Ray Williams

Ray Williams is the retired former vice-chair of financial markets at National Bank Financial who is currently a board member of CMHC. He received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) this spring. This esteemed acknowledgment celebrates Ray’s outstanding career of exceptional leadership and excellence. He is also a seasoned financial services executive with more than 35 years of experience in global capital markets, and was responsible for facilitating engagements with strategic accounts, and working to promote the bank’s One Mission client-centric approach. He also represented the bank in several sustainable finance forums and transition initiatives and was a key contributor to the bank’s affordable housing commitments.

Ray has extensive experience in cash and derivatives products in multiple asset classes, infrastructure financing, provincial and federal liability management, and mortgage finance companies.

Mr. Williams is deeply committed to community engagement, particularly in diversity and inclusion efforts. He serves on several leadership boards including the 100 Strong Foundation. He is also executive-in-residence at the Rotman School of Management and on the board of the George Brown College Foundation, as well as Toronto Global. He is the past and founding president and a continuing member of the Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals, the professional trade organization for minorities in the financial services industry.