Sandra Odendahl

Born in Ottawa, Sandra Odendahl studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Ottawa and graduated with a Bachelor in Applied Science, with a Certificate in Management, in 1987. She then continued her studies at the graduate level earning a Masters of Applied Science from the University of Toronto.

Sandra’s career spans over 20 years of experience in environmental science, responsible finance and engineering. Recently, Sandra was appointed as Scotiabank’s VP of Global Sustainability and Social Impact, where she will continue to be a champion of sustainability.

Prior to her new role at Scotiabank, Sandra served as President and CEO of CMC Research Institutes, an environmental technology and innovation company that works with government, academia and the private sector to accelerate the implementation of innovative carbon reducing technologies and strategies.

Sandra joined CMC Research Institutes in 2017 from the Royal Bank of Canada [RBC], where she held several positions, including heading the bank’s Corporate Sustainability, Social Finance and Social Innovation teams. Her impact at RBC was significant as she was integral in the development, launch and management of many of the bank’s sustainability policies and programs over a 15-year period, including RBC’s Environmental Blueprint and the RBC Social Finance Initiative. The RBC Social Finance Initiative was a $20 million commitment designed to catalyse Canadian social finance by supporting social enterprise, research, impact investing and partnerships.

Sandra is active in her community. She served as Chair of the Board for the Toronto Atmospheric Fund [TAF] for 5 years and continues to be a member of TAF’s Grants and Programs Committee. She is a board director and audit committee chair of the Ontario Clean Water Agency and the Canadian Institute for Climate Choices. Sandra also serves as a Fellow of the Energy Futures Lab, a diverse group of innovators and influencers shaping the energy system the future requires of us.

Sandra’s contributions to sustainability have been recognized in being named to the Clean 50. Each year the Clean50 honours individuals whose accomplishments have made a significant contribution to sustainability and clean capitalism in Canada.

Sandra is a licensed professional engineer (P.Eng) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder. She lives with her husband and two children in Toronto.