Kikelomo Lawal is an executive advisor who counsels organizations in crisis situations, and CEOs, boards and business leaders at strategic, governance, ethical and professional development crossroads.

For five years, Kikelomo served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at CIBC (Canada’s 5th largest bank), where she was a member of the executive team. She provided strategic advice to the board of directors and senior management while overseeing a team of over 500 professionals across multiple disciplines and jurisdictions. Her areas of accountability included the Legal, Corporate Governance, Client Complaints, Government Relations and Whistleblower functions. Her previous professional experience spans work in the United States and Canada, in private practice and in-house capacities, in civil and criminal contexts and in organizations ranging from scale ups to mature organizations.

A mentor to many, Kikelomo contributes her time as a board member and advisor to various organizations. Her many accolades include recognition on two occasions as one of WXN’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada, as a member of the GC Powerlist, and as one of the 25 Most Influential Women in Payments. She has also been a finalist for the National Post General Counsel of the Year Award.

Kikelomo obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School. She also holds a Certificate of Management Excellence from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from New York University. She is a member of the New York State Bar and Law Society of Ontario. She and her husband are the proud parents of three.