Leadership Lens is a series of Q&As with participants from AKFC’s Global Leadership Program. From artists to philanthropists, finance executives to medical doctors, AKFC’s Global Leaders are all dedicated to strengthening Canada’s role in addressing global and local issues, and building a more prosperous, peaceful, and pluralistic world.
Buruzoth Balasubramaniam is a senior leader in enterprise transformation, data governance, and strategy with experience across financial services, consulting, and the social sector. At TD Bank, he leads initiatives that enhance institutional effectiveness through stronger governance, operating model design, and evidence-based decision-making. Previously, he led multi-year regulatory and data modernization programs in TD’s Office of the Chief Data Officer, following a consulting career at Deloitte focused on organizational strategy and large-scale transformation. He also serves on boards in housing, health care, and international development, providing leadership in governance, strategy, and executive oversight. Buruzoth holds an Executive MBA and ESG Designation from the Rotman School of Management. His lived experience informs a commitment to building institutions that are equitable, transparent, and socially accountable. Learn more about Buruzoth on our 2025-2026 Global Leadership Program cohort page.
AKFC: What led you to pursue your current career?
Buruzoth Balasubramaniam: My career has always been rooted in a commitment to equity and systemic change. I came to Canada as a refugee at a young age, and that experience shaped my awareness of how institutions can either marginalize or empower individuals. Over time, I became deeply interested in how organizations make decisions, who shapes them, who benefits from them, and who is left behind. That interest led me to work across various sectors, including health and nonprofit governance, as well as data, risk, and strategy in financial services. What keeps me focused is the throughline: I want to help design systems that serve with integrity, that are transparent and inclusive by design, not by exception.
AKFC: What keeps you motivated?
BB: I’m motivated by the opportunity to embed accountability and equity into large-scale decision-making. In my current role at TD, I support enterprise-wide strategy and transformation initiatives that shape the bank’s operations at scale. Whether I’m advising on transformation portfolios or strengthening governance frameworks across lines of business, I approach the work with one central question: how do we ensure our systems reflect our values? Outside of work, I serve on the board of Services and Housing in the Province (SHIP), a nonprofit advancing mental health and housing solutions in Ontario. That work keeps me grounded. It’s a reminder that behind every strategy is a person, a story, and a community.
AKFC: What inspired you to apply for the Global Leadership Program?
BB: I was drawn to the program because it brings together people who lead with both strategic rigour and a deep sense of purpose. I had completed my Executive MBA and ESG Designation at Rotman, and I was seeking a space that would challenge me beyond technical excellence, something rooted in global equity and systems change.
The Global Leadership Program felt like a rare opportunity to explore how leadership can be exercised across borders and sectors, and how those of us with hybrid identities (diaspora leaders, system challengers) can shape new models of impact.
AKFC: Do you have any questions or curiosities you are excited to explore over the course of the program?
BB: I’m excited to explore how governance, data, and innovation intersect in the context of global development, particularly around themes such as financial inclusion, responsible AI, and ethical infrastructure.
I’m also curious to learn how other Global Leaders navigate complex systems in their regions, especially how they balance community-based leadership with institutional scale and longevity.
AKFC: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
BB: Just a sincere thank you. It’s rare to find a program that centers values-driven leadership with this level of depth and global intention. I’m honoured to be part of this cohort and excited to contribute alongside such a powerful group of changemakers.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity
Buruzoth Balasubramaniam is part of the 2025-2026 cohort of AKFC’s Global Leadership Program. Learn more about the program here.
