Celebrating SAF alumni for International Women's Day
In honour of International Women’s Day, we are proud to highlight inspiring female alumni from the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF). These accomplished women have carved out impactful careers, demonstrating leadership, perseverance and innovation in their respective fields. Through their stories, we celebrate their achievements and the pathways they have paved for future generations of women in finance, accounting and business.
Renee Milligan
MAcc '15
Partner, Tax Value Creation at KPMG
Renee Milligan is a partner at KPMG on the Tax Value Creation team, where she helps clients leverage tax strategies to create business value. Her passion for tax began during her first co-op term as a student at SAF, and she has since built a career specializing in international corporate tax. Now leading a dynamic team, she thrives on making a meaningful impact for her clients and mentoring future professionals. She works closely with businesses to identify opportunities where tax can be a driver of growth, helping organizations navigate complex tax landscapes with innovative strategies. Renee is also dedicated to fostering a collaborative and inclusive workplace, ensuring her team members have the resources and support they need to succeed. Outside of work, she is a proud mom of two and finds joy in sharing her experiences with her family.
Renee credits the SAF co-op program for fast-tracking her career. “The co-op program allowed me to explore different areas of tax early on, helping me identify my passion and apply my education in real-world settings.”
Her advice to young professionals? “Strive for the destination, but don’t forget to enjoy the journey. Your career will span decades—take it day-by-day, keep learning, and trust that progress will come with time.”
As a leader, Renee values empathy and listening. “Understanding the challenges my clients and team face allows me to support them effectively. I care deeply about fostering an environment where we can all achieve collective success.”
Renee’s journey highlights the power of passion, adaptability and mentorship, demonstrating the critical role women play in shaping the future of finance and tax. Her success paves the way for more women to step into leadership roles, showing that with dedication and support, barriers can be broken and new opportunities created.
Lucy Qi
MAcc '10
Senior Vice President, Corporate Finance at OMERS
As Senior Vice President, Corporate Finance at OMERS, Lucy Qi plays a pivotal role in overseeing the financial and management reporting, financial planning and analysis, corporate financing and procurement functions of one of Canada’s largest pension plans. Leading a team of over 70 professionals, she is committed to driving financial excellence while also giving back to the community. Her passion for service extends beyond her corporate role—she currently serves as the Chair of the Audit, Finance and Property Committee of the Board of Governors at Sheridan College and is a member of the Investment Committee of the Ontario Hospital Association.
Lucy’s aspirations to become a finance and business leader began at SAF. Reflecting on her time at Waterloo, she credits her BAFM and MAcc education––as well as her invaluable co-op experiences––with providing a strong technical foundation to start her career journey. "The co-op program gave me exposure to different industries, helping me discover my passion for financial services," she shares.
For students and young professionals, Lucy emphasizes leveraging Waterloo’s co-op program to explore various disciplines and career paths while also gaining valuable opportunities for self-discovery. She encourages proactive networking to make the most of every interaction. "Take the time to connect with those further along in their careers. Learning from their journeys can provide valuable insights as you shape your own path."
As a woman in finance, Lucy highlights the power of empathy, collaboration, and humility in leadership. "These qualities help build consensus among divergent views and more broadly, thoughtful decision making and better business outcomes.”
Feature flashbacks
Looking for more inspiring stories of women in finance? Check out these past stories of SAF alumni who have been paving the way.
