CIBC marks the fourth year of sponsorship, which helps women re-engage their careers

TORONTO, Nov. 8, 2011 /CNW/ - CIBC (CM: TSX) (CM: NYSE) - After taking time out to pursue other activities, 15 women are now set to restart their careers and successfully re-enter the workforce thanks to ReConnect: Career Renewal for Returning Professional Women™.

ReConnect is the first program of its kind in Canada designed for professional women who want to return to the workforce after an extended absence.

"Women looking to return to the workforce after a period of time off can face a number of challenges," said Jacqueline Moss, Executive Vice-President, Human Resources, CIBC. "ReConnect provides an empowering learning experience and opportunity that builds on past accomplishments and personal strengths to help successfully re-launch careers."

CIBC invested $1 million in the immersion program delivered by the Richard Ivey School of Business. It is ideal for women who have a post-secondary education and possess professional experience at a managerial or executive level in a range of fields, such as business, law, finance, accounting or not-for-profit.

This year's participants spent five days this past October at the Ivey campus in London, Ontario, renewing critical business knowledge, leadership and technical skills, as well as building their peer network. They now join 50 past graduates who have left the program re-energized, with a personal action plan to embark on an executive job search. Their accomplishment was celebrated at a graduation ceremony in Toronto on November 7.

"ReConnect has sharpened my focus on my return to the workplace," said 2011 graduate, Wunmi Ajayi, who joined the program after taking time off from her financial services career to move to Canada. "The program had a positive influence in strengthening my leadership, strategic thinking, and work-life balance skills. As a newcomer to Canada, the connections I made with other participants will provide me with a strong network as I embark on a new career search."

Next year's program will begin on October 1, 2012.

About CIBC
CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with nearly 11 million personal banking and business clients. CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada, and has offices in the United States and around the world. You can find other news releases and information about CIBC in our Press Centre on our corporate website at www.cibc.com.