We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

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Ms. Laura Dottori-Attanasio

Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

For her outstanding leadership in Canada’s financial industry, and her legacy of professional accomplishments and community involvement, and her strong advocacy for inclusion, acceptance and diversity, the university proudly confers upon Ms. Laura Dottori-Attanasio the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.

Ms. Dottori-Attanasio is President and Chief Executive Officer at Element Fleet Management. She has previously held roles with CIBC as Senior Executive Vice-President and Head of Personal and Business Banking, Senior Executive Vice-President and Chief Risk Officer, and as Managing Director and Global Head of Corporate Banking.

As a member of the Women’s Executive Network’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada Hall of Fame, Ms. Dottori-Attanasio is a strong proponent for improving communities. She serves in board positions with the C.D. Howe Institute, the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, the United Way of Greater Toronto, and the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons’ A Seat at the Table.

Her volunteer efforts are extensions of her genuine passion for improving communities and creating a brighter future for children and youth. Her leadership and support have opened the door to transformational programs as well as partnerships with leading companies and their charitable foundations, including the Children’s Aid Foundation, where she serves as a Co-Chair of their fundraising campaign.

Ms. Dottori-Attanasio is a strong supporter of inclusion and diversity in post-secondary education. With her husband Mark Attanasio, she co-created the Dottori-Attanasio Centennial Scholars Award in Commerce at the University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business, with the goal of helping to level the playing field so all have the opportunity to learn, grow, and start a career. The family has also made a substantial philanthropical commitment to the Campaign for Centennial Kids’ Centennial Infant and Child Centre, an organization that empowers the potential of children with complex developmental challenges.

Ms. Dottori-Attanasio has received the Outstanding Volunteer Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and the King Clancy Award from the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Economics from Western University.