Relaunching Careers | Retaining Top Female Talent in Canadian Finance.
Since 2010 WCM’s Return to Bay Street Award Program (RTBS) has played a pivotal role in retaining professional women in the industry by providing a pathway back to their successful careers after migration or an extended period of leave. This program is unique in that it brings experienced women back to the mid to senior roles from which they left, rather than having to work their way up the ladder again.
Successful candidates receive:
- A paid full-time or contract position at an RTBS partnering financial institution (either at a buy-side or sell-side firm);
- An education grant (up to $5000) to accelerate training and skill-set development, within a one year period;
- Monthly check-in and support from WCM;
- Access to WCM programming with a one-year complimentary WCM membership;
- Visibility across the industry (and media);
- Opportunity to gain recent work experience and relaunch network.
Prospective candidates receive:
- Opportunity to attend a half-day informational webinar to learn more about the program and gain industry knowledge;
- Opportunity to attend an interview skills workshop with HR leaders to practice and receive feedback on interviews;
- Multiple opportunities to expand their professional network and connect with industry leaders – as well as for partners to meet all prospective candidates;
- Visibility with RTBS partner firms;
- Opportunity to re-familiarize with industry trends, job-search and interview process.
To date, RTBS has brought 92 experienced women back to the industry. Of these recipients, 76% plan to remain in the industry, 32% received promotions and 84% progressed their careers in the same firm in which they were placed. Each year, the program continues to gain momentum, visibility in the media and in the industry, reaching new levels of success.
Candidate Eligibility
Award endowment is a selective process based on professional achievement, leadership potential, career aspirations and a desire to return to a career in finance.
Eligible candidates are women in the process of returning to the workforce who:
- Must have a minimum of 5 years of capital markets or experience in a related industry (legal, marketing, IT, risk, accounting, wealth management, etc);
- Have taken a career hiatus or are currently working outside the finance industry for the last 1.5 years or longer;
- Are currently completing or are available to complete a continuing education program;
- Are available for a permanent or contract position;
- Demonstrate an interest and commitment to re-launch a career in the finance industry.
- Must be legally able to work in Canada.
- Are not currently employed by a sponsor firm (logos listed above)
*If you have completed Rotman's Back to Work program this supersedes all previously mentioned criteria for eligibility, other than employment with sponsor firm.
Application Process
Applications will open January 17, 2022
Components include:
- Resume
- Completed Application
Key dates
January 17, 2022: Applications open
March 2, 2022: RTBS Information Session (for prospective candidates)
March 28, 2022: Applications close
Late April 2022: Shortlist applicants notified for interviews
Late April 2022 Interview prep session
May 2022: Interviews
Late June 2022: Offers presented
Latest Media coverage
RTBS: UNITING FIRMS IN AN INDUSTRY-WIDE APPROACH TO STRENGTHEN THE PIPELINE OF MID-SENIOR FEMALE TALENT
As an industry, we lose a significant number of female talent just mid-way through their careers – a loss which has extensive implications for firms and the financial industry.
WCM’s Return To Bay Street Award (RTBS) offers a large-scale response to this female brain-drain, by uniting firms in an unparalleled industry-wide approach to address the gender gap in the senior ranks of finance, to ensure the pool of experienced female talent is accessible to firms, and to support firms in achieving their internal diversity strategy.
RTBS has grown to become Toronto’s most established and prominent returnship. The combined participation, support and resources of our RTBS partners allows the program to scale beyond what an individual firm could realistically achieve. Through RTBS, partners gain access to an incredible pool of skilled and experienced female talent who are seeking to relaunch their careers in capital markets on both the buy-side and sell-side. These candidates have proven success in mid to senior-level capital markets roles, represent an invaluable part of the talent pipeline and are ideal candidates for hire.
The ultimate aim is for these candidates to transition into permanent roles following their returnship and grow into successors for leadership positions.
Past RTBS Award Recipients
While there is no guarantee of permanent placement after the contract has been completed, 90% of award recipients have completed their work terms and continue to work in capital markets today.
2021
Bunmi Alao, Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets
Krishnaveni Anantharaman, TD Wealth
Yamiko Chanje-Nkanza, Manulife
Grace Efezokhae, BMO Capital Markets
Naina Garg, Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets
Zahra Hussain, RBC Capital Markets
Aileen Limketee, BMO Capital Markets
Sheri Liu, BCI
Nishar Nwanozie, BMO Capital Market
Yemi Obigbesan, BMO Wealth
Morayo (Mo) Olujobi, BMO Capital Markets
Ahudiya Osiri, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Alix Quashie, Mackenzie Investments
Kenya Shaimanova, BMO Wealth
Hao Tian, CIBC Capital Markets
Nicole Turnbull, TD Wealth
Mirella Villela, Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets
Nicole White, BMO Wealth
Sara Zheng, BMO Capital Markets
2020
Samantha Amerasinghe, BMO Capital Markets
Julia Barsky, BMO Capital Markets
Ruth Burk, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan
Josephine Franks, Manulife
Valerie Grimba, RBC Capital Markets
Madiha Javed, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan
Maggie Lane, TD Wealth
Aigul Narzhanova, TD Securities
Nike Omotayo, TD Wealth
Negar Tabrizi, Scotiabank GBM
2019
Samira Amini, OTPP
Alana Cherwenka Cameron, MacKenzie Investments
Caroline Escott, TD Wealth
Ximena Fierro Langle, Scotiabank GBM
Jacqueline Fry, TD Wealth
Jemi Onyejiaka, BMO Capital Markets
Connie Raddatz, BMO Capital Markets
Erica Roa, MacKenzie Investments
Ivoneke Taylor, OTPP
Katrin Tosine, BMO Capital Markets
Lovelyn Toyo, RBC Capital Markets
2018
Kristine Beese, BMO
Lisa Brown, Scotiabank
Tiffany Dinh, BMO
Anita Ho, RBC
Maria Hunt, CIBC
Dimitra Kappos, BMO
Roanna Kim, RBC
Leila Kulbayeva, TD
Ella Liapis, RBC
Rajeshwari Nair, TD
2017
Claire Blessing, RBC Capital Markets
Kimberly Berman, BMO Capital Markets
Christine Darling, Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets
Lina Dihay, National Bank Financial Markets
Hannah Green, TD Asset Management
Carol Lee, BMO Capital Markets
Amandeep Minhas, BMO Capital Markets
Christine Sauriol, RBC Capital Markets
2016
Mela Bihuniak, National Bank Financial
Ingrid Blauer, BMO Capital Markets (Montreal)
Anshu Grover, RBC Capital Markets
Vesna Gmazel, TD Securities
Dionne Klein, CIBC Capital Markets
Anita Lee, RBC Investor & Treasury Services
Binah Nathan, BMO Capital Markets
Annette Niebuhr, BMO Capital Markets
Joanna Pollock, RBC Capital Markets (Montreal)
Beverly Sahota, BMO Capital Markets
Elizabeth Seger, CPP Investment Board
Ariane Stren, Scotiabank
2015
Tanja Bey, RBC Capital Markets
Christina Caney, TD Securities
Roberta Carano, Scotiabank
Michelle Fiebig, National Bank Financial Markets
Maria Hunt, BMO Capital Markets
Karin Huo, RBC Capital Markets
Seong Kim, BMO Capital Markets
Meric Koksal, CIBC
Ilaria Rubbini, TD Securities
Jennifer So, BMO Wealth Management
2014
Ellen Bernardeau, National Bank (New York City)
Andreea Constantin, RBC
Susan Cowan, BMO Capital Markets
Robin Harris Porter, BMO Capital Markets
Helen Thomas, BMO Capital Markets
Judy Tredgett, Scotiabank
2013
Barbara Glassford, BMO Capital Markets
Christie MacDonald, BMO Capital Markets
Rakhi Tejani, National Bank
2012
Mary Ann Mendes, BMO Capital Markets
Catherine Staveley, BMO Capital Markets
Sheralyn Mills, BMO Capital Markets
Being an award recipient of the Return to Bay Street Program for 2019 was the exact leverage I needed - at this exact time in my life - to relaunch a career in the Canadian Capital Markets. It's admirable that WCM and all the sponsoring partners have stayed committed to creating a path that enables women like me, find a place and voice again - in the careers and markets we love!
Lovelyn Toyo
RBC Capital Markets
I was skeptical at first, given that I didn’t have any Canadian capital markets experience having recently immigrated to Canada... Through the Program, I built my network, and successfully relaunched my career with BMO Capital Markets. The RTBS Program was a game changer for me as it removed the barriers, I faced in entering the Canadian capital markets.
Jemi Onyejiaka
BMO Capital Markets
The RTBS program, sponsored by WCM, has provided me an opportunity to reinvent my career. The comprehensive support, provided through introductions, networking, and mentoring greatly increase the likelihood of success, both within the program itself, and beyond. I am very fortunate to have heard about this program and would not hesitate to spread the word. Thank you WCM and all the wonderful women making this happen.
Jacqueline Fry
TD Wealth
RTBS gave me the opportunity to meet unique bank leaders and explore many areas within the Canadian capital markets. They recognized my skills and experience and helped me relaunch my career. I get to follow my passion and for that I am forever grateful!
Ximena Fierro
Scotiabank
The RTBS Award was the driver to relaunch my career in Capital Markets. I am confdent that I will build a successful career at CIBC, thanks to WCM.
Dionne Klein
CIBC Capital Markets
The RTBS Award helped me relaunch my career after an 8 year break from banking. It allowed me to do an internship with BMO in two different areas which led to a fantastic role on the Structured Solutions desk on the trading floor.
Catherine Staveley
RTBS Award Recipient
"It gives me great pleasure to congratulate these outstanding women who are relaunching their careers with the ability to make an immediate contribution to the firms they are joining. In addition, I would like to recognize the incredible commitment that the Canadian Banks are making by partnering with WCM to seek out this tremendous talent pool. Their support of the program and ongoing desire to contribute to the positive momentum in diversity and inclusion is admirable”.
Camilla Sutton
President & CEO, Women in Capital Markets
This is an amazing program that helped me relaunch my career. If you have financial services experience and are looking to return to work, this is the program for you.
Christina Caney
TD Wealth
Being the 2018 RTBS Award recipient has been a fantastic experience for me! If you have taken time off to spend with family, moved from another country or switched career paths, this is your opportunity to launch your career in Canadian capital markets.
Leila Kulbayeva
TD Asset Management
The Return to Bay Street program was invaluable in reentering finance, especially in a country where I had never worked before and did not have a network to reach out to. The program allowed me access to key decision makers on Bay Street in exactly the areas I was interested in. Regardless of how long you are out, the first step can be intimidating. Are my skills still relevant? Do I start from scratch? How do I position my years off as a strength? This is where the RTBS team’s expertise come in – they provide you support and guidance on how to position yourself to find the right opportunity. In my mind, the program is a win-win for both the applicants and the employers.
