New appointment announced: CIBC appoints a new CEO in the US
CIBC Announces New Leadership Amidst Transition
The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) has announced significant changes in its leadership team, following the retirement of Victor Dodig and Shawn Beber. The new leaders are set to take charge as the bank prepares for a new era under the incoming CEO, Harry Culham.
Harry Culham, who has served as the bank's Chief Operating Officer since April, will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on November 1, 2025, succeeding Victor Dodig, who retired after 11 years as CEO.
In a notable move, Kevin Li will take over Shawn Beber's role as Senior Executive Vice President and Group Head of CIBC's U.S. region, and also become President and CEO of CIBC Bank USA. Li, who has been based in Chicago since 2018, joined CIBC in 1994 and has held various senior roles in Canada. He is currently the head of global investment banking and was previously head of CIBC in Europe.
Christian Exshaw has been appointed Senior Executive Vice President and Group Head of Capital Markets, expanding from his 2024 role as Deputy Head of Capital Markets. He will oversee global Capital Markets at CIBC.
Christina Kramer will assume the role of Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, and will retain leadership of the bank's technology, infrastructure, and innovation group. Additionally, she will take on accountability for corporate governance, client complaints, environment, social, and governance.
Susan Rimmer remains Senior Executive Vice President and Group Head, Commercial Banking and Wealth Management, with added oversight of CIBC Caribbean.
Hratch Panossian will remain group head of personal and business banking and will take on oversight of contact centers and client marketing.
Shawn Beber will move to a special adviser role on November 1, 2025, before retiring in July 2026. Beber has spent more than two decades at the bank and has served in various roles, including chief risk officer, general counsel, head of strategy and corporate development, and head of U.S. capital markets.
The Globe and Mail reported on Beber's expected stay at the bank when Victor Dodig's successor was announced in March. However, it was later announced that Beber would retire from the bank.
In the news release, Harry Culham praised Beber's deep expertise and knowledge of both financial services and the bank. He highlighted Beber's instrumental role in the bank's progress in the U.S., ensuring a strong, diversified cross-border platform and a disciplined, risk-controlled approach to growing the business.
Amy South has also been appointed as Executive Vice President, Office of the CEO and Chief of Staff.
These updates prepare CIBC for a new era under CEO Harry Culham and align with a client-focused strategy and organizational growth.
In this new era under CEO Harry Culham, Christian Exshaw will expand his role to oversee global Capital Markets at CIBC, demonstrating the bank's focus on business and finance growth in the industry. The appointment of Amy South as Executive Vice President, Office of the CEO and Chief of Staff further solidifies the banking-and-insurance sector's confidence in CIBC's leadership team.
