EllisDon
First job
My first job was as a construction labourer. It was hands-on, physical work that taught me respect for the trades, the importance of teamwork, and the pride that comes from building something safely and properly
Best career advice
Focus on learning the fundamentals and building a strong professional reputation. Spend time in the field, understand how the work is done, and be reliable in everything you commit to. Treat people with respect, seek mentors, and actively ask for feedback. Stay curious, work hard, take pride in your role, and support your team. When you do what you say you’ll do, trust, responsibility, and career progression follow.

George McGrath 2026 Finalist

Vice President, Operations – Life Sciences & Technology Division at EllisDon

EllisDon

In the hyperscale data centre world—where “late” can mean millions—George has helped EllisDon build a reputation for speed, precision, and reliability, and he brings that same intensity to life sciences and advanced manufacturing work. During the early pandemic push at St. Michael’s Hospital, George helped accelerate commissioning for two ICU floors in the Peter Gilgan Patient Care Tower—moving the date up from April 30 to April 9—so 33 new ICU beds could open weeks earlier, with new protocols and shifting rules happening in real time. That’s calm leadership with consequences. What sets George apart is how he blends old-school operational rigour with modern delivery tools. Under his guidance, EllisDon has delivered hundreds of megawatts of data centre capacity and managed more than $6B in mission-critical work—helping cement the company as a go-to builder for high-performance infrastructure, and mentoring the next wave of leaders who’ll carry that standard forward.

What voters said

"George’s leadership has elevated EllisDon’s reputation as the go-to builder for mission-critical projects in a technology-driven era."
First job
My first job was as a construction labourer. It was hands-on, physical work that taught me respect for the trades, the importance of teamwork, and the pride that comes from building something safely and properly
Best career advice
Focus on learning the fundamentals and building a strong professional reputation. Spend time in the field, understand how the work is done, and be reliable in everything you commit to. Treat people with respect, seek mentors, and actively ask for feedback. Stay curious, work hard, take pride in your role, and support your team. When you do what you say you’ll do, trust, responsibility, and career progression follow.

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