Meet Camilla Sutton, CEO of Women in Capital Markets

Prior to becoming President and CEO of Women in Capital Markets, Camilla Sutton spent more than two decades in capital markets, most recently as Scotiabank’s Global Head of Foreign Exchange. Earlier in her career, she was part of Portfolio Management at OMERS and Equity Research at BMO Capital Markets. Camilla is an alumn of Dalhousie University and the Richard Ivey School of Business, where she earned a BA and an MBA respectively. Today, she is an active member of the global investment community, as well as the extended community, staying closely involved with the United Way and even her own neighbours.

My first job ever was… Delivering The Globe and Mail. Thank goodness my dad would take pity on me from time to time and help — those Saturday papers were awfully heavy.

I chose my career path because… I love financial markets.

My proudest accomplishment is… Taking on my new role as CEO of Women in Capital Markets. This is an exciting time and helping to drive the conversation on gender parity is something I will always be proud of.

My boldest move to date was… Taking on this new role. It is very different than my previous role as Global Head of Foreign Exchange at Scotiabank.

I surprise people when I tell them… I wish I had spent more time in school. I would love to have gained the knowledge that a PhD or a technical masters would have provided.

My best advice to people starting their career is… The most important thing in any job is your boss. Always choose the right boss over the right title. Look for someone you connect with, respect and who is generous with sharing his/her knowledge and experience.

My best advice from a mentor was… Go to the watercooler more often and get to know everyone in the office. This network is critical to career success.

I would tell my 20-year old self… Work hard, be strategic and have a plan.

“The most important thing in any job is your boss. Always choose the right boss over the right title.”

My biggest setback was… Early in my career when my boss left one of the firms I worked for. It left me feeling like my core support had evaporated overnight.

I overcame it by… Building much broader and deeper relationships throughout the subsequent firms I joined.

Being a woman in a male-dominated industry is… An opportunity to shift social norms, to be a role model for those still paving their way. But, it is also lonely.

If you googled me, you still wouldn’t know… That I take great pleasure in my neighbours and building community.

I stay inspired by… Having a unrelenting desire for knowledge and by looking at my children.

The future excites me because… Canadian financial institutions are already driving great innovation with technology; the challenge is to apply this same thought process to diversity. Canada has a unique opportunity to lead as politically and socially there has never been more will and that is exciting.

My next step is… Accelerating gender parity within finance.