VANCOUVER, Nov. 22, 2018 /CNW/ - HSBC Bank Canada is delighted to announce that a trio of senior leaders have been named Women's Executive Network (WXN) 2018 Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winners presented by KPMG:

• Kim Hallwood, Head of Corporate Sustainability is a winner in the Mercedes-Benz Emerging Leader category;
• Georgia Stavridis, Senior Vice President and Head of Financial Crime Compliance is a winner in KPMG Professionals category; and
• Sophia Tsui, Senior Vice President and Chief Auditor is a winner in the HSBC Corporate Executives category.

"We have had a long history with many strong women leaders. Today, women make up 50 per cent of HSBC Bank Canada's board of directors and 60 per cent of our senior leadership roles. It was part of a deliberate effort, and emblematic of our wider approach to diversity on all fronts," said Sandra Stuart, President and Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Bank Canada and a previous WXN Top 100 Award Winner. "This is a significant source of strength for our organization.  Our conversations are richer and we are more confident of our decisions, knowing that we've examined them from a variety of perspectives.  And that's why we are not content to rest on our laurels and are continuing our work to ensure that our future leaders are an equally diverse group."

As a result of these efforts, HSBC Bank Canada has received an Employment Equity Achievement Award for Sector Distinction and Outstanding Commitment from the federal government in both of the last two years and was also recognized by Corporate Knights as a Top Performer for Gender Diversity in the financial services sector last year and as one of the Best Corporate Citizens in Canada for the past five years. 

"We are celebrating 100 of Canada's highest achieving women in diverse fields," said Sherri Stevens, CEO of WXN. "All 100 are role models for the generations who will follow – which is why it's very important to recognize and celebrate their great achievements."

The list of Top 100 Winners was released today, paying tribute to the outstanding women across Canada who have advocated for diversity in the workforce, and who serve as an inspiration for the next generation of leaders.  The Top 100 Awards span the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, with the initial candidates selected by WXN's Diversity Council.

Past Award Winners include some of Canada's most iconic women trailblazers: Sandra Stuart, then Chief Operating Officer, HSBC Bank Canada and now President and CEO; Margaret Atwood, best-selling author; Dr. Roberta Bondar, astronaut; Arlene Dickinson, Chief Executive Officer, Venture Communications; Christine Magee, President, Sleep Country Canada; Michaëlle Jean, former Governor General of Canada; and Heather Reisman, founder and CEO, Indigo Books & Music.

For a full list of winners, please visit https://wxnetwork.com/wxn/top100winners/.

Note to editors:

About HSBC Bank Canada

HSBC Bank Canada, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, is the leading international bank in the country. We help companies and individuals across Canada to do business and manage their finances internationally through three global business lines: Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Retail Banking and Wealth Management. The HSBC Group is one of the world's largest banking and financial services groups with assets of US$2,603bn at 30 September 2018. Linked by advanced technology, the HSBC Group serves customers worldwide from around 3,800 offices in 66 countries and territories in Europe, Asia, North and Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa.

For more information visit www.hsbc.ca or follow us on Twitter: @hsbc_ca or Facebook: @HSBCCanada

About Women's Executive Network (WXN)

Women's Executive Network (WXN), a member-based organization, exists for the advancement, development and recognition of professional women in Canada. WXN delivers this advancement through training, events, mentoring, networking, and award and recognition programs for members and partners. At WXN, equity, inclusion and the advancement of professional women make industry stronger and society better. Their passion is 100% centered on empowering women and creating positive social change. WXN currently operates in Canada and Ireland.

SOURCE HSBC Bank Canada

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