Excellence in Governance Special Edition Showcase:
Resiliency and Innovation in Times of Crisis

Judy Cotte,

CEO, ESG Global Advisors Inc.

Judy is the CEO of ESG Global Advisors, a firm that bridges the gap betweencompanies and investors on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. Withover 20 years’ legal experience, the last twelve of which has been exclusively focusedon ESG, Judy is a globally recognized expert on ESG and responsible investment.

Prior to forming ESG Global Advisors, Judy was V.P. & Head of Corporate Governance &Responsible Investment for RBC Global Asset Management (“RBC GAM”) and was amember of the firm’s Executive Committee. Judy launched the Corporate Governance& Responsible Investment group at RBC GAM in 2012 and was responsible fordeveloping the firm’s overall ESG strategy, working with the investment teams tointegrate ESG into the investment process, overseeing all proxy voting globally andengaging with investee companies, both individually and collaboratively with otherinvestors.

Previously, Judy was the Director of Policy Development & Chief Operating Officer forthe Canadian Coalition for Good Governance (“CCGG”), a coalition of most of Canada’slargest institutional investors. Judy has a Master's degree in securities law andpracticed law in various capacities, including as enforcement counsel with the OSC,litigation counsel with a large broker/dealer and as a partner in a Bay Street law firm.

Judy is a Board Advisor to Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group and a Director ofGibson Energy (GEI) and Altius Renewable Royalties (ARR). She is a current member ofthe TSX Listings Advisory Committee, the CCGG Public Policy Committee and the UNPRI’s Global Policy Reference Group. She was previously the Canada Correspondent forthe International Corporate Governance Network. In 2020, Judy received a Clean50award for her leadership in advancing sustainability and clean capitalism in Canada.

Geoffrey Creighton,

Chief Executive Officer, In-House Counsel Worldwide and EGA Judges Panel Chair

Geoffrey D. Creighton is CEO of In-House Counsel Worldwide (ICW), the international network of in-house bar associations. A Chartered Director (C.Dir.) and Certified In-House Counsel (CIC.C), he is a member of the Independent Review Committee of BlackRock Canada, and a ‘public member’ of the Board of TFAAC (“Advocis”) the national body which represents financial advisors. Geoff was formerly SVP, General Counsel of IGM Financial Inc, a public financial institution in the Power Corporation group of companies. In that role, he was responsible for overseeing the legal, compliance and corporate secretarial functions of Investors Group and Mackenzie Investments. Prior to joining IGM in 2008, Geoff was a partner with Torys LLP, focused on M&A, complex corporate finance and corporate governance. Currently the Chair of the judging panel for the GPC’s Excellence in Governance Awards, he is a frequent speaker on governance and legal matters. Geoff is a Past-Chair of the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association, has chaired and served on several committees of the CBA and its Council, and is the recipient of both the Douglas Miller Award and the Robert V.A. Jones Award, for his contributions to the CBA and CCCA respectively.

Gigi Dawe, 

Director, Corporate Oversight & Governance, CPA Canada

Gigi Dawe leads the Corporate Oversight and Governance department at the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada). As such, she oversees CPA Canada's development of influential, thought leading resources and events that improve board performance. Gigi launched the governance discipline at CPA Canada to facilitate enhanced board and executive response to market demands. Recently she has been actively involved with CPA Canada’s initiative to reimagine the future of the accounting profession. Her history includes consulting in organizational development in a variety of industries.

Gigi is a board member of Youthdale Treatment Centres. She also co-chairs the International Corporate Governance Network’s Corporate Board Governance Committee and sits on the advisory board of Simon Fraser University's Next Generation Governance Project and Advisory Committee of the Canada Climate Law Initiative. She is a past board member of Active Healthy Kids Canada and Family Daycare Services Toronto. Gigi is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, the Institute of Corporate Directors, and the International Corporate Governance Network.

Gigi obtained a Master of Laws at Osgoode Hall Law School. She teaches Corporate Responsibility and Ethics in the Masters of Financial Accountability program at York University.

Simon Fish 

Chair of the BMO Climate Institute, BMO Financial Group

As Chair of the BMO Climate Institute, Simon is responsible for advising on the bank’s sustainability strategy, environmental, social and governance risk management, impact measurement and reporting, and bringing an understanding to the financial risks and opportunities related to climate change and transition for both clients and the bank.

BMO’s former General Counsel, Simon is a seasoned executive with 30 years of international experience at leading global companies BMO, Vale and Royal Dutch Shell. He has a track record of providing valuable counsel and managing complex regulatory environments, reputational risk and multi-jurisdictional legal and compliance issues in such diverse industries as financial services, mining and energy. Among his specialties are corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, securities, transaction structuring and ESG.

Highly regarded by his peers, he has earned numerous distinctions, including Canada’s General Counsel of the Year, was named one of Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers, and is included among the Legal 500’s GC PowerList. Simon has been recognized as a Catalyst Canada Honours Champions for his work in advancing the role of women in the workplace and the wider community.

Matt Fullbrook,

Manager, David & Sharon Johnston Centre for Corporate Governance Innovation

Matt Fullbrook is a board effectiveness researcher and consultant and is the manager of the David & Sharon Johnston Centre for Corporate Governance Innovation at the Rotman School of Management. Under his direction, the Rotman School has evolved into the central hub of governance research in Canada. Matt oversaw the development and execution of all of the Centre’s projects, including the Globe & Mail's Board Games governance ratings, various Pay/Performance studies, credit union board research, and an ongoing study of the governance of family firms. As an independent consultant, Matt has advised dozens of boards of directors as an educator, facilitator and researcher, helping them to maximize their effectiveness through the development and implementation of valuable governance processes, policies and structures.

Suzanne Gouin,
Board Chair, Canada Revenue Agency

Madame Gouin was appointed as Chair of the Canada Revenue Agency Board in August 2017. She is a member of the CRA Board’s four committees and subcommittee, and is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Foundation of Greater Montreal, Hydro-Québec and L’Esplanade , and serves on various advisory committees.

Madame Gouin is an experienced Board Director with experiences in Business transformation, Digital implementation, Governance and Human Capital issues.

She is an experienced media executive, and was CEO of TV5 Québec Canada for more than 13 years. She has held various management positions in both the private and public sectors. A graduate of Concordia University, she holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business (University of Western Ontario) and holds the IAS accreditation of the Institute of Corporate Directors. Madame Gouin is a recipient of the National Order of Merit of the French Republic.

Sylvia Groves,

President, Governance Studio

Sylvia Groves consults, facilitates and speaks professionally. She created Governance Studio from her award-winning work with one of Canada’s foremost governance leaders. Her no-nonsense practical advice has helped thousands of governance professionals, corporate secretaries and directors enhance the effectiveness of their boards and their organizations.

Sylvia is judge of the Excellence in Governance Awards, an Accredited Director and a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute of Canada. She is also a recipient of the Excellence in Governance Distinguished Contribution Award from the Governance Professionals of Canada and was one of the founding faculty for the GPC.D designation.

Nancy Hopkins,
Chair, Governance and Nominating Committee and Chair, Building Committee, Arthritis Society

Nancy E. Hopkins, Q.C., (Hon) CPA, ICD.D, is a partner with the law firm of McDougall Gauley, LLP in Saskatoon, where she practices business law, with an emphasis on M&A and corporate governance.

She serves on a number of boards, including the Capital Markets Regulatory Authority implementation board, Growthworks Commercialization Fund Inc., The Arthritis Society, and the Canada West Foundation, and, in the capacity of public representative, CPA Canada.

Among other past directorships, she is the former chair of the University of Saskatchewan Board of Governors, SGI Canada, the Saskatoon Airport Authority, the Saskatchewan Police Commission and the Saskatchewan Legal Education Society. She served for many years on the board of Cameco Corporation, including chairing many of its committees, and on the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, chairing the Governance Committee.

She has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, including the Athena Award, designation by Lexpert as a “Best Lawyer” in corporate law, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. She was granted honorary membership in the Saskatchewan Institute of Chartered Accountants (now CPA Saskatchewan) in 1997. In 2013 she was designated as a WXN Top 100 recipient in the Corporate Directors category.

Wendy Kei,
Board Chair, Ontario Power Generation

Ms. Wendy Kei currently serves as Board Chair for Ontario Power Generation Inc. (OPG) and is the Chair of the Audit Committee for both Karora Resources Inc. (TSX: KRR) and Noranda Income Fund (TSX: NIF.UN). She is also a member of the Department of Audit Committee for Transport Canada.

In 2020, Ms. Kei was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women and received her Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA-FCA) designation. Ms. Kei is a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario, holds an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors and holds a Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo. Ms. Kei was also selected as a Diversity 50 2016 Candidate by the Canadian Board Diversity Council.

Kelli Littlechilds,
CEO, Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan

Kelli Littlechilds is the chief executive officer of the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan (ASEBP)—one of Alberta’s Top 70 Employers for 2021 and winner of a 2018 Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award from the American Psychological Association. With a wealth of knowledge and more than 35 years of experience in the health and benefits industry, Kelli is committed to supporting personal and workplace well-being.

Colleen Ouellette,
Board Secretary, Canada Revenue Agency

Colleen Ouellette is the Board Secretary for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Board of Management since 2017. Prior to this position, she was Director of Board Operations and Governance Division and previously Director of the Corporate Committees and Policies Divisions.

Colleen joined the CRA in 2004, where she began her public service career in programs. She has held various positions with increasing responsibilities in the areas of program operations, policy, legislation and governance.

Colleen has a passion and drive for innovation and excellence in governance and her leadership supported the CRA in receiving the GPC’s Excellence in Governance Award in the category of Best Overall Corporate Governance in the public sector, in 2019.

She is a graduate of the CRA's Executive Development Program (EXDP) as well as the Canada School of Public Service New Directors Program. In 2018 she completed the Governance Professionals of Canada Governance in Practice Program (GPC.D). She holds a Bachelors degree from Queens University.

Diane Pettie,
Chair of Governance and Conduct Review Committee, ATB Financial

Diane Pettie is a retired lawyer with over 35 years of legal experience and significant executive experience in the energy and chemical sectors. She has her Juris Doctorate from the University of Alberta, is a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute of Canada, and has her ICD.D from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Maureen Reid, Co-chair, Advancement Committee and Past-Chair of the Board of Governors,  Halifax Grammar School

Maureen Reid is the President and Founder of BoardWorks Consulting Inc., a practice dedicated to maximizing the performance of governing boards through effective corporate governance practices and strategic planning.  She has more than 25 years’ experience as an advisor to governing boards in the private, public and non-profit sectors.  Organizations in the business, education, health, cultural and charitable sectors have benefited from Maureen’s practical insights and guidance.  Her background in law and adult education provides depth to her work with boards and senior leadership teams.  Maureen knows how to translate corporate governance theory into applied governance practices.

Prior to establishing BoardWorks in 2001, Maureen spent the bulk of her career as a partner in the Labour and Employment Law Group of a major Halifax law firm.  She has also held senior leadership positions in a learning technology start-up and more recently with The Shaw Group Limited, a land development and manufacturing company.

Maureen received her Bachelor of Science and law degrees from Dalhousie University.  In 1998, she obtained her Master of Arts degree in Adult Education from Mount Saint Vincent University.  Her thesis explored the concept of "learning organizations" as applied to school boards.  On May 20, 2016, Maureen was honoured with a Doctor of Civil Law, honoris causa, from Saint Mary’s University for her professional and volunteer contributions to a wide range of organizations in the Atlantic region.

Maureen is a non-practicing member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and is also a member of the Canadian Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD).   In 2006, she received her ICD.D certification as a professional director from the ICD, having completed the Directors’ Education Program at the Rotman School of Business, University of Toronto and the required written and oral examinations.

Maureen served as a director of Assumption Life, an insurance and financial services company based in New Brunswick and with operations across Canada, from 2002 to 2011.   She is the first woman to have chaired this board since the company’s establishment in 1906.  During her tenure on that board, she chaired the Human Resources Committee, the Governance Committee and was a member of the Audit Committee. 

Maureen serves on the Board of Governors of the Halifax Grammar School where she currently co-chairs the Advancement Committee. Among her many past volunteer leadership experiences, she served as the:

• Vice-Chair and Chair of the Halifax Grammar School,
• Vice-Chair of the Atlantic Chapter of the Institute of Corporate Directors
• Chair, Governance Committee, Halifax Partnership
• Director of the Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award Foundation
• Volunteer Chair of a Voluntary Planning provincial task force mandated to develop heritage strategy recommendations to the Provincial Government
• Chair of the IWK Health Centre Board of Directors
• Chair of the IWK Health Centre Foundation Board
• Vice-Chair, Government Affairs with the Halifax Chamber of Commerce
• President of the Canadian Association for the Practical Study of Law in Education (CAPSLE) and
• President of the Neptune Theatre Foundation from 1998 to 2000, a period in which the organization underwent significant operational and financial challenges.

Maureen is an Honourary Director of the Neptune Theatre Foundation and the IWK Health Centre Foundation.

Maureen is bilingual (English and French).

Dottie Schindlinger,

Executive Director of the Diligent Institute, Diligent

Dottie Schindlinger is Executive Director of the Diligent Institute, the think tank and global governance research arm of Diligent Corporation, leading provider of secure corporate board communication and collaboration software used by over 650,000 directors and executives globally. In her role, Dottie provides thought leadership on governance, cybersecurity, and technology topics through presentations to boards and executives dozens of times each year at events around the globe. Her work has been featured in Fortune, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and multiple governance and technology publications. She is co-author of the book, Governance in the Digital Age: A Guide for the Modern Corporate Board Director, ©2019, John Wiley & Sons, and she co-hosts the fortnightly show, The Corporate Director Podcast.

Dottie brings over twenty years’ experience in governance-related roles, including serving as a director, officer, committee chair, senior executive, governance consultant and trainer for private, public, and nonprofit boards. She was a founding team member of the tech start-up BoardEffect – a board management software provider focused on healthcare and nonprofit boards, acquired by Diligent in late 2016. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Diligent Institute and is the Vice Chair of the Board of the Alice Paul Institute, and she is a Fellow of the Salzburg Global Seminar on Corporate Governance. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.

Linda Seymour,

Group General Manager, President and Chief Executive Officer

Linda Seymour was appointed Group General Manager, President and Chief Executive Officer for HSBC Bank Canada effective September 2020. She is a member of the Board of HSBC Bank Canada and is Chair of the Board of HSBC Global Asset Management (Canada) Limited.

Ms Seymour joined HSBC and has held a number of progressively senior roles within the bank. Previous roles include: Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial Banking, HSBC Bank Canada; Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking, Ontario Region, HSBC Bank Canada; and Chief Operating Officer, Wealth and Personal Banking, HSBC Bank Canada.

Janet Taylor,
Corporate Secretary and Coach, Libro Credit Union

Janet began working at Libro in 1999 and holds the position of Corporate Secretary. Janet leads the continual enhancement of Libro’s governance policies and practices. Her enthusiasm for co-operative governance is evidenced in the leadership and coaching she offers to her team, the Board of Directors and the Owner Representatives of Libro.

Janet holds a Bachelor of Arts in French Language and Literature from the University of Western Ontario, and a Professional Certificate in Management from Western Continuing Studies. She is completing the Governance Professionals of Canada Education Program.

Janet is active in her community as a board member of the London Canoe Club and a Scouter with the local Scouts Canada group.

Anna Tudela,
Board Member and Independent Consultant

Anna Tudela (Acc. Dir., CCIP, GCB.D) has over 30 years of experience working with public companies in the securities and corporate finance areas, in Canada, the United States and South America. Most recently, she was the Vice President of Diversity, Regulatory Affairs and Corporate Secretary of Goldcorp (2005-2019) culminating with the take-over of Goldcorp by Newmont Mining Corporation. In 2010 she founded Creating Choices, a program unique in the global mining industry which recognizes the value in nurturing a culture of diversity and inclusion and promoting the advancement of women.

Ms. Tudela has served as Corporate Secretary of Goldcorp Inc., Silver Wheaton Corp (Wheaton Precious Metals) and Diamond Fields Resources Inc. Ms. Tudela has been recognized by various organizations for her work on governance, boards and advancing women in leadership in traditionally male dominated industries, receiving the Peter Day Governance Achievement Award; named one of the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining; the Association of Women in Finance awarding her the honour of Champion; Dalhousie University awarding her the 2016 Scotiabank Ethical Leadership Award and by Catalyst naming her 2016 Catalyst Canada Honours Champion. Ms. Tudela is a director of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, Regulus Resources Inc. and Sabina Gold & Silver Corp.  Ms. Tudela is a Certified Canadian Inclusion Professional, an Accredited Director (CGP) and a certified Global Competent Board advisor. Most recently, Ms. Tudela was the recipient of the WIM (BC) Aurora Award which recognizes an exceptional woman in mining who inspires others.

Elizabeth Watson,

CEO and Founder, WATSON Advisors Inc.

Elizabeth Watson, QC (Liz), is the founder and leader of WATSON, whose goal is to enhance the leadership and governance capability of private and public organizations that make a positive contribution to society at a local or global level. Liz has practiced law for more than 35 years and has spent over half her career advising boards, chairs, directors, committees and CEOs. Since founding WATSON, Liz has worked with a wide range of clients delivering governance and leadership advisory, and board recruitment services.

Liz works closely with the corporate governance community in Canada and is a sought-after advisor, speaker and contributor on governance, CEO and board recruitment issues. She teaches at the ICD’s Directors Education Program on Governance Effectiveness and authored CPA Canada’s publication on Building and Sustaining an Effective Board.

Liz currently serves on the selection committee for the Canadian Excellence in Governance Awards and previously served for four years on the ICD Fellowship Awards Selection Committee. As a director, Liz serves on the board of Peterson and SHAD Canada. She previously served on the boards of the Institute of Corporate Directors, Choice School for Gifted Children, Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, Women in the Lead Inc., the BC Cancer Foundation and as an Advisory Board member for Canada’s Top 40 Under 40.

Liz holds an LLB from the University of British Columbia and completed executive education in the areas of governance and finance at Harvard University and Ivey Business School respectively. Liz has been named as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women and as one of the inaugural Top 100 Influential Women of British Columbia. She was named Queen’s Counsel in 2012.