Susan Ewanick

Susan Ewanick is a community leader and business executive with more than 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry. As chief member officer, Susan is responsible for leading retail, business and commercial banking, wealth management as well as providing oversight for First West Capital. Susan is a true champion of First West’s member-first philosophy, leading advisory teams as they create remarkable experiences for members.

Before rejoining First West in 2016 as president of the Valley First division, Susan was vice-president and head of commercial banking for HSBC in Western Canada. In this role, she was responsible for growing market share by providing differentiated advisory services to domestically and internationally focussed small and medium enterprises.

During a 20-plus year career with CIBC, Susan gained extensive experience in retail, business and commercial banking, structured credit for large private and public companies and led the affluent wealth management offer. Susan assumed progressively senior leadership roles including market vice-president, retail distribution, which encompassed 1,200 employees in 100 branches throughout B.C. and northern Canada, with assets under administration of $21 billion.

Susan holds a bachelor of arts in economics from Simon Fraser University and a master of business administration in executive management from Royal Roads University, which included international business studies at the University of Grenoble in France. Susan is also Lean Greenbelt certified by Lean Sensei International and a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors.

A champion of First West’s social vision to “lead well”, Susan is proud of her past volunteer contributions as board chair of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, board member with the Canadian Cancer Society, and board of governor for Vancouver Community College.