Women Get On Board, BMO name 2026 women board honourees

Women Get On Board and BMO for Women announced the five recipients of the 2026 BMO Celebrating Women On Boards program at a sold-out Oct. 6 ceremony in Toronto. The annual recognition spotlights women leaders in corporate governance and boardroom inclusion across Canada.

Why it matters: - The program spotlights women who are shaping corporate governance and board leadership across Canada. - The honourees represent boardroom leadership, inclusion and community impact, which can influence how companies recruit, govern and grow. - The recognition also highlights the continued push to broaden women’s representation in Canadian boardrooms.

What happened: - Women Get On Board Inc. and BMO for Women announced the 2026 BMO Celebrating Women On Boards honourees. - The honourees were revealed at a sold-out ceremony held Oct. 6, 2026, in Toronto. - The annual program marked its seventh year. - The 2026 honourees are Rita Parikh of Western Canada in Vancouver, Joan Hertz of Western Canada in Calgary, Maureen Jensen of Central Canada in Toronto, Marie-Josée Neveu of Central Canada in Montréal and Kim Keating of Eastern Canada in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

The details: - WGOB said the honourees were selected for four criteria: board leadership, board effectiveness, agent of change for board inclusion, and volunteer or community impact. - The program honors five women each year: two from Western Canada, two from Central Canada and one from Eastern Canada. - Since launching in 2020, the program has recognized 33 women leaders. - Dr. Deborah Rosati, founder and CEO of Women Get On Board Inc., said the honourees made significant contributions to corporate governance and demonstrated a commitment to advancing inclusion in the boardroom. - Sharon Haward-Laird, group head of Canadian Commercial Banking and North American Integrated Solutions at BMO and executive sponsor of BMO for Women, said the honourees exemplify leadership, judgment and vision that help organizations thrive. - Adrianne Fekete, founder and CEO of I Am Unbreakable® Global Media, delivered the keynote address on storytelling and its role in building trust, influence and lasting impact. - The program’s honourees page is available here.

Between the lines: - The awards pair a governance message with a broader inclusion message, signaling that board effectiveness and diversity are being framed as business issues, not just equity goals. - The “power of three” philosophy used by WGOB underscores a focus on shifting women from isolated roles to visible influence in boardrooms. - BMO’s involvement connects the recognition to a major financial institution with a public platform for women-focused business support.

What's next: - WGOB and BMO for Women are expected to continue the annual program and recognize additional leaders in future years. - The honourees may use the recognition to broaden their visibility and influence in governance and board recruitment. - The organizations are also likely to keep using the program to reinforce boardroom inclusion across Canada.

The bottom line: - The 2026 honourees reflect an ongoing effort to elevate women leaders who are changing Canadian boardrooms from within.