VersaFi has announced the selection of 61 women from 18 Canadian firms for its 2024 Emerging Leaders Program, a professional development initiative aimed at preparing high-performing women in finance for senior leadership roles. This year’s participants, all with five to 10 years of industry experience, bring the program’s total alumni to 310 since its launch in 2014.
The seven-month program, in partnership with talent consultancy Felix Global, combines group and individual coaching, skill-building workshops, and networking opportunities. Participants also undergo Facet5, a globally recognized personality assessment designed to support personal and professional growth. According to VersaFi CEO Tanya van Biesen, the program addresses structural barriers in the finance sector that often limit career advancement for women.
“Many women encounter unique obstacles at this point in their careers that could slow or block their progress,” said van Biesen. “Our Emerging Leaders Program is designed to give them the tools and support needed to navigate these challenges and continue moving toward senior roles,” she said.
Participants were selected for their professional accomplishments and commitment to equity in the workplace. VersaFi noted that many of the women have overcome significant hurdles in male-dominated environments, navigated career breaks, or balanced work with family responsibilities.
Founded in 1995 as Women in Capital Markets (WCM), VersaFi rebranded this year to broaden its support for gender equity within Canada’s finance industry. The organization’s membership has grown to more than 4,000 professionals, including representatives from major banks, wealth managers, and pension funds.
Full list of women participating in the program
Name | Company |
---|---|
Bella Ainani | CPP Investments |
Kelly Alvarez | CIBC Capital Markets |
Rachel Amirault | CPP Investments |
Abirami Ayyaluswamy | Manulife |
Ragini Barrenkula | Manulife |
Keren Beletsky | Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan |
Carla Bolingbroke | Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets |
Tala Bushnaq | RPIA |
Samantha Chan | RBC Capital Markets |
Phoebe Cheung | PwC Canada |
Tina Chou | TD Securities |
Evelyn Chow | CPP Investments |
Sanam Dhaliwal | ATB Financial |
Fiona Fan | Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets |
Charlène Fontaine | National Bank Financial Markets |
Alicia Garbarino | Manulife |
Claudia Garner | RBC Capital Markets |
Kathleen Glofcheskie | Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets |
Ritika Goel | RBC Capital Markets |
Andréanne Grégoire-Boudreau | Desjardins Global Asset Management |
Shawna Griffin | RBC Capital Markets |
Stéphanie Hamel | National Bank Financial Markets |
Angie Han | TD Securities |
Monica Heysel | CIBC Capital Markets |
Rebecca Hoffer-Kahansky | OPTrust |
Jennifer Israel | CIBC Mellon |
Manroop Johal | BMO Private Wealth |
Ana Juncu | CIBC Capital Markets |
Kayla Keim | RBC Capital Markets |
Molly Kong | IMCO |
Jacqueline Kopemond | RPIA |
Jillian Lam | ATB Financial |
Eni Lamllari | CIBC Capital Markets |
Cherry Li | BMO Capital Markets |
Helen Liao | CPP Investments |
Madi Lott | RBC Capital Markets |
Vivian Luu | RBC Capital Markets |
Adrienne Macdonald | National Bank Financial Markets |
Amelia Meng | CIBC Capital Markets |
Sydney Milgrom | CPP Investments |
Anh Nguyen | CIBC Capital Markets |
Kerry Nield | Alberta Investment Management Corporation |
Ebuni Vivian Okonkwo | CIBC Private Wealth |
Cristina Oliveira | Manulife |
Tuyet (Katie) Or | Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets |
Joanna Pollock | RBC Capital Markets |
Easha Rai | SLC Management |
Samra Ramzan | TD Securities |
Andrea Scarlato | BMO Private Wealth |
Marina Su | CPP Investments |
Victoria Suitor | BMO Private Wealth |
Tiffany Sun | CIBC Capital Markets |
Vanessa Taylor | RBC Capital Markets |
Claire Townsley | CIBC Capital Markets |
Lovelyn Toyo | RBC Capital Markets |
Julia Vriend | CIBC Capital Markets |
Daphne Wallace | RBC Capital Markets |
Mengqi (Grace) Yang | Manulife |
May Yeung | Global X Investments Canada Inc. |
Sara Zgheib | Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan |
Tongtong Zhou | ATB Financial |