Financial professional Kavanagh joins Valeant board of directors

Quebec-based Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. welcomed Sarah B. Kavanagh to its board of directors, effective July 22. 

Kavanagh brings a wide range of financial experience to the board.

"We are pleased that Sarah has agreed to join Valeant's board," Chairman and CEO Joseph C. Papa said. "We want to ensure that Valeant's board is a balanced group of individuals with complementary perspectives and expertise. As a Canadian based company, Sarah's broad experience in corporate finance and securities administration matters in Canada makes her an ideal addition to our board of directors."

Kavanagh served at the Ontario Securities Commission as a commissioner and as the Audit Committee chair. She is also serving on the board of Hudbay Minerals Inc. and on WPT Industrial REIT's Compensation and Governance Committee. She continues to serve on the boards of the American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC, the Canadian Stock Transfer Company and the Canadian Tire Bank.

Her financial background includes several senior positions at Scotia Capital Inc. and other operating companies. She also worked as an investment banker in New York.

Kavanagh has a masters in business administration from Harvard Business School and an economics bachelor of arts from Williams College. She has continued to expand her knowledge base by completing the Institute of Corporate Directors' Directors Education Program in 2011.