Professional development designed to support leadership advancement

The Program equips women and gender-diverse finance professionals (five to ten years’ experience) with personal and group coaching, and community-building sessions over seven months, positioning them for progressively senior roles.

The Emerging Leaders Program is designed to support the advancement of women and gender-diverse professionals at critical leadership stages. Tailored for mid-senior career-level professionals, the program focuses on establishing leadership presence, strengthening readiness for progression, and equipping participants with the skills required to navigate complex organizational environments.

During the seven-month program, participants engage in building both personal and professional leadership capacity. Through a personality assessment (Facet5™), group and individual coaching (Felix Global), and professional development sessions, participants build confidence, expand their leadership toolkit, and prepare for progressive roles.

The hybrid format enables participation from across North America, with select in-person sessions including a Welcome Reception, Group Coaching & Networking Lunch, and Closing Reception.

The program includes:

  • A personal and professional assessment Facet5™ framework, providing insight into leadership style and development areas;
  • Individual & group coaching sessions focused on strengthening leadership capability and navigating career progression; and
  • Skill-building sessions designed to support advancement within complex organizations, including a panel discussion with senior leaders in the sector.

Program Eligibility

 

Participants must meet the following criteria:

  • Candidates must be currently employed in the finance industry and have a minimum of five to a maximum of ten years of experience in the industry;
  • Candidates must be employed at a mid-level position in their firm;
  • Candidates must be a professional member of VersaFi, and;
  • Candidate application accompanies firm endorsement (fee of $4,500 CAD for VersaFi Corporate Partners;  $8,500 regular rate)

Applications will be measured against these criteria:

  • Proven career progression and commitment to professional development;
  • Ability to lead and overcome challenges;
  • Exemplifies strong business leadership characteristics; and
  • Alignment with VersaFi’s vision.

1. Completed Application 

2. Resume or LinkedIn Profile

Should outline a minimum of five years and a maximum of 10 years in the finance sector

3. Response to the following questions (found in the application link):

  • Briefly outline your career aspirations for the next three to five years. (Be as specific as possible)
  • What outcomes would make this program a success for you?
  • Tell us about a significant obstacle you have faced in your personal or professional life. How did you approach it, and what did you learn about yourself as a leader through that experience?
  • Give some examples of how you’ve shown leadership personally or professionally.  
  • What challenges are you currently facing that you’re hoping the program will help you navigate?

June 8, 2026: Applications open

July 27, 2026: Applications close

October 2026: Successful candidates are notified

November 2026: Opening Reception (in-person event in Toronto)

December 2026: Skill Build #1 (virtual)

January & April 2027: 2 personal coaching sessions (virtual)

February, 2027: Group Coaching Session & Networking Lunch with Tanya van Biesen, VersaFi CEO (in-person event in Toronto)

April, 2027: Skill Build #2 (virtual)

May 2027: Closing Reception (in-person event in Toronto)

Candidates must commit to completing the pre-work and attend group sessions over the seven-month period. Upon acceptance, participants will receive a program guide to outline timing and expectations.

This program is open to candidates across North America. All participants are welcomed to attend any in-person event/session. Travel and accommodations are at the participant’s expense.

Testimonials

The program was excellent, I only wish it was the full year and had more sessions, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Thank you so much.

Emerging Leaders Participant

The group sessions were incredible.

Emerging Leaders Participant
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Emerging Leaders Program Participants

To date, 371 women have completed the Emerging Leaders Program and progressed their careers.

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

 

 

 

 

Aidi Zheng, BMO Capital Markets
Aimee Palmer, IG Wealth Management
Alexandra Minning, BMO Capital Markets
Amoolya Rao, PwC
Ananya Chakravarti, Scotiabank
Annabelle Luo, TD Securities
Ashley Copeland,CIBC Capital Markets
Athena Gao, RBC Capital Markets
Bonny Hang, RPIA
Carly Plate, RPIA
Carries Zhu, TD Securities
Christina Blackman, BMO Capital Markets
Christina Li, RPIA
Danielle McArthur, RBC Capital Markets
Ekaterina Zinovyeva, Scotiabank
Elsa Chu, RBC Capital Markets
Emma Raine, CIBC Capital Markets
Erin Meisner, Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network
Gabriela Garcia, Manulife Investment Management
Gillian Zhang, CPP Investments
Ingrid Rico, Stifel Canada
Jaymi Sidor, BMO Private Wealth
Jenipher Nevin, Canso Investment
Jesse Kaler, Mawer Investment Management Ltd.
Jessica Do, TD Securities
Joyce Yin, OPTrust
Julia Bond, CIBC Capital Markets
Katie Bennet, Manulife Investment Management
Katie Lachapelle, Canaccord Genuity
Kimberly Roland, TD Cowen
Kristen Widlicki, Scotiabank
Ksenia Korotaieva, RBC Capital Markets
Lara Cornel, Stifel Canada
Laurence Patry, iA Global Asset Management
Lina Dihay, Scotiabank
Megan Goel, RBC Capital Markets
Meghan MacLeod, National Bank
Meredith White, CPP Investments
Michelle Frost, Manulife
Sandra Kagango,BMO Capital Markets
Sara Guo, IMCO
Sejal Solanki, RBC Capital Markets
Sharon Dhaliwal, Stifel Canada
Shelby Lee, CIBC Capital Markets
Simmi Sandhu, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Stephanie Quan, Capco
Tam Nhan, Manulife
Tasmina Hossain, iA Capital Markets
Teresa Venturino, RBC Capital Markets
Tiffany Zhang, National Bank
Traci Wai, HSBC
Vibhutee Bhatia, MUFG
Vivian Yau, Manulife Investment Management
Vivian Zhao, RPIA
Wendy Cai, CPP Investment
Wendy Ren, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan

Agnes Chang, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Aigul Narzhanova, TD Securities
Akmaral (Mara) Yermagambetova, MUFG
Alley Dunlop, BMO Capital Markets
Amanda Helen Collinge, Raymond James Ltd.
Amy Zhong, KPMG
Andrea Iljkic, CIBC Capital Markets
Ashley Small, BMO Capital Markets
Aynour Salama, ATB Financial
Camille Matute, PwC
Carolyn Tait, Global Banking and Markets, Scotiabank
Chelsea Stellick, iA Financial
Chioma Ilekuba, ATB Financial
Courtney Davenport, CIBC Capital Markets
Cristina Cismaru, National Bank Financial Markets
Emily Phair, Manulife Investment Management
Emma MacKay, CPP Investments
Emma Querengesser, Raymond James Ltd.
Eva Luk, RBC Capital Markets
Evelyn Yung, Nicola Wealth
Genevieve Eccleston, Canaccord Genuity
Helen He, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Janice Hong, Manulife Investment Management
Jenica Kostynuik, RBC Capital Markets
Jenna Young, TD Securities
Jennifer Granatstein, RBC Capital Markets
Jessica Caruso, TMX Group
Jetty Zhang, Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO)
Julia Leonardelli, Global Banking and Markets, Scotiabank
Juliana Faircloth, TD Asset Management
Lana Difrancescomarino, RBC Capital Markets
Jessica Chen, Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO)
Lara Liebovitz, OPTrust
Laura Baker, CIBC Capital Markets
Laura Sofia Garzon Franco, CIBC Capital Markets
Laura Young, BMO Capital Markets
Lauren McDaid, Global Banking and Markets, Scotiabank
Madison Winger, Global Banking and Markets, Scotiabank
Marie-Pier Gosselin, iA Investment Management
Meghan Cheung, Manulife
Meghan McAlister, BMO Private Wealth
Melissa Mielkie, Manulife

Nicole Choy, Private Pension Partners Investments Inc
Pooja Reddy Gurrala, Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel Inc.
Priyanka Chandran, BMO Capital Markets
Rebecca Yao, TD Securities
Sabrina Basile, Manulife Investment Management
Salima Neek Gilani, Manulife Investment Management
Samantha Nagaratnam, PwC
Sandrine Léonie Siewe
Shelley Warren, Manulife
Shu Wai Chu, HSBC
Simina Giurcovici, ATB Financial
Stacey Ferraro, Global Banking and Markets, Scotiabank
Sydney LeGrow, RBC Capital Markets
Talisa Kean-Newland, Onex
Tania Rae Armstrong-Whitworth, Canaccord Genuity
Yi Ran Zhang, National Bank Financial Markets
Yiyang Xu, Raymond James Ltd.
Yurisleidy Zoreda Vazquez, Canaccord Genuity
Zarqaa Shaikh, OPTrust

Ishita Abbott, Manulife Investment Management
Catherine Bell, CPP Investments
Maurissa Bell, George Weston Limited
Kristina Brand, BMO Capital Markets
Kezia Burke, CIBC Capital Markets
Gursahiba Chandhoke, Citi
Abigail Denyer, Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets
Erica Docherty, RBC Capital Markets
Kelly Downie, RBC Capital Markets
Jessica Fu, Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets
Emma Herron, Imperial Capital
Cynthia Huang, RBC Capital Markets
Jacquie Hughes, Manulife
Judy Hui, IMCO
Amanda Irwin, Manulife Investment Management
Jenna Jouppi, BMO Capital Markets
Sally Kan, OMERS
Kelsey Keane, National Bank Financial
Shaguna Khazanchi, TD Securities
Lilyana Khona, CIBC Capital Markets
Carmen Lam, TD Securities
Michelle Lam, TD Securities
Genevieve LeGresley, CIBC Capital Markets
Peggy Loa, TD Securities
Sucharita Mishra, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Diana Najjar, BMO Capital Markets
Monica Nettleton, OMERS
Avery Opie, RBC Capital Markets
Genevieve Payette, HSBC Securities
Lindsay Saldanha, OPTrust
Bailey Schepikoff, Manulife Investment Management
Shankeetha Selvarajah, Manulife
Mary Shannon, Manulife Investment Management
Leah Stuart, RBC Capital Markets
Alexandra Szatan, CIBC Capital Markets
Andrea Topić, National Bank Financial
Lindsay Wakelin, BCI
Lily Wong, IMCO
Cathy Xue, Instar Asset Management
Liqiao Zhang, CPP Investments

Sophia Bendaoud, CIBC Capital Markets
Allie Bradford, CPP Investments
Charlotte Cassels, TD Securities
Kathryn Deveau, TD Securities
Diana Di Luca, RBC Capital Markets
Jenna Dicks, Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets
Kathleen Dixon, BMO Capital Markets
Asya Farberov, BMO Capital Markets
Oksanna Fill, CPP Investments
Anjali Fonseca, Manulife
Sarah Gauthier, National Bank Financial
Rosa Han, TD Securities
Fiona (Yichun) Hu, RBC Capital Markets
Shannon Jones, BMO Capital Markets
Elena Kazina, CIBC Capital Markets
Purnima Kohli, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Alina Kouklinskaia, TD Securities
Stephanie Krohn, National Bank Financial
Stephanie Langlais, Manulife
Angie Macedo, CIBC Capital Markets
Lina Nouraly, BMO Capital Markets
Brittany Owens, Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets
Christiane (Tia) Peric, CIBC Capital Markets
Alex Prowse, Manulife
Lauren Reid, National Bank Financial

Alexandra Schroder, Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets
Flora Sexton, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Farnaz Shahed, RBC Capital Markets
Hannah Smerek, National Bank Financial
Elizabeth Steele, HSBC Bank Canada
Elena Stolovitsky, Manulife
Anne-Sophie Thene, National Bank Financial
Cindy Veilleux, National Bank Financial
Bessie Wat, CIBC Capital Markets
Meadow Wu, Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets
Janice Yoon, RBC Capital Markets

Kaylee Arnold, Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets
Lauren Bellai, TD Asset Management
Anna Brighton, RBC Capital Markets
Cheryl Cheung, Manulife
Brittany Clarke, CIBC Capital Markets
Emily Coolican, RBC Capital Markets
Lisa Deakin, HSBC Bank Canada
Ghenima Djellout, National Bank Financial
Erin Garner, Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets
Lynne Gleave, CIBC Capital Markets
Josie Ho, TD Securities
Rebecca Hogan, BMO Capital Markets
Martina Irinkov, CIBC Capital Markets
Lauren Looi, CIBC Capital Markets
Sandra Malcolm, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Tarah Masniuk, CIBC Capital Markets
Stacy McBurney, Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets
Elizabeth McCord, BMO Capital Markets
Kelly McKenna, CPP Investment Board
Shirley Miller, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Kristina Miner, TD Securities
Sara Ng, Manulife
Nicole Persad, CIBC Capital Markets
Kuleen Raj Kathuria, BMO Capital Markets
Janet Richardson, Manulife
Elizabeth Saati, Manulife
Kay Schonberger, RBC Capital Markets
Karina Simone, CIBC Capital Markets
Kowshika Thiruparanathan, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Erin Urquhart, RBC Capital Markets
Meng Ye, RBC Capital Markets

Katie Baglole, TD
Tamara Bonn, TD
Elizabeth Bouthillier, Franklin Templeton Investments
Tamy Chen, Bank of Montreal
Fernanda Rios Cruz, Scotiabank
Meaghan Einav, Manulife
Ashley Engbloom, CIBC
Sanaa Khatri, Scotiabank
Laura McElwain, HSBC
Poornima Muralidhar, RBC Capital Markets
Danielle Murphy, RBC Capital Markets
Stephanie Nguyen, Bank of Montreal
Claire Oberhofer, CIBC
Anna Pal, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Kait Pavletich, CIBC
Bhiravi Ravichandran, Scotiabank
Ciara Sawicki, Scotiabank
Ashraf Shariff, TD
Alexandra Syrnyk, CIBC
Carol Tam, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
Selina Wang, RBC Capital Markets
Lindsay Sinclair, RBC Capital Markets
Sabrina Wu, MUFG Securities
Christina Yang, National Bank Financial

Adriana O. Gibbon, CPP Investment Board
Arezou Bahari, CIBC Capital Markets
Carmen Firmani, BCI
Christina Alexander, Citibank
Christine McNerney, Periscope Capital
Fatoumata Binta Barry, BCI
Helen Zhang, CIBC Capital Markets
Jamie See, TD Securities
Melanie Dussarrat, CIBC Capital Markets
Melissa Mooney, Scotiabank
Nicole Dason, CIBC Capital Markets
Vanessa Parrack, Scotiabank
Veleyny Saavedra, Scotiabank
Wen Tian, RBC Capital Markets
Ashley Pulkys, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Catherine Chu, RBC Capital Markets
Claire Vranic, CIBC Capital Markets
Evise Kopliku, Manulife
Jashneet Duffy, TD Securities
Nina Fiorentino, BMO Nesbitt Burns
Patricia Cernes-Banner, Scotiabank

Amy Baryshnik, Alignvest Capital Management
Christina Brennan, Scotiabank GBM
Anca Bucataru, TD Securities
Bridget Campbell, BlackRock
Krati Chhajer, CIBC Capital Markets
Kristen Dickson, NATIONAL Equicom
Laura Emmerton, RBC Capital Markets
Deborah Grosdanis, Scotiabank GBM
Andrea Hucal, BMO Capital Markets
Georgeta Iacobelli, TD Securities
Candice Jay, Pembroke Private Wealth Management
Charissa Lai, CPP Investment Board
Geneviève Madore, Manulife
Aleksandra Nedialkova, CIBC Capital Markets
Katie Perdue, Scotiabank GBM
Katie Tabesh, National Bank Financial
Jennifer Tkachuk-Tremblay, TD Securities

Maria Amilcar, BlackRock
Jessica Haystead, BMO Capital Markets
Heather Killian, CIBC World Markets
Emma Johnson, CIBC World Markets
Acushla Vestby, CIBC World Markets
Lisa Cho, CIBC
Bronwyn Ward, CPP Investment Board
Mimi Majumder, Manulife Asset Management
Joegina Philip, National Bank Financial
Susan Calder, RBC Capital Markets
Carla Deeks, Scotiabank GBM
Maida Dalmacio, TD Securities
Nicole Scott, TD Securities

Kim Brand, Scotiabank
Priya Arora, CIBC
Subashini Chandran, Scotiabank
Po Chu Fong, ITG Canada Corp
Alicia Mair, Scotiabank
Ly Nguyen, Scotiabank
Jane Segal, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan
Sophia Soofi, CIBC
Amanda Tang, National Bank Financial
Alina Weaver, CIBC

Thank you to our coaching partner, Felix Global.

Felix Global is a North American leader in providing superior talent solutions to organizations that value strong leaders, strong talent and strong cultures. Felix was founded on a commitment Strength in People™. We live that commitment every day by delivering a responsive, cost-effective, customer-centric approach to talent solutions, aimed at exceeding goals and results for our valued customers and their organizations.

With over 25 years of experience, our solutions have benefited best-in-class organizations from a wide range of industries, including Financial Services, Technology, Life Sciences, Telecommunications, Energy, Retail, Manufacturing, Not-for-Profit and Government. As a provider of professional and Executive coaching services, we focus on enhancing leadership effectiveness and impact, increasing leaders’ ability to lead during times of external and internal change and incorporate the needs of each individual leader, ensuring an experience based on coach-client fit. More information available at www.felixglobal.com.

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