KPMG Future Leaders Awards

Recognizing women under the age of 30 who have distinguished themselves early in their careers

KIANA ALEXANDER

Chief Operating Officer RAVEN INSTITUTE

BIO: Kiana Alexander is a proud Métis Iskwew, storyteller, creative thinker, scholar, researcher, soonto-be wife and lover of a cup of Earl Grey tea. She embraces radical curiosity and is fierce in her pursuit of ensuring all young people across the nation know unwaveringly that they are leaders and they belong. Kiana serves as COO for the Raven Institute, Director of People and Culture of Iskwew Air, Canada’s first Indigenous woman-owned and operated airline, and Researcher at Royal Roads University.

EARLY, LASTING LESSON: The power of relationships. The most valuable investment is investing in people, witnessing people’s gifts and holding people capable.

ON BEING DESCRIBED AS POWERFUL: It means I was a vulnerable even when it was hard, I was brave even when I was scared and that I believed in what is possible when we are courageous enough to be who we are meant to be in this world.

ANGIE HALL

Assistant Vice President HSBC BANK CANADA

BIO: Angie Hall manages a diversified portfolio of public and private companies in HSBC’s large corporate division, where she is responsible for negotiating, structuring, underwriting and implementing local and international banking solutions. She is also the Sustainable Finance Champion for the BC Region, supporting HSBC’s global commitment to provide US$100 billion in sustainable financing by 2025. In the community, Angie serves on the Board of Governors for Simon Fraser University and is the Chair of its Audit, Risk, and Compliance committee.

EARLY, LASTING LESSON: Find a way to get comfortable being uncomfortable.

ADVICE I WOULD GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF: Always be open to new challenges and seek opportunities to add value to those around you.

TARA BOSCH

Founder and

Chief Executive Officer SMARTSWEETS

BIO: Tara Bosch is on a mission to kick sugar and keep candy. When her love affair with candy devolved into an unhealthy relationship with food, Tara was inspired to innovate delicious candy – without the sugar. Months of recipe-testing with a gummy bear mold from Amazon led to the launch of SmartSweets. Now in more than 20,000 stores across North America, SmartSweets is on track to help people kick over one billion grams of sugar and exceed $50 million in revenue.

EARLY, LASTING LESSON: The importance of a strong work ethic. I value hard work and think that it is important to take personal pride in putting in your best effort.

ON BEING DESCRIBED AS POWERFUL: I feel honoured. I am passionate about contributing to the amazing force of women who are paving the way in their industries.

MELISSA KARGIANNAKIS

Founder and

Chief Executive Officer SKRITSWAP

BIO: Melissa Kargiannakis has won awards from the Queen of England and leads one of the Top 20 Most Innovative Companies in Canada. She has raised venture capital funding from Silicon Valley for her AI startup that takes complex jargon and replaces it with clear, everyday language. Melissa exemplifies tenacity, grit and impressive intellectual horsepower with just the right combination of zest and charm. Her life mission is to rebalance power in society. Her impactful purpose is inspired by her mom, Carolyn, who single-handedly raised Melissa and her siblings.

ON BEING DESCRIBED AS POWERFUL: It feels accurate; validation for everything I’ve overcome to get here and foreshadowing all that’s next.

SUCCESS IS: Being happy. Having the freedom to live the life I’ve designed and created for myself.

POWER SONG: “Soulmate” by Lizzo.

EMILY GRIFFITHS

Analyst, Technical Evaluations KINROSS GOLD CORPORATION

BIO: Emily Griffiths is an analyst with a geology background at Kinross Gold, where she evaluates potential acquisitions and communicates key valuation and strategic considerations to the executive management team. She collaborates with technical professionals to review multimillion- to multibilliondollar projects and applies her multidisciplinary experience to understand, assess and resolve many issues faced in the mining industry. Emily is passionate about mentorship and outreach to new graduates and uses her industry experience to help them evaluate potential career paths.

EARLY, LASTING ADVICE: Teamwork and communication are key.

ADVICE I WOULD GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF: Don’t get stressed over small things. Focus on what’s important and enjoy the ride.

POWER SONG: “Like a Girl” by Lizzo.

JESSICA LUI

Founder

GLOBAL PROFESSIONALS PRACTICUM (GPP)

BIO: An award-winning social entrepreneur, Jessica Lui is the founder of a youth-led social enterprise dedicated to investing in young adults pursuing STEM careers in underserved communities. In 2016, she was tapped to participate in President Obama’s Global Entrepreneurship Summit at Stanford University. Jessica is a member of numerous intergovernmental and philanthropic boards as a champion for entrepreneurship and youth education. She is the recipient of Corporate Knights’ 30 Under 30.

EARLY, LASTING LESSON: The things that make you unique are truly powerful. Don’t be afraid to embrace them.

ON BEING DESCRIBED AS POWERFUL: I feel humbled and incredibly grateful for all who have opened the door before me. It’s a call to action to reach back through the doorway of opportunity to give others the same chance to succeed.

TAYLOR MORRISEAU

Vanier Scholar UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA

BIO: As an Indigenous scientist, mentor and advocate, Taylor Morriseau is driven by her desire to uplift the next generation. A third-year PhD candidate, she investigates gene-environment interactions underlying type 2 diabetes among Indigenous youth. Backed by a prestigious CIHR Vanier Canada Scholarship, her research examines the power of traditional foods to attenuate diabetes development. Taylor is proud to represent Peguis First Nation in her commitment to a future where Indigenous people have an equal right to the highest standards of health.

ADVICE I WOULD GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF: Do not be afraid to create. In a world built on the foundation of extraction, create knowledge, create joy and create space for others to join you. The community you surround yourself with will be your greatest strength, so create connections and cultivate friendships as you grow.

POWER SONG: “Power in the Blood” by Buffy SainteMarie.

ELLIS ODYNN

Executive Director and Chief AI Officer DIGITAL FINANCE INSTITUTE

BIO: Ellis Odynn is the Executive Director of the Digital Finance Institute, a think tank. She is a well-known thought leader who has spoken at numerous international conferences including at the Financial Action Task Force, where she presented on Bitcoin’s cybersecurity risks, at APEC at the request of Chile on AI, and in Beijing on the future of finance. Ellis produces the Mandarin podcast “Let’s Tech”, launched Canada FinTech Week in Toronto and produces the national FinTech and AI Awards.

EARLY, LASTING LESSON: From a very young age I swam competitively, and I came to understand how important the strength of the team is when trying to do well. I take that lesson with me as a leader, and appreciate that we are only as strong as our team.

SUCCESS IS: Measured by the positive impact a person has on the world.

CAROLINE TUTAKIEWICZ

Director and Head of Financial Investigations, Financial Crimes

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA

BIO: Caroline Tutakiewicz is a three-time black belt who now leads the fight against financial crime as RBC’s Director and Head of Money Laundering Investigations. A passionate community advocate, Caroline has more than nine years’ experience diverting youth from formal judicial proceedings and serves on the Board of Directors of MADD Toronto and Start Proud. Caroline is an authentic leader, who has been awarded a Gold Medallion for Leadership Excellence and was RBC’s Exclusive Employee Women’s Day Speaker in 2019.

EARLY, LASTING LESSON: Lead with your heart. Genuine compassion for others will drive exceptional business results, but authentic relationships will change the world.

ADVICE I WOULD GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF: Never settle. Push boundaries; the ones set for you and the ones you set for yourself. Stay humble, hustle hard and always be kind.

POWER SONG: “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen.