(Editor’s Note: This article is based on Season 1, Episode 2 (featuring Katy Boshart), of Diverse Dividends, CFA Society Toronto’s video podcast series.)

For Katy Boshart, the path to CEO of Manulife Bank of Canada wasn’t a straightforward one, but when you learn more about Boshart’s personal philosophy, it’s no surprise that she ended up in such a lauded position.

Boshart wasn’t always planning to join the finance world; she had mapped out a future in biomedical marketing or pharmaceuticals. But after completing her degree, she found herself in the same position as many young university graduates: unable to find work in her field of study and questioning whether she was on the right path.

Banking beginnings

After some reflection, Boshart made a major shift and embarked on her first finance-focused position at MBNA. Here, the banking bug bit, and her upward trajectory included leadership roles at Chase Bank and TD Bank, where she led teams in technology, digital platforms, credit cards and branch banking.

So, how exactly did Boshart end up here, as one of the few female CEOs in the banking world? She says that making the most of every challenge and opportunity has been the driving force on her journey.

“I think my career has been defined by curiosity and chasing experiences,” says Boshart. “In fact, I started with a biology degree, and then I found myself unexpectedly in a banking career. But I seized that opportunity to find my passion and to go after experiences that were interesting to me. I also love solving problems, so I think the collection of those things helped to chart the course of my career.”

Leading with maximum impact

Boshart says that, as a leader, it’s important to embrace all challenges with an open mind. “I view myself as a maximizer,” says Boshart. “What that means is I take every opportunity and either face that challenge head-on and figure out what I can make out of it or make it into a stepping stone to something more.”

“My leadership style is really grounded in being an authentic leader with an energy and passion for people and a drive to maximize results,” she adds.

Finding the right balance

While Boshart has made her mark as a senior banking executive, she emphasizes that this is just one piece of the complete Katy Boshart puzzle. “Every role that I have shapes who I am as a leader. I’m a musician, I’m a daughter, I’m a parent, I’m a sister, I’m a friend, I’m a colleague and of course, I’m a CEO. I think I bring pieces of myself from each of those roles into everything that I do.”

She also recognizes that her success as a leader comes from the ability to prioritize the right parts of herself at the right time. “Balance is highly subjective, and I think that it’s more about equilibrium,” Boshart explains. “How do you find the way to operate between your professional and personal life in a way that works for you, that doesn’t allow them to bleed into each other too much?”

Breaking the traditional mold

Boshart says she has always focused on staying true to herself as she charted her own path.

“When I was starting out in my career, I really felt there was a traditional mold that I had to fit in to be successful as a woman in finance,” says Boshart. “I’ve decided to reject that notion, and I think we’re in a world today where that authenticity, that ability to be who you are, is more valuable to driving results, driving benefits and, ultimately, to the bottom line when you’re in business.”

While Boshart has been primarily focused on growth, “About halfway into my career, I started realizing that as I got more influence, there was a responsibility to be a role model, to show women there are paths for us. Particularly when you think about the number of female CEOs globally, and even women in senior leadership.”

Heading toward a bright new future

Boshart, ever keen to take on a new challenge, is embracing the exciting future for Manulife Bank of Canada, as it looks to become the lead partner for financial advisors in banking by partnering with these advisors at the intersection of wealth and insurance. “I think for me it’s not so much just about competing in the market, but creating a new paradigm,” she explains. “How do we create a modern, advisor-centric bank that enables financial advisors to really grow their practices? If we view ourselves as that trusted partner, we can actually take the space that’s not really focused on in the market today.”

Boshart has cemented her position as a formidable female force in the finance world, and offers the following advice to those looking to forge their own leadership path.

Top tips for leadership growth:

1. Embrace technology and change
2. Be ready to adapt by thinking creatively about how to harness each opportunity
3. Stay true to your whole self
4. Find ways to leave teams better than you found them
5. “Chase experience, not titles”