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Rose Patten, a leader in the banking industry with strong ties to the University of Toronto has joined the university's Rotman School of Management as an Executive-in-Residence.

"My decision to join Rotman was a very thoughtful and deliberate choice," said Patten. "The opportunity to have real impact from sharing broad and deep knowledge and experience will be greater here than any other situation I know. I love the students and their wonderful minds. I will continue to learn a great deal."

Patten will continue in her role as Special Advisor to the President and CEO of BMO Financial Group and as a senior member of the bank’s management committee. At the Rotman School she will work with students, advise on course design and engage with faculty on research. 

"We're delighted to welcome Rose to the Rotman School. Her experience and insights from her prestigious career in the areas of leadership, governance, succession planning and human resources will be invaluable to our students and faculty," said Roger Martin, Dean of the Rotman School.

Patten will also teach in Leadership and Corporate Governance programs.

"I have seen Rotman 'close up' over many years, and Roger Martin and I have spoken about this many times," Patten said. "The time is right now and I am very fortunate to be able to pursue my passion for leadership and the education and development of leaders, in this great academic setting ,while I pursue it real time at the Bank. Lastly, I will probably will never want to be too far from the University of Toronto overall."

Patten's career has spanned the four financial sectors – banking, trust, insurance and investment banking – and included mandates with responsibility for Canada, the U.S. and Asia. At BMO she has been senior executive vice-president, head of human resources, corporate communications and senior leadership advisor. She also played a crucial role in pioneering an executive leadership program for the bank in partnership with the Rotman School.

Patten has also held senior leadership roles at Nesbitt Burns, Manulife Financial and Continental Bank of Canada/Lloyds Bank Canada.

A director of BMO China Co. in China, Patten is also is vice-chair of the Hospital for Sick Children and chairs its board quality committee. She is director of the board and executive committee, chair of human resources and compensation committee of Metrolinx (Ontario Ministry of Transportation). She is also a member of the advisory committee on senior level retention and compensation, Treasury Board of Canada.

At the University of Toronto, she is a former chair of Governing Council; a member of the Boundless Campaign; a Member of Massey College; and Honorary Patron of Kings College Circle Heritage Society, in her addition to her new role at the Rotman School. 

In 2009, U of T awarded Patten an Honorary Doctor of Laws in recognition of her corporate leadership.