CIBC president and CEO Victor Dodig has announced the appointment of Kikelomo Lawal as executive vice president and chief legal officer, effective Oct. 12.
In her new role, Lawal will be accountable for overseeing the legal function globally as well as the corporate secretary, ombudsman and privacy office functions, and related policies and programs. She will join the bank's executive committee and will report to Dodig.
Strong advocate for inclusion
Lawal was most recently the chief legal officer, ombudsman and corporate secretary at Interac Corporation and has more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience, including legal expertise as both a trial lawyer and a transactional lawyer. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School and her Bar admissions include the New York State Bar and the Law Society of Upper Canada.
Lawal is also a strong advocate for inclusion, speaking regularly on the importance of inclusion across multiple dimensions, including gender, race/ethnicity and life experience.
"[Lawal] is a proven leader and she will play a key role as we continue to build a relationship-oriented bank for a modern world and live our purpose – to help make our clients' ambitions a reality," said Dodig. "She is an accomplished legal professional with strong business acumen who brings a strategic approach to the position.”
