CMA appoints seasoned marketing executive following national search to lead next phase of growth for Canada’s marketing profession
TORONTO, ON–The Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) named Esther Benzie as its next president and CEO, effective March 9, 2026.
Following Alison Simpson’s retirement announcement in September 2025, the CMA Board of Directors launched a comprehensive executive search to identify the Association’s next leader. The search attracted strong interest from highly accomplished senior marketing leaders across Canada, reflecting the CMA’s growing reputation and strength within the marketing community.
“I am honoured to join the CMA at such an important moment for our profession,” said Esther Benzie. “Marketing continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, and the CMA plays a vital role in emboldening, educating and connecting marketers across Canada. I look forward to working closely with the Board, the CMA team and our members to continue building a strong, future-proof marketing community.”
Benzie brings more than 30 years of diverse marketing leadership experience spanning multinational organizations, Canadian enterprises, industry associations, vendor environments and entrepreneurship. Her career includes senior leadership roles at Procter & Gamble and CIBC, where she led the global relaunch of the CIBC brand and oversaw major marketing operations. She also served as Senior Advisor and Acting President & CEO of the Association of Canadian Advertisers, bringing direct experience in member-based association leadership.
Most recently, Esther worked as a consultant with Listenmore and co-founded ShiftUp Coaching, providing leadership and marketing coaching to senior professionals. She also holds an MBA and is a trained board director and executive coach, bringing a strong combination of professional, academic and governance experience to the role.
Benzie’s expertise across brand strategy, marketing transformation, client services and leadership development closely aligns with the CMA’s mission to empower marketers through tools, education and thought leadership, advance the profession through shared standards and innovation and strengthen the Association’s national relevance and value proposition.
“The CMA has built strong momentum in recent years, expanding its role as a national voice for marketers and strengthening the value it delivers to members,” said Alan Depencier, CMA Board Chair and SVP and CMO, Commercial Banking and Insurance at RBC. “Esther brings the leadership and perspective needed to help the Association continue that progress and support marketers as the profession evolves.”
Under Simpson’s leadership, the CMA strengthened its mandate, expanded programming and membership value, and increased its national profile. As a result, the Association enters this leadership transition with a strong foundation, a highly engaged team and a clear strategic direction.
The CMA is the voice of marketing in Canada, and our purpose is to champion marketing’s powerful impact. We are the catalyst to help Canada’s marketers thrive today, while building the marketing mindset and environment of tomorrow. We provide opportunities for our members from coast to coast to develop professionally, to contribute to marketing thought leadership, to build strong networks, and to strengthen the regulatory climate for business success. Our Chartered Marketer (CM) designation signifies that recipients are highly qualified and up to date with best practices, as reflected in the Canadian Marketing Code of Ethics and Standards. We represent virtually all of Canada’s major business sectors, and all marketing disciplines, channels and technologies. Our Consumer Centre helps Canadians better understand their rights and obligations. For more information, visit thecma.ca.
