Leadership Team

Meet Our Executive Leadership Team

Learn more about Libro’s team of executives who lead the 700 staff working to grow prosperity in southwestern Ontario by transforming banking.

Stephen Bolton President and CEO, Head Coach

The Head Coach since 2012, Stephen has been with Libro since 1988.

He spearheaded the combination with United Communities Credit Union in 2013 while focusing on economic development in southwestern Ontario, while enabling and ensuring outstanding customer satisfaction levels.

Stephen holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Windsor, and an Executive MBA from the Ivey School of Business. He is a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors Program through the Rotman School of Management, an Associate of the Credit Union Institute of Canada, a graduate of the Queen’s Executive Program, and holds certificates from the Canadian Securities Institute.

During his career, Stephen has been on a number of community and financial services boards. He currently serves as a director on the London Economic Development Corporation Board, as well as the Canadian Credit Union Association, of which he was Chair of the Board for 2016 – 2018.

Stephen and his wife Betty live on a farm west of London, and have two children. He enjoys reading, coaching, travelling, running, and biking. He is active on social media.

Janet Johnson Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Driven by Libro’s purpose to grow prosperity, Janet provides leadership in the areas of finance, treasury, risk & regulatory compliance, and credit adjudication. Janet and her team are responsible for safeguarding Owners’ assets with utmost care to maximize Libro’s contribution to communities in southwestern Ontario and provide exceptional service to Libro Owners.

With Libro since December 2018, Janet has extensive experience in accounting, assurance, and risk management and spent two years gaining international experience in Australia. She holds an Honours Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business, a Masters of Accounting from the University of Waterloo, and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA). Janet continues to expand her knowledge through executive education.

Janet and her husband, along with their two boys, call London home and are grateful for the support of extended family. Outside of work, Janet enjoys being outdoors as much as possible, whether it is playing with her kids, exercising, or gardening.

Rhonda Choja Executive Vice President, Operations

Rhonda and her team are responsible for the overall direction and evolution of Libro’s back office administration, continuous improvement culture, day-to-day product support and operational excellence strategy. The team focuses on flow of value to Owners by uncovering activities that drive long term positive and sustainable outcomes for Libro.

With almost 30 years of diverse experience in the financial industry, Rhonda is a proficient generalist with a track record of introducing positive change through collaboration, developing best practices and building new business capabilities. She holds a Masters of Business Administration and is committed to lifelong learning, having completed several executive education programs throughout her career. She volunteers her time as a member of the board of directors for the London Chamber of Commerce and London Health Science Centre (LHSC).

Rhonda and her husband live outside of London and enjoy a busy family life with their two children. In her spare time, you can find Rhonda on the soccer pitch or on LinkedIn sharing her passion for leadership development.

Brian Aalbers Executive Vice President, People & Culture

Brian has called Libro home since 2006, and has served the Credit Union in a number of areas, including personal and business lending, Branch leadership, Strategy & Innovation and Brand.  He provides leadership and advice in all areas of the employee experience, including onboarding & recruitment, total rewards, learning & development, engagement programs and enhancing the vibrant culture of the Credit Union.

Brian holds a bachelor’s in business administration from Calvin University, and an Ivey Leadership certificate from the Ivey Academy.  He has also been recognized as a National Young Leader through the Canadian Credit Union Association.

In his community, Brian is an energetic youth soccer coach, and active in his elementary school’s Bursary Fund. Brian is a former Chair of the Canadian Credit Union National Young Leaders Committee, and member of the London Chamber of Commerce. None of this would be possible without the unbelievable support of his wife Sarah, and the inspiration provided by their three rambunctious children – James, Emily and Micah.

Tania Goodine Executive Vice President, Strategy & Innovation

Always thinking from the outside in, and a passionate disruptor, Tania leads Libro’s long term outlook, scanning for opportunities, researching big ideas, and strengthening the credit union’s ability to innovate in its pursuit of growing prosperity for people in southwestern Ontario.

She has been with Libro since 1990, working to help Libro develop and sustain a strong culture, build its brand and grow in southwestern Ontario’s communities.

Tania holds a Masters of Business Administration from York University and a Bachelor of Arts in honours psychology from Western University. She is a lifelong learner, having completed several executive education programs over her career. She has contributed to the credit union system as a member of the National Marketing Advisory Committee, National ATM Accessibility Task Force, Central 1 Research Advisory Committee, and the Ontario Brand Working Group.

Tania lives in downtown London, where she and her husband Steve enjoy gardening, playing golf and staying connected with the community. Her community involvement includes service as a member of the board of directors of the Boys & Girls Club of London.

Scott Ferguson Executive Vice President, Information Systems

Scott’s focuses are payment modernization, consumer direct finance, digital identity, information technology, software development, and business intelligence & analytics

He graduated from the University of Guelph in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and he holds a Certified Professional Accounting designation.

Scott joined Libro in 1986 as an Account Manager, and moved on to found and oversee Libro’s Information Systems Department. He is actively involved in the credit union sector and sits on the Payments Experts Group, a Central1 committee, as well as the Everlink Strategic Advisory Committee. Scott has been involved in bringing new mobile debit and credit payment platforms into the credit union industry, working with other Large Credit Union Coalition (LCUC) members. Scott also represents Libro Credit Union as a member of the Digital ID & Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC), that provides a collaborative framework to enhance security, scalability and privacy for digital identification.

Scott and his wife Sandy make their home in London. Scott is a member of the Highland Country Club, has been an active curler for more than 30 years, and he also enjoys golf and biking. In 2011, he founded the Libro Freewheelers, a team of staff and friends who participate in the annual Multiple Sclerosis Society fundraising bike tour from Grand Bend to London and back.”

Carol Normandeau Executive Vice President, Advice & Service

Carol participates in the development of corporate strategies and provides leadership on Libro’s Community Banking, Business Banking and Wealth Management Strategies. This includes the overall owner advice, coaching and service experience at all Libro locations across southwestern Ontario, including the Contact Centre.

She is actively involved in the credit union sector and sits on the National Lenders Committee, National Credit Card Program Advisory Committee and the CCUA/CuSource Professional Development & Education Advisory Committee.

Carol’s commitment to service excellence began early in her career when she spent time in hospitality management. Since joining the credit union in 2003, Carol has held a number of leadership roles including Commercial Account Manager, Senior Manager Commercial Credit and Vice President Credit. Before joining the credit union, Carol was a Senior Business Advisor with CIBC.

Michael Smit Executive Vice President, Brand & Digital Delivery

Michael and his team support everyone at Libro in telling the story of the credit union, its social purpose and the impact it makes across southwestern Ontario. He oversees strategy in the areas of digital delivery through mobile and online banking, marketing, communications, corporate social responsibility, government relations, and insights/research. All they do is focused on helping Owners to understand the value of partnering with Libro.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Commercial Studies from Western University, is a certified Lean Greenbelt champion, and has training in Innovation through Human Centered Design. Since joining the Credit Union system in 2005, Michael has also worked in a variety of branch-based roles leading teams in commercial, agricultural, and personal lending, bringing an understanding of the Owners’ needs from his experience.

A strong champion of the credit union system, Michael has served on national and provincial marketing committees. Locally he has served on boards and committees with several non-profit organizations, hospital foundations, and sports associations, and is currently on the board of directors for Pillar Non-Profit Network. Michael and his wife, Christine, a Registered Physiotherapist, live in Lambeth and have 3 children who are active in hockey and baseball.