Emerging Leaders Program
Designed to support the advancement of women and gender-diverse professionals at critical leadership stages
Elevating women in the finance sector
The Executive Leaders Program is a high-impact, seven-month experience for mid-senior career finance professionals, strategically positioning them for sustained success in leadership. The program facilitates effective strategies and approaches to address challenges to advancement while refining capabilities along the program.
This intensive seven-month program delivers executive coaching and personal development sessions to women and gender-diverse professionals with more than a decade of experience in the finance sector.
Join the alumnae from this hybrid program that have moved on to the highest ranks in their finance careers.
Program Impact
Since 2008, our program has had a significant impact on our 160 alumnae, their firms, and the industry:
Candidates from across North America are welcomed to apply. The opening and closing receptions will be held in person, in Toronto. All participants are encouraged to attend in person. Coaching sessions will be held virtually.
**Program cost of $8,500 CAD for VersaFi Corporate Partners and $15,000 regular rate + HST will apply to those accepted into the program. Travel and accommodation for in-person sessions are additional, and at the expense of the participant.
To apply, candidates must:
1. Resume: should outline a minimum of 10 years in the finance sector
2. Your response to the following questions (found in application link):
October 19, 2026: Applications Open
November 9, 2026: Application Deadline
December 2026: Successful Candidates Notified
Late Jan/Early Feb 2027: Program Kick-Off (Toronto, in person)
January-August 2027: Facet5 & debrief, 360-degree report & coaching sessions every two weeks May-August
April 2027: Mid-Program Touchpoint
September 2027: Program Closing Reception (Toronto, in person)
The VersaFi Executive Leaders Program reminded me of the power of both community and reflection. Being surrounded by such accomplished women was inspiring and energizing, while the one-on-one executive coaching created space to pause and take an honest look at my leadership journey. It felt a bit like holding up a mirror, helping me recognize strengths, challenge assumptions, and clarify where I want to go next. Ultimately, I realized I already had many of the answers. What the program provided was the encouragement, perspective, and accountability to dedicate time to them and take the next step forward.
VersaFi delivers a unique combination of personalized development, executive coaching, and peer networking. I would highly recommend the program to leaders looking to accelerate their growth, expand their perspective, and maximize their leadership impact.
Participating in the VersaFi Executive Coaching Program was a transformative experience that sharpened my self-awareness and clarified my leadership trajectory. Through executive leadership sessions, I learned to prioritize my goals and gained a deeper understanding of both my strengths and areas for growth. The program helped me define my career aspirations with precision, and I’ve started building the leadership muscles needed to reach the next level with a clear, actionable plan. The coaching sessions were especially impactful—each meeting reignited my focus, kept me aligned with my goals, and reinforced the mindset shifts essential for lasting change. To my fellow female colleagues: If you’re serious about accelerating your growth, owning your leadership journey, and building a powerful network of support, I strongly urge you to invest in yourself by joining this program.
I was pregnant when I applied and was very hesitant about the program. As it turns out, it was the best thing I could have done. The program helped me transition back to work more focused and aware of my goals. The coaching and the patience of my coach with my schedule, has let me “hit the ground” running on my return.
The VersaFi Executive Leaders Program helped me to put a career plan in place and advocate better for myself. I now have a better understanding of my leadership strengths and challenges, and the confidence to enhance my “presence”
The Executive Leaders Program has advanced the careers of 160 women, with all participants moving into increasingly senior positions in their finance careers. Congratulations to the below recipients of VersaFi’s Executive Leaders Program.
Rena Al-Samadi, BMO
Patricia Alvarenga, Manulife
Ritu Anthony, Manulife
Jennifer Arnette, Manulife
Arezou Bahari, CIBC
Heather Barnes, RBC Capital Markets
Sian Canavan, BMO
Jas Gill, PwC Canada
Emma Groia, RBC Capital Markets
Rehana Kassam, RBC Capital Markets
Reizel Lagason, SLC Management
Grace Largaespada, National Bank of Canada
Caroline Louat, National Bank of Canada
Carol McDonald, BMO
Kathryn McLean, RBC Capital Markets
Sally Murdock, SLC Management
Alyssa Notta, TD
Anna Pal, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Renae Quinton, Global X
Nurani Rahman, RBC Capital Markets
Sonam Saluja, RBC
Courtney Shantz, Manulife
Carolyn Tait, Scotiabank
Inderjit Takk, iA Financial Group
Divya Tulapurkar, PwC Canada
Beam Ukarapong, Sun Life Global Investments
Ioana Vulpe, BMO
Cornelia Yeung, EY
Jenna Young, TD Securities
Alice Zhang, National Bank of Canada
Swati Baheti, RBC Capital Markets
Oksanna Fill, CPP Investments
Divya Goyal, Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets
Hima Katari, RBC Capital Markets
Erin Lamont, TD Securities
Susan McFadden, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Kristen Meraw, RBC Capital Markets
Cheryl Quan, PwC Canada
Anissa Rabia-Zeribi, CIBC Capital Markets
Lauren Reid, National Bank Financial Markets
Maggi Shinouda, Manulife
Ala Stratila, Manulife
Karine Tousignant, National Bank Financial Markets
Mélanie Viguié-Bilodeau, National Bank
Alena Vinogradova, BMO Capital Markets
Julie Walcott, BMO Private Wealth
Petra Wendroth, SLC Management
Siaw Yun Poi, CPP Investments
Agnes Zbroinski, RBC Capital Markets
YiDing Zhang, RBC Capital Markets
Harriet Bynon-Murray, PwC Canada
Patricia Cernes-Banner, Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets
Liza Cheong, BMO Private Wealth
Ayanna Dick, RBC Capital Markets
Liza Januzi, TD Securities
Anastassia Kobeleva, CPP Investments
Olivia Lee, HSBC Canada
Iris Liu, CPP Investments
Kelly McKenna, CPP Investments
Nicola Milne, RBC Capital Markets
Andrea Moyes, Manulife
Bernadette Murphy, CIBC Capital Markets
Cristina Popescu, National Bank Financial Markets
Saira Raheel, RBC Capital Markets
Katherine Robinson, BMO Capital Markets
Axelle Roosen, TMX Group
Ewa Wozniak, Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets
Anne-Marie Monette, RBC Capital Markets
Archie Sachdeva, Manulife
Ashleigh Patterson, Gluskin Sheff & Associates
Bridget Higgins, Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets
Élodie Fleury, National Bank Financial Markets
Heather Killian, CIBC Capital Markets
Holly Brooks, Manulife
Karen Couldrey, Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets
Kiki Lin, Manulife
Kim Pham, National Bank Financial Markets
Laura Miller, RBC Capital Markets
Lisa Deakin, HSBC Bank Canada
Maria Tihotchi, BMO Capital Markets
Mehreen Siddique Manulife
Norma Valles, TD Securities
Sandra T. Giannou,National Bank Financial Markets
Valcony Sun, PwC
Yasmin Nasser, RBC Capital Markets
Patricia Corcoran, Manulife Investments
Carla Deeks, Scotiabank
Jacqueline Green, CIBC Capital Markets
Miao Hong, TD Securities
Sedef Inci Ozcelik, RBC Capital Markets
Brittany Owens, Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets
Natalie Serebrennik, BMO Capital Markets
Gayatri Sriram, Manulife Investments
Barbara Foy-Pilchner, Manulife Investments
Roanna Kim, RBC Capital Markets
Meric Koksal, CIBC Capital Markets
Mary Ann Mendes, BMO Capital Markets
Sarah Thompson, RBC Capital Markets
Mathilda Yared, National Bank of Canada
Roberta Carano, Scotiabank, Global Banking and Markets
Joanne Hing, BMO Capital Markets
Maria Hushovd, RBC Capital Markets
Alana Johnston, Scotiabank, Global Banking and Markets
Priya Radha, CIBC Capital Markets
Louisa Spector-Noel, Scotiabank, Global Banking and Markets
Danielle Clements-Lewis, Scotiabank
Luana DiCandia, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Maria Laura Gimena, Scotiabank
Faiza Vassanji, National Bank Financial
Catherine Zhang, Scotiabank
Alicia Quinn, Scotiabank
Ekta Mendhi, CIBC
Jennifer Long, Scotiabank
Jiena Chen, TD Securities
Karin Bergeron, Scotiabank
Roseanne Palumbo, TD Securities
Andreea Amariei, TD Securities
Deanna Harada, Scotiabank
Erika Osmond, Scotiabank
Tara Kennedy, TD Securities
Stephanie Wolfe, BlackRock
Marta Cano, Scotiabank
Anastasia Kotsidis, Scotiabank
Elizabeth Daponte, Scotiabank GBM
Cheryl M. Ferguson, BMO Capital Markets
Joanne O’Hea, Director, RBC Capital Markets
Priya Radha, Scotiabank GBM
Paula Czach, Scotiabank
Mistine Lauzon, Goldman Sachs
Andrea Morwick, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Rebecca Pang, CIBC
Julie Cowan, Morgan Stanley
Kirsten Kennedy, BMO Capital Markets
Catherine Staveley,BMO Capital Markets
Beata Swist, National Bank Financial
Charlotte Daughney, TD Securities
Viktoriya Gruzytska, CIBC
Nicola Ray-Smith, Scotiabank
Wendy Smith, Scotiabank
Synthia St-Michel, Intact Investment Management
Diana Avigdor, Barometer Capital Management
Susanna Cicic, CIBC
Chint Kulkarni, CIBC
Sandra Tittlit, BMO Capital Markets
Hatice Unal, ITG Canada Corp
Julie Card, Ascent Investment Management
Patricia Graham, RBC Capital Markets
Sheryl Holmes, CIBC
Kathryn Smith, TD Securities
Camilla Sutton, Scotia Capital
Laura Isidean, Scotia Capital Ascent
Heather Kirk, National Bank Financial
Sandra Lokoff, RBC Capital Markets
Annie Ropar, RBC Capital Markets
Laurie Russell, CIBC Capital Markets
Carrie Freeborough, Citigroup Global Markets Canada Inc.
Michelle Khalili, CIBC World Markets
Deborah Lee Chang, BMO Harris Investment Management
Lisa Petrelli, UBS Securities Canada
Mary Robertson, Scotia Capital Inc.
Thank you to our coaching partner, Felix Global.
Felix 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.
