- Federated Press Honours Executive Vice-President

    TORONTO, June 20 /CNW/ - Federated Press and Scotiabank today
congratulated Alberta Cefis, Executive Vice President and Group Head, Global
Transaction Banking at Scotiabank on being named Canadian Woman Leader of the
Year at the 3rd Annual Federated Press Women & Leadership Summit.
    "The Canadian Woman Leader of the Year Award salutes the best in women:
it is meant to shine a light on excellence as well as recognize exemplary
leadership shown by a Canadian woman," said Ellie Tenis, Senior Editorial
Developer, Federated Press. "Alberta was carefully selected by Federated
Press' Award Committee, of which I am honoured to have been a member."
    "It is a pleasure to congratulate Alberta on this honour," said Rick
Waugh, President and CEO, Scotiabank. "Encouraging and developing leadership
is a key priority at Scotiabank. Throughout her career at Scotiabank, Alberta
has achieved great business success and inspired her colleagues to excel."
    "I am humbled but very pleased to accept this award," said Alberta Cefis.
"I have been fortunate to work with many exceptional people throughout my
career and have taken every opportunity to learn from my experiences and to
support those around me in their efforts to succeed."
    As Group Head of Global Transaction Banking, Alberta Cefis is responsible
for leading the evolution of trade finance, correspondent banking, cash
management, payments, e-commerce and e-banking at Scotiabank in order to
provide global business solutions to customers in the corporate, commercial
and retail segments. She has 26 years of financial services experience across
many sectors, sits on several Boards and industry committees, and is actively
involved in supporting the performing arts, community endeavours and the
advancement of women.
    Distinguished past recipients of the Federated Press Woman Leader of the
Year Award include: Janet Yale, Executive Vice-President, Corporate Affairs of
TELUS (2006) and Maureen Kempston Darkes, Group Vice-President & President
(Latin America, Africa & Middle East) of General Motors (2005).

    As an independent research-based organization, Federated Press is a
leader in the professional information and education market, and provides
leading-edge courses, conferences, periodicals and information products for
senior business executives, lawyers and other professionals. Through extensive
monitoring of the latest trends and developments in the areas of law, finance,
business, human resources, insurance, securities, real estate, pensions and
benefits, and health care, Federated Press offers over 400 events a year.

    Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and
Canada's most international bank. With more than 58,000 employees, Scotiabank
Group and its affiliates serve approximately 12 million customers in some 50
countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a diverse range of products and
services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking.
With $412 billion in assets (as at April 30, 2007), Scotiabank trades on the
Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit
www.scotiabank.com.