TD Expands Support to Strengthen Diversity on Canadian Boards

DiverseCity onBoard is an internationally recognized program of governance training and board-matching that bridges the diversity gap on not-for-profit and public sector boards in Canada. A new $500,000 gift from TD Bank Group, one of the program’s founding partners, enables the expansion of the program at Ryerson’s G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education.

The board-matching program will expand its reach to include all women and the LGBTQ+ communities, and capitalize on newly formed relationships with the Aboriginal/Indigenous community to increase their inclusion on governance boards.

“Fostering diverse talent and leadership has long been a priority at TD as part of a broader commitment to diversity and inclusion,” says Sue Cummings, Executive Vice-President, Human Resources at TD Bank Group. “We are proud to help DiverseCity onBoard reach more people traditionally under-represented on leadership boards because we know how critical unique and diverse perspectives are to our own future growth and the growth of our communities.”

An event and panel conversation was held at Ryerson to celebrate TD’s support and the program’s new affiliation with The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education. Senator Ratna Omidvar, Distinguished Visiting Professor and Founder of the Global Diversity Exchange (GDX), moderated a conversation between representatives from each of the groups to whom the board matching program is now open.

"Canada is one of the most diverse societies in the world, yet it needs to go further in ensuring that its leadership reflects the changing face of society,” says Senator Omidvar. “I am delighted that DiverseCity onBoard, building on its success in addressing the under-representation of visible minorities and immigrant communities on governance boards, is leading this conversation by collaborating with all communities to build a more inclusive and stronger Canada."

“DiverseCity onBoard offered me a great platform to share my passion by giving me the opportunity to help shape the future of Canada,” says Gautam Nath, Vice-President at Balmoral Multicultural Marketing. DiverseCity onBoard helped place Nath on the board of MCIS Language Solutions, where he has served since 2010. He was recently elected Chair of the board.

Dr. Marie Bountrogianni, Dean of The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, says “this initiative not only aligns with The Chang School’s commitment to inclusive and diverse communities, it also presents our learners with an invaluable opportunity to bring their skills set to the board of some outstanding Canadian not-for-profit and public organizations.”