When Grace Chiu left St. Paul’s Foundation to take on a role at Scotiabank, it was a big change. A lifelong community advocate, she saw the opportunity to make an impact in a new and different way. Born in the Philippines, raised in Vancouver and working in the non-profit sector for over a decade, Chiu brought unique insights to her role of senior manager, Regional Marketing.
Chiu has stepped into her role by driving marketing, communications and community connectivity for Scotiabank’s British Columbia and Yukon regions. Known for her ability to think outside the box, provide strategic advice and mobilize resources, Chiu has quickly become a highly-respected business and community leader.
“Since joining the Scotiabank team five years ago, Grace has consistently been recognized by her peers as an outstanding colleague who goes above and beyond to positively impact our community,” saysSteve Gaskin, regional senior vice president, British Columbia, Scotiabank. “As a key member of our leadership team in the region, Grace has had a fundamental impact on the growth of not only our community outreach and our market presence. Grace is a true force for good.”
At Scotiabank, Chiu has led the local implementation of ScotiaRISE, a 10-year, $500 million community investment initiative to promote economic resilience among equity deserving groups. Through her leadership, Grace has built strong community connectivity for the Bank, and overseen the granting of ScotiaRISE funds to deserving organizations across the region. In addition, Chiu co-created an Employee Resource Group framework that focused on equity deserving groups, a structure that is being used as a global framework in every market where Scotiabank is present.
Chiu’s impact on the community extends beyond her work at Scotiabank. She is the board director and co-chair of Sources Foundation’s annual Gala, where her leadership boosted fundraising revenue for mental health support, trauma counselling for youth and crisis care for women. Chiu is also a proud committee member for Big Sisters of the Lower Mainland and has been a YWCA High School Mentorship Program Volunteer and chair of the Women of Distinction Awards Nominations Committee.
Chiu embodies Scotiabank’s purpose: “for every future”. She is a driving force behind its mission to help clients, their families and communities achieve success in her own community in Vancouver and beyond.
