A skilled executive with a passion for partnerships and collaboration, Kerri-Ann Santaguida is the Vice President and General Manager of Merchant Services at American Express Canada.
Kerri-Ann sits on the Canadian Executive Team and is responsible for growing coverage and market share through acquisition channels and existing merchant partnerships. Kerri-Ann and her team of 110+ employees provide merchants with access to innovative products, insights and services, so they can more effectively manage payments and drive business success.
As a passionate supporter of small businesses, Kerri-Ann led the strategy, development and implementation of Amex Canada’s 2020 Shop Small campaign, the largest investment in the Canadian market to date. An ongoing program, Shop Small continues to help drive meaningful support to small businesses by incentivizing spending and shining a light on the important role they play in our communities – support that has been needed more than ever in recent years.
In addition to her support for small businesses, Kerri-Ann is a powerful advocate for women in the workplace, acting as the co-executive sponsor for the Women’s Interest Network at Amex Canada for the last 15 years. She has been instrumental in expanding mentorship opportunities for women within the organization, helping make Amex Canada one of the most diverse and inclusive corporate environments in the country. Kerri-Ann has been a driving force to engage Amex Canada colleagues in the Weekend to Conquer Cancer, supporting the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. As the Honorary Chair, her leadership has helped make Team Amex one of the Top 10 corporate fundraising teams for over a decade.
She has been recognized by awards bodies both inside and outside the organization for her work in merchant services, her dedication to fellow women in business and her commitment to community. In 2016 and 2021, the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) honoured Kerri-Ann as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, and has named her a Top 100 Mentor since 2017.
At American Express, Kerri-Ann is a three-time winner of the prestigious Presidents Club Awards for Leadership and, in 2012, she was inducted into the company’s Hall of Fame for her outstanding career achievements.
