Gina Cody

Keynote Speaker | Toronto, Ontario

Human-centered AI, Innovation & Leadership Expert

Gina Cody Expertise Leadership, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Human Connection, Health & Wellness, Belonging, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Racial Justice, Collaboration and Emotional Intelligence.

Gina Cody

About Gina Cody

Gina Cody immigrated to Canada during the Iranian revolution in 1979. She enrolled at Concordia University, earning a PhD in building engineering, the first woman in Canada to do so. She spent three-decades as an executive and principal shareholder of a national consulting engineering firm, recognized among Canada’s Best Managed Companies. In 2010 and 2011 she was named one of Canada’s Top Women Entrepreneurs by Profit Magazine. In 2018, she donated $15 million to Concordia University, whose Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science became Canada’s first engineering faculty named for a woman. She now serves as Concordia’s chancellor. Cody has distinctions from the Canadian Standards Association and Canadian Academy of Engineering. She is a member of the Order of Canada, and holds honorary degrees from the University of Waterloo and University of Sherbrooke.

Gina Cody Videos

Building opportunities for future Canadian engineers

Pier 21's Luncheon with a Fascinating Canadian: Dr. Gina Parvaneh Cody

Gina Cody's Speech: 'i Am a Woman, i Am an Engineer — and This is My

Gina Cody: Reflections from Her Colleagues, Friends and Family

Highlights from Gina Cody's Historic Gift Announcement to Concordia

Gina Cody Interviews & Podcasts

Risk Taking, Passion, and Finding Purpose.

Shattering the Glass Ceiling in Engineering

How Immigrant Women Can Prosper

GINA CODY BIOGRAPHY

Gina Parvaneh Cody immigrated to Canada from Iran in 1979. She holds a master’s and a doctorate in building engineering from Concordia University, making her Canada’s first woman PhD in the discipline. She is a member of the Order of Canada and Order of Montreal.

Cody spent more than 30 years in the private sector as an engineer, corporate executive and principal shareholder of a national engineering firm. She has provided professional engineering services to some of Canada’s largest Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), financial institutions, builders and developers. Under her tenure, her firm was recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies through the country’s leading business awards program. In 2010 and 2011 she was named one of Canada’s Top Women Entrepreneurs by Profit Magazine.

She served as a member of the Discipline Committee for 15 years and for eight as chair of the Professional Practice Committee at the Professional Engineers of Ontario, which granted her its Certificate of Fellowship and Award of Honour. She has also received the Canadian Standards Association’s Award of Merit and was inducted as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering in 2019.

Cody is one of the few women to chair a TSX 60 company – the Canadian Apartment Properties REIT. She also chairs the European Residential REIT and serves on the boards of EllisDon, CIMA+, Sienna Senior Living and Ontario Global 100.

In 2025, she was awarded the King Charles III’s Coronation Medal for having made a significant contribution to Canada, and was appointed honorary colonel of the Canadian Armed Forces, 34th Combat Engineering Brigade, and in 2020 was named one of Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence and a Woman of Distinction by the Women’s Y Foundation of Montreal in 2023.

Cody’s leadership has been recognized with honorary doctorates in engineering from the University of Waterloo in 2025 and the University of Sherbrooke in 2022.

At her alma mater, Cody serves as chancellor and as co-chair of the Campaign for Concordia, the most ambitious fundraising initiative in the university’s history. In 2018, she made an historic $15-million gift to the faculty she had twice graduated from, which was renamed the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science. It is the first engineering and computer science faculty in Canada and one of the first in the world named after a woman. She chairs the Gina Cody School Advisory Board, sits on the Board of Governors’ Real Estate Planning Committee, and is a past member of the Board’s Governance and Ethics Committee.

She lives in Toronto with her husband, a retired banker. The couple have two daughters: one a law graduate and practicing corporate lawyer and the other an engineering PhD working in the tech sector.

 

Gina Cody Topic Presentations

Gina Cody Toronto, Ontario, Canada delivers keynote presentations, workshops, fireside chats, moderated Q&A, and other presentation formats on a wide variety of topics. Each presentation is unique, customized and tailored for audiences, industries, conferences and event formats.

Leadership, Change and Organizational Strategy: Engineering Vision into Strategic Leadership

Women in Stem: Building Pathways and Breaking Barriers

AI Strategy: Building Smarter Systems and Inclusive Innovation

Human Connection and Emotional Intelligence: Leading with Empathy and Presence

Culture, Trust and Human-centred Leadership: Designing Cultures That Empower and Encourage Belonging

Teams, Relationships and Collaboration: Bringing Teams Together with Trust and Purpose

Health, Wellness and Peak Performance: Sustaining Performance Through Purpose and Resilience

Belonging, Inclusion and Equity: Building Systems That Include and Empower All

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (deij): Engineering Equity Through Systems Change

Community, Civics and Social Trust: Rebuilding Trust in Institutions and Communities

Gina Cody Books & Articles

Extraordinary Canadians: Stories from the Heart of Our Nation
Extraordinary Canadians: Stories from the Heart

The second chapter, “The power of a name,” focuses on the life of engineer and business leader Gina Cody, highlighting her journey as...

Gina Cody Speaking Testimonials

"I would like to thank you, Gina, for taking the time to join us in Ottawa at our annual Canadian Military Engineer Diner, and most of all, accepting to be our guest of honour. (…) The evening really got started following your powerful and electric speech that got everyone energized."

Major General Nicolas J.-L. Pilon

Chief of Staff
Infrastructure and Environment and Canadian Armed Forces Chief Military Engineer

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gina Cody known for and what is their expertise as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Gina Cody is known for defined subject matter expertise based on professional experience and industry background. As a keynote speaker in Canada for conferences and conventions, their presentations align with organizational objectives and audience outcomes. Corporate keynote speakers in Canada are selected based on credibility, relevance, and practical application. Expertise alignment supports informed booking decisions. Read More

What topics does Gina Cody speak on for conferences, conventions, corporate events, and annual general meetings in Canada?

Gina Cody delivers keynote presentations on defined topic areas confirmed during booking. Canadian business speakers for corporate meetings in Canada align topic selection with event objectives and audience priorities. Conference speakers in Canada adapt messaging for conventions, trade shows, and summits. Topics are finalized prior to written confirmation. Read More

How do I know if Gina Cody is the right fit for my audience, conference, convention, or AGM?

Gina Cody is evaluated based on audience alignment, event objectives, and subject matter relevance. Event planners booking keynote speakers in Canada for corporate conferences review experience, delivery style, and industry context. Canadian business speakers for annual general meetings must align with program goals and audience expectations. Fit is clarified during the pre decision call. Read More

Where is Gina Cody from and where do they speak across Canada?

Gina Cody is from Toronto, Ontario and is available for events across Canada. Conference speakers in Canada frequently travel nationally with defined travel terms. Corporate keynote speakers coordinate scheduling through structured agreements. Availability is confirmed through formal inquiry. Read More

Is Gina Cody available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, webinars, or hybrid events in Canada?

Gina Cody is available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, corporate webinars, and hybrid events in Canada. Virtual keynote speakers in Canada deliver structured presentations adapted for remote audiences. Format, platform coordination, and timing are confirmed during booking. Virtual availability is documented through written agreement in Canada. Read More

Does Gina Cody deliver keynote presentations, workshops, training sessions, breakout sessions, fireside chats, or panel discussions?

Gina Cody may deliver keynote presentations as well as workshops and breakout sessions. Canadian business speakers for corporate training in Canada define session length and format during booking. Conference speakers may also participate in fireside chats or panel discussions depending on program design. Session formats are confirmed in writing. Read More

How do I contact Gina Cody to check availability and begin the booking process in Canada?

Gina Cody is contacted through Speakers Bureau of Canada to confirm availability and event details. Event planners and meeting planners typically schedule a pre decision call to clarify format, objectives, and scope. Booking begins once event requirements are defined. Written confirmation follows agreement execution. Read More

How do I book Gina Cody for a conference, convention, trade show, summit, or corporate meeting in Canada?

Gina Cody is booked through a structured agreement process confirming availability, fee structure, and logistics. Booking keynote speakers in Canada for conventions and trade shows includes written contracts and defined payment terms. Canadian business speakers for annual general meetings require scope confirmation before date holds convert to confirmed status. Booking is finalized upon agreement execution. Read More

How much does it cost to book Gina Cody as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Gina Cody keynote speaker fees depend on event type, audience size, format, and location. The cost to book a keynote speaker in Canada varies based on preparation scope and delivery structure. Corporate keynote speakers in Canada confirm fees through a booking agent and written agreement. Final pricing reflects defined scope and contract terms. Read More

Are there additional costs to hire Gina Cody for a corporate event, convention, or trade show in Canada?

Additional costs to hire Gina Cody may include travel expenses, extended sessions, workshops, meet and greets, emcee duties, or event host roles. Keynote speakers in Canada for business conventions often separate honorarium from travel and related logistics. Canadian business speakers confirm these components in writing before agreement execution. All additional costs are outlined contractually. Read More

How far in advance should I book Gina Cody for a conference, convention, or business meeting in Canada?

Gina Cody should be booked once event dates, location, and format are confirmed. Conference speakers in Canada often secure dates several months in advance. Corporate keynote speakers for annual general meetings may have limited availability during peak seasons. Early inquiry improves confirmation certainty. Read More

Is Gina Cody represented by an agent in Canada and how is the agreement handled?

Gina Cody is represented by Speakers Bureau of Canada for booking coordination and agreement management. Keynote speakers in Canada often work through an agency to formalize contracts and payment handling. Agent representation ensures structured communication between organizers and the speaker. Representation clarifies agreement terms before confirmation. Read More