Q/A with Maria Theofilaktidis, Scotiabank

Tell us about yourself and what you do at Scotiabank? 

My name is Maria Theofilaktidis and I am the Executive Vice President of Finance at Scotiabank. My responsibilities include accounting and financial reporting, capital management, global taxation, and global procurement functions within global finance. I am also the Executive Champion of the Women’s Employee Resource Groups at Scotiabank, and I’m passionate about driving change on diversity and inclusion. I am an immigrant to Canada and have benefited from the opportunities that Canada has provided. So, I enjoy being part of institutions that continue to make positive change, have an impact and sustain Canada as a great place to live.

Why are you raising your voice for women’s health at Women for Women’s? 

I am a member of the Women’s College Hospital Foundation board of directors. I joined the board because the mission of Women College Hospital speaks deeply to me, my personal values and my own passion for gender equity and inclusion for all. I think now more than ever, it is important to build a better Canada by advancing health for women and better healthcare options for all people.

In your professional career, what initiatives have you seen that have helped to create equity for women in the workplace? 

As a woman leader at Scotiabank, I am thrilled to see the effort made by our bank to help create equity for women in the workplace.

Through our employee resource groups, Scotiabank has many women’s groups that operate globally and focus on advancing gender inclusion. Members are committed to educating and empowering women by supporting their personal and professional growth.

The Scotiabank Women Initiative ishelping women take their businesses, and their careers, to the next level. It empowers women to take charge of their financial futures and raises awareness for unconscious bias.

The bank recently launched ScotiaRISE, our new social impact initiative designed to help promote economic resilience among disadvantaged people and communities including women. Through ScotiaRISE, Scotiabank has committed $500 Million over the next 10 years as part of our goal to help communities RISE and overcome challenges that can become barriers to opportunity.

I have personally championed many of these causes, and aside from being the Executive Champion of our women’s group, I also helped to co-found our HeForShe initiative, which engages our male colleagues in creating inclusion and equality for all. I mentor many women across the Bank and am a big believer in paying it forward and lifting others as we move up.

Together, we are building a bank that is strengthened by our differences, not divided by them.

Tell us more about why Scotiabank has chosen to support Women’s College Hospital? 

At Scotiabank, we understand the importance of uniting the community in support of women’s health and healthy equity for all. We are proud to join the community at Women for Women’s to fuel the future of equitable healthcare.