Barry Columb, President and CEO of PC Financial and PC Services, Elected to CIF Board of Directors

The Canada Ireland Foundation (CIF) is pleased to announce that Barry Columb has been elected to the Foundation’s Board of Directors, effective immediately. In addition to his leadership role at PC Financial and PC Services, Barry is also a member of the Executive Management Board of Loblaw Companies Limited. With more than 25 years of banking experience across North America, Barry’s scope of expertise includes general management, risk management, marketing, new product development and operational functions. He possesses a wealth of experience in senior leadership and executive capacities, specifically in personal banking and operations across diverse banking institutions. Notably, as President and CEO of Citibank, he successfully developed and implemented payments programs that contributed to the expansion of retail sales for Home Depot, Staples, and Sears in both the United States and Canada. Barry is a Director of President's Choice Bank and President's Choice Services. He is a member of the Canadian Bankers' Association Small/Medium Bank Committee, and is a past Director of MasterCard Canada, Equifax Advisory Board, and the Ireland Fund of Canada. Mark Purdy, Chairman of the CIF Board of Directors said, “We are incredibly fortunate to have Barry join our Board. He was an important contributor to the Ireland Fund’s work, and his operational and business acumen is highly respected in Canada. Barry’s passion, expertise and talent will be valuable as we ramp up to the March 2026 opening of The Corleck - the vibrant new venue for arts, cultural and heritage programming on Toronto’s waterfront that will present new opportunities for the Irish-Canadian community to explore its deep roots while also engaging the many diverse cultures that enrich the city today. I am extremely excited to work alongside Barry to realize our vision for The Corleck and the Canada Ireland Foundation.” “I am honoured to join the Canada Ireland Foundation and to be part of its remarkable mission to celebrate the Irish experience in Canada, said Barry. I am excited to contribute my skills and experiences to the Canada Ireland Foundation and I look forward to working closely with the board to deepen ties across our communities.”