Greg Paget is a distinguished financial services executive, governance leader, and board member whose career spans more than 37 years across capital markets, enterprise risk management, internal audit, corporate governance, and executive leadership. Throughout his professional journey, he has earned a reputation for combining deep technical expertise with strategic vision, helping some of North America’s most respected financial institutions strengthen governance, improve risk oversight, and navigate complex regulatory environments. Equally comfortable in executive leadership and boardroom settings, Greg has consistently demonstrated that effective governance is built upon accountability, collaboration, and thoughtful decision-making. Today, as an experienced board leader and retired executive, he continues to leverage decades of financial expertise to help organizations achieve sustainable success while maintaining the highest standards of integrity.
Greg’s professional foundation began with a passion for mathematics and education. After earning his undergraduate degree in Mathematics, he spent four years teaching high school mathematics, developing the communication, mentoring, and analytical skills that would later define his executive leadership style. Recognizing the growing opportunities within financial services, he pursued a Master of Business Administration in Finance at Western University, graduating on the Dean’s List. This combination of quantitative discipline and business strategy provided the framework for an exceptional career that would bridge both front-office capital markets and enterprise governance.
His early years in financial services were spent at Citibank Canada, where he served as Vice President of Structured Finance. During his eight-year tenure, Greg established himself as one of the organization’s top-performing structured finance professionals, originating and structuring sophisticated financing and derivative transactions that generated more than US$32 million in value for the bank. Working alongside traders, relationship managers, and capital markets professionals, he advised clients on complex interest rate, foreign exchange, commodity, and equity derivative strategies while helping shape the strategic direction of a business that ultimately contributed between US$15 million and US$30 million in annual profitability. His ability to solve complex financial challenges while developing long-term client relationships distinguished him as both an exceptional strategist and trusted advisor.
Greg continued expanding his leadership responsibilities at Merrill Lynch Canada, where he served as Vice President of Derivatives Marketing. Responsible for organizing the firm’s Canadian derivatives marketing efforts, he led business planning initiatives, implemented staffing strategies, and partnered closely with Debt Capital Markets teams to deliver innovative financing solutions for issuers and institutional investors. His work frequently involved cross-border transactions between Canada and the United States, while his international exposure also included collaboration with colleagues and clients in New York and London. Throughout this period, Greg developed a sophisticated understanding of global financial markets that continues to inform his strategic perspective today.
Seeking to apply his front-office experience to organizational oversight, Greg transitioned into internal audit and enterprise risk management. At Bank of Montreal, he quickly became a recognized subject matter expert responsible for designing and executing risk-based audits across trading, treasury, securitization, market risk, asset-liability management, and credit investment functions. Beyond audit execution, he assumed key leadership responsibilities involving annual audit planning, recruitment, training, methodology development, and team building. His practical understanding of capital markets enabled him to evaluate risks not only from a compliance perspective but also through the lens of business strategy, making him an invaluable resource to executive leadership.
Greg’s most significant leadership tenure came at CIBC, where he served as Senior Director of Internal Audit, overseeing highly specialized audit teams responsible for capital markets, treasury, market risk, operational risk, liquidity risk, mortgage securitization, counterparty credit risk, and capital management. During his sixteen years in internal audit leadership, he became known for building exceptional teams and mentoring professionals who advanced into senior leadership roles throughout the banking industry. He also played a pivotal role in helping CIBC navigate major regulatory transformations, including Basel II, Basel III, Dodd-Frank, and the Volcker Rule. In addition, Greg championed the implementation of automated audit workpapers, modernizing audit processes while improving efficiency, consistency, and documentation quality across the organization.
In 2016, Greg joined Export Development Canada (EDC) as Director of Internal Audit, where he continued strengthening governance and enterprise risk management for one of Canada’s premier export finance institutions. During more than five years with EDC, he directed the development and execution of enterprise audit plans, oversaw the performance and professional development of audit staff, and ensured adherence to both internal and external professional standards. His leadership focused not only on technical excellence but also on cultivating talent, strengthening organizational capability, and fostering continuous improvement. His experience across both commercial banking and public financial institutions gives him a uniquely balanced perspective on governance, accountability, and long-term organizational sustainability.
Greg’s professional accomplishments are complemented by an extraordinary commitment to continuous learning and professional excellence. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA) certification, Professional Risk Manager (PRM) designation, and Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification—credentials that reflect mastery across investment management, enterprise risk, financial governance, and audit disciplines. His broad expertise encompasses internal audit, enterprise risk management, treasury management, derivatives, operational risk, governance, financial analysis, capital markets, regulatory compliance, and strategic leadership. This rare combination of front-office execution and independent oversight enables Greg to bring exceptional balance and objectivity to boardroom discussions.
Equally important to Greg is his dedication to community service and nonprofit governance. For several years, he served on the Finance Committee and Board of Directors of DeafBlind Ontario Services (DBOS), ultimately becoming Chair of the Board, where he helped guide the organization’s financial stewardship, governance practices, and strategic direction. Following his successful board service, he was invited to continue contributing through the DeafBlind Ontario Foundation (DBOF), where he currently serves as Vice Chair. These appointments reflect the trust and respect he has earned as a governance leader and demonstrate his commitment to using his financial expertise to strengthen organizations that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Now retired from executive leadership, Greg is actively seeking opportunities to contribute as an independent corporate director. He is particularly interested in financial institutions, educational organizations, and companies seeking experienced governance professionals with expertise in risk oversight, audit, finance, and strategic planning. Having successfully served on both executive leadership teams and nonprofit boards, Greg understands the critical balance between supporting management and providing independent oversight. His extensive experience, sound judgment, collaborative leadership style, and unwavering integrity position him to make meaningful contributions to organizations navigating growth, transformation, and evolving regulatory landscapes.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Greg has maintained an enduring commitment to teamwork and personal discipline through a lifelong devotion to hiking and paddling, including canoe and kayak tripping and participation in dragon boat racing for more than twenty years. These sports reflects many of the values that have shaped his career—collaboration, resilience, preparation, and collective success. Whether leading audit teams, mentoring future executives, serving nonprofit organizations, or helping boards strengthen governance, Greg approaches every opportunity with humility, intellectual curiosity, and a steadfast commitment to excellence. His unique combination of financial expertise, governance leadership, strategic insight, and community service continues to make him a valuable advisor and trusted leader.
Character:
Greg leads with integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to ethical governance. His career reflects a deep sense of accountability and a genuine passion for mentoring others while strengthening the organizations he serves.
Knowledge:
He possesses exceptional expertise in capital markets, enterprise risk management, internal audit, governance, treasury, derivatives, and financial services. His multiple globally recognized professional designations reinforce decades of practical executive experience and technical excellence.
Strategic:
Greg consistently evaluates challenges through both operational and governance perspectives, enabling organizations to manage risk while positioning themselves for long-term success. His experience leading organizations through regulatory transformation and enterprise change allows him to provide thoughtful, forward-looking guidance in the boardroom.
Communication:
Communicating complex financial and governance matters with clarity, precision, and confidence. His background as both an educator and executive enables him to build consensus, mentor leaders, and facilitate productive discussions among diverse stakeholders.
