Colette Stewart

Colette Stewart is Enterprise Privacy Lead and Managing Counsel at Interac Corp. She is passionate about shaping the future of data privacy at Canada’s most trusted financial services brand while acting as a trusted legal advisor to the organization. Colette is recognized for being a strategic partner to her business clients by delivering valued, practical, and creative legal support in a complex and innovative Fin-Tech environment. Along the journey from concept to product launch Colette advises on all legal and privacy aspects and helps her business clients successfully navigate the challenges that arise.

Ms. Stewart leads Privacy at Interac and has developed Interac’s Privacy Management Program that continues to evolve to match Interac’s corporate strategy and market opportunities in the area of Digital Identity, Real-Time Rail, Pay By Bank and Open Banking. As Privacy Lead, Colette sits right at the intersection of opportunity and compliance. It is there that she provides strategic direction to enhance data protection and leverage its value.

Colette began her career at McCarthy Tétrault LLP in Technology then Corporate Finance/M&A. As In-House Counsel, Ms. Stewart’s breadth of experience spans across industry including retail, transportation, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications. In addition to her law degree, Ms. Stewart holds a Bachelor of Science and is called to the Bar in the Province of Ontario.

Colette’s commitment to empowering the next generation has been a passion throughout her career. Ms. Stewart has served as a member of the University of Windsor Faculty of Law Admissions Committee. Colette has also acted as a formal and informal mentor to young lawyers and university students, most recently as a part of the University of Toronto Black Future Lawyers. Ms. Stewart has repeatedly been called upon to share her insights and guidance in Law and Technology, and as a featured speaker to motivate and inspire professional Women and the new generation of young minds.

Colette has the pleasure of serving her local community of Mississauga. She has also reached the international community by participating in development projects in both the Philippines and India.

Ms. Stewart has been featured in the Globe and Mail Report on Business where she was highlighted in a report on new business models responsible for disrupting the global legal landscape. More recently, Colette was featured again the Globe discussing digital identity in the Canadian ecosystem in an article entitled “Boosting trust: How institutions can foster safe participation in Canada’s growing digital economy”.