Donald Walker

Donald Walker

Don was named Chief Executive Officer on September 13, 2010.  Magna is a U.S. $40+ billion global automotive supplier that designs, develops and manufactures components and systems for the world’s leading auto makers. Magna has over 158,000 employees and 346 global manufacturing sites in 27 countries.

Don was Co-CEO from 2005 – 2010 and was Chairman and CEO of Intier Automotive from 2001 – 2005.  Prior to taking Intier public, he was President and CEO of Magna from 1994-2001.

Don joined Magna in 1987.  Before joining Magna he spent seven years at General Motors in various engineering and manufacturing positions, including involvement in a new vehicle launch and new assembly plant. 

He graduated from the University of Waterloo with a BA Science Mechanical Engineering degree in 1980. 

In July 2002, Don became Co-Chair of the Canadian Automotive Partnership Council (CAPC) with the Federal and Provincial Governments to identify both short- and long-term priorities that will help ensure the future health of the automotive industry in Canada.  In 2007, Don became a member of the Dean's Advisory Council, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo.  Don was the past Chairman of the APMA. 

Throughout his career, Don Walker has been honoured with several notable recognitions.  A few recent examples include being named Canada’s Outstanding CEO of the Year in 2014, selected to Fortune magazine’s Global Business Person of the Year list in 2015, and featured on Financial Post Magazine’s first annual Power List in 2016.  Don was named to Motor Trend Magazine’s Power List 2017 and named in Toronto Star’s Top Five Newsmakers to watch in 2017.  Magna was named to Forbes and Fortune's 2017 Most Admired Companies List and Don was recognized by The Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award as one of the Top CEO’s in 2017 and 2018 and selected as one of the Automotive News All-Stars in 2018.  In 2020 Don was a recipient of the MEMA Triangle Award.

Don is a big supporter of many charities and is very active with World Vision.

Don retired as Magna’s CEO at the end of 2020 and is enjoying having time to pursue some projects he is passionate about.