The appointments came after what the bank described as a record fiscal 2025.
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce moved to refresh its senior ranks for 2026, unveiling leadership changes that it said would tighten execution on a client‑focused strategy and push further into technology, data and culture.
The appointments, effective January 1, 2026, came after what the bank described as a record fiscal 2025.
“Building on our record financial performance in fiscal 2025, we’re further strengthening our leadership team in areas where accelerating our execution will deliver more for our stakeholders,” said Harry Culham, CIBC’s president and CEO.
“The deep bench strength of our talent is key to our enterprise wide connectivity and our continued strong momentum.”
Under the changes, long‑time human resources leader Sandy Sharman, senior executive vice‑president and group head of people, culture and brand, will become special advisor at the start of 2026 before retiring at year‑end.
Culham said Sharman has been “instrumental in leading the modernization of our Human Resources function and capabilities, reclaiming our purpose, reinvigorating our brand, enabling strong client and employee experience scores, modernizing our workplaces, and positioning our bank to extend our impact in our communities through our CIBC Foundation.”
Technology and AI take centre stage
On the technology side, Richard Jardim will step into the role of senior executive vice‑president, chief technology and information officer, global technology, data and AI.
In that position, he will “play a central role in modernizing and driving efficiencies through technology platforms and capabilities, including furthering CIBC’s leadership in leveraging AI to enable our team to do more for our clients,” according to the bank.
“Richard’s deep knowledge of our bank positions him well to lead this effort at a time when the opportunities to add value for stakeholders have never been higher,” Culham said.
The move came as CIBC continues to roll out its in‑house generative AI platform, CAI, across the organization after a pilot, positioning the bank to use “its in-house Generative AI platform” to support staff with data analysis, research and productivity tools.
The bank has also outlined plans to “hire more than 200 data and AI roles over the next 12 months,” underscoring the strategic weight attached to enterprise AI.
The emphasis on technology and data points to a continued push for faster credit decisioning, more personalized offers and tighter integration between broker and bank channels in an already highly digitized prime lending market.
Culture, real estate and client experience
CIBC also said Christina Kramer, senior executive vice‑president and chief administrative officer, will assume additional responsibility for enterprise real estate, enterprise capabilities and organizational agility, brand, community investment, client experience, communications and corporate events.
“Christina’s deep knowledge of CIBC’s operations and her experience leading both frontline and infrastructure teams position her well to take on these key enterprise mandates,” Culham said.
“She has a deep understanding of the needs of our team and has first-hand experience in growing and deepening client relationships, all of which will add value to our team through her new responsibilities moving forward.”
In human resources, Yvonne Dimitroff will be appointed executive vice‑president, chief human resources officer, people, culture and talent, accountable for leading the HR function and “fostering a best-in-class culture for our CIBC team,” the bank said.
A bigger play in a consolidating Big Six landscape
The bank, ranked as “Canada’s fourth-largest bank by assets held,” remains in a competitive field against peers that have also leaned into cost control, digital modernization and deposit growth as mortgage demand cools and regulatory scrutiny on consumer protection persists.
CIBC reported fourth quarter net income of $2.18 billion, up from $1.88 billion a year earlier, with diluted earnings per share rising to $2.20 from $1.90.
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