Ratana Stephens founded Nature’s Path Foods with her husband Arran in 1985. Together they grew Nature’s Path into North America’s largest independent certified organic breakfast and snack food company, while remaining firmly committed to their shared mission of leaving the earth better than they found it.
A dedicated student, Ratana studied psychology and Sanskrit at Agra University in India, where she also obtained an MA in English literature. She went on to become a college lecturer, before meeting her husband Arran and moving to Vancouver.
Since its inception, Nature’s Path has operated on the triple-bottom line: social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and financial viability, in that order. After stepping aside from the day to day operations as CEO of Nature’s Path in June of 2023, Ratana has turned her considerable skills to philanthropy, as well as spending more time with her four children and seven grandchildren. Since 2008, Ratana and Arran personally, and additionally through Nature’s Path, have donated more than $40 million to various causes and community service efforts.
Together with her husband, Ratana has been honoured with the 2021 Order of British Columbia, inducted into the Business Laureates of British Columbia Hall of Fame (2020) and received an honorary Doctor of Education (DEd) from the University of Victoria. As a role model for women in business, Ratana’s contribution to the successful growth of Nature’s Path has been recognized by the business community through numerous awards including a YWCA Women of Distinction Award for entrepreneurship and innovation, an Influential Women in Business Award by Business in Vancouver and well as being named one of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network.
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Curtis Stange was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of ATB Financial on June 30, 2018. With
courage, disciplined thought and precise action, he leads a team of more than 5,000 team members who
are dedicated to ATB’s purpose—to make it possible for over 800,000 clients and business owners.
With more than 35 years of experience in financial services in Canada, Curtis has led teams across diverse
geographic markets and through various economic cycles—always with an inquisitive nature and a desire
to get to know the people and places around him. Under his tenure, ATB Financial has grown to become
the eighth largest financial institution in the country by assets, providing expert advice and capital to
businesses to grow and prosper, with strong expertise and market share in energy, agriculture and real
estate. Curtis has helped to shape ATB’s client-focused culture—to become a financial partner that’s
proactive, collaborative and excited to share expertise and explore new ways to bring possibilities to life.
Through this dedication, ATB is consistently named as one of the best workplaces in Canada and one of
the top financial institutions in the country when it comes to differentiating on client experience through
our people.
Before becoming CEO, Curtis held a number of senior leadership roles at ATB Financial, as well as at one
of Canada’s big five banks. He successfully led large-scale retail, wealth management and commercial
banking throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario; headed up a complex and
massive conversion of a core banking system; created a new line of business focused on entrepreneurs
and served as a Chief Client Officer. If there's one thing that his career has taught him, it's that people are
at the heart of everything. Curtis is highly respected for his banking expertise, but more importantly, he is
known as a great listener, communicator and committed advocate for team members and clients.
Curtis is a Stanford alumnus and member of the Alberta Business Council and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Western Executive Council. He also chairs the ATB Subsidiary board, serves on advisory boards for the Edmonton International Airport, Visa Canada and Advancing Women Executives in Western Canada and co-chairs the STARS Air Ambulance board. As a strong advocate for mental health, Curtis is a driving force behind reducing stigma, building peer support and creating psychologically safe and healthy workplaces. He believes deeply in raising the collective well-being of society, both to strengthen our social fabric as well as improve our economic future.
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