This article was provided by the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association.
Angela Yousofi's story is rooted in resilience and determination. In the 1980’s, her parents fled Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion, leaving behind their studies in medicine and agriculture at Kabul University to start anew in Canada. Despite the challenges of rebuilding their lives from scratch, they persevered and built a thriving community in Vancouver, where they still live today among extended family. “In 1987, my dad began his career as an insurance agent,” she says. “Fourteen years later, my mom, then a dental assistant, decided to stay home to raise us three children and support my dad in launching his independent financial advisory firm.”
“Several other members of my family reinvented themselves in Canada,” she shares. “My uncle was a geologist and had worked in the Yukon before marrying my aunt and bringing her to Canada in 1972. They opened a small café on West Broadway that later became the Afghan Horsemen, and 50 years later, it is one of the oldest restaurants of its kind in North America.”
Her family’s strength and determination shaped Angela’s own path, ultimately guiding her to a career in law. After graduating from the Peter A. Allard School of Law at UBC and being called to the British Columbia bar in 2017, Angela spent five years in private practice as a corporate, securities and M&A lawyer. The turbulence of the Canadian financial markets led her to reassess her career path, ultimately inspiring a transition to in-house counsel. She joined Raymond James Ltd. (“Raymond James”), Canada’s largest independent financial services firm and the Canadian arm of US-listed Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE:RJF). And has not looked back since. At Raymond James, Angela helps navigate complex regulatory requirements in connection with transactions, reviews various types of agreements, provides strategic legal advice to several departments and acts as Corporate Secretary to a financial planning subsidiary.
In the early days of her in-house career, as part of a small five member legal team, Angela was eager to expand her knowledge and connect with other professionals. This led her to the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association (CCCA).
“If you are currently an in-house lawyer, I encourage you to join the CCCA,” she says. “From educational resources and mentorship to in-house leadership retreats and networking, the benefits have been endless. I truly appreciate the valuable educational opportunities and meaningful relationships that the CCCA has given me in such a short period of time.”
Through these connections, Angela joined the CCCA’s Mentoring Program for hands-on guidance. She also became a member of the CCCA’s Executive Committee where she learned about the Business Leadership Program for In-House Counsel at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management. Inspired by the opportunity to further develop her business skills, she enrolled in the 2024 cohort.
“I’m impressed by how the curriculum has been customized to cater to the unique responsibilities of in-house legal professionals — I was attracted to it because the Business Leadership Program for In-House Counsel goes beyond traditional legal training to help us understand the business aspects of our role,” she explains. “At my first in-person session in Toronto (in September 2024), I was humbled by the credentials of the instructors and participants from across Canada. I would never have met this group of people had I not taken this program. The project working groups have become ‘my family’ with many shared experiences and challenges as in-house counsel. I can see myself keeping in touch with these colleagues 10 years from now.” With her background as a securities lawyer, Angela was especially looking forward to the sessions on financial statements and financial decision-making within organizations. The program has already improved her confidence in financial discussions, allowing her to participate at a deeper level in meetings. She has a deeper understanding of organizational dynamics and is better equipped to support informed decisions that align with her organization’s strategy.
Angela’s future looks bright with an enhanced skill set, a growing network, and increased confidence. She is also making time for activities that she loves such as figure skating in the winter and golfing in the summer.
The Business Leadership Program for In-House Counsel, offered by the CCCA in partnership with the Rotman School of Management, is accepting applications for its September 2025 cohort. Learn more about the program — and CCCA membership — on the CCCA website.