CIBC has been named the leading company in Canada for gender equality and ranked 19th globally in Equileap's fourth annual Gender Equality Global Report & Ranking.  

"This recognition underscores our progress in making inclusion a cornerstone of our bank's culture and advancing gender-balanced leadership," said Sandy Sharman, group head of People, Culture and Brand at CIBC. "We are committed to supporting and implementing measures that advance gender equality which is driving our business success and helping us make our clients' ambitions a reality." 

CIBC board soon to be made up 50 per cent by women 

Currently, women make up 40 per cent of CIBC's executive committee members and 40 per cent of CIBC's board. On the election of director nominees at CIBC's annual meeting on April 8, 2021, CIBC's board will be 50 per cent women, with Katherine Stevenson as Chair of the Board. 

In addition to advancing gender balance internally, CIBC has made several public commitments. It is a signatory of the United Nations Women's Empowerment Principles, UK Women in Finance Charter, the Catalyst Accord, 30% Club Canada Investor Statement of Intent and the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment.   

CIBC Management is also a founding signatory of the Responsible Investment Association's Canadian Investment Statement on Diversity and Inclusion, furthering its public commitments to integrate inclusion into investment processes and disclose work under way to remove barriers for team members. 

The bank has also partnered with Canadian organizations to support the unique needs of women and recently celebrated its 25th anniversary supporting the Canadian Women's Foundation.