Success for businesses in 2020 meant having strong leaders step up to the plate, making tough decisions, and re-envisioning their business plans. Loblaw is a Canadian business that has done just that.
Join Canadian Club Toronto on December 8 as Sarah Davis, President of Loblaw Companies Ltd., sits down with Club President, Anita McOuat, to discuss the trials and tribulations of leading through a pandemic, how the 100 year old retailer has continued to innovate in order to stay relevant, and what’s on the horizon for her organization in 2021.
Sarah Davis
President, Loblaw Companies Limited
Sarah Davis is the President of Loblaw Companies Limited, responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of Canada’s largest retailer and the nation’s food and pharmacy leader. With more than 2,400 corporate, franchised and Associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees, and Associate-owners employ approximately 200,000 full- and part-time employees, making it one of Canada’s largest private sector employers.
Ms. Davis joined Loblaw in 2007 and, prior to assuming the role of President in 2017, served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, responsible for Real Estate, Strategy, Information Technology, Supply Chain and Human Resources. Ms. Davis has a strong corporate-finance background, which has served her well in supporting some of the company’s most transformative programs in recent history, including the implementation of SAP, the creation of Choice Properties REIT, and the acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart.
Ms. Davis is the chair of PC® Children’s Charity and T&T Supermarkets and served as chair of the Women@Loblaw network from 2009 to 2017. She also sits on the Board of Directors for PC Financial and AGF Investments.
Ms. Davis holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Honours degree from Queen’s University, a Chartered Accountant and is a Fellow of the CPA.
Anita McOuat
National Leader, Technology and Media, Telecom & Consumer Markets, PwC
Anita is a partner at PwC, where she is the National Leader of the Technology, Media, Telecom (TMT) and Consumer Markets practice. Anita leads engagements with clients in a variety of industries, including retail, technology, entertainment & media. Based in Toronto, she has also spent time working with PwC in Boston and Shanghai.
In addition to the Canadian Club of Toronto, Anita serves on the board of the Ontario Media Development Corporation, where she sits on the Audit and Governance committees. She is also on the board of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, where she is the Treasurer and chair of the audit committee.
Anita holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s University, and she is a Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant.
