CEOx1Day Launches for Future Leaders in North America

The CEOx1Day Program provides ambitious undergraduate students with leadership development, career insights, and executive networking opportunities. Finalists earn a full day of mentorship with one of North America’s inspiring CEOs. 

Over the past 16 years, the program has matched 700+ students for mentorship days with organizations including: Lockheed Martin, Mastercard, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Spin Master, Bombardier, Purolator, Knix, Indspire, and Amnesty International.

This year, we’re thrilled to expand our North American reach – adding Washington, DC to the list of regions where we offer the program: including Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver.

“It's energizing to bring CEOx1Day to the United States for the first time,” said Kennon Kincaid, Chief Executive Officer of Odgers U.S. “This program has had a powerful impact globally and expanding it across North America reflects our commitment to developing the next generation of leaders as we continue to ensure our clients have today’s best leadership in place.” 

“CEOx1Day has helped hundreds of high-potential young leaders across Canada gain invaluable exposure to executive leadership, and we’ve seen firsthand how transformative that experience can be. This year, we’re thrilled to have one of our 2018 student participants now participate as a CEO Mentor!” Brad Beveridge, Chief Executive Officer of Odgers Canada. “Expanding the program to the U.S. is a natural evolution – one that allows even more aspiring leaders to benefit from meaningful mentorship and career-shaping insights.”

The 2025-26 program will identify future leaders through a rigorous selection process, mirroring a professional job search. All second-, third-, and fourth-year students enrolled in a Canadian or Washington-based university or college are eligible to apply. Semi-finalists will be invited to an Odgers’ Career Development Day, taking place in their region, to determine which students will be matched with a CEO.

This year’s CEO Mentors include: 

Cameron Bailey, Chief Executive Officer, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)

Angela Bonfanti, President and Chief Executive Officer, CNIB 

Jeremy Bridges, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hampton Roads Shipping Association (HRSA)

Matthew Bromberg, President and Chief Executive Officer, CAE

Jennifer Clinton, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cultural Vistas 

Adam Deremo, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, AWAKE Chocolate 

Eric Dillon, President, General Bank of Canada

Chris Dinsdale, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Calgary Airport Authority (YYC)

Sarah Downey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)

Dr. Eric Edwards, Chief Executive Officer, Phlow Corp.

Susan Farrell, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ottawa 

Neil Hetherington, Chief Executive Officer, Daily Bread Food Bank 

Nicolas Jimenez, President and Chief Executive Officer, BC Ferries 

Quintin Jones, Vice President and Head of North America, Spire Global Inc.

Faisal Kazi, President and Chief Executive Officer, Siemens Canada 

Chantelle Krish, Chief Executive Officer, Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland 

Louis Lizotte, President and Chief Executive Officer, FÉRIQUE

Susan Margles, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ottawa International Airport Authority

Bill Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Gaming Association (AGA)

Dr. Viren Naik, Chief Executive Officer, Medical Council of Canada

Maxwell Nicholson, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Blossom Social 

Meghan Roach, President and Chief Executive Officer, Roots Corp. 

Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor, City of Ottawa 

Jay Timmons, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)

Alexis von Hoensbroech, Chief Executive Officer, WestJet 

Joslyn Young, Chief Executive Officer, Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade

For more information regarding the program, timeline, executive mentors, and more, please visit: www.CEOx1DayNorthAmerica.ca 

Applications close on Thursday, October 23, 2025.