Key Executives is pleased to announce The Top 25 Executives of Toronto for 2023. Toronto is known for its many skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, particularly the tallest free-standing structure on land outside of Asia, the CN Tower. However, Toronto’s most noteworthy attribute is its economy, which is the most significant contributor to the Canadian economy. As the business and financial capital of the country and one of the world's largest financial centers, the city hosts the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), the third largest stock exchange in the Americas by market capitalization. As C-level executives, this year’s awardees play a crucial role in the city’s economy, steering the finances, operations, HR, ethics, legalities, and executive functions of companies such as Red Bull, Starbucks, NielsenIQ, DHL Express Canada, HarperCollins Publishers, and Cisco.
Among our awardees is Ben Tarr, President of Leo Burnett, who has been recognized by Cannes, D&AD, Effies, and The One Show for his global creativity and effectiveness. Awardee Curt Feltner, SVP of Strategy and Analytics at Pizza Pizza, led the company through its 2005 IPO. Also awarded is Rebecca McKillican, Chief Executive Officer of McKesson Canada, who was named Canada's New CEO of the Year in 2021 by the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 25 Executives of Toronto for 2023.
1. Andrew Williams
Chief Executive Officer, DHL Express Canada
Andrew Williams is the Chief Executive Officer of DHL Express Canada. Williams joined DHL Express Canada in 2002, first serving as Director of Sales for Eastern Canada and then as Regional Vice President for Ontario before becoming Vice President of Commercial for DHL Express Canada in 2009. At DHL, he has overseen the commercial divisions throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, managing a region comprising 53 countries and more than 950 sales, retail, and marketing professionals. The region has enjoyed double-digit growth and a steady market share expansion during this time. He is currently a DHL Express Americas Management Board member.
Before DHL, he was at Mayne Logistics Loomis as the National Sales Manager for Canada. Williams graduated from Wilfrid Laurier School of Business and Economics with a BBA.
2. Joanne Horibe
Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President, Ethics, Magna International
Joanne Horibe is the Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President of Ethics at Magna International. As Magna's first-ever Chief Compliance Officer, Horibe ensures that the company's more than 150,000 employees in over 28 countries are doing the right thing while also keeping data safe and managing risk effectively. Horibe is also equally passionate about mentorship. She regularly speaks and trains on topics such as ethics, mentoring, and life lessons to a variety of audiences.
Before joining Magna International, Horibe co-founded the Automotive Compliance Roundtable to raise the bar on ethics and compliance within the automotive sector. Prior to this, she was a Senior Corporate and Commercial Associate at Baker & McKenzie and Legal Counsel at Nortel Networks. Horibe graduated from Western University with a JD and a bachelor's degree in educational psychology and English with honors.
3. Erlea Rondario
Chief Financial Officer - Canada, Johnson & Johnson
Erlea Rondario is the Chief Financial Officer of Canada at Johnson & Johnson. She’s an experienced Chief Financial Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital and healthcare industry. Rondario first joined Johnson & Johnson as a Commercial Controller for the Middle East. Since then, she's held several positions, including Regional Planning Manager of MENA and Finance Director of MENAP.
Previously, she was a Finance Analyst at Schlumberger. Earlier in her career, she was a Financial and Information Systems Auditor at Ernst & Young. Rondario graduated with a bachelor's degree in accountancy from the University of Santo Tomas.
4. Stewart Hershenfield
VP Finance and Canada CFO, Starbucks
Stewart Hershenfield is the VP of Finance and Canada Chief Financial Officer of Starbucks. In this role, he has led cross-functional and direct teams and developed and implemented business strategies grounded in customer and consumer insights and net revenue management. He has also managed P&Ls to deliver net sales, profit, and share growth.
Before joining Starbucks, Hershenfield was PepsiCo's Director of Finance and Foodservice (Frito Lay, Quaker, Beverages). Before that, he was a Strategy Consultant at The Boston Consulting Group. Earlier in his career, he worked with J.P. Morgan & Co. as an Analyst, Mergers and Acquisitions. Hershenfield graduated from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management with an MBA and an undergraduate degree in commerce from McGill University.
5. Diego Ardiaca
Chief Operating Officer, Canada, Cisco
Diego Ardiaca is the Chief Operating Officer of Canada at Cisco. In this role, he’s responsible for the day-to-day execution of the strategy and coordination between different teams and functions. He first joined the company in 2006 as a Business Operations Manager.
Previously, he was the Manager of Corporate Affairs at Banco BICE. Ardiaca earned an MBA from Said Business School and a master’s degree in political sociology, political science, and international relations from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). He has an undergraduate degree in urban economics from Universidad Torcuato Di Tella.
6. David Boone
Chief Executive Officer, STAPLES Canada
David Boone is the Chief Executive Officer of STAPLES Canada. He oversees over 10,000 associates, over 300 retail locations, and Staples.ca, an online delivery business offering customers over 250,000 products.
He is a strategic leader with over 20 years of experience. Previously, he has held executive positions at TD Bank Financial Group and Loblaw Companies Ltd. Boone has a proven track across multiple functional areas, including merchandising, marketing, data analytics, and operations.
7. Wouter Vosmeer
CFO and VP of Finance, General Mills
Wouter Vosmeer is the Chief Financial Officer and VP of Finance of General Mills. Before joining General Mills, Vosmeer was a CFO at Molson Coors. Before that, he was the Finance Director of Customer Development and Logistics at Unilever. Earlier in his career, he worked with Mora Unilever as a Management Accountant in Operations. Vosmeer graduated from Erasmus University Rotterdam with an undergraduate degree in financial business economics.
8. Miguel Pereira
SVP, COO Global Retail Products and Analytics, NielsenIQ
Miguel Pereira is the SVP, and Chief Operating Officer of Global Retail Products and Analytics at NielsenIQ. As the executive leader of the retail product group, he manages a team of product executives, data scientists, product developers, and engineers to create and deliver class-leading products for retailers. He first joined the company in 2020.
Previously, Pereira was an SVP and COO at Precima. Before that, he was the VP of Customer Marketing at Sears Canada Inc. Earlier in his career, he worked with Hudson's Bay Company as a Senior Manager of Marketing Analytics. Pereira earned an undergraduate degree in economics and management studies from the University of Toronto.
9. Christian Mayer
Chief Financial Officer, Colliers International
Christian Mayer is the Chief Financial Officer of Colliers International. Mayer previously served as Senior Vice President of Finance and was the Global Treasurer for Colliers. He managed the firm’s external reporting, treasury, tax functions, and related operations, governance, and investor relations areas. Mayer joined FirstService Corporation (the predecessor of Colliers) in 1999, where he was responsible for external and internal financial accounting, reporting, and analysis functions. In addition, Mayer advised on a wide range of corporate finance and development transactions.
He is a Chartered Professional Accountant and began his career with the accounting firms Grant Thornton and PricewaterhouseCoopers, both in Toronto. Mayer has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University.
10. Av Maharaj
Chief Administrative Officer & VP Legal, Corporate Affairs and HR, The Kraft Heinz Company
Av Maharaj is the Chief Administrative Officer and VP of Legal, Corporate Affairs, and HR of The Kraft Heinz Company. Initially, he was appointed as General Counsel, but his scope has since broadened to include other aspects of the business.
Earlier in his career, Maharaj was an associate at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. From there, he went on to Fasken Martineau DuMoulin before eventually rising to counsel at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin, his most recent position before joining The Kraft Heinz Company. Maharaj graduated from Western University with an LLB and an undergraduate degree in economics.
11. Carolyn Bingham
Chief Operating Officer, Wunderman Thompson
Carolyn Bingham has been the Chief Operating Officer of Wunderman Thompson since 2016. Wunderman Thompson is a New York-based global marketing communications agency with 200 offices in 90 markets. It is part of the international advertising group WPP Group.
Before joining Wunderman Thompson, Bingham was an SVP of Creative Operations at JWT. Prior to that, she was a Group Account Director at Zulu Alpha Kilo Inc. Earlier in her career, she worked at Bozell as an Account Supervisor. Bingham graduated from Carleton University with an undergraduate degree in economics.
12. Kevin Annett
Chief Financial Officer, North America, Barrick Gold
Kevin Annett is the Chief Financial Officer for North America at Barrick Gold. Annett first joined Barrick Gold in 2015 as the Site CFO before becoming Director of Integrated Planning and Optimization and eventually Head of Financial Planning and Analysis.
Before Barrick Gold, Annet was a Senior Accountant at Detour Gold Corporation. Prior to this, he was a Project Controller at Amec Americas Ltd. Annett graduated from the University of New Brunswick with an undergraduate degree in accounting and economics.
13. Tatiana Kharchenko
Chief Financial Officer, Red Bull
Tatiana Kharchenko is the Chief Financial Officer of Red Bull. She first joined the company in 2012 and previously served as Financial Controller.
Previously, Kharchenko was the CFO at Hochland. Before that, she was the Service and Finance Director at Tchibo. Earlier in her career, she worked with Rothmans of Pall Mall Ukraine as a Chief Accountant. Kharchenko earned a master’s degree in accounting and audit from Kyiv National Economics University and an undergraduate degree in accounting and business management from the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies.
14. Ben Tarr
President, Leo Burnett
Ben Tarr leads the Leo Burnett Group in Canada. Leo Burnett services a collection of the world’s largest brands, both nationally and globally. As a creative consultant, Tarr’s experience spans all major disciplines, including branding and communications, digital transformation, product design, business consultancy, and experience and service design. Cannes, D&AD, Effies, and The One Show have recognized his work for creativity and effectiveness globally. Tarr is the President of the Canadian Down Syndrome Society in Vancouver, Canada
Before Leo Burnett, Tarr was the VP of Client Services and the Managing Director at TAXI. Previously, he was an Account Director at FCB Inferno. Tarr graduated from Liverpool John Moores University with a bachelor's degree in psychology.
15. Hope Bagozzi
Chief Marketing Officer, Tim Hortons
Hope Bagozzi is the Chief Marketing Officer of Tim Hortons. As one of Canada’s most prominent marketing leaders, Bagozzi takes equal pride in developing global-award-winning campaigns as she does in building a team and strategy that resonates with Canadians. She is the recipient of Cannes Lions, Effies, Cassies, Marketer of the Year, and Best Executive Award and has been recognized for her work in Canada and internationally. She sits on the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps and World Coffee Research (WCR) boards.
Bagozzi has deep experience in the quick-service restaurant industry building engaging campaigns and promotions, developing new categories and products, and transforming digital applications. She joined Tim Hortons after a 15-year career with McDonald's Canada, where she led the national marketing team.
16. Brad Bowness
Chief Information Officer, Hydro One
Brad Bowness is the Chief Information Officer of Hydro One. He oversees cyber and physical security operations and all information and operating technology aspects in this role. Bowness has more than 23 years of experience in the electricity sector and has served in several executive positions at Hydro One, including Vice President, Construction Services; Vice President, Transmission & Stations, and Vice President, Distribution.
Before joining Hydro One, Bowness spent six years as an Independent Consultant at Accenture in the management consulting and systems integration industry. Bowness has a business administration degree from the Ivey Business School at Western University.
17. Sunni Boot
CEO, ZenithOptimedia
Sunni Boot is the CEO of ZenithOptimedia. She first joined the company in 1998. Boot jokes that she started her career at former Toronto-based media agency Ronalds-Reynolds for the summer but stayed permanently. In 1987, Ronalds-Reynolds merged into FCB, and in 1992 Boot formed Optimedia Canada as a stand-alone media company. In March 1998, ZenithOptimedia was relaunched under the Publicis banner. ZenithOptimedia represents approximately $500 million in annual ad spend for clients such as L’Oréal and General Mills Canada.
18. Kerry Pond
Chief Human Resources Officer, Trillium Health
Kerry Pond is the Chief Human Resources Officer of Trillium Health. He leads the hospital’s people Team, delivering programs and services that support employees and volunteers.
Before joining Trillium Health, Pond was the City of Toronto's Executive Director of Human Resources. Before joining the City in 2016, he spent his career with the Ontario Public Service (OPS) in several progressively responsible ministry and enterprise roles. His executive roles included Assistant Deputy Minister of the Centre for Leadership and Learning, where he directly supported the Secretary of the Cabinet with senior leadership human resource matters. Pond was also Assistant Deputy Minister for an Accessible Public Service and the first Chief Learning Officer in the OPS. Pond graduated from Sheridan College with an undergraduate degree in advertising.
19. Kirk Marshall
Chief Financial Officer, Canada, HarperCollins Publishers
Kirk Marshall is the Chief Financial Officer of Canada at HarperCollins Publishers, the second-largest consumer book publisher in the world.
Before joining HarperCollins Publishers, Marshall was a Director of Overseas Finance at Harlequin Enterprises Ltd. HarperCollins acquired Canadian Harlequin in 2015 to open an international tangent. Before this, he was a Controller at Corus Entertainment. Marshall graduated from McGill University with an undergraduate degree in English.
20. Emma Horgan
Chief People Officer, Questrade Financial Group Inc.
Emma Horgan is the Chief People Officer at Questrade Financial Group. Through its companies, Questrade, Inc., Questrade Wealth Management Inc., Community Trust Company, ThinkInsure, and Zolo, Questrade Financial Group provides securities and foreign currency investment, professionally managed investment portfolios, mortgages, insurance, real estate services, and more. Horgan is a progressive, strategic, and global HR Executive with over 20 years of experience spanning the full range of HR disciplines. Throughout her career, she has also been the HR lead of multiple organizational transformation efforts, including M&A activity, restructuring, and expansion. Horgan joined Questrade as Chief People Officer in February 2017, and since then, she and her team have helped fuel, support, and adapt to the organization's tremendous growth. During her time at Questrade, the organization has been named one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures and recognized as one of the GTA’s Top Employers for numerous years.
Prior to Questrade, Emma enjoyed a long career at Maple Leaf Foods Inc., progressing through several HR leadership roles, the last of which was Vice President of HR and Leadership.
21. Adi Bonen
Chief Technology Officer, Cable Access Business, Harmonic
Adi Bonen is the Chief Technology Officer of the Cable Access Business at Harmonic. He joined the company in 2009. Before joining Harmonic, Bonen was a Chief Technology Officer at Scopus Video Networks. He was responsible for conceptualizing Scopus' technological vision and driving the technological aspects of the company's future solutions. Before that, he was the President of LASTeND Systems. Bonen graduated from the University of Toronto with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Technion Israel Institute of Technology.
22. Robert Closner
Chief Legal Officer, Livingston International
Robert Closner is the Chief Legal Officer at Livingston International. He oversees Livingston’s legal affairs, specifically focusing on contract management, litigation, privacy compliance, corporate governance matters, and mergers and acquisitions. Closner applies a commercial mindset to his legal guidance, working closely with the company’s leadership team to ensure its ability to grow while adapting to evolving industry challenges.
Closner joined Livingston in February 2020, bringing with him 20 years of legal experience, more than 15 of which were spent as in-house counsel, managing global legal issues within the mining industry. This includes his role as General Counsel of a junior mining company in Western Australia and Vice President, General Counsel for the world’s largest publicly traded mining services company. Closner has a JD from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University.
23. Curt Feltner
SVP Strategy and Analytics, Pizza Pizza
Curt Feltner is the SVP of Strategy and Analytics at Pizza Pizza. In this cross-functional role, he focuses on strategic opportunities and key project execution and leverages its deep business intelligence capabilities. He joined the company as a Controller in 1993. He was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 1999 and Senior Vice President of Finance in 2005, in which he led the company through many key milestones, particularly its 2005 IPO. He continues to sit on Pizza Pizza Royalty Corp (PPRC) subsidiary board.
Prior to joining the company, he worked in a financial capacity in the real estate industry for 10 years. Feltner graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
24. Rebecca McKillican
Chief Executive Officer, McKesson Canada
Rebecca McKillican is McKesson Canada’s Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, McKillican is responsible for leading McKesson's portfolio of businesses in Canada, including pharmaceutical distribution operations, McKesson Canada Specialty Health, McKesson's network of independent pharmacies comprised of I.D.A., Guardian, Remedy'sRx, The Medicine Shoppe, Uniprix, and Proxim, e-commerce retailer Well.ca, and Rexall Pharmacy Group.
She joined McKesson Canada in 2017 while she was the CEO of Well.ca. McKillican previously worked for the New York City-based private equity firm Kohlberg, Kravis & Roberts (KKR) within the retail and consumer group. While at KKR, McKillican spent the majority of her time driving operational improvements across the firm’s portfolio companies. In addition, she has worked at McKinsey & Company as a strategic consultant. She is also a board member of the National Bank of Canada. McKillican was recently named Canada’s 2021 New CEO of the Year by the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business and was honored as one of the winners of the Top 40 Under 40 Canada Award in 2018. McKillican graduated from Harvard Business School with an MBA, a Bachelor of Arts from Ivey Business School at Western University, and a Bachelor of Engineering from Western University.
25. Winnie Leung
Chief Financial Officer, Moneris
Winnie Leung is the Chief Financial Officer for Moneris. Winnie is responsible for the overall financial strategy, management and reporting and Treasury operations of the company and her responsibilities include making investment and borrowing decisions on behalf of the corporation, providing financial analysis in support of various business goals, and assessing the financial impact of acquisition targets. Winnie joined Moneris in 2011 and has 20 years of senior finance management experience.
Prior to Moneris, Winnie was an Audit Partner at KPMG LLP, servicing clients in the technology and communications sector. Winnie worked closely with both public and early-stage companies to help build and manage their businesses. Winnie founded the Inclusive Workplace Council at Moneris, and remains the executive sponsor.