TORONTO, May 13, 2025 – VersaFi (formerly Women in Capital Markets) today announced the 2025 recipients of its prestigious Champions of Change Award, 20 exceptional leaders driving progress for women in Canada’s finance sector.

The award, now in its 23rd year, annually recognizes and celebrates individuals who push the boundaries for women in finance, helping to create workplaces where women can advance and succeed. They will be honoured at the Champions of Change gala event in Toronto on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
“The finance sector is a cornerstone of our economy, making it crucial that women are fairly represented at every level of decision making,” says Tanya van Biesen, CEO, VersaFi. “Yet women remain underrepresented, especially at mid and senior leadership levels, and we need to continue to push for change. When we overlook talented women, we risk losing innovation, insight, and impact.

“Our 2025 Champions of Change get it. These remarkable individuals are not just acknowledging the problem — they’re leading the charge to fix it. Whether they’re developing future leaders of finance, sponsoring women into leadership roles along the talent journey, or advocating as allies, they’re reshaping what leadership looks like, helping to ensure that talented women are able to contribute, thrive and advance. Congratulations to each of you”.

Announcing the 2025 Champions of Change:

  • Bill Bamber, CEO, BMO Global Asset Management
  • Catherine Blaesing, Managing Director & Head, Corporate Banking, North American Diversified Industries, BMO Capital Markets
  • Samina Sajanlal, Managing Director & Head, Global Fund Finance, CIBC Capital Markets
  • Elliot Scherer, Managing Director & Head, Wealth Solutions Group, CIBC Capital Markets
  • Troy Butner, Global Client Service Partner, EY Canada
  • Shelley De Vries, Partner, Banking Technology Consulting, EY Canada
  • Paul Lorentz, President and CEO, Global Wealth & Asset Management, Manulife
  • Muhsinah Nuriddin, Global Director, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion – COE Lead, Manulife
  • Alexandre Huot, Managing Director and Head of Loan Structuring & Syndication, National Bank Financial Markets
  • Nicole Miller, Managing Director and Co-Head of Institutional Sales, Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities Group (FICC), National Bank Financial Markets
  • Jennifer Diana Lee, Director, Credit, Capital Markets, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
  • Ritesh Patel, Director, Finance, Due Diligence and Advisory, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
  • Jason Boggs, Partner, Banking & Capital Markets, PwC Canada
  • Kelechi Enyinna, Partner, Risk Services and Chief Inclusion & Diversity Officer, PwC Canada
  • Troy Maxwell, Chief Operating Officer, RBC U.S. and RBC Capital Markets
  • Tonia Steck, Head of US Institutional Rates and North American Institutional FX Sales, RBC Capital Markets
  • Raquel Costa, Senior Vice President, International Wealth Management, Scotiabank
  • Derek Pattison, Senior Vice President, Global Procurement Services, Scotiabank
  • Dan Bosman, Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer, TD Securities and Payments, TD
  • Rajni Singh, Managing Director and Head of CIB Business Management, TD

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About VersaFi
VersaFi is a national, not-for-profit organization focused on accelerating equity for women in the finance sector. Founded in 1995 as Women in Capital Markets (WCM), the organization rebranded in 2024 to empower and advocate for women across the finance sector, at all stages of their careers, nationally. It does this by fostering a pipeline of talent at all levels; being the leading voice and advocate for gender equity in the sector; and by working with finance sector leaders to implement impactful and lasting structural and cultural change. Its community has grown to more than 4,000 members across the sector, representing Canadian bank-owned dealers and wealth managers, independent and foreign-owned dealers, asset managers, insurance companies, pension plans, regulatory agencies, exchanges, and advisory firms. To learn more, or to become a member, visit www.versafi.ca.