Steve Kuwahara
About Steve Kuwahara
Steve Kuwahara is the Market Vice President of the Public Sector and Not-for-Profit Group at CIBC, with extensive experience in commercial banking and investment banking.
Title
Steve Kuwahara is the Market Vice President of the Public Sector and Not-for-Profit Group within Commercial Banking at CIBC. He has held this position since 2011, contributing to the company's success from its Toronto, Ontario office.
Professional Experience
Steve Kuwahara's career at CIBC spans multiple leadership roles. From 2008 to 2011, he served as Senior Director and Head of Business Management in the Retail and Business Banking segment. Prior to that, he worked as Managing Director in several capacities, including Global Banking & Trade Solutions (2006-2008), Mid-Market Investment Banking/Commercial Banking (2001-2006), and Investment Banking (1994-2001). He also held the role of Market Vice President for the Public Sector and Not-for-Profit Group from 2008 to 2010. His career at CIBC began after working as an Associate Lawyer at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt from 1990 to 1992.
Education and Expertise
Steve Kuwahara holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on finance from the Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario (1992-1994). He also earned a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with a concentration in business law from the University of Western Ontario's Faculty of Law (1985-1988). Additionally, he completed administrative and commercial studies focused on business and economics at the University of Western Ontario, where he was on the Dean’s Honour List in both years (1983-1985).
Specific Skills and Contributions
Steve Kuwahara has played a key role in building CIBC's Media & Telecom Investment Banking teams. He is known for his extensive transaction execution expertise, acting as an advisor across various sectors. His skills range from providing financial advice to large public companies, SMEs, for-profit businesses, and public sector and non-profit organizations. Kuwahara has a unique combination of business, financial, and legal knowledge, allowing him to act as a catalyst for organizational change.