Payments Canada Board Chair named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women

OTTAWA, November 22, 2017 –  The Women's Executive Network (WXN) today revealed the award winners for Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100. Eileen Mercier, Chair of the Payments Canada Board, is one of the 100 inspirational women who will be recognized at a gala on November 23, which will be the third time she is receiving this honour.

“It is an honour to be included in this exceptional group of leaders, who impact and shape organizations and companies across the country,” said Eileen Mercier. “WXN provides a valuable platform for developing executive leaders and I am grateful to share the stage with these women who are the next generation of leaders.”

“Eileen Mercier has helped to guide the payments modernization journey in Canada since becoming Chair of our Board in 2015," said Gerry Gaetz, Payments Canada President and CEO. “She is an inspiration to women, to me personally and indeed to all the people she works with.”

Ms. Mercier is a professional director, chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University and previously Chair of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board from 2007 to 2014. In 2010, she also received an honorary LLD from York University and was named as one of Canada's Top 25 Women of Influence. In December 2012 and November 2015, Ms. Mercier was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in the Accenture Corporate Directors category.

This category recognizes women directors who have had an impact on Board effectiveness and corporate governance, demonstrated commitment to the community and to improving diversity at Board and executive levels.

“Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards showcases the leaders that are helping to drive positive change and progress and to remind us of the importance of empowering women in our workforce and in the community,” said Sherri Stevens, President & CEO of PhaseNyne, a parent company of Women’s Executive Network – WXN, Canadian Board Diversity Counsel – CBDC, and Stevens Resource Group – SRG. 

The 2017 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards Gala will take place on Thursday, November 23 in Toronto at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The full list of WXN’s 2017 Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winners can be found here. 

About the Women's Executive Network (WXN):

At WXN, we inspire smart women to lead. WXN delivers innovative networking, mentoring, professional and personal development to inform, inspire, connect and recognize our global community of more than 22,000 women, men and their organizations. WXN enables our partners and corporate members to become and to be recognized as employers of choice and leaders in the advancement of women.

Founded in 1997, WXN is Canada's leading organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of women in management, executive, professional and board roles. WXN is led by Owner & CEO Sherri Stevens, owner of the award-winning, multi-million dollar Workforce Management Company Stevens Resource Group Inc., which she established in 1990. In 2008, WXN launched in Ireland, followed by London, UK in 2015, creating an international community of female leaders.

About Payments Canada:

Payments Canada ensures that financial transactions in Canada are carried out safely and securely each day. The organization underpins the Canadian financial system and economy by owning and operating Canada’s payment clearing and settlement infrastructure, including associated systems, bylaws, rules and standards. The value of payments cleared and settled by Payments Canada in 2016 was C$51 trillion, or C$201 billion every business day. These encompass a wide range of payments made by Canadians and businesses involving inter-bank transactions, including those made with debit cards, pre-authorized debits, direct deposits, bill payments, wire payments and cheques. Payments Canada is a proud supporter of the Catalyst Accord and The 30% Club.

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