This article is part of the Bright Leaders of Calgary series, which features prominent corporate leaders from our Team Calgary program and their insights on the local business community and vision for the future.
Steven Kwasny spends his time where Calgary’s big decisions take shape — between business, government and the policies that connect them.
As a Consulting Partner at MNP and the firm’s Director of Public Affairs, he works with organizations navigating an economy that doesn’t sit still for long. His focus is straightforward: help clients understand what’s changing, what it means and how to respond.
With experience across government, consulting and public affairs, Kwasny brings a perspective shaped by both sides of the table — and a clear view of how Calgary is positioning itself for what comes next. That perspective aligns closely with Uplook: An Action Plan for Our Economy, where collaboration, adaptability and long-term thinking are central to how the city is approaching growth.
We spoke with Kwasny about how organizations in Calgary are responding to change, what sets the city apart and where he sees the biggest opportunities ahead.
At MNP, you work closely with governments, regulators and public institutions. What trends are you seeing in how Calgary organizations are responding to today’s evolving policy and economic landscape?
Organizations have a strong appreciation for the value of good policy and effective regulation, but also a recognition across all orders of government that things are changing quickly and organizations need to keep pace. More attention is being paid to where sectors are going, what the emerging needs are and how to be ready for that, rather than reacting after the fact.
What stands out in Calgary is a generally more collaborative and candid relationship between industry and governments — municipal, provincial and federal. There’s a shared recognition that while there are risks on the horizon, there are also real opportunities, and that positioning Calgary to capture those opportunities requires working together.
We’re also seeing a shift toward a more future-focused mindset. Public sector organizations are asking where industries are going, what they will need next and how to prepare now so they’re not playing catch-up later.
Calgary’s economy continues to diversify across sectors like technology, energy transition and financial services. From your vantage point, what opportunities does this moment create for businesses operating in the region?
There’s a recognition that success builds on success. As Calgary companies grow and the city’s story spreads, it generates more interest, more investment and more opportunity.
This also raises the bar. Businesses are being pushed to innovate and rethink how they operate, because the way things have always been done won’t necessarily work going forward.
What’s unique about Calgary is the combination of diversification and depth. Even sectors often seen as traditional, like energy, are highly innovative and continue to evolve — creating opportunities across industries. That kind of cross-pollination is hard to replicate in more siloed markets.
MNP works with organizations across industries and levels of government. What makes Calgary’s business environment distinctive compared with other markets across Canada?
Calgary has a very action-oriented corporate culture. It’s easy to call it entrepreneurial, but that doesn’t fully capture it. It’s really about a focus on getting things done.
You see it in how the city grows, how companies operate and how decisions get made. There’s a practical, solution-focused approach that shows up consistently.
At the same time, Calgary has a strong foundation built over decades. It’s a serious business community with a track record of success, but one that understands it can’t rely on the past. That constant drive to evolve really sets it apart.
Calgary has long been known for its blue sky thinking and willingness to tackle complex challenges. From your perspective, how does that mindset shape the way organizations approach growth, policy change and economic transformation?
It comes down to a shared understanding of what it takes to build something successful, combined with a willingness to take risks and try new things.
In Calgary, that mindset feels close. The people building companies and shaping decisions aren’t removed — they’re walking through the Plus 15s with everyone else, part of the day-to-day fabric of the city. These are people who are in the same coffee shop line as you, and they’re very invested in the city. That proximity creates a level of accessibility and shared investment that you don’t see in every market.
However, there’s also a clear awareness that the biggest risk is complacency. The world keeps changing, and Calgary’s approach is to think big, look ahead and actively pursue new opportunities — with a real willingness to take risks, even when the outcome isn’t certain.
What gives you optimism for Calgary’s future?
It starts with strong fundamentals. Calgary often shows up as the exception in national trends, and that’s not by accident.
There’s a solid foundation here, and on top of that, there are a lot of people working on interesting things across different sectors.
We get to build on what’s already been created — we’re standing on the shoulders of giants — and because of that, there’s a lot of opportunity ahead. There’s a real sense that the best work is still to come.
About Team Calgary: The Team Calgary corporate partnership program engages our community’s visionary thought leaders to influence Calgary’s economic growth and create long-term prosperity and opportunities for all Calgarians.
Together, we advance the economic strategy, Uplook: An Action Plan For Our Economy, as the path to make Calgary the place where bright minds and big ideas come together with an unmatched spirit to help solve global challenges.