Meridian Credit Union Ltd. is a Canadian credit union.

Banking

Meridian Credit Union

Sunny Sodhi is the Chief Legal & Corporate Affairs Officer at [Meridian Credit Union](/org/meridian-credit-union), Ontario's largest credit union. Sunny is responsible for overseeing the following functions at [Meridian Credit Union](/org/meridian-credit-union): Enterprise Strategy and Corporate Development, Innovation, Legal, Corporate Governance and Government Relations. Sunny Sodhi has played a primary role in developing and executing on strategic organic and inorganic growth initiatives. Sunny has also built productive relationships within the Ontario and national Credit Union system, as well as the federal financial sector, and collaborated with key industry associations. Sunny Sodhi is also a member of the Board of Meridian OneCap Credit Corp., one of Canada's largest equipment leasing companies.

Sunny Sodhi

Dilys D’cruz is the SVP, Wealth & Financial Planning at [Meridian Credit Union](/org/meridian-credit-union). Dilys has over 13 years of experience in the financial industry, including their previous role as Vice President & Head Wealth Management & Financial Planning at [Meridian Credit Union](/org/meridian-credit-union). In this role, they were responsible for overall accountability for Retail, Wealth & Small Business employees and results with a book of business of $11billion, 55 branches and 500+ employees. Prior to that, they were the Executive Coach at Verity International Limited, where they coached executives on how to be more effective leaders.

Dilys D’cruz

Kevin Vankampen is currently the SVP of Business Banking at [Meridian Credit Union](/org/meridian-credit-union). Kevin has held this position since May of 2019. Prior to that, Kevin worked at [Scotiabank](/org/scotiabank) for 8 years. There, they held various leadership roles in Relationship Management, Commercial Credit, Agriculture and Cash Management. Kevin has a wealth of experience in the banking industry and is an asset to [Meridian Credit Union](/org/meridian-credit-union).

Kevin Vankampen has a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from [Wilfrid Laurier University](/org/wilfrid-laurier-university) and a Chartered Financial Analyst Designation from the [CFA Institute](/org/cfa-institute).

Kevin Vankampen

Patty Johns

With more than 20 years of financial services experience, Wade Stayzer is Meridian’s COO. He is responsible for the Human Resources Business Partner team, Talent Acquisition, Learning and Development, Internal Net Promotor and Corporate Communications. Wade also leads Meridian’s Business Banking network and Member Relations.  

Since 2005, Wade has been instrumental in shaping Meridian’s retail delivery strategy while establishing a culture of employee engagement. Over his tenure at Meridian, Wade managed key lines of business including Small Business, Retail and Wealth. He has also led various strategic initiatives including the branch and banking system integration of Meridian’s legacy Niagara/Guelph Wellington and Desjardins Credit Union mergers.  

Wade Stayzer

Wanita Fonseka is Meridian’s Senior Vice President, Retail & Operations. She is focused on enhancing the retail Member service experience and overseeing Meridian’s Retail & Wealth lines of businesses. As Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Executive Council, Wanita knows that best results are achieved within a climate of trust where diversity of thought is encouraged. She works to promote greater synergies, collaboration, and an integrated Member service experience for the benefit of Meridian, its Members, and employees.

With over 24 years of experience working in retail banking branches and corporate office environments, Wanita is a tireless champion of Meridian’s current retail Member experience. Her deep understanding of the business stems from firsthand interactions with our Members, employees, and other stakeholders which she has gained through multiple progressive roles within the organization.

Most recently, Wanita served as the Vice-President of the Retail Member Experience, where she was responsible for optimizing the business, identifying trends, and developing a long-term strategy to future-proof and transform Meridian’s retail operating model into an experience culture.

Previously, Wanita served as Vice-President, Operations for Meridian, responsible to provide Retail and Business Banking back office support, Wealth processing & compliance, enterprise continuous improvement, and support to strategic projects and operational initiatives.

Her purpose statement is “to be happy, to be present, to build strong connections, to learn and to grow, so that I nourish my mind, body, heart, and soul and am able to serve, inspire and lead others.”

Wanita completed her MBA at Dalhousie’s Centre for Advanced Management Education and is also a graduate of the University of Toronto.

Wanita Fonseka

Lianne Hannaway is the Director at [Meridian Credit Union](/org/meridian-credit-union). Lianne has held various positions in the financial sector including Head of Finance at TSX Trust, Managing Director of Business Finance and Controller at [TMX Group](/org/tmx-group), and COO & CFO at Black Professionals in Tech Network & Talent X. Lianne is a member of the Board of Governors at [Humber College](/org/the-humber-college-institute-of-technology-and-advanced-learning) where they served on the Student & Academic Affairs Committee and the Audit & Finance Committee.

Lianne Hannaway has a Bachelor of Hons. Mathematics from the [University of Waterloo](/org/university-of-waterloo) and a Master of Accountancy from the [University of Waterloo](/org/university-of-waterloo). Lianne also has a certification from FP Canada in Advanced Certificate in 3H Financial Planning, a certification from [LinkedIn](/org/linkedin) in Content Marketing Foundations, and a certification from the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) in Partners, Directors, and Senior Officers (PDO). Lastly, they are a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) from [Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario](/org/chartered-professional-accountants-of-ontario) (CPA Ontario).



Lianne Hannaway

Stacey Grant-Thompson is the current Director at [Meridian Credit Union](/org/meridian-credit-union). Prior to their current position, they held various other marketing positions at companies such as Sesh, [ManagingLife](/org/managinglife), [Creative Destruction Lab](/org/cdl), and Pathways to Education Canada. From January 2015 to July 2020, they were the Chief Marketing Officer at [Manulife](/org/manulife). In this role, they led Marketing & Advanced Analytics for Canada and reported to the President of Canada and Global CMO. Stacey managed a team of 275 and a budget of $100M. Under their leadership, the Canadian brand was successfully developed and re-launched. In 2019, they delivered $120M in earnings value from AA. Stacey also won multiple Ragan (North America) Awards for transforming the scope and effectiveness of internal communications. Furthermore, they improved and optimized multiple marketing programs by leveraging data and insights. Prior to their role at [Manulife](/org/manulife), Grant-Thompson served as the Chief Marketing Officer at OANDA Corporation from December 2012 to November 2013 and as a member of the Leadership Planning and Development Committee at the Canadian Marketing Association from June 2012 to May 2015.

Stacey Grant-Thompson has completed an MBA at [INSEAD](/org/insead), and HBA degrees at [Ivey Business School](/org/ivey) at [Western University](/org/western-university) and [Western University](/org/western-university).



Stacey Grant-Thompson

Tara Daniel is the current Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at [Meridian Credit Union](/org/meridian-credit-union). Tara has held this position since December of 2011. Prior to their current role, they served as the Director of Complex Accounting from January 2008 to December 2011. From January 2003 to December 2005, they were the Assistant Controller. Tara began their career at St. Catharines Hydro in 2001 as the Controller and held that position until 2003 when they left to join [KPMG](/org/kpmg) as a Senior Associate. Tara remained with [KPMG](/org/kpmg) until 1999 when they joined Wormald Masse Keen Lopinski as an Associate - Co-op Student.

Tara Daniel is a certified public accountant in Canada. Tara received their designation from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario after completing their undergraduate degree in accounting from [Brock University](/org/brock-university).

Their manager is Jay-Ann Gilfoy, President & CEO. Tara Daniel works with John Trivieri - Chief Risk Officer, Wanita Fonseka - Chief Member Experience Officer, and Wade Stayzer - Chief People & Culture Officer & SVP, Business Banking.

Tara Daniel

Karen Farbridge is the Chair at [Meridian Credit Union](/org/meridian-credit-union). Karen has over 25 years of experience in the financial sector, including previous positions at [Meridian Credit Union](/org/meridian-credit-union) and [York University](/org/york-university).

Karen Farbridge has a Ph.D in Zoology from the [University of Guelph](/org/university-of-guelph), an M.Sc in Zoology also from the [University of Guelph](/org/university-of-guelph), and a B.Sc in Zoology from the [University of Guelph](/org/university-of-guelph). Karen is also a Chartered Director from [McMaster University](/org/mcmaster-university).

Karen Farbridge

Jacqueline Beaurivage is a Canadian business executive who is currently the Director at [Meridian Credit Union](/org/meridian-credit-union). Jacqueline has previously served as the Chief of Staff at University Pension Plan Ontario, Executive in Residence at Global Risk Institute, and Corporate Director at Home Capital Group Inc. From 2010 to 2015, they were the Head of Enterprise Project Management Office at Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan. In 2008, they became the Chairman of the Board at Mood Disorders Association of Ontario and served in that role until 2011. From 2001 to 2003, they were the Head of Integration at FirstCarribean International Bank.

Jacqueline Beaurivage is a graduate of the University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management, where they earned their ICD.D designation in Board Governance. Jacqueline also holds an MBA from [McGill University](/org/mcgill-university) in Marketing and International Business, as well as a Diploma in Education from [McGill University](/org/mcgill-university) in Early Childhood Education. Additionally, Jacqueline Beaurivage holds a B.A. from the University of Regina in English Literature. Jacqueline is also certified by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) in ICD.D, the Canadian Association of Management Consultants (CMC-Canada) in Certified Management Consultant (CMC), Prosci in ProSci Change Management Certification, and the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) in Canadian Securities Course (CSC).

Jacqueline Beaurivage

As Meridian’s Chief Risk Officer, John is accountable for Meridian’s overall Enterprise Risk Management strategy in all core risk categories, including strategic, credit, market, liquidity, operational, compliance, and Member risk. The scope of the role includes oversight of retail, commercial and special credit, privacy, compliance, anti-money laundering, enterprise risk management, fraud, corporate insurance and corporate security.

John served as Vice President, Risk at Meridian from 2014 to 2020 and has a proven track record of building strong risk management tools and processes. Under his leadership Meridian’s credit policy and risk management frameworks expanded tremendously to support the strong growth in loan portfolio size and complexity that Meridian has experienced over recent years. John played a simultaneous role in helping Meridian achieve record levels of credit recoveries on past impaired loans. Prior to this position, he served as Director, Commercial Credit at Meridian and was responsible to assist in the overall management and administration for the Commercial Loan team within the framework of the approved credit management policies as set up by the Board.

John’s career trajectory has established him as a highly accomplished Finance Executive, with excellence in reducing costs, increasing efficiency, and stimulating bottom line growth for midsize and multimillion-dollar organizations.

He began his financial services career at Bank of Nova Scotia from 1993 – 2002 working in sales where he managed both retail and commercial banking operations before being quickly accelerated for executive training as Vice President.

John joined NuComm International, headquartered in St. Catharines where he served from 2002 – 2004 as Vice President of Finance and Business Development before becoming President (2004 – 2007). As President of the largest privately held Canadian provider of Customer Relationship and Contact Centre Services with over 4,000 employees and 15 offices, John was instrumental in growing NuComm’s revenues and improving cash flow.

Following NuComm, John took the position of Senior Vice President, Finance for Fallsview Group (2008 – 2012), based in Niagara Falls, leading the structuring, negotiating and origination of all new debt facilities for all new and existing acquisitions and developments.

As President of Trivieri Consulting Services, launched in 2012, John provided guidance and assistance to clients in developing proper financial models and reporting systems to present to their financial partners.

In his capacity as Vice President of Trivieri Investments Ltd., established in 1980, John also manages a real estate portfolio consisting of residential, commercial, professional and industrial developments.

A passionate advocate for entrepreneurs and start ups, John is one of the original members of the Niagara Venture Forum and Niagara Angell Network. He is also an active volunteer in the Niagara community, and is Co-Chair of the Trivieri Family & Friends Heart & Stroke Annual Golf Tournament and serves as Chair of Hospice Niagara. He also has volunteered as a coach for St. Catharines CYO basketball and assists annually at the Ontario Classic Senior High School Basketball Tournament.

John Trivieri

Jay-Ann Gilfoy

Suanne Nielsen, CHRE, PCC, (ICD.D pending) is a former C-suite executive with over 30 years of experience, including more than 20 years as a senior executive with Foresters Financial, a member-based life insurance organization with operations in Canada, the United States and United Kingdom. While she had oversight of Human Resources throughout her career at Foresters, Ms. Nielsen’s executive responsibilities spanned across multiple areas including corporate communications, marketing, brand management, public relations, insurance operations and corporate governance. In her final role at Foresters, Suanne served as Global Chief Administration Officer.

Ms. Nielsen has a long history of giving back to community through not-for-profit board roles with the Hamilton-Burlington United Way, Daily Bread Food Bank and American Fraternal Alliance. She is currently President and Board Chair of the Strategic Capability Network, a not-for-profit association that brings thought leadership and a community of peers to Canadian senior Human Resources professionals and executives.

Suanne Nielsen

Larry Doran

Gail Harding is the current Director at [Meridian Credit Union](/org/meridian-credit-union). Gail has also previously worked as the Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at [Canadian Western Bank](/org/canadian-western-bank) from January 2009 to July 2018. Gail has also been a Member of Board of Directors at AESO from March 2017 to August 2018.

Meridian Credit Union

Org chart

Teams

Board of Directors

CEO and Executive Team

Leadership Team

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