The concepts and insights I learned from personal coaching was very helpful. I will continue to use aspects of what I learned and apply them for the rest of my career.
Executive Leaders Award Program
Executive Career Coaching. Developing Inspirational Leaders.
Applications open October 4th, 2021Enhancing Leadership Skills of Female Executives
Escalate your career trajectory, refine your executive skills, equip yourself to compete for progressively senior roles, and strengthen your likelihood of promotion. To date, 61 women have benefited from this program and have moved on to the highest ranks in their capital markets careers.
The Executive Leader Program includes:
- Six months of executive coaching through coaching partner Felix Global;
- Ten professional development sessions;
- Facet 5 professional personality assessment and debrief meeting;
- 360 degree evaluation and report.
Eligibility | Criteria for Selection
Candidates must be:
- Currently employed in Canadian capital markets (buy side or sell side) at a WCM gold sponsor firm, and must have at least ten years of professional experience;
- Employed at a senior leadership level and will need to apply with the support of their firm;
- A WCM member in good standing and emulate the vision and objectives of WCM.
Candidates must have:
- Demonstrated commitment to career development as exemplified from the attainment of progressively senior roles;
- Proven ability to assume leadership roles and overcome obstacles in the workplace, and exhibit the characteristics of business leadership.
* Candidates must be available for a six-month period to work with an executive coach under a mutually agreed upon schedule. Once the award recipients are announced, a further memorandum of understanding will be provided at a special awards meeting. The memorandum will outline the time period and commitment expectations between the recipient and the executive coach.
**70% of the program must be front office employees.
Application Components:
1. Resume
2. Letter of Recommendation: Must be from a manager or senior individual in your firm. This recommendation should demonstrate the endorsement by senior level executives regarding your potential for leadership and advancement.
3. Letter of 500 words or less, answering the questions below, and noting the Criteria for Selection (outlined above):
- Provide measurable examples that outline your commitment to your career development
- Provide proven examples of your ability to assume leadership roles and overcome obstacles
- Briefly outline your career aspirations over the next 3-5 years
- Outline why coaching at this level will be beneficial to your career
Program Timeline
October 2021: Applications Open
November 30, 2021: Application Deadline
January 2022: Successful Candidates Notified
January 2022: Program Kick-Off
August 2022: Program Concludes
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.
Executive Coaching Recipient
I moved from working in hedge funds (in a challenging post 2008 market) and broadened out my skill set. I found my coach, Susan Richardson, and the program to be instrumental in both of my moves that came shortly after my award. I now work a relationship manager at an asset management firm, where I bring my actuarial experience to LDI work with clients, as well as my capital markets experience. I have also given back as promised as I am active in the Women in Leadership program.
Executive Coaching Recipient
The coaching has been invaluable to actively manage my own career. It gave me confidence and strategy.
Executive Coaching Recipient
The lasting impact on my career was the coaching itself versus the recognition - it built confidence and self awareness.
Executive Coaching Recipient
Empowered my decision making process, give me confidence to speak up and ask for more advanced roles, more conviction to speak up and make changes.
Executive Coaching Recipient
It helped me get more sponsors in my organization and helped me focus on working on a few skills which were critical in me getting the promotion to the next level.
Executive Coaching Recipient
Past Winners
The Executive Leaders Program has advanced the careers of 55 female professionals, with all award recipients moving into increasingly senior positions in their capital markets careers. Congratulations to the below recipients of WCM's Executive Leaders Program.
2021
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
2020
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
2019
Danielle Clements-Lewis, Scotiabank
Luana DiCandia, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan
Maria Laura Gimena, Scotiabank
Faiza Vassanji, National Bank Financial
Catherine Zhang, Scotiabank
2018
Alicia Quinn, Scotiabank
Ekta Mendhi, CIBC
Jennifer Long, Scotiabank
Jiena Chen, TD Securities
Karin Bergeron, Scotiabank
Roseanne Palumbo, TD Securities
2017
Andreea Amariei, TD Securities
Deanna Harada, Scotiabank
Erika Osmond, Scotiabank
Tara Kennedy, TD Securities
Stephanie Wolfe, BlackRock
Marta Cano, Scotiabank
Anastasia Kotsidis, Scotiabank
2016
Elizabeth Daponte, Scotiabank GBM
Cheryl M. Ferguson, BMO Capital Markets
Joanne O'Hea, Director, RBC Capital Markets
Priya Radha, Scotiabank GBM
2015
Paula Czach, Scotiabank
Mistine Lauzon, Goldman Sachs
Andrea Morwick, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Rebecca Pang, CIBC
2014
Julie Cowan, Morgan Stanley
Kirsten Kennedy, BMO Capital Markets
Catherine Staveley,BMO Capital Markets
Beata Swist, National Bank Financial
2012
Charlotte Daughney, TD Securities
Viktoriya Gruzytska, CIBC
Nicola Ray-Smith, Scotiabank
Wendy Smith, Scotiabank
Synthia St-Michel, Intact Investment Management
2011
Diana Avigdor, Barometer Capital Management
Susanna Cicic, CIBC
Chint Kulkarni, CIBC
Sandra Tittlit, BMO Capital Markets
Hatice Unal, ITG Canada Corp
2010
Julie Card, Ascent Investment Management
Patricia Graham, RBC Capital Markets
Sheryl Holmes, CIBC
Kathryn Smith, TD Securities
Camilla Sutton, Scotia Capital
2009
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
2008
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.
