Atlantic 2023

Inclusive entrepreneur. Trail-blazing leader. Keith McIntosh believes inclusive growth is better growth. He created PLATO accordingly, prioritizing transformational career opportunities for Indigenous people at the heart of a socially responsible business.

During a break-out session at the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference, Keith sat down to discuss what it meant to be Canadian — and walked away with powerful ideas. Compelled to respond to the call for action laid out in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s final report. Moved by cross-country visits to Indigenous communities. Keith channeled his industry and entrepreneurial experience to found PLATO: Canada’s only Indigenous software testing and technology company located in Atlantic Canada.

Through its unique, innovative and accredited train-and-employ model, PLATO opens new pathways to career success for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people from coast to coast. The model connects in-class learning, internships with corporate partners, real-world apprenticeships on active projects and blended teaming as program participants transition into software testing roles.

The result? Plato has been instrumental in offering numerous individuals their initial entry into the technology industry, granting them their first job opportunities. Additionally, they have provided training to over 300 Indigenous students nationwide, empowering them with valuable skills and knowledge. Today, Plato’s workforce of people spans across 12 delivery centres, more than 30% of the employees are Indigenous and 58% of Board members have Indigenous affiliations. The business has invested more than $14 million in salaries, and counting.

Keith defines success not only by bottom-line growth, but by the number of people impacted and the ability to reinvest back into communities. With that in mind, he’s now focused on expanding globally, creating meaningful and sustainable career possibilities for marginalized groups (including Indigenous people and inner-city youth) in the United States and Australia.