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

The 2026 Toronto Gala will be presented by BNP Paribas and co-chaired by two exceptional leaders who share a deep commitment to gender parity. 

Their testimonies perfectly embody the spirit of the 2026 Toronto Gala, taking place on Tuesday, November 3, at The Liberty Grand. A highlight event to celebrate the most committed organizations and build connections that match your ambitions.

Teresa Palandra,
Chief Executive Officer, Marsh Canada
President, Marsh People and Investments Canada

Teresa Palandra is the CEO of Marsh Canada and President of Marsh's People and Investments business in Canada. In this capacity, she provides leadership and strategic guidance across Marsh's Canadian businesses, driving collaboration and innovation to deliver exceptional client outcomes.

With over 25 years of professional experience—including 20 years at Marsh—Teresa brings deep expertise in the Canadian market and a proven track record. Over the course of her career, she has advised organizations operating in highly regulated environments on financial management, governance, retirement and investment strategy. Her previous roles include Canada Leader for Investments and Retirement and Toronto Market Leader. She also serves on the Global Operating Committee for both People and Investments and Risk, shaping enterprise strategy across regions and practices.

Teresa holds a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science (summa cum laude) from the University of Toronto, and is a Fellow of both the Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. She is a graduate of the Rotman School of Management's Directors' Education Program, sponsored by the Institute of Corporate Directors.

A recognized leader supporting equity and inclusion in the workplace, Teresa was named one of Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 by Women's Executive Network (WXN) in 2024, and received the 2024 Professional Excellence Award from the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association of Toronto. She is a co-founding member of WXN Media.

Nigel Branker,
Chief Executive Officer, Securian Canada

Nigel Branker is Chief Executive Officer of Securian Canada and a people-first leader recognized for advancing inclusive leadership and building high-performing organizations where equity drives innovation and long-term success.

With more than 25 years of experience leading organizations through transformational change, Nigel believes businesses are stronger when women have equal opportunity to influence decisions, shape strategy and lead at every level. Under his leadership, Securian Canada achieved Women in Governance's Bronze Parity Certification in 2023 and Gold Certification in 2026, reflecting the organization's sustained commitment to advancing gender equity.
 
Nigel also champions inclusion beyond the workplace through partnerships that expand opportunity in many ways. These include supporting Diversity in Football through the Canadian Football League, Home Ice Hockey with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Indspire scholarships for Indigenous students, CABIP, which advances opportunities for Black professionals in the insurance industry, and ParaSport Ontario, making adaptive sport more accessible across Ontario.
 
A committed advocate and mentor, Nigel contributes to industry conversations on leadership and inclusion and has mentored emerging leaders through Women in Governance and the Onyx Initiative.
Nigel holds a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science and Mathematics from Western University and is a Fellow of both the Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association for Financial Institutions in Insurance (CAFII).

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?

Our Gala offers a unique opportunity for high-impact visibility and strategic connections. By taking part, you will:

✔ Build privileged, long-term relationships with key decision-makers from the business community and the public sector
✔ Access an exclusive and influential network, rarely accessible elsewhere 
✔ Strengthen your positioning and demonstrate your concrete commitment to more equitable leadership
✔ Offer your teams a high-impact experience, both inspiring and rewarding, in a refined and stimulating setting

We would be delighted to count you among our guests for this must-attend evening of leadership and networking in Canada.

To learn more about our tickets, tables or sponsorships, please contact our Senior Director, Business Development, Joëlle Kiriakos:joelle.kiriakos@womeningovernance.org