Kathy Bardswick, BSc,MBA
Confronting the complexities of sustainable finance, Kathy’s chairmanship of the Sustainable Finance Action Council (SFAC) was a masterclass in strategic influence and coalition-building. Over her three-year term, she led a landmark initiative uniting Canada’s major financial institutions to develop and advocate for groundbreaking recommendations in sustainable finance. Her leadership resulted in the creation of a Canadian taxonomy now being implemented at the federal level, alongside new mandatory disclosure standards and crucial climate data governance reforms. Kathy’s holistic strategy, emphasizing the interconnectedness of sustainable finance elements, was pivotal in shaping the 2023 fall economic statement and the 2024 spring budget. Her work extended beyond national borders, aligning Canada’s sustainable finance efforts with international frameworks and setting a global precedent for collaborative action in sustainable finance. Kathy’s dedication to creating a sustainable financial ecosystem continues to inspire innovative approaches and drive meaningful change across sectors. The CEO for many years at Cooperators, under her guidance the firm regularly topped various lists as Canada’s most sustainable company.
