Lois Gardiner is a highly accomplished Senior Finance Executive with over 30 years of diversified experience across multiple sectors, including insurance, oil and gas, renewables, railway, and transportation. Her career is marked by a deep expertise in risk management, encompassing insurance procurement, claims management, pension risk oversight, enterprise risk management (ERM), and regulatory compliance. Lois has successfully led complex projects in business resiliency, business process improvement, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and project management, both in Canada and internationally.

Throughout her career, Lois has demonstrated a passion for delivering exceptional results and fostering the development of her teams. She is known for her ability to build strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, enabling her to achieve extraordinary outcomes. Her strong communication skills and comfort in engaging with C-suite executives have made her an effective leader in high-stakes environments.

Lois’s career highlights include leading the Large Account Practice for Alberta at Aon, where she managed millions in revenue and served as Assistant Branch Manager for Calgary. She also led the national team at Aon Global Risk Consulting, building a robust consulting practice that became an industry leader. At Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), Lois was instrumental in developing and implementing a mature ERM program, which was integrated into the company’s strategic planning and governance activities.

Her extensive experience in insurance procurement includes managing complex global insurance programs for Shell Canada, CP Rail, and multiple joint ventures. She has a profound understanding of the insurance industry both in Canada and internationally, making her a sought-after expert in the field.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Lois has successfully managed large-scale projects such as the implementation of an Integrated Control Framework (ICF) at CP, the creation of a comprehensive business resiliency program, and leading numerous M&A due diligence efforts for major corporations.

Lois holds several prestigious professional designations, including CPA, FCIP, and FRM, and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta. Her commitment to continuous improvement and excellence is reflected in her successful leadership roles at Aon, Canadian Pacific Railway, and Shell, where she consistently delivered strategic value and operational efficiency.

Outside of her professional life, Lois is an avid downhill and cross-country skier, hiker, and visual artist, primarily working with acrylics and alcohol inks.

Character: Lois Gardiner is a results-driven leader passionate about developing people and fostering strong relationships.

Knowledge: She possesses deep expertise in risk management, insurance procurement, and enterprise risk management across multiple industries.

Strategic: Lois has successfully led complex, high-impact projects and integrated risk management into strategic planning and governance.

Communication: She is highly effective in communicating with C-suite executives and building consensus among diverse stakeholders.