Of DISTINGUISHED GENERAL COUNSEL
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WORLD RECOGNITION of DISTINGUISHED GENERAL COUNSEL GUEST OF HONOR: Melissa Kennedy & The Law Department of Sun Life Financial WORLD RECOGNITION of DISTINGUISHED GENERAL COUNSEL THE SPEAKERS Melissa Kennedy Jeremy Forgie Executive Vice President, Chief Partner, Blake, Cassells Legal Officer & Public Affairs, & Graydon LLP Sun Life Financial The Hon. Jean Charest Walied Soliman Matthew Cockburn Partner, McCarthy Tétrault Chair, Norton Rose Fulbright Member of Executive Committee LLP; former Premier of Québec Global & Canada LLP & Partner, Torys LLP (2003 – 2012) (The biographies of the speakers are presented at the end of this transcript. Further information about the Directors Roundtable can be found at our website, directorsroundtable.com.) TO THE READER General Counsel are more important than ever in history. Boards of directors look increasingly to them to enhance financial and business strategy, compliance, and integrity of corporate operations. In recognition of the achievements of our distinguished Guest of Honor and her colleagues, we presented Melissa Kennedy and the Legal Department of Sun Life with the leading global honor for General Counsel and Law Departments. Sun Life Financial is a leading financial services company that has helped its clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives since 1865. Ms. Kennedy’s address focused on key issues facing the General Counsel of an international financial services corpo- ration. The panelists’ additional topics included executive compensation, corporate social responsibility, boardroom strategy, and the in-house/external law firm relationship. Karen Todd, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Directors Roundtable, moderated the program. The Directors Roundtable is a civic group which organizes the preeminent worldwide programming for Directors and their advisors, including General Counsel. Join us on social media for the latest news for Directors on corporate governance and other important VIP issues. Winter 2020 2 WORLD RECOGNITION of DISTINGUISHED GENERAL COUNSEL Melissa Kennedy is responsible for the followed by roles as head of the prosecution company’s worldwide legal, compliance, team at the Ontario Securities Commission corporate secretarial and public affairs and as Vice-President, Associate General functions and is the executive sponsor of Counsel at a major Canadian bank. sustainability at Sun Life. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclu- Through proactive legal consultation and sion, Melissa is a founding member of Legal sound compliance and governance frame- Leaders for Diversity, a group of Canadian works, Melissa and her teams are responsible General Counsel who promote diversity for guiding the organization to deliver on and inclusiveness in the Legal community. Melissa Kennedy its Purpose to help Clients achieve lifetime In 2017, Melissa received the Distinguished financial security and live healthier lives. Alumnus Award from the University of Executive Vice President, Chief Toronto, Faculty of Law; and in 2016, The Legal Officer & Public Affairs Melissa joined Sun Life in 2014 with a Women’s Executive Network recognized her breadth of experience spanning private as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women. practice, regulatory and in-house roles. Prior In recognition of her team’s efforts to to joining Sun Life, she was Senior Vice- embed sustainability practices into the Sun President, General Counsel and Corporate Life culture and operations, Melissa was Affairs for the Ontario Teachers’ Pension awarded the 2017 Environmental, Social Plan, one of Canada’s largest pension funds. and Governance award from the Canadian Melissa started her career in private practice, General Counsel Awards. Sun Life Financial Our clients are at the center of everything Our continued financial and risk manage- we do and we are focused on building last- ment prudence, efficient use of capital and ing and trusted client relationships and strong execution will support our medi- deepening the value we provide our clients. um-term financial objectives. Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing insurance, We continue to invest in our distribution Delivering on our strategy will require that wealth and asset management solutions to capabilities, through digital channels and by we maintain our focus on attracting, retain- individual and corporate clients. Sun Life enabling our advisors, agents, partners and ing and developing the best talent, while also has operations in a number of markets brokers to deliver great client experiences continuing to evolve our talent and culture. worldwide, including Canada, the United and focus on meeting client needs. States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Our purpose is to help our clients achieve life- Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, We continue to invest in new capabilities to time financial security and live healthier lives. India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, reach our clients more effectively, drive efficien- Malaysia and Bermuda. cies and explore new business opportunities. Winter 2020 3 WORLD RECOGNITION of DISTINGUISHED GENERAL COUNSEL KAREN TODD: I’m very happy to be here in Toronto this morning, and we’re very pleased that you’re here today. I want to especially thank the people of Sun Life Financial and the outside law firms who came to the program today. We’re also very appreciative that McCarthy Tétrault is hosting this event at their office. The Directors Roundtable is a civic group whose mission is to organize the finest pro- gramming on a national and global basis for Boards of Directors and their advisors, which include General Counsel and their THE HON. JEAN CHAREST: Rapidly Throughout Ms. Kennedy’s illustrious career, Legal Departments. Over the last 28 years, forgotten! [LAUGHTER] she has exemplified both passion and this has resulted in more than 800 pro- commitment, something we hope to inspire grams on six continents. Our Chairman, KAREN TODD: We also have Walied in our students. She is a long-time champion Jack Friedman, started this series after Soliman, who is the Chair of Norton Rose of diversity in the legal landscape, an ardent speaking with corporate directors, who told supporter of sustainability initiatives, and him that it was rare for a large corporation Fulbright Global & Canada LLP; and a giant in the growing practice area of to be validated for the good they do. He Matthew Cockburn, member of the Executive in-house counsel. decided to provide a forum for executives Committee and a partner at Torys LLP. and corporate counsel to talk about their As one of our faculty’s most distinguished companies, the accomplishments in which I have a special surprise for Melissa – a letter alumna, we are tremendously proud of Ms. they take pride, and how they have over- from the Dean of the University of Toronto, Kennedy’s ties to our institution. She has come the obstacles of running a business Faculty of Law, that I would like to read to been a steadfast supporter of the Faculty in today’s changing world. you. This was addressed to our chairman: of Law for more than 25 years, including serving as mentor extraordinaire, and most We honor General Counsel and their Dear Mr. Friedman: recently as cochair for the highly successful Law Departments so they may share their On behalf of the Faculty of Law, University Campaign for Excellence Without Barriers. successful actions and strategies with the She gives generously of her time, energy of Toronto, I’m delighted to learn of Melissa Directors Roundtable community via and skill, demonstrating a deep commitment Kennedy’s most recent honor, the World today’s program and the full-color transcript to future generations of lawyers and legal Recognition of Distinguished General Counsel document that will be made available to scholars. in Toronto, presented by Directors Roundtable. about 100,000 leaders worldwide. In recognition of her outstanding contrib– With a breadth of experience spanning utions to business and society, I can think Today, it is our pleasure to honor Melissa private practice, regulatory and in-house of no better candidate for this prestigious Kennedy, Executive Vice President, Chief roles, Ms. Kennedy’s career has been award and wish to extend my heartfelt Legal Officer & Public Affairs, and the Law remarkable and diverse. She has held congratulations to Ms. Kennedy on receiving Department of Sun Life Financial, many leadership roles at the Ontario Securities this honor. of whom are here today. I would like to Commission, CIBC [Canadian Imperial Bank acknowledge them now. [APPLAUSE] of Commerce], and the Ontario Teachers’ Best regards, Pension Plan, some of this country’s most Thank you. I’d also like to introduce our Edward Iacobucci notable institutions. Distinguished Panelists: Jeremy Forgie, who [APPLAUSE] is a partner at Blake, Cassells & Graydon Her most recent appointment as Executive LLP; the Honorable Jean Charest, who Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Public KAREN TODD: I’m now going to turn it is with McCarthy Tétrault and was the Affairs at Sun Life is a reflection of her over to Dean Connor, the CEO of Sun Life Premier of Québec. outstanding contributions and achievements. Financial, to introduce Melissa. Winter 2020 4 WORLD RECOGNITION of DISTINGUISHED GENERAL COUNSEL DEAN CONNOR: It’s a great honor to MELISSA KENNEDY: Thank you, be here, to help celebrate this recognition Dean, so much for that kind introduction. of Melissa. I’m so appreciative that