Sharon O’Sullivan

Global Head, Technology Research & Innovation , BMO

Sharon O’Sullivan is currently the head of technology research and innovation for BMO Financial Group. Founded in Montreal and headquartered in Toronto, with over CAD$1 trillion in assets, BMO is one of the 10 largest banks in North America.

Sharon leads the bank’s digital innovation strategy and establishes collaborative, internal, and external ecosystems that drive research, experimentation, and adoption of disruptive technologies for growth (AI, blockchain, web3, quantum, and more). Previously, Sharon led information technology risk, governance, and related data and analytics capability building for BMO. She joined BMO in 2019 after leading data analytics, technology delivery and risk programs at CIBC for over 19 years. Her last role at CIBC was heading an AI accelerator.

Sharon is a well-regarded industry thought leader on digital transformation strategy and governance topics, and advises on several technology innovation-oriented organizations, including the University of Waterloo’s AI Lab, and the University of Toronto’s Entrepreneurship Hatchery. She is also an active mentor and early-stage investor in start-up ventures.

Beyond finance and technology, Sharon is deeply connected in the healthcare sector, working with public-private mental healthcare partnerships supporting some of the most vulnerable in our community.

Sharon holds an MBA from the Rotman School of Business with a concentration in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions from the University of Toronto, and an MBA in marketing from American University for Leaders in London, and a Global Executive MBA from SDA Bocconi School of Business in Milan.