Sonia Baxendale

Sonia Baxendale is the President & CEO of Global Risk Institute (GRI). GRI is the premier organization that defines thought leadership in risk management for the financial industry globally. It brings together leaders from industry, academia and government to draw actionable insights on emerging risks globally. 

Ms. Baxendale is also Chair of the Board of SickKids Foundation and a member of the Board of Trustees for SickKids. She is also Director on the Board of Laurentian Bank, Foresters FinancialTM, and RSA Group PLC. 

Ms. Baxendale was previously the President of CIBC Retail Markets. She led the Retail and Wealth Management businesses from 2005 to 2011. 

From 1992 to 2011, Ms. Baxendale played a key role in developing strategy and direction for CIBC and held various leadership roles including Senior Executive Vice-President, CIBC Wealth Management, Executive Vice-President, Asset Management, Card Products and Collections, and Executive Vice-President of Global Private Banking and Investment Management Services. Prior to CIBC, Ms. Baxendale held various positions with American Express Canada and Saatchi & Saatchi.