Sean Boyd is an exemplary figure in the mining industry, having dedicated his career to transforming Agnico Eagle from a modest single-mine operation into one of Canada’s largest public corporations and most successful mining companies in the world.
Under Boyd’s stewardship, Agnico Eagle grew its market cap from $400 million to over $55 billion, and expanded its operations beyond Québec into Finland, Mexico, Australia and Nunavut, making it a multinational corporation with 11 mines. His commitment to operational excellence, exploration, and socially responsible mining has set Agnico Eagle apart as not just a mining company but a respected partner to the communities it serves.
Born in 1958 in Ottawa, Ontario, Sean earned his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto in 1981 and his CPA designation in 1985. His career with Agnico Eagle spans four decades, during which he held key leadership positions that significantly shaped the company’s trajectory. From becoming the company’s Chief Financial Officer in 1990 to serving as CEO from 1998 to 2022, and later moving to the roles of Executive Chair and Chair of the Board, Boyd’s vision and leadership have been instrumental in the company’s growth and success.
Boyd’s success is rooted in his deep commitment to doing the right thing for employees, communities and business partners. His ability to balance business success with social responsibility has earned the company a reputation as a sought-after partner, and a respected employer where every contribution is valued.
Boyd’s dedication to mining is matched by his commitment to the communities in which Agnico Eagle operates. He ensured that mining could have a positive, lasting impact—from supporting the Inuit in Nunavut to contributing $1 million to the Historic Cobalt Legacy Fund in 2015, preserving Canada’s mining heritage. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Boyd went even further by paying 75% of salaries for employees who could not work, in addition to launching the Good Deed Brigade that empowers employees to engage in local social projects. A strong advocate for mentorship and leadership development, Boyd established the Dr. Leanne Baker Scholarship and Development Program in 2023, which supports women advancing into leadership positions in the mining industry.
His contributions have been recognized through numerous accolades, including Northern Miner’s Mining Person of the Year in 2007 and 2017, and Harvard Business Review’s List of Best-Performing CEOs in the World in 2010, 2016 and 2017. Boyd’s legacy is one of vision, hard work, and a deep belief in the power of people.