TORONTO, Nov. 21, 2019 /CNW/ - For the fourth consecutive
year, a BMO Financial Group leader is among the recipients of WXN
Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards. Samra Zafar, Lead, Purpose Communications, BMO
Financial Group, will be celebrated at the Top 100 Summit and
Awards Gala at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Launched in 2003, the Top 100 Awards celebrate the incredible
accomplishments of Canada's top
female executive talent as well as their organizations and
networks. The Awards serve to recognize talented leaders in the
private, public, and not-for-profit sectors and to inspire the
current and next generation to push the boundaries of what's
possible.
"BMO is thrilled to see Samra
Zafar being honoured – being recognized as one of
Canada's most powerful women is an
incredible accomplishment," said Mona
Malone, Head of People & Culture and Chief Human
Resources Officer, BMO Financial Group. "Samra's strength and
resilience is truly an inspiration and this recognition is so
well-deserved."
Ms. Zafar is an award-winning international speaker, bestselling
author, and social entrepreneur who advocates for equity,
inclusion, and human rights. After arriving in Canada as a child bride and escaping a decade
of abuse, Ms. Zafar pursued her education as a single mother
working multiple jobs and completed her bachelor's and master's
degrees in economics from the University of
Toronto with the highest distinction, winning over a dozen
awards. Today, she is one of the youngest alumni serving as a
governor for the University of
Toronto.
While graduating from university, Ms. Zafar began to share her
personal journey to raise awareness about gender-based violence and
empower people to pursue their dreams and independence. Ms. Zafar
also founded a non-profit organization, Brave Beginnings, a
mentorship program to support female survivors of abuse in their
journey to build lives of freedom, respect, and independence. She
serves as a Celebrated Ambassador for Plan International and as a
board member for Women's College Hospital.
BMO is committed to supporting initiatives that empower women
within its workforce and the communities the bank serves. BMO has
partnered with organizations such as the Women's Presidents
Organization, GroYourBiz, #movethedial, and Women Get On Boards to
provide expertise, leadership, knowledge, and opportunities for
women to network and learn. In 2018, BMO announced it is making
$3 billion in capital available over
the following three years for Canadian businesses owned by women.
BMO was also the first Canadian bank to sign the UN Women's
Empowerment Principles.
For more information about WXN Canada's Most Powerful Women,
please visit: https://wxnetwork.com/wxn/top100awards/.
About BMO Financial Group
Serving customers for 200
years and counting, BMO is a highly diversified financial services
provider - the 8th largest bank, by assets, in North America. With total assets of
$839 billion as of July 31, 2019, and a team of diverse and highly
engaged employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal and
commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking
products and services to more than 12 million customers and
conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and
Commercial Banking, BMO Wealth Management and BMO Capital
Markets.
SOURCE BMO Financial Group