Sandra Odendahl is Vice President of Social Impact and Sustainability at Scotiabank, joining the bank in November 2019 with almost 25 years of experience in environmental science, corporate sustainability, and responsible finance.  In her role at Scotiabank, Sandra leads the team responsible for global donations, academic partnerships, and corporate sustainability.   The SI&S team develops and implements strategies, policies and programs to ensure the Bank is addressing the environmental, social and governance (ESG) topics that matter most to our stakeholders.

Before joining Scotiabank, Sandra was President and CEO of CMC Research Institutes (CMCRI), a 12-person environmental company that helps clients develop innovative carbon management technologies and strategies for competitive advantage.   She previously held a number of roles at the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), including leading Corporate Sustainability, Social Finance and Environmental Risk Management.    In the early part of her career, Sandra worked in the natural resources sector as an environmental scientist and engineer in Toronto and Vancouver.

Sandra enjoys serving on several boards, expert panels and advisory groups. Sandra is a board director and Audit Committee Chair of the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA).   She also serves on the Board and chairs the Audit Committee of the Canadian Institute for Climate Choices. The Institute’s mission is to generate, communicate, and mobilize trusted information and policy advice to stakeholders on climate mitigation, adaptation and clean growth.   Sandra is an active member of the University of Toronto’s engineering alumni network, volunteering in mentoring programs and serving as an advisory board member to the Troost Institute for Leadership Education in Engineering.  She also serves on the Grants Committee of the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, where she was Board Chair from 2014 – 2019.

Sandra has a Master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, with a Certificate in Management, from the University of Ottawa.   She is a licensed professional engineer (P.Eng) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder.   An avid health and fitness buff, Sandra tries to get outside for a run through the streets and ravines of Toronto at least 3 times per week. She has been practicing Karate since 2014, and currently holds an Advanced Brown Belt, hoping to obtain her Black Belt early in 2021.    Sandra lives with her husband and two children in Toronto.