David Simmonds

David Simmonds is Senior Vice-President, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Great-West Lifeco and Canada Life. A member of the company’s executive management committee, David oversees brand, marketing, communications, media relations, government relations, reputational risk management, and corporate social responsibility. He leads an enterprise-wide team responsible for the company’s global sustainability and social impact strategy.

David joined Great-West Lifeco in April of 2021 as Senior Vice-President, Office of the CEO, to support the design and execution of an enterprise-wide approach to building the company's first Environmental, Governance and Social (ESG) Strategy and Framework. 

Previously, David worked as senior vice president, communications, and public affairs at McKesson Corporation. Here he managed high profile communications, brand, and policy initiatives during a period of significant transformation for the company. He also spent time as vice president enterprise strategy and head of the company’s transformation coordination office. Throughout his career, David has held senior roles across public policy, consulting, academia, and media.

A passionate volunteer, David serves as a Governor of the Stratford Shakespearean Festival, and as a Director at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. David is also a member of the Board of Directors at Rocky Mountaineer, a leading luxury North American rail operator.

A graduate of the University of Western Ontario, David holds an Honours BA, MA, and completed the Executive Development Program and the Wharton School. He’s been named one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Canadians, is a recipient of the Harry Jerome Leadership Award, Western University’s Alumni Award of Merit, and recognized as one of Canada’s Best Executive’s by the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business.