Payments Canada has announced a board leadership transition and several board changes, appointing Kevan Cowan as chair and AnneMarie Ryan as deputy chair. The changes come as the organization prepares for a key phase of payment modernization, including the planned launch of Canada’s Real-Time Rail payment system in the fourth quarter of 2026. Cowan succeeds Garry Foster, while Ryan succeeds John Sheridan. Cowan has served as an independent director on the board since 2024 and previously held senior roles including president of the Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange. Ryan has been a board member since 2021 and has chaired the Governance and Nominating Committee, after earlier serving as a commissioner of the Ontario Securities Commission. Payments Canada also appointed Kristal Au-Yong and Tamara Vrooman as independent directors and Daniel Johnson as a member director, while renewing member director Johanne Duhaime’s term until 2029. It also noted that board members Garry Foster, John Sheridan and Rob Paterson have concluded their service.
Payments Canada2026-06-17
Payments Canada names Kevan Cowan chair and AnneMarie Ryan deputy chair in board overhaul ahead of Real-Time Rail launch
Payments Canada has appointed Kevan Cowan as chair and AnneMarie Ryan as deputy chair as it reshapes its board ahead of the planned fourth-quarter 2026 launch of the Real-Time Rail payment system. It also added Kristal Au-Yong, Tamara Vrooman and Daniel Johnson to the board and renewed Johanne Duhaime’s term until 2029. Cowan succeeds Garry Foster and Ryan succeeds John Sheridan.