- Catherine Roche, Head of Marketing and Strategy
- Claudette McGowan, Chief Information Officer, Enterprise Technology Employee
Experience
TORONTO, Nov. 22, 2018 /CNW/ - For the third
consecutive year, two BMO Financial Group executives have been recognized as WXN Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award
Winners. Catherine Roche, Head of Marketing and Strategy, and Claudette
McGowan, Chief Information Officer, Enterprise Technology Employee Experience, will be celebrated tonight at the Top 100
Summit and Awards Gala at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
As Head of Marketing and Strategy, Ms. Roche is accountable for setting the overall strategic direction and positioning
for the enterprise and its operating groups. A published expert in consumer analytics, data and customer experience, Ms. Roche is
responsible for: developing, communicating and overseeing the enterprise brand positioning; overseeing the bank's centres of
expertise in digital marketing, customer data and insights; and setting our enterprise priorities around customer experience
delivery.
Ms. Roche is a key member of the bank's Executive, Operating and Performance Committees. She also chairs
the bank's Customer Experience Council and Art and Archives Committee, sits on the Corporate Donations Committee and sponsors BMO
for Women, an initiative aimed at supporting women in business.
In addition, Ms. Roche is a member of the boards of directors of Futurpreneur Canada and Toronto Global.
Ms. McGowan is a leader within BMO and across the community. She is an innovator who is constantly looking for new ways
to provide greater flexibility and deliver improved productivity to BMO's 45,000 employees.
As the newly appointed CIO, Enterprise Technology Employee Experience, Ms. McGowan's mandate has been expanded. Her
senior executive appointment at BMO signalled industry progress. Her efforts extend not only to her career, but also to fellow IT
professionals, with whom she works to foster technical literacy and inclusion.
She currently leads a team of information technology professionals in bringing new workplace solutions to office towers
and branches around the world. In this role, Ms. McGowan provides a holistic view of the employee technology experience across
the bank and works to create a new approach to how employees experience and adopt technology. Ms. McGowan is also the technical
leader for BMO's Urban Campus in Toronto.
Ms. McGowan is an award-winning leader and author. Her passion for technology led to the creation of BMO's Women in
Technology program, established to facilitate networking opportunities and resources for female technologists. Her achievements
both inside and outside of the organization are many. Ms. McGowan founded the Black Arts and Innovation Expo (BAIE),
dedicated to promoting and recognizing the exceptional achievements of diverse innovators in science, technology, engineering,
arts and mathematics. Ms. McGowan was instrumental in creating an Innovation Centre in Aurora,
ON a learning facility that specializes in robotics, 3D printers, virtual reality and software development
training.
"Claudette and Catherine's courage, creativity and drive make them formidable forces," said Mona
Malone, Chief Talent Officer, BMO Financial Group. "Claudette is a technology executive and innovator for BMO. She is a
leader of diversity and mentor to many. Catherine is a member of BMO's senior management and executive committees. She is a
driving force behind our customer-focused vision and a leader in customer loyalty. By their example, they inspire and empower
peers, contemporaries and the industry to strive and work towards a culture of innovation, inclusion and
excellence."
For more information about WXN Canada's Most Powerful Women, please visit https://www.wxnetwork.com/top-100-women/ and join the social conversation using
#BMOforWomen.
About BMO Financial Group
Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a highly diversified financial services provider –
the 8th largest bank, by assets, in North America. With total assets of $765 billion as of July 31, 2018, and a team of diverse and highly engaged
employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and
services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking,
BMO Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.
BMO Financial Group's Commitment to Diversity
Diversity and inclusion are core BMO values; drivers of sustainability that influence business strategy. BMO
creates an environment where everyone is valued, respected and heard; where employees can bring their best selves to work – for
the benefit of their co-workers, their communities and customers, and themselves. BMO has long been a supporter of women and a
champion of diversity and inclusion; and as a result of sustained efforts, has seen strong progress against diversity and
inclusion goals.
SOURCE BMO Financial Group
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