FemSTEAM Fall Summit Panelist Biography 

Krista Scaldwell ‘86

With an affinity for “the human touch,” Krista Scaldwell ’86 continues to leave a huge footprint on the corporate communications landscape. 

“Effective communicators aren’t replaceable by technology or robotics or automation,” says Ms. Scaldwell, vice-president, communications and public affairs, for Canada Life.

“No one writes a news release better than a human. No one tells a story better than a human. I have a love of business and numbers and finance and economics and people but I also love the human touch. This career has given me all that.”

Named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women of 2020 by the Women’s Executive Network (WBN), Scaldwell leads all aspects of communications for the life insurance company, employing a wealth of experience and skills acquired through prior positions at Coca-Cola Canada, Johnson & Johnson, and Bristol Myers Squibb Canada. She also has extensive experience in politics, having worked for the late Jim Flaherty before starting her corporate career.

A member of Trent’s Board of Governors and past chair of the Trent Alumni Community of Women, Scaldwell has a BA in Economics and Sociology from Trent and an Executive MBA from the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. 

Ms. Scaldwell reflects on her time at Trent, saying the experience “has never left me. I’ve always valued what Trent gave me. I had an entrance scholarship but Trent took a chance on me. I thought I had won the lottery and, in a way, did.”

For all she has accomplished, both professionally and in the not-for-profit sector where she has served in both management and board roles, Scaldwell remains most proud of her close relationship with her two children.

“That relationship speaks to my willingness to balance the time between my career, volunteering in the community and spending time with my kids. It’s the relationship you can put most at risk when you have a big career.”

To those embarking on their careers, Scaldwell’s best advice is “Enjoy the journey.”

“Lots of times of you miss family and friends for work. Don’t do that. Life is short.”

Watch this inspiring Trent alumnae speak at the FemSTEAM Fall Summit. Visit the FemSTEAM website to watch live October 13th from 9:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.