SARA L. AUSTIN

CATHERINE BARKER-HOYES

SONIA BAXENDALE

MEL BENSON WILLA BLACK CHARLOTTE BURKE

JOSE A. CASTILLO

TERESA CONWAY

MICHELLE CORMIER

MARY ANNE DAVIDSON

MELANIE DEBASSIGE

MANINDER DHALIWAL

DIANE DOU SUSAN DUJMOVIC

NORMAN FRASER

BRUNA GAMBINO

PATRICIA A. GRAHAM

KARNA GUPTA SHAHIR GUINDI

KELLY JUHASZ DALE LAWR DORIAN LO JACOLINE LOEWEN

NICOLAS MARCOTTE

ELIZABETH A. MARTIN

JENNIFER MCGILL

ESTELLE METAYER

FARAH MOHAMED

JOSÉE MORIN

NANCY ORR MARIA PATSIOS

SHARON PEL SHARON RANSON

TRACY REDIES PAULA BARBARY SHANNON

NATASHA SHARPE

DAVID SHARPE VICKY SHARPE LISA SKAKUN

MARGARET SODEN

KIRSTEN SUTTON

SYLVIE TESSIER DEBORAH TROUTEN

ERIKA TSE ODETTE UY ELISE VÉZINA MARY-ALICE VUICIC

JODY WILSON-RAYBOULD

MARYAM ZARGAR

SYLVIA CHROMINSKA

THE CANADIAN BOARD DIVERSITY COUNCIL IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE 2015

SARA L. AUSTINChampion for women and childrenAdvisor to a number of Canada’s leading charities and non-profits

Sara is a passionate champion for women and children and an established senior leader with nearly 20 years of experience in the not-for-profit and charitable sector. Most recently, she was named as one of Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence and WXN’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women. These prestigious rankings celebrate the accomplishments of senior women who have achieved the highest levels of professional success.

SONIA BAXENDALECorporate DirectorCI Financial and Foresters Insurance

Sonia was most recently Senior Executive Vice President, CIBC and President, CIBC Retail Markets, leading the Retail, Commercial and Wealth Management businesses. She previously held positions at American Express and Saatchi & Saatchi. She is a seasoned, strategic and operational business leader in Financial Services that has led large businesses globally, with experience running both line and support operations at the highest level.

MEL BENSONPresidentMel E Benson Management

Mel is President of Mel E. Benson Management Services Inc. an international consulting firm working in various countries with a focus on First Nations/Corporate negotiations. He is part owner of the private oil and gas companies Tenax Energy Inc. and Kanatex Energy Inc. He has been a Director of Suncor Energy since 2000, serving on the Compensation and Environment, Health and Safety Committees. He also serves as a Director for the Fort McKay Group of Companies.

WILLA BLACKVP Corporate AffairsCisco Canada

Willa leads CSR programming at Cisco, building strategic partnerships and reinforcing Cisco’s commitment to achieve transformational impact. She was named one of Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence for 2011, the 2015 Federated Press Canadian Woman Leader of the Year, and recipient of the 2015 Canadian Aboriginal Business Council Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations.

CATHERINE BARKER-HOYES, MBA, CPACEODNH Business Solutions Inc

Catherine has over 30 years of Finance, IT, HR, Operations, Sales and Service experience in the private and public sectors as both a CEO and a CFO. She is a Faculty Member with the Directors College, an Advisor with MaRS and is involved in several Boards and other organizations.

CHARLOTTE BURKE, BBA, MBACorporate Director and Advisor

Charlotte is a business leader with a track record of fostering innovation, transformation and profitability in consumer technology businesses. As an officer of Bell Canada, she led the Internet division and the launch of digital cellular. As a Corporate Director she has 15 years of experience serving on Audit, Risk Management, Governance and Technology Committees.

SYLVIA CHROMINSKACorporate Director

Sylvia joined Scotiabank in 1979 as a Credit Analyst in Corporate Credit where she held progressively more senior positions until being appointed Senior Vice-President, with responsibility for Eastern Canada, Eastern United States, Europe and Japan. She is currently on the board of Emera Inc. and Wajax Corporation and previously served as Chair of the board of Scotiabank Trinidad and Tobago and as a member of the board of Dofasco Inc.

TERESA CONWAY, CA, ICD.DPresident and CEO, PowerexDirector, Vancity

Teresa has been the CEO of Powerex since 2006. Teresa is an accomplished executive with over 20 years’ experience in executive roles, including Chief Financial Officer. Teresa brings a strong focus on strategic, financial and risk management. She is a Director for Vancity and has Risk, Audit and HR Committee experience. Teresa has held Board of Director positions in the Electrical industry and not-for-profit sector.

MICHELLE CORMIER, CPA-CAOperating PartnerWynnchurch Capital Canada Ltd

Michelle is a senior-level executive with experience in corporate management, finance and strategic advisory situations. She has extensive experience in North American public capital markets. She is currently operating advisor for the Quebec-based investments of Wynnchurch Capital Inc., a $1.2 billion private equity fund. She is a Certified Corporate Director and serves on the Boards of Dorel Industries, Hydro-Québec, Moreau Industries and ProFab Inc.

JOSE A. CASTILLOSenior Principal, Global Quality and Risk Management – TaxKPMG International

Jose is Senior Principal at KPMG International, with 25 years of global experience. He sits in KPMG Canada’s Ethnics Steering Group. He founded KPMG’s Ibero-America Network for Hispanics and AdaptAbility Network to support persons with disabilities. He is VP of Ontario JOIN’s Board of Directors promoting job opportunities for persons with disabilities.

MARY ANNE DAVIDSON, MBA, ICD.DBoard DirectorVice President Acciona Canada

Mary Anne is a successful CEO and Senior Human Resource leader within the Financial Service, Insurance and Construction industries across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. Her executive experience includes M&A and migrations from private to public company status as well as global expansion. Her board experience includes not-for-profit and for-profit organizations, serving as CEO Ex-Officio, HR Committee Chair and as a member of the Executive, Governance and Nominations Committees.

MANINDER DHALIWALPresident and CEOLions Gate International

Maninder is a successful entrepreneur and an experienced Director. She specializes in India focused international venture projects in technology, manufacturing, and motion pictures. A Business in Vancouver’s Top 40 under 40 Winner, she received her Masters in Electrical Engineering from UBC, and Executive Education from Harvard Business School. She is currently a member and a certification candidate with ICD.

DIANE DOUSenior Executive of Retail Bank and Wealth ManagementHSBC Canada

Diane has worked with HSBC Canada for 15 years in various leadership role including COO and Country Head of Business Performance for Retail Bank and Wealth Management, COO of HSBC Investment Funds Canada Inc. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sports and Physical Activity, and the Board of Directors of Three Links and Odd Fellows Care Society.

SUSAN DUJMOVICChief Risk Officer, Retail Banking and Wealth ManagementHSBC Bank of Canada

Susan is a successful senior executive with HSBC, one of the largest global financial institutions. She has 28 years’ experience in strategic and financial management, operations, risk management and corporate governance. She is also an experienced director who serves as Vice-Chair and Audit Committee Chair of a multi-billion dollar crown corporation and has served as Audit Committee Chair of a large not-for-profit organization in Vancouver.

MELANIE DEBASSIGE, MBA, ICD.DChief of StaffBC Assembly of First Nations Melanie was a Manager of Special Projects and Partnership Development with Milman Industries a Mining Services company in Sudbury, Ontario. She was appointed by the Lieutenant Governor to the Ontario Clean Water Agency Board of Directors, in October 2013 where she leads the provincial First Nations Task Force. In October 2015, she was named Chief of Staff with the BC Assembly of First Nations.

NORMAN FRASER, MBALeader, Aboriginal Initiatives Teck Resources Limited

Norm is a member of the Fort Chipewyan Métis community and previously led the economic development corporation of the Ktunaxa Nation Council. Currently a part of Teck’s Indigenous Affairs team, he has an MBA in Aboriginal Business and Leadership from Simon Fraser University and served on the boards of the Industry Council for Aboriginal Business and the BC Community Forest Association.

PATRICIA A. GRAHAM, MBA, ICD.DBoard Director

Patricia is an accomplished Capital Markets executive with over 25 years of experience. She has held senior roles within the Capital Markets arms of several of Canada’s major banks. She has been recognized for her leadership qualities and her ability to think across markets in developing and driving global business strategies. She is a Women in Capital Markets Award recipient, an active Board Director and volunteer within her community.

KARNA GUPTAPresident & CEOITAC

Karna is a respected and seasoned high-technology executive with more 30+ years’ experience. His expertise and accomplishments span across North American and International business domains as President and CEO of both private and public companies. Currently, he is President and CEO of ITAC, Board Member of Voti and Board Chair at VentureLab.

SHAHIR GUINDIManaging Partner, MontrealOsler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Shahir is the Managing Partner of the Montréal office of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, a leading law firm in corporate, transactional and governance practice. He serves on the Board of Directors of BDC, technology companies and past co-Chair of Réseau Capital (Québec’s private equity and venture capital association). He is ranked as a leading corporate lawyer in several publications.

BRUNA GAMBINO, CPA, CAChief Financial OfficerConsultant / Educator / Volunteer Known for her ability to build high performance teams that consistently deliver solid results, Bruna is a C-suite executive for Top Tier Financial and Consumer Goods companies in Canada and the United States. Bruna has particular expertise in Strategic Vision & Planning, Mergers & Acquisitions, Change Management, Contract Negotiation and SOX Compliance. Today, Bruna consults and instructs at Humber College and serves on the Canadian Cancer Society Pension Advisory Board.

KELLY JUHASZManaging Director The Knowledge Transfer Company (TKTC) Inc.

Kelly changes behaviour and improves performance for some of Canada’s most respected businesses and higher education institutions. She holds a Master of Information from the University of Toronto and degrees in communications and art history. She is a qualified fine art appraiser and owner of Wall Fiction. She currently serves on the board of Goodwill Industries and has experience in governance, technology and organizational effectiveness.

DR. DORIAN LO, MD, MBAExecutive Vice President, Pharmacy & HealthcareShoppers Drug Mart

Dorian is the Executive Vice President, Pharmacy and Healthcare at Shoppers Drug Mart. Shoppers Drug Mart, part of the Loblaw Companies Limited, has more than 1,250 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix locations across the country with 1,120 Associate owners who care for millions of patients and dispense over 100 million prescriptions per year.

JACOLINE LOEWENDirectorUBS Bank (Canada)

Jacoline is a Director of UBS Bank (Canada), with 25 years specializing in finance for the owners of privately owned businesses and family firms, specifically financial planning for transitions. Previously, she worked in corporate finance focusing on acquisitions, restructurings, sales, successions and private equity financing. She has extensive experience as a Board Director.

NICOLAS MARCOTTE, P.Eng., MBA, C.Adm.President & CEOStrategor Inc

Nicolas is a Corporate Director, executive and entrepreneur with a broad base of experience and corporate structures, an extensive international experience, a creative and strategic mindset, a clear orientation towards clients, growth and results, and a track record in crisis, stakeholder and change management. He is serving on various Boards (PO & NPO) where he can share his expertise in finance, risk management, corporate strategy, financing, M&A, 3P, JV and CSR.

DALE LAWR, MBA, ICD.DChief Risk OfficerInfrastructure Ontario Dale is a corporate director with over 30 years of diverse experience working in the public and private sectors in Canada and the USA, most recently as Chief Risk Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Infrastructure Ontario. Currently, Dale serves on the Boards of Directors and Audit Committees of The Scarborough Hospital in Toronto, Medical Facilities Corporation and Maple Leaf Angels.

ELIZABETH A. MARTIN, CPA, CMA, ICD.D.Corporate Director

Elizabeth is a bilingual financial executive with over 25 years of international business experience. As an accredited member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, she has Chaired and served on a number of hospital and healthcare related boards and committees as well as boards of publicly traded mining corporations. She continues to do public speaking on the subject of enterprise risk management and other healthcare related governance matters.

ESTELLE METAYERPresidentCompetia

Estelle works with CEOs and boards to avoid strategic blindspots, understand future trends/technologies and anticipate industry disruption. An adjunct professor at McGill University, she previously worked in strategic roles in the aerospace, food and financial services industries, as well as at McKinsey & Company. Estelle serves as an independent board member for both publicly quoted and private companies, in Canada and Europe, with an emphasis and passion for global, consumer goods, and family-owned or controlled businesses.

FARAH MOHAMEDFounder & CEOG(irls)20

Farah has more than 20 years’ experience with government, private sector and social profit sector spheres in more than 20 countries. She has been on the boards of The Ontario Trillium Foundation and Ontario Science Centre (both OIC appointments). She is currently on the Harbourfront Centre Board. Her awards include Top 25 Most Influential Women in Canada, BBC’s 100 Women and Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient.

JOSÉE MORIN, MBA, C.Dir. Corporate Director

Josée is a successful IT entrepreneur, bilingual Corporate Director and Engineer with 25 years of experience in the technology sector. She contributes to boards through her expertise in risk management, IT governance and strategic planning. She is an advocate of sound governance and ethics with experience Chairing Audit and HR Committees.

JENNIFER MCGILL, BA, MBAVice President Communications and MarketingCredit Union Central of Canada Jennifer is fully bilingual and holds a BA in International Relations and French from the University of Toronto and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management. She completed her training in Board Governance at the Canadian Board Diversity Council. Jennifer’s board experience includes sitting on a gypsum mining board in South Africa, an American real estate investment board and more recently not-for-profit boards.

NANCY ORR, MBA, CACorporate Director

Nancy has 30 years of experience in the development, financing and management of industrial projects, having focussed primarily on the energy and wood recycling sectors. In her role as developer and entrepreneur, she has worked in North Africa, Czech Republic, California, Spain, Ecuador and Canada. She has served as an independent director for a variety of publicly traded corporations in the financial services, pulp and paper, high tech, biopharmaceutical and not-for-profit sectors.

SHARON PEL, BA, LLB, ICD.DSenior Vice President, Group Head Legal and Business AffairsTMX Group Limited (Retired)

Sharon has more than 30 years’ experience as a strategic business advisor, both as an executive and as outside counsel. Her expertise includes a demonstrated ability to quickly, pragmatically and effectively resolve complex strategic, business and legal issues. She was SVP, Group Head Legal and Business Affairs at TMX Group and a Partner at Torys LLP.

TRACY REDIES, MSC, ICDCorporate Director

A seasoned financial services executive with over 25 years of domestic and international banking experience, Tracy recently retired as President & CEO of Coast Capital Savings Credit Union. In this role, she was named BC CEO of the year in 2013. A strong people leader with a demonstrated track record for building brands and businesses, she has over 15 years of experience serving on private, not-for-profit and crown corporation boards.

MARIA PATSIOSPartner, Assurance & Regional Leader, Public CompaniesMNP LLP Maria has 20 years’ experience in public practice, including her current role as an Audit Partner and Regional Leader, Public Companies at MNP as well as her prior role as an Audit Partner at Ernst & Young. She has served companies in multiple sectors, such as financial services, manufacturing, transport, mining, energy, technology and pharmaceutical as well as the public sector. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors as well as the Audit Committee of Société Générale (Canada).

SHARON RANSON, CPA, CA, ICD.DCorporate Director and PresidentThe Ranson Group Inc.

Sharon is an experienced board director, executive and entrepreneur, with over 30 years’ experience, primarily in financial services. She is or has Chaired Audit, Risk, Investment, Governance and Compensation committees. She currently serves on the boards of Sprott Inc. and Queen’s School of Business.

NATASHA SHARPEChief Executive OfficerBridging Finance Inc.

Natasha is the CEO of Bridging Finance Inc., an alternative lender which provides credit to North American mid-market companies. She was previously the Chief Credit Risk Officer for Sun Life Financial’s global portfolio of over $100 billion. Her background is in risk management, portfolio risk management, model risk management and risk policy. In 2010 Natasha was selected as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40.

VICKY SHARPE, ICD.DBoard DirectorFounding President & CEO Sustainable Development Technology Canada

Vicky has 35 years of diverse energy sector experience, extensive investment networks, international exposure and is a seasoned director working with start-up and more mature Boards. She built SDTC, whose 280+ companies deliver increased productivity and competiveness to most economic sectors in Canada. She took public funding of SDTC from $100 million in 2001 to $1.4 billion in 2014 and mobilized private capital for project and commercialization financing of over $4 billion.

LISA SKAKUNChief Administration and Legal OfficerMOGO Finance Technology

As Chief Administration and Legal Officer, Lisa is the newest member of the senior executive team at MOGO Finance Technology, Canada’s leading online lender. Prior to joining MOGO, she was part of the senior executive team for one of Canada’s largest credit unions. She is also Chair of the Board of Governors for Kwantlen Polytechnic University and a Director of the Cause We Care Foundation

DAVID SHARPEPresident and Chief Operating OfficerBridging Finance Inc. David is President and Chief Operating Officer of Bridging Finance Inc. He is responsible for strategic relationships for the firm and ensuring there are proper operational controls in place for sustainable growth of the organization. Prior to joining Bridging, he was the President of an investment management firm and led a TSX-listing in 2012 of three closed-end funds with a market capitalization of approximately $1.2 billion.

PAULA BARBARY SHANNONChief Sales Officer, SVP Lionbridge Technologies Inc.

Paula is a global sales executive who speaks six languages and has over 30 years of experience in the fields of software localization, translation, and multilingual communications. As CSO, she runs the $600 million+ worldwide revenue teams at Lionbridge [NASDAQ: LIOX] where she has managed several strategic acquisitions and worked with clients such as Google, Apple, Porsche, Microsoft, and Philips on their global, digital transformation.

KIRSTEN SUTTON Managing Director SAP Labs Canada

Kirsten is the managing director of SAP Labs Canada, responsible for inspiring innovation within the Canadian development organization, managing the SAP Labs facilities across Canada, as well as being the external and internal liaison of SAP Labs Canada. She also manages the state-of-the art Executive Briefing Centers around the world, by maximizing their exposure and driving the collaborative potential to help customers derive deep benefits from their partnership with SAP.

DEBORAH E. TROUTEN, MA, APR, ICD.DPresidentDakota Communications Inc.

Deborah is an accomplished communications executive, consultant, entrepreneur with 30+ years of experience in corporate reputation management shareholder/stakeholder relations and transformational change in diverse sectors (financial, retail, consumer, public utilities, telecommunications, pension fund and healthcare). She has served on nine boards, holds the ICD.D designation, and has highly developed directorship skills in corporate governance.

ERIKA TSE, LLB, ICD.DChief Legal Officer and Vice-President, Human ResourcesGLENTEL Inc.

Erika has held leadership roles in legal, HR and real estate for over 20 years in retail, telecommunications and forestry. She has served on non-profit boards contributing in corporate governance, risk management and HR best practices. She also holds an LLB from Dalhousie, BComm from UBC, and her ICD.D from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

SYLVIE TESSIER, MBA, PEng, ICD.D.Executive AdvisorTrincurr Consulting Inc. Sylvie is an accomplished technology executive with multi-industry experience in public and private sectors. Her contribution as a member of various boards, such as GTEC, Canada Revenue Agency and National Ballet School, has been to ensure proper governance, enterprise risk discipline, investment oversight and strategic focus. She is a member of the ICD Ontario Chapter.

MARGARET SODEN, B.A., M.A. L., ICD.DConsultant, Author and Corporate DirectorFounder and President - Soden Leadership Group and Strus & Associates Inc.

Margaret has worked with executives, fellow directors, and other diverse stakeholders for over 30 years to lead strategy development, change initiatives, and the attainment of performance Excellence. She graduated from Royal Roads University in 2015 with a Masters in Leadership, and was awarded the Founders Award. She holds an ICD.D designation, which she draws upon to support the boards of Kinark, Kinark Foundation and ICD-GTA West.

ELISE VÉZINA, B.Eng., MBAPresidentEV Strategies Inc.

Elise has over 20 years of experience in general management, business and corporate development, strategic planning, marketing and market research in the Canadian pharmaceutical industry. Over her career, she has gained significant strategic and operational expertise and has held key executive positions at Pharmascience Inc. and Novartis Pharmaceutical Canada Inc. She now works in consulting at EV Strategies Inc. and is an active administrator for two non-profit organizations.

JODY WILSON-RAYBOULDCEOKalona Group

Jody is a former crown prosecutor, treaty commissioner and BCAFN regional chief. She has ten years of experience as an elected official, serving the needs of the many people she has represented. She has a strong reputation as a bridge builder between communities, and a champion of good governance and accountability. She is also a Director on the First Nations Lands Advisory Board and Chair of the First Nations Finance Authority.

MARYAM ZARGARManaging PartnerZargar Lawyers + Business Strategists

Maryam is a corporate lawyer, a graduate of UBC Law and a member of the BC Bar. Prior to establishing Zargar Lawyers in 2009, Maryam worked in large law firms, as well as in-house in the role of General Counsel. Her work is focused on complex commercial transactions and corporate governance. She currently serves as a Director and an advisor on boards of private and non-profit entities.

MARY-ALICE VUICICEVP & CHRO Victoria’s Secret - L Brands Mary-Alice has over 25 years of experience as a senior executive in large, high profile national and global corporations. She has a successful track record of leading key functions and driving results at Chapters/Indigo, Wal-Mart, Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaw Companies. In addition to working directly with the Boards of these public companies, she is a Director of the Business Development Bank of Canada where she Chairs the HR Committee and has served on a number of not-for-profit boards.

ODETTE UY, LLM, MBAChairmanTHR Hospitality Group LLC (U.S.)

Odette gained international and broad industry exposure from years of experience as an entrepreneur, and as a Board member and Investment Director in charge of project finance and private equity investments in Asia. She currently manages her family’s investment portfolio, including three overseas operations. She holds a Global Professional Master of Laws degree (University of Toronto) and an Executive MBA (National University of Singapore).