Biography
Lara Shewchuk
Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer, Architech
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 Empowerment and on the Advisory Board of Pride At Work Canada and Harvard Business Review. Lara holds a Global Competent Boards Designation (GCB.D) focused on Environmental, Social, Governance strategy and risk management, with expertise in equity and inclusion. In 2021 she attended the Canadian Council of Innovators inaugural 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. Lara is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, Competent Boards, and Women Get on Board. In the United States, she is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors and the Association of LGBT Corporate Directors. Globally, Lara participates in Out Leadership’s ESG roundtables, shaping initiatives into actionable ESG strategies and advancing LGBTQ+ equality. For the past two years, Lara has been recognized on Yahoo Finance UK’s global Outstanding LGBTQ+ Role Model Lists, which showcase business leaders who are breaking down barriers and creating more inclusive workplaces around the world.
Lara’s mission is the empowerment and equity of women and marginalized populations. She is Founder & Executive Sponsor of Architech’s Inclusion Council, Architech’s Build a Better Future Program, Pride & Allies Committee, Newcomer’s Committee, Accessibility Committee and the Women@Architech Network. Lara is an active mentor with the Chartered Professional Accountants program, Black Professionals In Tech Network and INvolve’s global mentoring program with mentees in Canada, the US and the UK. Lara is the Lead ESG Consultant with Diverse Advantage Consulting, a specialist in EDI consulting in Canada.
