Celebrating Finance Professionals Who Light the Path for Others to Shine
June 3, 2026 – Toronto, ON: VersaFi today announced 35 honourees, including 34 individuals and one pioneering initiative, from Canada’s banks, pension plans, asset managers, and advisory firms, as recipients of the inaugural VersaFi Luminaries Awards.
The VersaFi Luminaries Awards recognize and celebrate leaders, champions and change agents advocating for talent at every career stage transforming individual successes into industry-wide impact. The recipients will be honoured on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Toronto at the VersaFi Luminaries Gala, with guest host, one of Canada’s top business journalists, Amber Kanwar. VersaFi thanks Presenting Sponsor, EY Canada and Supporting Sponsor Torys LLP.
“This year’s honourees are driving change across Canada’s most influential finance institutions. The 2026 VersaFi Luminaries are proof that inclusion is a competitive strategy”, said Tanya van Biesen, President & CEO, VersaFi.
“Recognizing these achievements demonstrates the strength and the competitiveness of the finance sector. Congratulations to our 2026 Luminaries.”
Announcing the 2026 VersaFi Luminaries
VersaFi Luminaries – Champions
Recognizes professionals propelling change and pushing boundaries for women in Canada’s finance sector.
- Jillian Nicolson, Partner, Financial Services & Insurance, EY Canada
- Glenn Parkinson, Partner, Banking & Capital Markets Leader, EY Canada
- Cheryl Ferguson, Managing Director, Corporate Sales and Structuring, BMO Capital Markets
- Rohit Thomas, President & CEO, BMO Insurance
- Simon Frenette, Managing Director and Head, Global Markets – Québec, CIBC Capital Markets
- Jacqueline Green, Managing Director & Head, Canadian Corporate Banking, CIBC Capital Markets
- John Anderson, Global Head of Corporate Finance and Infrastructure, Manulife
- Kristie Feinberg, President & CEO, Manulife John Hancock Investments and Head of Retail, Manulife Investment Management
- Linda Boulanger, Executive Vice-President & Managing Director, Head of Sustainable Finance, National Bank of Canada – Capital Markets
- Yves Locas, Managing Director & Co-Head, Debt Capital Markets and Syndication, National Bank of Canada – Capital Markets
- Bernard Grzinic, Executive Managing Director, Capital Markets, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
- Ying Soong, Senior Managing Director, Financial Services, Private Capital, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
- Kenneth Stoneham, National Consulting Leader & Partner, PwC Canada
- Brenda Vethanayagam, AI Trust Leader & Partner, PwC Canada
- Linli Chee, Managing Director, Global Head of Ratings & Monitoring and LPM Credit, RBC Capital Markets
- Ben Mandell, Global Head, Mergers & Acquisitions, RBC Capital Markets
- Jim Morris, SVP & Head, Investment Management, Scotia Global Asset Management1, Scotiabank
- Natalia Zand, Vice President, Delivery & Portfolio Management, Scotiabank Global Banking & Markets2
- Geoff Bertram, Executive Managing Director and Co-Head of Global Investment Banking, TD Securities
- Alison Perdue, Managing Director and Head, Canadian Fixed Income, TD Securities
VersaFi Ally – Sponsored by CIBC Capital Markets
Recognizes individuals who use their platform to actively engage, sponsor, and advocate for women in their firms.
- Charles Bendaly, Head of National Sales, Retail Canada, Manulife Investment Management
- Ian Woodward, Executive Director, Institutional Sales, Foreign Exchange, CIBC Capital Markets
VersaFi Excellence in Innovation – Sponsored by TMX Group
Honours a person, group, department or firm that has created meaningful, measurable, and lasting improvements for women through an innovative and impactful approach.
- CPP Investments Private Equity Women’s Initiative Network
VersaFi Outstanding Volunteer – Sponsored by Canada Life
Recognizes commitment to VersaFi’s mission, awarded to individuals that have demonstrated leadership, initiative, inspiration for fellow volunteers and a commitment to elevating women in finance.
- Abirami Ayyaluswamy, Director, Global Portfolio Analytics, Manulife
- Christina Screpnechuk, Associate, Debt Capital Markets, Scotiabank Global Banking & Markets2
VersaFi Rising Star – Sponsored by BMO Wealth Management
Celebrates early-in-career professionals who have shown exceptional promise in advancing women within their organizations or the broader finance sector.
- Kristin Altenhoff-Macaulay, Manager, Inside Sales, Canada Life
- Tina Jiang, Associate Director, Derivative Products Group, Scotiabank Global Banking & Markets2
- Payton Leach, Associate, Corporate Banking, RBC Capital Markets
VersaFi Trailblazer – Sponsored by CIRO
Honours mid-career, high-performing professionals who implement and foster inclusive practices and talent pipelines, with measurable impact for women in finance, at the organization and industry levels.
- Uzoamaka Etokwudo-Chidolue, Senior Manager, Marketing, Client Strategy, CIBC Capital Markets
- Fernanda Ríos, Portfolio Manager, Public Credit, Credit Investments, CPP Investments
- Cindy Veilleux, Managing Director, Risk Management Solutions Group, National Bank of Canada – Capital Markets
VersaFi Transformational Leader – Sponsored by RBC Capital Markets
Celebrates senior-in-career leaders who have made significant and sustained change including policy, culture and strategic, lasting systemic improvements for women in the finance industry.
- Deb Barnes, Chief Risk Officer, OMERS
- Tammy Cash, Head, Business Communications & Engagement, BMO Global Asset Management
- Jenn Ocampo-King, Managing Director, Head of Securities Lending, TD Securities
- Oricia Smith, President, SLGI Asset Management Inc. and Senior Vice-President, Investment Solutions, Sun Life Global Investments
______________________
1 Scotia Global Asset Management is a business name used by 1832 Asset Management L.P.
2 Scotiabank is a marketing name for the global corporate and investment banking and capital markets businesses of The Bank of Nova Scotia.
-30-
About VersaFi
VersaFi is a national, non-profit organization focused on elevating women in the finance sector to advance prosperity for all. Founded in 1995 as Women in Capital Markets (WCM), the organization rebranded in 2024 as VersaFi.
We connect and equip women, and the allies and organizations who champion them, through programs, partnerships, and community, that transform individual success into industry-wide impact.
As Canada’s largest network of women, allies, and leading finance organizations, we are united by a shared purpose to elevate women in the finance industry. Together, we champion talent at every stage of the career journey: empowering individuals and shaping leaders; transforming individual success into industry-wide impact; and advancing a stronger, more competitive finance sector for all.
Our community has grown to more than 4,200 members and 50 corporate partners across the country representing the finance sector across banks, dealers, insurance companies, pension plans, asset and wealth management firms, regulatory agencies, exchanges, and advisory firms. To learn more or to become a member, visit www.versafi.ca
Media Contact:
Gina DeBenedetti
Chief Marketing, Communications & Research Officer
[email protected]
