Two leaders, two visions, one shared commitment to parity : discover our honorary co-chairs

Emily Heitman,
President, Schneider Electric Canada 

Emily Heitman serves as the President of Schneider Electric Canada, bringing a wealth of experience from her dynamic career in the energy industry.
She has worked with prominent manufacturers in electrical transmission and distribution.
Emily joined Schneider Electric in 2017 as the Vice President of Power Systems, overseeing the medium voltage equipment and energy automation business. In 2020, she advanced to the role of Senior Vice President for Power Products.
Before joining Schneider Electric, Emily held senior positions at ABB and Cooper Power Systems.
Emily holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Auburn University and an MBA from Marquette University.

Scott Wood,
President and Chief Executive Officer, Fairstone Bank of Canada

Scott Wood is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Fairstone Bank of Canada. He is responsible for setting the strategic direction, driving sustainable growth, overseeing financial and operational performance and fostering a customer-focused culture to ensure the company’s long-term success.
 
Scott is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in financial services and a proven track record in operational excellence. He spent 25 years in leadership roles at Citigroup, beginning his career in 1991 in a management development program and rising through increasingly senior roles across Citigroup's U.S. operations. Named President of CitiFinancial Canada in 2005, he led the company through significant growth and successfully navigated the global financial crisis. In 2015, as President and CEO, Scott spearheaded the business’s separation from its U.S. counterpart, OneMain Financial.
 
In 2017, Scott played a key role in the sale of the company to a private equity consortium, overseeing a complex carve-out that established Fairstone Financial Inc. He led the design and execution of a progressive value creation plan that generated substantial shareholder value. Later, Scott managed a dual-track monetization process, resulting in Fairstone’s acquisition by Fairstone Bank of Canada (formerly Duo Bank of Canada). He then spearheaded the company’s long-term growth strategy, achieving consistent revenue and earnings growth, completing strategic acquisitions and implementing technologies to enhance scale and efficiency. In 2024, Scott was instrumental in the strategic merger between Home Trust Company and Fairstone Bank of Canada, creating Canada’s leading alternative bank.
 
As a strong advocate of corporate community engagement, Scott champions Fairstone’s involvement in events and initiatives that promote financial literacy and support local communities across Canada, including partnerships with JA Canada and United Way. 
Scott also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fairstone Bank and was previously Chairman of the Association of Canadian Financial Companies.

Canada's premier gathering of influential leaders 
Our Gala is not just a recognition ceremony, it's a strategic networking event designed to connect senior decision-markers around a shared goal: advancing gender equality.

Why attend our Gala?
✔ Meet key actors in the leadership ecosystem 
✔ Gain access to an exclusive and influential network 
✔ Demonstrate your commitment to equitable leadership 
✔ Offer your teams, clients, and partners a prestigious and inspiring experience 

We would be delighted to have you join us for this milestone edition marking 15 years of Women in Governance, a celebration that promises to be truly unforgettable.

Contact Joëlle Kiriakos, our Business Development Director:
joelle.kiriakos@womeningovernance.org.