2024 Bells on Bay St.

As Managing Counsel at Interac Corp. Colette Stewart is responsible for leading the privacy function at an enterprise level. In her role Ms. Stewart sits at the intersection of opportunity and compliance. It is there that Colette delivers strategic guidance to the organization, helping to navigate legal challenges and privacy in a complex and innovative technology environment. Along the journey from concept to product launch Ms. Stewart provides valued, practical insight and advises on legal and privacy issues to help her business partners successfully navigate the day-to-day legal and privacy challenges that arise.

Ms. Stewart began her career on Bay Street in Technology then Corporate Finance/Mergers & Acquisitions. She transitioned to In-House Counsel, where she developed her breadth of experience across industry including retail, transportation, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications. In addition to her law degree, Colette holds a Bachelor of Science, is called to the bar in the Province of Ontario, has obtained certification in strategy and continued education in cybersecurity. Ms. Stewart has been featured in the Globe and Mail Report on Business and Law Times.

Colette’s commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders has been a passion throughout her career. Ms. Stewart has served as a member of the University of Windsor Faculty of Law Admissions Committee. Colette has also acted as a formal and informal mentor to young lawyers and university students. Recently, she developed the Pathways to Success module of the Interac TDSB Centre of Excellence for the Black Student Achievement Program and has served as a mentor in the University of Toronto Black Future Lawyers. Ms. Stewart has repeatedly been called upon to share her insights and guidance in law, privacy, digital identity, technology generally and open banking, and as a featured speaker to motivate and inspire professional women and the new generation of young minds.

Colette has had the pleasure of serving on charitable boards and her local community of Mississauga with her family. She has also reached the international community by participating in development projects in the Philippines and India.

Michael provides leadership to World Vision Canada’s relief, development and advocacy work, supporting the world’s most vulnerable children. His keen interest in the most fragile regions has taken him to countries such as South Sudan, Central African Republic and Afghanistan, where he has met children and families who were living on the margins.

Michael first joined World Vision in 1990 and was involved in early advocacy efforts in Canada and Geneva. In 1995, Michael moved to attend law school and then practiced law for nine years in Halifax. As a partner at Cox & Palmer, he developed a broad litigation practice and served as chief counsel to a high-profile public inquiry on issues of youth justice. During this time, Michael was a member of the Board of Directors of World Vision Canada. He returned to a staff leadership role at World Vision in 2007, serving as Vice President for Public Affairs and Executive Vice President before assuming the role of President and CEO in 2015.p

As President, Michael supports strategy realization, leadership development, and external engagement with key partners and stakeholders like media, churches, donors, other humanitarian organizations and government. Beyond his role in Canada, Michael plays a significant role in supporting international strategic initiatives with the World Vision Partnership.

Michael holds an undergraduate degree in economics from Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts, a J.D. in law from the University of Toronto, and an MBA from the Ivey Business School at Western University. He has been involved with numerous non-profit and church boards.

He and his wife, Yvonne, have two adult children and live near Toronto. They attend Trinity Church Streetsville. In his spare time, Michael runs marathons with Team World Vision, raising awareness and funds for children so they can reach their God-given potential.