Who we are

People

Poonam Puri

Poonam Puri O.Ont, L.S.M., F.ICD

Founder & CEO

Poonam is one of Canada's leading experts in corporate governance, board effectiveness, and board development. Over close to 25 years she has advised public and private companies, financial institutions, co-operatives, pension funds, Crown corporations, and major not-for-profits on their most complex governance challenges, from board structure and culture to CEO succession and shareholder engagement. Her advisory work is grounded in her own experience as a corporate director and as a former commissioner at the Ontario Securities Commission. She is Head of the Capital Markets Initiative at the Johnston Centre for Corporate Governance Innovation at Rotman, and holds the Tier I York Research Chair in Corporate Governance, Investor Protection & Financial Markets.

  • Harvard Law SchoolLL.M. (1997)
  • University of Toronto, Faculty of LawLL.B. (1995), Silver Medalist
  • University of TorontoB.Comm. (1990–1992)
  • Institute of Corporate DirectorsICD.D
  • Law Society of OntarioBarrister & Solicitor
  • Order of Ontario
  • Law Society of Ontario Medal
  • Yvan Allaire Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Governance, Royal Society of Canada
  • Peter Dey Governance Achievement Award, Governance Professionals of Canada
  • Fellowship Award, Institute of Corporate Directors
  • Fellow, American College of Governance Counsel
  • Canada's 100 Most Powerful Women (2011, 2023)
  • Instructor, Directors Education Program (ICD / Rotman), having trained over 2,000 current and aspiring corporate directors
  • Expert Advisor to the Minister of Finance (Ontario) on the review of credit unions and caisses populaires
  • Chair, Strategic Advisory Committee to the Board on ESG, International Organization for Standardization (2021–2022)
  • Member, External Audit Committee, Department of Justice Canada (2017–2021)

Current

  • Highlander Silver (TSX, NYSE: HLS)Independent Director; Chair, Governance Committee. Since 2026
  • Colliers (TSX, Nasdaq: CIGI)Independent Director. Since 2022
  • DRI Healthcare Trust (TSX: DHT.UN)Independent Director. Since 2022
  • Propel Holdings (TSX: PRL)Independent Director; Chair, Governance & Compensation Committee. Since 2021
  • Jays Care FoundationDirector. Since 2024
  • Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital FoundationDirector. Since 2022

Former (Selected)

  • Solaris Resources (TSX: SLS)Independent Director; Chair, Compensation Committee. 2023–2025
  • Canadian Apartment Properties REIT (TSX: CAR.UN)Independent Trustee; Chair, Governance & Nominating Committee. 2019–2022
  • Cole Engineering LimitedIndependent Director; Chair of the Board. 2016–2018
  • Ontario Securities CommissionCommissioner and Member of the Board. 2018–2020
  • Canada Infrastructure BankIndependent Director. 2017–2024
  • Greater Toronto Airports AuthorityIndependent Director; Chair, Nominating & Governance Committee. 2008–2017
  • Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation HospitalChair of the Board, 2022–2024; Director, 2016–2024
  • Canadian Foundation for Governance ResearchDirector. 2015–2023
Ilona Larionova

Ilona Larionova B.Sc., MSW, JD

Principal & Senior Consultant

Ilona advises public and private sector boards on complex governance issues, regulatory expectations, and board effectiveness, including tailored governance education, board retreats, and effectiveness evaluations for regulated financial institutions. She spent several years as Legal Counsel at the Ontario Securities Commission, where she worked across the Investment Management, Registration and Inspections, and Investor Office divisions, and helped develop regulatory approaches for emerging business models including crypto asset trading platforms.

  • Osgoode Hall Law SchoolJ.D.
  • University of TorontoM.S.W.
  • University of TorontoHon. B.Sc.
  • Co-lead counsel on national policy and legislative initiatives on investor protection and international regulatory cooperation, including the OSC's expanded cross-border supervisory partnership with the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong
  • Contributing author, Digital Assets and the Law: Fiat Money in the Era of Digital Currency, co-authoring the chapter on the legal framework for a central bank digital currency in Canada
  • Adjunct Faculty, Osgoode Professional Development (Boards of Directors)
  • Canadian Urban InstituteDirector; Governance, People & Culture Committee. Since 2023
Dianna Dobbin

Dianna Dobbin

Executive Assistant

Dianna is an Executive Assistant and Project Manager with Puri Consulting, bringing extensive experience leading large-scale initiatives and managing complex stakeholder engagement.

Among other mandates, she previously served as Executive Assistant to the Task Force to Modernize Securities Legislation in Canada. Dianna has also supported senior leadership across a range of organizations, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

  • University of TorontoBachelor of Education
  • University of WaterlooBachelor of Arts (Honours), English Major, Psychology Minor