Divya Shah
Managing Director, Investments, Canada Infrastructure Bank
Sector: Public Sector
Discipline: Finance
Year: 2020
Magic Moment: The moment I decided to leave CIBC for a new formed Provincial crown agency, Infrastructure Ontario, in 2006. I was lucky to be an early part of an organization that would play a key role in shaping how infrastructure is built in Canada. The formative five years at IO allowed me to appreciate the tangible worth of infrastructure, allowed me to learn the nuances of the public and private sectors and helped propel my career. It was during this time that I met some of the most talented people I know and admire and are now mentors to me.
Key Influence: Godyne Sibay. I don’t know anyone who is a bigger cheerleader and champion for women. Godyne is always available at all times for everyone, helping, mentoring, guiding. She taught me that being successful is not just about hard work and results, it is also about propping up and mentoring the next generation. She also taught me that you don’t always have to break the glass ceiling but sometimes it is about finding an alternative and smart solution. Godyne continues to be a very big influence in how i want to shape the rest of my career.
Vickie Turnbull. Vickie has been someone I have admired and respected for all my career. She is someone that balances work with life, details with strategy with so much poise, ease and grace. Vickie is one of the most formidable leaders within the Capital Markets and Infrastructure industry. She is a great champion and mentor to me from a professional and personal perspective.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: Integrating communities with more accessible transit and transport, building smarter, greener and technologically advanced infrastructure that will help reduce Toronto’s carbon footprint.
Secret Talent: It is not a talent, but I live to learn new experiences. Everything from pottery to coding to photography to snowboarding. It doesn’t matter if I am good at it or even if I continue the experience as a hobby. For me, it is the act of being outside my comfort zone that is very satisfying.
On Championing Others… My mentoring style is to provide all rounded support. This could be as simple as listening and guiding or providing references and introductions. Every person is talented in their own way and harnessing and optimizing that talent in the right manner for the right purpose is most important to me.
One word that captures you: Passionate and energetic.