CIBC Announces Leadership Changes with Harry Culham as Next CEO and Christian Exshaw as Group Head of Capital.

CIBC announces leadership changes ahead of Harry Culham's Nov 1, 2025, CEO appointment. Christian Exshaw will become Senior Executive Vice-President and Group Head, Capital. These moves aim to accelerate the bank's client-focused strategy.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) has announced significant leadership changes ahead of Harry Culham's appointment as President and CEO on November 1, 2025. The new appointments aim to accelerate the bank's client-focused strategy and position it for future growth.

Christian Exshaw has been appointed Senior Executive Vice-President and Group Head, Capital Markets, effective November 1, 2025. Exshaw, who has been with the bank since 2008, will oversee CIBC's global capital markets operations. He previously served as Deputy Head of Capital Markets since September 2024 [1].

Kevin Li will take on the role of Senior Executive Vice-President and Group Head, U.S. Region; President and CEO, CIBC Bank USA. Li has been with CIBC since 1994 and will provide exceptional leadership for the U.S. team, drawing on his deep relationships in the U.S., Canada, and Europe [1].

Christina Kramer will be appointed Senior Executive Vice-President and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), CIBC. She will continue to lead CIBC's Technology, Infrastructure, and Innovation group and add oversight for Corporate Governance, Client Complaints, Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG), and CAO teams across the enterprise [1].

Hratch Panossian, Senior Executive Vice-President and Group Head, Personal and Business Banking, will expand his mandate to include contact centers and client marketing. Under his leadership, the retail bank has continued to build strong momentum [1].

Susan Rimmer will continue to lead Commercial Banking and Wealth Management in Canada and will add oversight of CIBC Caribbean. Her client-focused approach has been instrumental in deepening client relationships and building connectivity across the bank [1].

Amy South will be appointed Executive Vice-President, Office of the CEO and Chief of Staff. Her responsibilities will include the Strategic Client Office, Government Relations, CIBC's Economics group, and oversight of CIBC Mellon [1].

Stephen Scholtz will be appointed Global Chief Legal Officer, replacing Kikelomo Lawal, who is retiring. Scholtz has held progressively more senior roles in Legal during his almost 20-year career with CIBC and has expertise across various facets of legal [1].

Shawn Beber, Senior Executive Vice-President and Group Head, U.S. Region; President and CEO, CIBC Bank USA, will retire on July 1, 2026, and will be appointed as Special Advisor on November 1, 2025. Beber has been instrumental in CIBC's progress in the U.S. [1].

Kikelomo Lawal, Executive Vice-President and Chief Legal Officer, will retire from CIBC. She oversaw Legal, Corporate Governance, Client Complaints, Government Relations, and led the development of the bank's enterprise ESG strategy [1].

These appointments follow a series of leadership changes in CIBC's capital markets business over the past year and a half. The new leadership team aims to build on the bank's momentum and further accelerate its client-focused strategy.

References:
[1] https://cibc.mediaroom.com/2025-08-12-CIBC-Announces-Senior-Executive-Leadership-Changes
[2] https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/cibcs-exshaw-to-lead-capital-markets-after-culham-tapped-as-ceo