Five Exceptional Leaders Honored for Transforming Canadian Corporate Boards
Toronto, Thursday, 8 October 2026.
Women Get On Board and BMO honored five Canadian leaders in Toronto for advancing boardroom diversity, bringing the program’s total to 33 celebrated female governance pioneers.
Celebrating Governance Leaders in Toronto
On October 6, 2026, Women Get On Board Inc. (WGOB) and BMO for Women convened a sold-out ceremony in Toronto, Ontario, to announce the honourees of the seventh annual BMO Celebrating Women On Boards program [1][2]. This event marks a significant moment for corporate governance in Canada, highlighting five leaders recognized for their contributions to boardroom diversity and effectiveness [3]. The ceremony served as a platform to discuss the evolving landscape of executive leadership and the tangible impact of inclusive governance structures on organizational performance [5].
The 2026 Honourees and Regional Representation
The 2026 cohort consists of five distinguished women selected from across Canada to ensure geographic representation and diverse industry expertise [2]. Rita Parikh and Joan Hertz were recognized for their contributions in Western Canada, while Maureen Jensen and Marie-Josée Neveu represented Central Canada [1]. Kim Keating was honored as the leader from Eastern Canada, completing the regional distribution required by the program’s selection criteria [4]. Each honouree was evaluated based on board leadership, board effectiveness, inclusion advocacy, and community impact [2].
The Power of Three Philosophy
Central to the mission of Women Get On Board Inc. is the “power of three” philosophy, which posits that while one woman on a board is a token and two are a presence, three constitute an authentic voice for change [1][4]. Dr. Deborah Rosati, Founder and CEO of Women Get On Board Inc., emphasized that this year’s honourees embody this spirit through their leadership and influence [5]. This framework guides the organization’s advocacy work, aiming to move beyond numerical diversity toward substantive cultural shifts within corporate boardrooms [3].
Program History and BMO Financial Group Context
Since its inception in 2020, the BMO Celebrating Women On Boards program has recognized a total of 33 Canadian women leaders for their governance contributions [1][4]. BMO Financial Group, acting as the National Strategic Partner, reported total assets of $1.5 trillion as of July 31, 2026, ranking it as the eighth-largest bank in North America [2]. Sharon Haward-Laird, Group Head of Canadian Commercial Banking at BMO, noted that the honourees exemplify the judgment and vision necessary to help organizations thrive and create lasting value [1].
Keynote Insights on Storytelling
Adrianne Fekete, Founder and CEO of I Am Unbreakable® Global Media, delivered the keynote address titled “The Rockstar Narrative: The Power of Storytelling” during the event [1][2]. Her presentation focused on how narrative structures can influence leadership perception and corporate culture [5]. The inclusion of media partners like I Am Unbreakable® Global Media underscores the program’s commitment to amplifying the voices of recognized leaders beyond the ceremony itself [3].