Janet (Jan) De Silva

Jan De Silva is Canada Co-Chair, Canada-ASEAN Business Council, former President & CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade, and an Independent Board Director.

As President and CEO of the Toronto Region Board of Trade, one of the largest and most influential business organizations in North America, she spearheaded efforts to make Toronto one of the most competitive and sought-after business regions in the world. She has more than 15 years of international CEO experience building ambitious, high-growth organizations. Anchored in her leadership is her belief in the power of economic development to lift communities.

Prior to joining the Board, she served as CEO of Sun Life Financial’s Hong Kong and Mainland China businesses and co-founded and later sold Retail China Limited. Jan also served as Dean of Ivey Asia for Ivey Business School of Western University.

Highly respected for her business advocacy and government engagement, Jan has been Chair of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Chair of the Canada China Business Council in Beijing and served on the Board of the Asian Corporate Governance Association. In 2019, she was appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to represent Canada on the APEC Business Advisory Council. Jan also sits on the boards of Intact Financial Corporation, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.