Connie Sugiyama

Ms. Sugiyama, President of ConMark Strategy Inc., provides high level strategy advice and solutions to the public and private sectors. Recognized as a trailblazer and leading counsel to Canadian and international businesses on matters of corporate law, finance and mergers and acquisitions law for more than 35 years, she now leverages her strengths in strategy, corporate governance and risk management with her broad network in Canada and beyond, to focus on corporate and public service work including as a consultant to the Ontario Premier’s Advisory Council on Provincial Assets (2014-15).

Ms. Sugiyama is an experienced corporate director and board advisor. She currently serves on the boards of the Gairdner Foundation, Ontario Financing Authority (as Vice Chair), the Mount Pleasant Group and the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement. She was the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the world renowned Hospital for Sick Children (2008-2011; Board 2002-2011) and the Vice Chair of Canada Health Infoway (2011-2013, Board 2007-2013) and has served on numerous boards and advisory committees including:  The Toronto International Film Festival, The Nikko Securities Co. Canada Ltd., The Japan Society, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Ontario Exports Inc., the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre and Women in Capital Markets, of which she was a founding director and for which she continues to serve as a member of the Advisory Council.  Ms. Sugiyama served on the Securities Advisory Committee of the Ontario Securities Commission (1999-2002) and as a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Ryerson University (2012-2015). She is a member of the Advisory Committee of the 30% Club Canada and a Senior Advisor to the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.

Ms. Sugiyama was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2014 and in 2015, she received an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D Honoris Causa) from the University of Western Ontario. Ms. Sugiyama has also been recognized for both professional excellence and leadership by University College (2017 Alumni of Influence), Ascend Canada (2014 Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award), Women in Capital Markets (2009 WCM Award for Leadership), for her efforts in advancing the economic empowerment of women by the International Alliance for Women (2010 Difference 100 Award) and was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network in two different categories.

Ms. Sugiyama is an excellent communicator and is much sought after as a speaker, writer and commentator on a broad range of issues including corporate governance and ethics, board culture and effectiveness, enterprise risk management and workplace diversity and inclusion.