Catalyst Announces Canada Advisory Board Appointments Welcomes New Chair, Linamar CEO, Linda Hasenfratz

TORONTO, Feb. 20, 2024 /CNW/ -- In a significant step forward in its commitment to promoting gender equity and inclusive workplaces in Canada, Catalyst Canada has appointed Ms. Linda Hasenfratz, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Linamar Corporation, as the new Chair of its Canada Advisory Board.

Catalyst also appointed the following new members:

• Mr. David Gunn, President of Edward Jones Canada
• Ms. Veni Iozzo, Executive Vice-President, Enterprise Real Estate
  and Workplace Transformation at CIBC
• Ms. Christine Morris, Senior Executive Vice President, Transformation, Enablement
  and Customer Experience at TD Bank Group

Julie Cafley, Ph.D., Executive Director of Catalyst Canada, expressed her enthusiasm about the new appointments, saying, "We are proud to welcome Linda, David, Veni, and Chris to the Canadian Advisory Board. Their wealth of experience and dedication to diversity and inclusion will be invaluable as we continue our mission to build workplaces that work for women."

Ms. Linda Hasenfratz, the newly-appointed Chair, also shared her thoughts on this important role, "I am honoured to take on the role of Chair for the Canadian Advisory Board. I look forward to working with Catalyst Canada and my esteemed colleagues to drive impactful change and create inclusive environments where everyone thrives."

These appointments reflect Catalyst Canada's ongoing commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Canadian workplace. The combined expertise and leadership of Ms. Hasenfratz, Mr. Gunn, Ms. Iozzo, and Ms. Morris will undoubtedly contribute to shaping a more inclusive and equitable business landscape across the country.

Below are biographies of the new Canadian Advisory Board appointees.

Linda Hasenfratz, Executive Chair & Chief Executive Officer, Linamar Corporation
Ms. Hasenfratz was named CEO in 2002 and oversees Linamar's extensive global operations, including 33,500 employees in 70 manufacturing locations and 14 R&D centers across 17 countries, generating $10 billion in sales. Ms. Hasenfratz has been actively involved in philanthropy and serves on various boards and advisory groups, emphasizing her dedication to women's progress in business and her contributions to charitable organizations. She has served on Catalyst's Canadian Advisory Board since 2003. Ms. Hasenfratz has garnered numerous awards and honours for her leadership and entrepreneurial success, including Canada's Outstanding CEO of the Year and the Order of Canada. Internationally, Ms. Hasenfratz also received the Chevalier dans l'Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur in 2015 from France, one of the highest honours bestowed upon a non-civilian, and the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary in 2016. Ms. Hasenfratz holds an Executive MBA from the Ivey School of Business and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Western University.

David Gunn, President of Edward Jones Canada
Mr. Gunn oversees more than 2,300 advisors, branch office administrators, and home office associates dedicated to improving the financial well-being of individuals, families, and communities in Canada. Starting his career as a financial advisor in Calgary in 2000, Mr. Gunn has held various leadership roles within the company, deepening his skills in it's St. Louis headquarters before returning to Canada to lead Financial Advisor Talent Acquisition. Since stepping into the role of President in 2018, Mr. Gunn has been a champion of talent development and client-centricity, striving to align the work of each associate with the client experience. Mr. Gunn graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. He is also a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School's Securities Industry Institute and earned an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Veni Iozzo, Executive Vice-President, Enterprise Real Estate
and Workplace Transformation, CIBC
Ms. Iozzo provides strategic direction and leadership for CIBC's global workplace experience strategy, including accountability for creating a forward-thinking workplace design that enables a purpose-driven client culture. She has added responsibility for CIBC's global real estate portfolio, including designing, building, and moving to the new corporate headquarters. With over 30 years in the financial services industry, her senior executive experience spans various disciplines, including marketing, communications, sales leadership, product development, public affairs, community investment, and cultural transformation. Ms. Iozzo is a passionate champion of inclusivity and diversity and serves as Vice-Chair of the Trillium Health Partners Foundation Board, one of Canada's most extensive community-based healthcare facilities. She holds an MBA from Royal Roads University, British Columbia and received her director's designation (ICD.D) through the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program.

Christine (Chris) Morris, Senior Executive Vice President, Transformation, Enablement, and Customer Experience, TD Bank Group
Ms. Morris oversees global transformation programs, enterprise data and analytics, artificial intelligence, North American customer operations, marketing, digital strategy, payments and innovation, and enterprise change and operational excellence. Over three decades at TD, Chris has held various leadership positions, including Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Canadian Personal Banking. Ms. Morris advocates diversity and inclusion at TD, serving as the Chair of the Bank's Women in Leadership Committee and the Chair of the Board of Directors for Toronto Finance International. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Economics from the Western University and has completed the RMA/Wharton Risk Management Program.

About Catalyst's Canada Advisory Board
Catalyst's Canada Advisory Board is a group of executives who help inform and guide our strategy and comprises the following leaders

Linda Hasenfratz (Chair)	Veni Iozzo
CEO	Executive Vice-President
Linamar Corporation	Enterprise Real Estate and Workplace Transformation
	CIBC
Michèle Boudria	Elio Luongo
President & Chief Executive Officer	CEO and Senior Partner
McDonald's Restaurants of Canada	KPMG LLP Canada
Tabatha Bull	David McKay
President & CEO	President and CEO
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business	RBC
Julie Cafley	David Morgenstern
Executive Director	President
Catalyst Canada	Accenture Canada
Rola Dagher	Christine Morris
Corporate Board Director & Advisor	Senior Executive Vice President
	Transformation, Enablement and Customer Experience
	TD Bank Group
Sabrina Geremia	Susannah Pierce
Vice President & Country Manager	Country Chair
Google Canada	Shell Canada
David Gunn	David Simmonds
President	Global Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer
Edward Jones Canada	Great-West LifeCo. & Canada Life
Tim Haney	Anthony Viel
Canada CEO	Managing Partner & Chief Executive Officer
Dentons Canada LLP	Deloitte Canada
Lorraine Hariton	Darryl White
President & CEO	CEO
Catalyst	BMO Financial Group
Beth Horowitz	Goldy Hyder
Corporate Board Director & Advisor	President & CEO
	Business Council of Canada
	Leela Wilson
	Chief Revenue Officer
	Catalyst

About Catalyst
Catalyst is a global nonprofit supported by many of the world's most powerful CEOs and leading companies to help build workplaces that work for women. Founded in 1962, Catalyst drives change with preeminent thought leadership, actionable solutions, and a galvanized community of multinational corporations to accelerate and advance women into leadership – because progress for women is progress for everyone.

SOURCE Catalyst, Inc.