering Leadership and Engagement through EQ

At BGIS, emotional intelligence is a cornerstone of our leadership development. We utilize psychometric assessments, to ensure cultural alignment and promote a player-coach mindset. This philosophy reimagines leadership through humility, encourages the sharing of vulnerabilities, and creates a platform for teams to shine. Regular 360-degree feedback and leadership development programs reinforce this collaborative and empathetic approach.

Building on our commitment to fostering a thriving culture, engagement is a key strategic lever for us. We prioritize open communication and invest in what matters most to our teams, including recognition, comprehensive benefit programs, and partnerships that deliver practical savings.

Our People & Culture team convenes monthly with leadership to engage in meaningful dialogue, surface emerging challenges, and collaboratively shape programs and policies that reflect the unique dynamics and priorities of each team. Recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work, we have modernized our Human Capital Management and analytics systems to deliver dashboards for critical workforce insights—tracking headcount, turnover, and time-to-fill, while introducing cutting-edge metrics such as quality of hire, internal mobility, team member engagement, diversity representation, skills gap analysis, and predictive attrition. This data-driven approach enables us to take timely action, ensuring better decisions that drive growth and organizational success. At BGIS, leadership extends beyond managing people; it’s about ensuring their well-being, growth, and satisfaction through continuous engagement and support.

Transforming Leadership for Lasting Impact and Growth

At BGIS, we cultivate trust, humility, and shared ownership. This foundation enables us to leverage decision-ready analytics and AI to turn team member feedback into actionable insights, ensuring every team member thrives. Inclusion makes this real, acting as a performance driver that translates diverse perspectives into tangible outcomes. As a leader, I am committed to driving results while cultivating a responsive, transparent, and dependable framework that inspires confidence and adaptability. Throughout my tenure at BGIS, I have guided our People & Culture initiatives through phases of growth, transformation, and innovation. Anchored by the principle, “take care of your people, and they will take care of the business,” we continue to integrate DEIB into operational practices, leverage analytics for strategic workforce planning, and craft team member experiences that inspire engagement and empower performance.

Today’s leadership advantage lies in humility. Exceptional leaders prioritize listening over speaking, acknowledge gaps with confidence, and create intentional space for diverse voices to shape the path forward. This mindset strengthens collaboration, builds trust, and sparks innovation—critical drivers for staying ahead of the curve. Looking ahead, the future of HR will be shaped by personalization, purpose, and performance. Success will require agility, data fluency, and an approach that remains deeply human. To my fellow HR professionals: our role has never been more pivotal. We are not merely managing programs and policies—we are influencing lives, shaping cultures, and defining futures. The legacy we leave will be measured by the trust we earn, the lives we touch, and the culture we create.