A commitment to creating inclusive workplaces that empower people with disabilities has distinguished Steven Lewis as an emerging leader in Canadian employment law.
As Senior Legal Counsel at Capital One, Lewis serves as the sole employment counsel for Canadian operations, managing workplace investigations, terminations, regulatory compliance, and litigation matters while simultaneously driving major accessibility and inclusion initiatives.
“Steven’s contributions have had a measurable and lasting impact across multiple domains,” notes his nomination. “His work continues to inspire innovation, foster inclusion, and set new benchmarks.”
Lewis also contributes significantly to shaping workplace policies at national and international levels. He serves on the federal Accessibility Standards Canada Employment Standards Committee, developing standards under the Accessible Canada Act that support workers while providing frameworks for employers.
In December 2024, his committee published the first section of these Employment Standards, now available for employers across Canada. He also participates in the Global Leadership Counsel for the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP), a United Nations G3ict initiative, where he has driven improvements in global technology and accessibility.
As Chair of the Capacity and Discipline Committee of the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA), Lewis adjudicates professional misconduct cases, ensuring high regulatory standards for HR professionals.
His accessibility work at Capital One has been impactful. Lewis has led teams across the business to remediate over 4,000 instances of non-conformance, achieving 100% resolution of high and medium severity findings.
“As of August 2024, Steven closed out all of its legal claims related to accessibility with the last claim dismissed by the Canadian Human Rights Commission,” his nomination states. “At a time when human rights complaints and litigation in the industry is increasing, this is the first time the organization has not had active claims or litigation related to accessibility in many years.”
Lewis’s community engagement extends to co-founding the Rainbow Griffins Rugby Club, an inclusive team supporting individuals who typically don’t engage in rugby. The club provides resources for employment, housing, and personal development.
His achievements have earned multiple recognitions, including being named to BEQ Magazine’s Top LGBT Leaders list and ranking 10th on Involve’s international Top 100 Future Leaders list. At Capital One, he has received three ‘Beacon’ Awards and was nominated for a Circle of Excellence Award, the company’s highest honor.
“Steven has used his platform to empower colleagues, business partners, and individuals joining the workforce,” his nomination concludes, “and he has fostered meaningful change across Canada and beyond.”
