UBC Sauder alum and investment banker Kathy Butler honoured with UBC Alumni Builder Award

Kathy Butler is a senior leader with CIBC Capital Markets and an expert on B.C.’s technology sector, but she never lets her professional career get in the way of her volunteerism. Butler’s passion for giving back has led her to mentor women in banking, advise entrepreneurs, share her financial acumen with non-profits, and support community endeavours. The UBC Sauder alum also enjoys returning to the business school year after year to speak with students. Butler’s dedication to helping young people succeed was recently recognized with the 2023-24 UBC Alumni Builder Award. 

Supporting students in their academic journey

“Winning this award came as a surprise and it’s such an honour,” says Butler (BCom ’92), who is Vice Chair & Head of Capital Markets in B.C. for CIBC. “UBC Sauder has a special place in my heart. That’s why I continue to be drawn back to the campus and back to the students.”

Butler is known around the business school as a favourite guest speaker and mentor. Each year, she holds an “Ask Me Anything” session with second-year Commerce students interested in investment banking and capital markets. She also meets with fourth-year students, offering not just career advice but also business contacts. Thinking back to her days in the Henry Angus building, it was extremely rare for business professionals to visit the classroom. 

“It was so different compared to today. We had great courses and great professors, but it was much more textbook-based and one-way delivery of learning. There wasn’t as much of a career centre, but it was very social and there was a strong alumni community, which carries on today.”

Helping non-profits navigate their business challenges  

From her perspective, it’s only natural that business professionals share their expertise with non-profits – allowing them to focus on serving their constituents. That’s why she’s been a volunteer with Social Venture Partners Vancouver for over 20 years. She provides time, resources and strategic advice to local non-profits that serve under-resourced families throughout the Lower Mainland. Butler says helping children and youth thrive is just as rewarding as closing a business deal.  

“There are so many opportunities to volunteer in the community, you just have to look for things that speak to you. Students sometimes worry they don’t have enough experience to offer to a non-profit, but if you bring your energy and enthusiasm, your talents will be put to use and you will definitely add value.” 

Driving growth and innovation in B.C.’s tech sector  

In addition to partnering with local non-profits, Butler is a proud supporter of B.C.’s tech community. She not only raises private and public capital and provides strategic counsel to entrepreneurs, but she’s also a sought-after guest speaker at industry events. Last year, she was inducted into the BC Innovators Hall of Fame by BC Tech Association and the B.C. government for her leadership and contributions. 

“The tech sector is a really exciting space, especially for young people who are passionate about entrepreneurship and teamwork,” says Buttler. “Banking is getting more interesting all the time too. The amount of technology we use to collect and analyze data to help us make better decisions has translated into new jobs in areas like computer science, data analytics and business technology management.”  

Nurturing talent through UBC Sauder’s Powerhouse project 

Technology will be a big feature of UBC Sauder’s new landmark building, to be built next door to the Henry Angus building on the former UBC Powerhouse site. Butler is predicting the state-of-the-art educational facility – designed to elevate collaboration and innovation – will support even more opportunities for students to connect with the business community. 

“The new building will closely mimic the workplace,” says Butler. “At work it’s not a one-way delivery of information, it’s sitting around a table brainstorming and trying to figure out what’s the best solution, with junior to senior team members all playing a role in examining an issue from all sorts of angles. You need students ready and prepared to do that when they begin their professional careers.”

Building connections with future business leaders 

Butler says it’s a great time for alumni to connect with UBC Sauder, meet the Dean at community events, look up former professors and make new acquaintances. 

“I find volunteering with the school and working with students is very energizing,” says Butler. “It gives you hope that the future is in good hands. And when students I’ve spent time with end up applying at CIBC after graduation, that’s a really nice outcome. So being connected to the school has all kinds of rewards and benefits.”