Board of directors

David Simmonds is SVP & Global Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer at Great West Lifeco and Canada Life.

A member of the Executive Management Committee, David leads a team responsible for global communications, reputation and brand management, corporate impact, and Environment, Social and Governance issues (ESG). David also provides strategic partnership and advisory guidance to the CEO’s agenda, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

A respected business leader, David brings deep experience to Lifeco, from senior roles across consulting, public policy, media, and healthcare, including time as senior vice president at McKesson Corporation. At McKesson, David drove global initiatives across marketing, communications, public policy, and corporate strategy in both Canada and the United States, including leadership of the program coordination office for the development of the company’s multi-year growth initiative.

David is a member of Western University’s Board of Governors, is Past President of the Canadian Club Toronto, a Governor of the Stratford Festival, and an Advisory Board Member at Catalyst Canada.

David has been named one of the “Top 100 Black Canadians” by the Diversity Advancement Network, recipient of the Black Business and Professional Association’s “Harry Jerome Leadership Award”, Canada’s highest achievement in African Canadian excellence, and has been awarded Western University’s Alumni Award of Merit.

David holds a BA (Hons.), MA, and completed the executive development program at The Wharton School.