Sonia Baxendale has 30+ years’ experience in senior leadership roles in the financial services industry.
As the President and CEO of Global Risk Institute (GRI), Sonia brings together leaders from industry, academia, and government to focus on emerging risk management issues.
In addition to her role with GRI, Sonia is a Director on the Board of Laurentian Bank, Foresters Financial, RSA Group PLC, and The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited. She is Chair of the Board of SickKids Foundation.
Sonia was previously Senior Executive Vice President CIBC and President of CIBC Retail Markets where she led the banks Retail and Wealth Management businesses. She played a key role in developing strategy and direction for CIBC and held various leadership roles. Sonia also held various positions with American Express Canada and Saatchi & Saatchi.
Sonia is a graduate of the University of Toronto, where she was named University of Toronto, Victoria College Alumni of Distinction in 2017. She was named one of the “Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada” for three years in a row and then joined the ranks of the Top 100 Hall of Fame in 2010. In 2000, she was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40.