Caroline Codsi

A passionate and strategic leader, Caroline Codsi has had a successful career in the corporate world of over 25 years including the past decade in VP and SVP roles within major organizations. Caroline founded Women in Governance in 2010 (aka La Gouvernance au Féminin), a non-for-profit organization with mission to encourage women to develop their leadership, advance their career and sit on boards. She dedicates her life to all matters relating to the access of women to executive roles and board positions in the corporate world in Canada as well as women’s equality rights everywhere in the world. Some of Women in Governance’s programs that have a deep impact in the Canadian society include: 1) major events with inspiring local and international speakers, 2) a very robust mentoring program for women at the VP level looking to reach the C-Suite and the Board 3) governance courses 4) a corporate parity certification A graduate in Human Resources from HEC Montréal as well as in languages and foreign civilizations from l’Université Paris-Diderot (Paris-VII), Caroline also completed the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD)’s Program at McGill. She is a Scholar, Valedictorian, Ambassador and Examiner for the ICD. Born in Beirut, Caroline was only 7 years old when the war started and 22 when it ended. A Citizen of the world having lived on three continents, Caroline is fluent in 4 languages and can understand 6. A highly sought-after speaker, Caroline is the recipient of Awards from the Quebec Business Women Network, the Arab Women Trophy and Premières en Affaires among others. She was recognized as a Top 20 Diversity Leading Figures in Quebec, Top 75 Canadian Immigrants and Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada. She is also the recipient of a Gender Equality Award by the United Nations Women National Committee as well as the “Mercure Leadership Germaine-Gibara” Award, at the Mercuriades awards ceremony held by the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ). Some of the distinguished guests that Caroline has interviewed in a public setting include Hillary Clinton, Former Democratic Party Candidate (United States) interviewed in both Toronto and Montreal, Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, Princess Sarah Zeid (Jordan), Winnie Byanyima, Oxfam International Executive Director (Uganda/United Kingdom), Anne-Marie Leroy, SVP of the World Bank (Washington), Fançois Perol, CEO of Banque Populaire et Caisse d’Epargne (2nd largest bank in France), Marie-Jo Zimmermann, French Member of Parliament, author of quotas Law Copé-Zimmermann, Maggie Henriquez, CEO of Krug Champagne, LVMH division (Paris), Aldo Bensadoun, Founder of ALDO Shoes, Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, CEO of VIA Rail, François Jean Coutu, CEO of PJC Jean Coutu, Robert Tessier, Chairman of the board of the Caisse de Depot et Placement du Québec, Monique F. Leroux, President of the International Cooperative Alliance and Chairperson of Investissement Québec, Dr. Joanne Liu, International President of Doctors without borders (Geneva), Katja Iversen, CEO of Women Deliver (New York), Dr. Joanie Bewa (Benin), Jean Charest, former Prime Minister of Quebec, Monique Jérôme-Forget, former Minister of Finance of Quebec, Louise Fréchette, Former Vice-secretary general of the United Nations, Françoise Bertrand, Chairperson of the Board of VIA Rail and former Chairperson of Quebecor, Katie Taylor, Chairperson of the Board of the Royal Bank of Canada, Hélène Fortin, Chairperson of Loto-Québec, Kim Thuy, acclaimed author, Dominique Anglade, CEO of Montreal International, now Vice-Minister of Quebec, Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Etc.