Scotiabank Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Scotiabank has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, finance, and technology.

Focused on delivering comprehensive financial advice and wealth management solutions, Scotiabank empowers clients and communities across global markets through a commitment to sustainable growth and operational excellence.

Leadership Roles at Scotiabank

  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Scott Thomson
  • Director, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Insurance (Canada) - Sheema Tailor
  • Chief Operating Officer, Scotiatrust - Lori MacEachern
  • Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Internal Control, Global Transaction Banking - Lorena Vitores
  • Senior Transformation Coach & Chief Operating Officer, Tranformation Office - Katherine Hay
  • Chief Operating Officer, Branch (Houston) - Hardeep Thind
  • Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, U. S. - Sean Dusseau
  • Director, Chief Operating Officer Office Business Manager - Michael Sterne
  • Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Canadian Banking Engineering - Inci Akpinar
  • Deputy Director - Ghada Riachy
  • Scott Thomson - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Scott Thomson, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Scotiabank, directs the overarching strategic vision for this multinational financial institution. Overseeing the integration of personal banking, wealth management, and capital markets, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment across all global business lines. This leadership role involves driving long-term value for shareholders while maintaining rigorous standards in risk management and corporate governance. By fostering innovation within the Canadian and international banking sectors, Scott Thomson directly impacts the competitive positioning of the organization. The President & Chief Executive Officer maintains constant communication with the Board to refine corporate objectives and expand market reach. Through disciplined capital allocation and a focus on client-centric service, the executive secures the financial stability of the institution. Ultimately, Thomson guides the bank toward sustainable growth in an evolving global economy.
    Scott Thomson

    Sheema Tailor - Director, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Insurance (Canada)

    Sheema Tailor, the Director, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Insurance (Canada) at Scotiabank, manages the financial health and reporting for the Canadian insurance division. Overseeing financial planning, analysis, and regulatory reporting, the Director, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Insurance (Canada) ensures that the insurance business maintains strong capital reserves and profitability. This role involves analyzing market trends to inform strategic decision-making and risk management within the insurance portfolio. By optimizing financial performance, Sheema Tailor directly supports the bank's overall financial stability and growth objectives. The Director, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Insurance (Canada) coordinates with the broader finance team to ensure accurate and transparent reporting. Through rigorous financial oversight and strategic resource allocation, the executive maintains the fiscal integrity of the insurance operations. Ultimately, Tailor provides the financial leadership necessary to navigate the competitive Canadian insurance landscape and deliver value to clients.

    Lori MacEachern - Chief Operating Officer, Scotiatrust

    Lori MacEachern, the Chief Operating Officer, Scotiatrust at Scotiabank, directs the operational framework for the trust division. Overseeing fiduciary services and wealth management delivery, the Chief Operating Officer, Scotiatrust ensures that client assets receive precise management and regulatory compliance. This role involves architecting scalable processes that support the complex needs of high-net-worth individuals and families. By optimizing the service delivery model, Lori MacEachern directly enhances the client experience and strengthens the market position of the trust business. The Chief Operating Officer, Scotiatrust collaborates with investment banking teams to provide integrated financial solutions. Through rigorous oversight of operational risk and service quality, the executive maintains the trust and confidence of the client base. Ultimately, MacEachern drives the operational success of the trust division within the broader Canadian and international financial landscape.

    Lorena Vitores - Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Internal Control, Global Transaction Banking

    Lorena Vitores, the Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Internal Control, Global Transaction Banking at Scotiabank, manages the operational infrastructure and internal control environment for the global transaction banking division. Overseeing risk mitigation and process optimization, the Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Internal Control, Global Transaction Banking ensures that international payment and trade finance operations function with maximum efficiency. This role involves implementing robust control frameworks to safeguard the bank against operational and regulatory risks. By refining transaction workflows, Lorena Vitores directly supports the bank's ability to facilitate complex cross-border financial activities. The Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Internal Control, Global Transaction Banking coordinates with global teams to ensure consistency in service delivery across diverse markets. Through proactive monitoring and strategic process design, the executive maintains operational resilience. Ultimately, Vitores secures the integrity of the global transaction banking platform.

    Katherine Hay - Senior Transformation Coach & Chief Operating Officer, Tranformation Office

    Katherine Hay, the Senior Transformation Coach & Chief Operating Officer, Tranformation Office at Scotiabank, directs the strategic evolution of the bank's internal processes and organizational culture. Overseeing the transformation office, the Senior Transformation Coach & Chief Operating Officer, Tranformation Office ensures that modernization efforts align with the bank's long-term digital and operational goals. This role involves coaching leadership teams to adopt agile methodologies and innovative problem-solving techniques. By driving cultural and structural change, Katherine Hay directly impacts the bank's ability to adapt to rapid shifts in the financial services industry. The Senior Transformation Coach & Chief Operating Officer, Tranformation Office collaborates with various business units to remove operational bottlenecks and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Through strategic planning and execution, the executive accelerates the bank's transition toward a more efficient and customer-focused model. Ultimately, Hay facilitates the organizational agility required for sustained success.
    Katherine Hay

    Hardeep Thind - Chief Operating Officer, Branch (Houston)

    Hardeep Thind, the Chief Operating Officer, Branch (Houston) at Scotiabank, manages the operational activities for the Houston branch, focusing on regional market penetration and service delivery. Overseeing local banking operations, the Chief Operating Officer, Branch (Houston) ensures that the branch meets the specific financial needs of corporate and commercial clients in the U.S. market. This role involves optimizing branch performance and ensuring strict adherence to regional regulatory requirements. By streamlining local service delivery, Hardeep Thind directly contributes to the bank's growth strategy in the North American region. The Chief Operating Officer, Branch (Houston) coordinates with corporate headquarters to align local branch activities with the broader global banking strategy. Through effective resource management and a focus on client relationship development, the executive drives regional operational success. Ultimately, Thind strengthens the bank's presence and competitive standing within the U.S. financial sector.

    Sean Dusseau - Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, U. S.

    Sean Dusseau, the Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, U. S. at Scotiabank, directs the operational strategy and execution for the bank's U.S. business operations. Overseeing cross-functional teams and regional initiatives, the Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, U. S. ensures that the bank's U.S. presence remains competitive and operationally efficient. This role involves managing complex regulatory environments and aligning U.S. operations with the bank's global strategic goals. By optimizing the operational framework, Sean Dusseau directly impacts the bank's ability to serve corporate and institutional clients across the U.S. market. The Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, U. S. collaborates with global leadership to integrate U.S. activities into the broader multinational banking model. Through strategic oversight of regional performance and operational risk, the executive maintains the bank's reputation for excellence. Ultimately, Dusseau drives the growth and operational success of the bank's U.S. business segment.

    Michael Sterne - Director, Chief Operating Officer Office Business Manager

    Michael Sterne, the Director, Chief Operating Officer Office Business Manager at Scotiabank, manages the business operations and administrative functions within the Chief Operating Officer's office. Overseeing budget management, project tracking, and internal communications, the Director, Chief Operating Officer Office Business Manager ensures that the office operates with maximum efficiency. This role involves coordinating strategic projects and facilitating communication between the Chief Operating Officer and other business units. By streamlining the administrative and operational workflows, Michael Sterne directly supports the leadership team in executing the bank's strategic priorities. The Director, Chief Operating Officer Office Business Manager monitors key performance indicators to ensure that operational goals are met on time and within budget. Through meticulous management of the office's resources and processes, the executive maintains the smooth functioning of the executive leadership team. Ultimately, Sterne provides the operational support necessary for the bank's senior leadership to drive organizational success.

    Inci Akpinar - Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Canadian Banking Engineering

    Inci Akpinar, the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Canadian Banking Engineering at Scotiabank, directs the technological architecture and engineering efforts for the Canadian banking division. Overseeing the development of digital platforms and secure banking infrastructure, the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Canadian Banking Engineering ensures that technology supports the bank's commitment to providing seamless financial services. This role involves architecting scalable cloud solutions and robust cybersecurity measures to protect client data. By leading the engineering teams, Inci Akpinar directly impacts the bank's ability to innovate and deliver competitive digital banking products. The Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Canadian Banking Engineering collaborates with other C-suite leaders to align technology investments with business objectives. Through strategic oversight of the engineering lifecycle, the executive maintains the reliability and performance of the bank's digital ecosystem. Ultimately, Akpinar drives the technological transformation of the Canadian banking business.

    Ghada Riachy - Deputy Director

    Ghada Riachy, the Deputy Director at Scotiabank, manages critical administrative functions and supports the execution of high-level organizational initiatives. Overseeing internal workflows, the Deputy Director ensures that departmental goals align with the broader mission of providing comprehensive financial services. This role involves coordinating cross-functional teams to optimize operational efficiency across the bank. By streamlining communication channels and resource allocation, Ghada Riachy directly contributes to the seamless delivery of banking products and services. The Deputy Director monitors performance metrics to identify areas for improvement within the corporate structure. Through meticulous oversight of daily operations, the executive maintains the integrity of internal processes. Ultimately, Riachy supports the senior leadership team in achieving strategic milestones and maintaining the high standards expected of a leading multinational financial institution.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Scotiabank Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Scotiabank?
    Scotiabank is led by Scott Thomson (President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Sheema Tailor (Director, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Insurance (Canada)) and Lori MacEachern (Chief Operating Officer, Scotiatrust).
    Who is part of Scotiabank’s executive team?
    The executive team of Scotiabank includes leaders such as Scott Thomson (President & Chief Executive Officer), Sheema Tailor (Director, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Insurance (Canada)), Lori MacEachern (Chief Operating Officer, Scotiatrust) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Scotiabank have?
    Scotiabank has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Scotiabank’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Scotiabank includes roles such as President & Chief Executive Officer, Director, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Insurance (Canada), Chief Operating Officer, Scotiatrust, Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Internal Control, Global Transaction Banking, Senior Transformation Coach & Chief Operating Officer, Tranformation Office.