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Lara

Shewchuk

C-Level

Architech

Toronto,

Canada

2023 Cohort

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Industry

Technology

Area of Expertise

Finance

Previous Board Experience

Nonprofit, Private

Lara is an experienced global leader, business strategist, board director, and ESG professional.

Lara is currently Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer of digital transformation catalyst Architech, a mid-size global technology company which has established sustainability as a strategic pillar guiding the growth of the company.

Lara has over 15 years of experience serving on boards. She is currently board Chair at the Canadian Center for Women’s Empowermentand on the Advisory Board of Pride At Work Canadaand Harvard Business Review.

Lara holds a Global Competent Boards Designation(GCB.D) focused on Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) strategy and risk management. She joins their esteemed faculty this year as a subject matter expert in diversity, equity and inclusion. In 2021 she attended the Canadian Council of Innovatorsinaugural Innovation Governance Program and is expected to achieve the NACD.DC designation this year. She holds a Bachelor of Administrative and Commercial Studies from The University of Western Ontario and is a Chartered Professional Accountant in Ontario, Canada.

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PREVIOUSLY 2020 WOMEN ON BOARDS

Code of Conduct: Governing Data & Emerging Tech

Boards are no longer observers of emerging technology; they are stewards of how it’s governed. This panel goes beyond awareness to examine how directors can structure oversight, define accountability, and measure governance effectiveness in AI, data use, and digital innovation. Panelists will share practical strategies for building governance systems that ensure transparency, ethical decision-making, and responsible innovation at scale.

Your First Board Meeting: A Director’s Playbook

Designed for aspiring and newly appointed directors, this session offers practical guidance on how to step confidently into your first boardroom. Learn what to expect in early meetings, how to contribute with purpose, and how to quickly build credibility and trust among seasoned peers. Gain insight into board dynamics, unspoken protocols, and the critical questions new directors should be ready to ask and answer.

Tactics that Work: Case Studies in Navigating Shareholder Activism

In this tactical, director-focused session, participants will engage in case-based exercises to dissect real campaigns and pressure scenarios. From activist letters to proxy fights, explore how boards can craft strategic responses that reinforce governance integrity, protect corporate reputation, and align with long-term priorities. Walk away with actionable tactics and frameworks to strengthen board preparedness in the face of growing investor scrutiny.

Inside the Boardroom: Resilience Planning in Action

This interactive session places directors inside the boardroom during moments of disruption. Through tabletop exercises and real-world scenarios, participants will explore how boards can apply structured frameworks to assess geopolitical risk, anticipate threats, and make decisive decisions under pressure. Designed as a classroom-style session, this breakout provides practical tools to strengthen oversight and build a proactive board response strategy in an increasingly uncertain world.

Reputation & Response: How Boards Navigate Shareholder Activism

As shareholder activism intensifies, boards face mounting pressure to defend strategy, protect corporate reputation, and engage stakeholders with clarity. This panel brings together seasoned directors to explore how boards can respond effectively while maintaining credibility, board alignment, and stakeholder trust. Hear real-world insights on navigating activism in today’s high-stakes, high-visibility environment.

Navigating Global Markets: Trade, Tariffs, and Supply Chain Strategy

As global disruptions reshape business models, this panel will explore how boards can navigate the practical complexities of trade, tariffs, and supply chain shifts across regions. Panelists will share how directors are guiding companies through regulatory changes, sourcing challenges, and new market risks, while seizing opportunities for growth and operational agility.

Strengthening Oversight: Risk Management and Board Resilience

This keynote will equip directors to think globally about risk through the lens of geopolitical foresight, cross-border tensions, and long-term instability. Learn how boards can strengthen oversight and guide enterprise-wide resilience by anticipating disruption and embedding a proactive risk culture in a changing world.