It’s no secret that there is a significant disparity between women and men in the financial sector.
A recent report on diversity disclosure practices for women’s advancement in Canada’s financial sector shows that women made up 24% of executive officers in Canada’s financial services sector in 2022. On a per-company basis, the number of female executive officers in the financial services industry was 3.83 in 2022, compared to 1.94 for all TSX-listed companies.
We’re proud to say that credit unions across Canada have always been committed to fostering inclusion and empowering Canadians in the communities they serve, leading the way in female representation. In credit unions nationwide, 30% of CEOs are currently held by women.
At CCUA, most of our senior leadership is comprised of women, many of whom are emerging leaders. Learn more about them below (From LEFT to RIGHT):
Dimah Khalili, Vice President, Communications, Marketing, and Conferences
Dimah Khalili is a seasoned communication and digital marketing leader, with extensive national and global experience, helping organizations to bring their missions and brands to life through compelling stories, strategic thought leadership, and robust strategies that leverage creativity, design thinking, and project management skills.
In previous roles, Dimah worked for world leaders in the public and non-profit sectors, including the late King Hussein of Jordan, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and The Crown Prince of Wales. Additionally, she worked in the private sector for a global multi-billion-dollar private equity firm, Saraya Holdings.
Dimah was awarded the Jordanian Medal (Decoration) for Achievements at the World Economic Forum, Dead Sea by Jordan King Abdullah II in 2003. Also, she is a recipient of two academic scholarships: the Carol Dickson Memorial Scholarship by Rotman School of Management from the University of Toronto in 2012, and the British Chevening Scholarship by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2000.
Dimah holds an Executive MBA in General Management from the University of Toronto, an MA in International Communications and Development from the City University of London, UK, a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication with a specialization in PR and Advertising, and a Minor in Economics from the American University.
Dimah has lived in five countries and travelled to over 60 countries across the globe. She is also an aspiring public speaker, having participated in conferences and panel discussions on topics related to strategic planning, communications and innovation. Dimah enjoys yoga, hiking, sailing and food. And she is passionate about volunteering, ESG (environment, social and governance) and serving her community.
Lana Morgan, Vice President, Finance and Corporate Services
Lana Morgan, VP, Finance and Corporate Services, is a designated professional and manages accounting, financial reporting, financial analysis, IT and Risks for CCUA. She has over 20 years of finance and accounting management experience with Toronto-based companies and large publicly traded international corporations. She has been involved in complex mergers and acquisitions, extensive process improvements, large systems implementations, and much more. She brings with her experience in a broad range of industries, including tech, manufacturing, auto, and wholesale trade. Lana is experienced in various aspects of finance and accounting management, including financial reporting, budgeting, financial modeling and analysis, business planning, and process improvement. Lana holds Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, and International Mergers and Acquisitions Experts designations from CPA (Ontario), CMA (Ontario), and Institute for Mergers, Acquisitions and Alliances (Vienna, Austria).
Mirren Harris, Vice President of Education & Professional Development
Mirren Harris is Vice President of Education & Professional Development at the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA). She is responsible for the education programs and accreditations offered to our member credit unions. A trusted, high-energy leader, Mirren is dedicated to lifelong learning and has helped thousands of learners in their career development, ensuring they have the tools, opportunities, and support needed to succeed.
Mirren brings close to twenty years of experience in the cooperative financial services sector to CCUA and is well-known for her extensive work with the CCUA’s National Young Leader and Lending Committees. Mirren has a Master of Education in Adult Learning, a Bachelor of Commerce, and is a Fellow of the Credit Union Institute of Canada.
Jennifer King, Director, Human Resources
Jennifer King, Director, Human Resources, has over 25 years of people and culture management expertise, with extensive knowledge leading organizational transformation, growth through people, leadership, employee engagement, succession planning, and proven recruitment strategies. Prior to joining the Canadian Credit Union Association, Jennifer spent five years as Director of Human Resources at FORREC Ltd, a mid-sized, award-winning international design company with offices in the US and China. She brings an entrepreneurial spirit to every role, having been a successful consultant for more than six years for companies across a wide range of industries, where she showcased her solid human resources expertise and people management advice. Before starting her consulting business, she was a leader and partner to senior management in companies such as Fuller Landau LLP, Mondelez International, and AstraZeneca Canada.
Jennifer obtained her Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation in 1998. When she’s not leading HR at CCUA, Jennifer continues to showcase her dedication and commitment to the HR profession through her volunteer work with the Human Resources Professionals Association as a member of the CHRL Knowledge Exam and Employment Law Exam Validation Committee. At her very core, she is passionate about problem-solving that benefits both the business and the employees. Jennifer is an avid long-distance cyclist and has also competed in several triathlons of various distances, including completing Ironman Canada in 2010.
Victoria Mainprize, Director, Legal, Policy & Compliance & Assistant General Counsel
Victoria Mainprize is Director, Legal, Policy and Compliance & Assistant General Counsel at the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA). A member of the Nova Scotia bar and Ontario bar, and a graduate of the University of King’s College (B.A. (Hons)), Dalhousie Law School (LL.B.), Dalhousie University’s Rowe School of Business (MBA), and Osgoode Hall Law School (LL.M.), Victoria brings over 20 years of experience in financial services regulation, governance, and legislative policy to her role. Earlier in her career, Victoria spent several years in private practice and in senior management positions in the cooperative financial sector and within the federal safety net and taught an upper-level law course on the regulation of financial institutions.
