Michael Vels
Corporate Director
Michael Vels is the former Chief Financial Officer Chief Development Officer of Empire Company Limited and Sobeys Inc., where he was responsible for leading Empire’s finance, real estate, technology, strategic sourcing, enterprise project management and mergers and acquisitions activities. Before his tenure at Empire, Michael was the Chief Financial Officer at Hydro One from 2015 to 2017.
Prior to joining Hydro One, Michael held several progressive roles at Maple Leaf Foods from 1991 to 2014, including Chief Finance Officer, Chief Transition Officer, Executive Vice President of Finance, and Vice President of Finance. He was also Chief Financial Officer of Canada Bread Company Ltd. prior to its acquisition by Grupo Bimbo S.A.B.
Michael began his early career in various roles at KPMG and Ernst & Whinney Chartered Accountants (now Ernst & Young LLP) in South Africa where he earned his Chartered Accountant designation. He holds a Bachelor of Accounting degree from University of the Witwatersrand. He has also earned his ICD.D designation. He currently serves on the board of directors for Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust.
Michael serves as Canada Packers’ Independent Lead Director.