CWB Group appoints Rachel Smith as President & CEO
Professional engineer and industrial executive brings people-first leadership and deep sector experience to Canada's welding and joining community
Milton, ON – October 8, 2026: The CWB Group Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Rachel Smith as President & Chief Executive Officer, effective November 9, 2026.
“Since 1947, CWB has supported the people and businesses who build and maintain the structures Canadians rely on,” said Bonnie Rose, Chair of the CWB Group Board of Directors. “Rachel has spent her career in industries where public safety and quality come first, and she knows that strong results come from strong partnerships. The Board is confident she is the right leader to carry CWB’s work forward.”
Smith most recently served as Vice President and General Manager, Canada, at Air Products, a global industrial gas company. In that role, she led the growth of the Canadian business and advanced a major net-zero hydrogen project in Edmonton, one of Canada’s largest industrial decarbonization investments. Her career began in Canada’s energy sector and has spanned engineering, operations, commercial, and leadership roles.
“I am honoured to join CWB Group as President and Chief Executive Officer,” said Smith. “CWB has built an exceptional reputation through its commitment to safety, quality, and the advancement of industry. I look forward to getting to know the team, building on that strong foundation, and working together to create greater value for the people and industries we serve.”
Smith holds Bachelor and Master of Engineering Science degrees from Western University and an MBA from the University of Alberta. She serves on the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Board of Governors and the Edmonton Global Board of Directors.
The Board thanks David Collie, Vice Chair, who has served as Interim CEO since April 2026 and will continue in the role until Smith’s arrival.
The CWB Group is an industry-supported private sector organization providing welding certification, training and education resources, industry-specific auditing services, and technical advice and support. The CWB Group also engages directly with stakeholders to promote and advocate on behalf of the industry, and address challenges faced by the welding sector. Headquartered in Ontario, Canada, with staff and offices across the country, the CWB Group is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) as a Certification Body for the administration of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) welding-related standards. Learn more at www.cwbgroup.org.
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Media contact:
Matt Aiton, Vice President, Marketing, CWB Group