During the course of her banking career with BMO, Gemma Raeburn-Baynes has held a number of managerial positions and made significant contributions to the Bank’s development, particularly in the areas of equity and diversity. The contributions have allowed BMO to foster closer ties with the Black and other cultural communities. Gemma Raeburn-Baynes is well respected by the Black and wider communities in Montreal and other parts of Canada. She has received many accolades and awards across the country for her professional and community work.

Gemma Raeburn-Baynes founded Playmas Montreal Cultural Association in 2000 as a means of promoting the culture of the Caribbean in the wider mainstream community. She and the members of the Playmas Montreal team, through their many initiatives, are working to enlighten the youth and others by exposing them to the rich culture of the Caribbean.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 1990, Advisor to the Task Force on the Advancement of Women at BMO; 1993 was responsible for BMO’s research of the Task Force on the Advancement of Visible Minorities, also held the position of Research Coordinator, then Manager, Workplace Equality; 1995, initiated the Trans-Canadian, “Possibilities” Internship Scholarship Program, a BMO education and work experience partnership with local school boards and community organizations, aimed at visible minority and aboriginal youth, as well as youth with disabilities, encouraging them to achieve academic success; 1997 initiated the EXCEL Minority Youth Group, a non-profit organization sponsored by BMO to instill leadership and management skills in young people and much more.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS: 1974, founding member of the Montreal Carnival, now called “Carifiesta”. 1979, founded the Montreal Ebony Models which raises money for charity through fashion shows and entertainment initiatives. Over $1 million dollars have been raised through this initiative for various charitable causes and organizations, including the Children’s Wish Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Negro Community Centre, the Canadian Sickle Cell Society, the Jewish General Hospital Hope & Cope, just to name a few. 1976- Started the first Miss Montreal Carnival Pageant which later changed to Miss Carifete. 1980, founder of Miss Black Quebec Pageant, instilling pride and self-confidence in young Black women; 1985, founded African Dynasty, an organization raising funds while raising awareness for Sickle Cell Anemia through fashion shows and entertainment productions. 1985, created Safari Cosmetiques Inc., the first Black-owned cosmetics business in Quebec (business employment to low-income women). 2000, founded Playmas Montreal to enhance the Montreal Carnival; her presentation in Montreal Carnival over the past years has been awarded numerous prizes and awards. Now Playmas Montreal is considered one of the biggest contenders in the Montreal Carnival. 2002, created the West Island Youth Models Club to train and develop children from ages 7 to 17 in the fashion and modeling industry. Model Director of The Hudson Models Club. Former Pointe Claire Coordinator of the Sears Canada Modeling Program.

HONOURS: 1997 Gemma Raeburn-Baynes received the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for Public and Community Service; 1998, the recipient of the Woman of Achievement Award from the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Montreal; 2001, Champion of Diversity, Applaud Award, Bank of Montreal; 2000, Mentor of the Year Award, Career Edge Program; 2000, Entrepreneurship Award, Bank of Montreal; 1997, honoured by Montreal’s Black Community for 25 years of dedicated community service, 2000 Calendar Honoree for Black History Month.

WORKS: Several. Contributing Writer for Community Contact Newspaper, Montreal’s Black Newspaper. Reviewed in many banking, local and national publication. 2000 - Profiled in “Millennium Minds” marking the history and contributions of Blacks in Canada, published as part of the Millennium Bureau of Canada’s millennium theme: Sharing the Memory, Shaping the Dream; 1997 – Profiled in The Montreal Gazette’s “Portraits” Agenda; 1998 - Business Communications Process and Product, and 2002 – “Who’s Who in Black Canada”, a contemporary directory of Black success and Black excellence in Canada.

EDUCATION: McGill University, Public Relations Management; Dawson College, Psychology/Humanities; Dynique International, Cosmetology Diploma.

PERSONAL: Gemma Raeburn-Baynes was born in Grenada, West Indies and migrated to Canada in 1964. She is married to Bernard Baynes, Elementary Schoolteacher, and the couple has one son, Kevin Baynes, born in 1986. Gemma is affectionately described by her son as “the Energizer Bunny… because she never stops!”