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Early April, I opened our resource plan and just stared at it. Every week was full. Every name had a client behind it, and a team member carrying real meaningful work. I felt proud, then I felt the pressure settle in my chest. Growth is a gift, and it asks a lot of the people who deliver it.
Every year has a pulse and this one beat fast. We grew our team by about 30 percent, welcomed new clients, and delivered some of our best work yet. Leadership is without a doubt a privilege. It is also heavy. There were nights this year where work followed me into sleep, and mornings where I could feel pressure before I even got moving.
Sitting here writing this now, I feel two things most, gratitude for the people who trusted us, and pride in the team that showed up when it mattered.
Growth is more than hiring
Growth is exciting. It is also pressure. We got busy, very fast, and we had to stay connected, aligned, and accountable.
Yes, we hired great people. But more work also means more dependencies, more handoffs, and more chances for things to drift. Our leadership team felt that, and we had our moments.
What kept us steady was trust and communication. People spoke up, they backed each other up and they protected the work when rushing would have been easier. That is what real teamwork looks like to me. It makes everyone better.
It is all about the people
Our focus this year was simple: people first, keep growing, build stronger teams for a stronger future.
We added talent that raised our bar, people who solve problems, take ownership, and care about outcomes. I am genuinely grateful to welcome the newest members of the Whitecap family.
We invested in our leaders with tailored training, we earned three Microsoft Solution Designations, and expanded how we use AI to improve how we work.
We also made time to be together. The Whitecap Indy Race Day brought real energy and new bonds, and we are carrying that spirit into our holiday party this December at the CN Tower, a celebration that reflects the Canadian pride we have all been feeling this year.
What makes this team truly special is the mix of new faces and long-time veterans. Some have been with Whitecap for over 20 years, many others for 18, 15, or 10 plus. That kind of tenure comes from trust, care, and culture, and clients feel it too. It means continuity, better judgement, and steadier delivery.
What drove our growth
I don’t take this year for granted. Many Canadian businesses are under real pressure, and I feel lucky that we are growing in this market.
A few forces helped shape 2025:
- AI got practical. Less hype, more measurable outcomes, with wins coming from focused use cases.
- Custom software came back into focus. Leaders hit a breaking point with daily friction and chose to build systems that fit how they work and scale with them.
- “Buy Canadian” gained momentum. Data sovereignty and regulated work pushed more organizations toward local partners who can take ownership fast. We have been 100% Canadian from day one, and we do not offshore.
What I am taking into 2026
2025 gave us the gift of growth. 2026 needs the discipline to carry it well.
- Keep scaling, protect quality.
- Keep building a place where great people build careers.
- Help clients adopt new technology in a way that creates real business value.
- Lead with empathy and gratitude.
On that note, I want to say thank you to our clients. Thank you for your trust, partnership, and honest feedback. It’s no secret that all projects have peaks and valleys. Thank you for your belief that we would get there together.
To our team, thank you for the effort, the care, and the pride you bring to work. You made this year possible.
And to everyone, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa. May the New Year bring you growth, success, and endless opportunities.
Dan Carmichael
President, Whitecap Canada