CN Appoints Janet Drysdale as Interim Chief Commercial Officer Amid Strategic Transition
Canadian National Railway Company,one of North America’s leading transportation and logistics enterprises, announced today the appointment of Janet Drysdale as Interim Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), effective immediately. This leadership transition comes in the wake of the departure of Rémi G. Lalonde, who previously held the position.
Janet Drysdale’s appointment marks a significant step in CN’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its commercial leadership and accelerate its long-term growth strategy. As a veteran of CN with nearly three decades of progressive leadership experience, Drysdale is poised to bring stability, insight, and continuity to a critical executive role that directly influences the company’s commercial performance, customer relationships, and strategic positioning.
A Career Rooted in Deep CN Experience
Drysdale’s association with CN spans almost 30 years, beginning with her foundational roles in Sales and Marketing. Over the first decade of her tenure, she developed a strong grasp of CN’s operational dynamics, customer engagement processes, and strategic market positioning. This early experience laid the groundwork for a multifaceted leadership journey across various departments within the company.
Over the years, Drysdale has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of CN’s core business, making impactful contributions in areas such as:
- Investor Relations: She played a crucial role in shaping how CN communicates with shareholders and the financial community, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and long-term value creation.
- Finance: Her experience in corporate finance strengthened her understanding of capital allocation, financial strategy, and risk management, further enhancing her executive capabilities.
- Corporate and Business Development: Drysdale contributed to strategic initiatives aimed at expanding CN’s footprint, diversifying its offerings, and driving innovation.
- Sustainability: As a leader in this increasingly vital area, she championed CN’s commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility, aligning the company’s operations with modern ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles.
- Chief Stakeholder Relations Officer: In her most recent role, Drysdale led CN’s stakeholder engagement efforts, fostering constructive relationships with communities, policymakers, and industry partners.
This broad spectrum of experience positions her uniquely to assume the interim role of Chief Commercial Officer with both competence and confidence.
Leadership During a Pivotal Period
Tracy Robinson, President and Chief Executive Officer of CN, expressed full confidence in Drysdale’s ability to guide the commercial division through this transitional period.
“I am very pleased that Janet will be leading our commercial team during this critical time,” said Robinson. “Janet’s depth of experience in sales and marketing, her steady hand, and her relentless drive for results will provide strong leadership for the commercial team. I look forward to working closely with her as we accelerate the execution of our growth agenda.”
Robinson also acknowledged the contributions of the departing CCO, Rémi G. Lalonde, stating, “I thank Rémi for his contributions to CN and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”
The Role of Chief Commercial Officer: Strategic Importance
The Chief Commercial Officer is a vital member of CN’s executive leadership team. This role is responsible for overseeing the company’s commercial strategy, including customer relations, sales, marketing, and pricing. The CCO plays a key role in shaping CN’s go-to-market strategy, aligning it with customer needs, economic trends, and the company’s overall vision for growth.
Given the scale and scope of CN’s operations—which span approximately 20,000 route miles of track across Canada and mid-America—the CCO’s leadership has a profound impact on the company’s market competitiveness, revenue generation, and long-term customer satisfaction.
The appointment of a permanent Chief Commercial Officer remains a top priority for the executive leadership team. However, Drysdale’s interim leadership is expected to bring seamless continuity and strategic momentum during this transitional period.
Navigating a Competitive and Evolving Market
As the rail industry continues to evolve amid macroeconomic uncertainty, regulatory shifts, technological disruption, and changing customer expectations, CN recognizes the importance of strong commercial leadership. The company has placed strategic emphasis on innovation, supply chain resilience, digital transformation, and customer-centric services.
Drysdale’s track record reflects her ability to lead with agility and foresight—qualities essential for navigating the complexities of today’s freight transportation landscape. Her appointment underscores CN’s commitment to maintaining high performance, operational excellence, and deep customer engagement.
In recent years, CN has pursued initiatives to improve service levels, streamline operations, reduce emissions, and enhance collaboration with stakeholders across the North American supply chain. The commercial division plays a central role in advancing these goals, by translating strategic priorities into customer-driven solutions and revenue growth.
Internal Stability and Talent Development
Drysdale’s internal appointment also highlights CN’s emphasis on leadership development and internal talent mobility. By elevating a long-time executive with proven capabilities, CN signals its trust in institutional knowledge and internal succession planning as tools for maintaining organizational stability and resilience.
Her familiarity with CN’s culture, systems, and commercial priorities enables her to hit the ground running. Moreover, her cross-functional background allows her to understand the interconnectedness of commercial functions with operations, finance, corporate strategy, and public policy.
Growth and Innovation
With Drysdale at the helm of the commercial team, CN is expected to continue pursuing its ambitious growth targets. Her interim tenure will likely focus on reinforcing customer relationships, driving revenue optimization, and aligning commercial operations with CN’s broader business goals.
In addition to these priorities, Drysdale’s leadership is also expected to support CN’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. As environmental and social considerations become increasingly important to customers and investors alike, the commercial division will play a central role in offering competitive, sustainable, and forward-thinking transportation solutions.
The appointment of Janet Drysdale as Interim Chief Commercial Officer at CN represents both continuity and adaptability. As the company navigates a leadership transition within one of its most critical executive roles, Drysdale’s deep institutional knowledge, versatile experience, and strategic mindset provide a strong foundation for continued success.
While CN undertakes the process of identifying a permanent CCO, the company remains focused on its core priorities: delivering reliable service to customers, driving shareholder value, and contributing positively to the communities it serves.
With a legacy of excellence and a clear path forward, CN is well-positioned to continue its journey as a North American rail leader—guided, in this moment, by the capable leadership of Janet Drysdale.