Women in Accounting and Finance

Women In Accounting and Finance

The School of Accounting and Finance has hosted an annual Women in Accounting and Finance event for several years. This event features fantastic speakers in Toronto, thanks to the generous support of PwC hosting in their Toronto office.

The Women in Accounting & Finance Event Celebration is an occasion filled with discussion and learning as distinguished executives share their career and leadership experiences. The celebration brings together women to hear inspirational stories, learn valuable advice, and gain insight on topics that matter most.

This is a great opportunity to meet outstanding female industry leaders and uncover successful personal and professional growth strategies!

women in finance

View Past Panelists

2022 Event Panelists

Pamela Steer (MAcc’94):

President and CEO of CPA Canada. 

Trish O’Malley (LLD ‘16):

Former Chair of the Board for the Accounting Standards Board (AcSB).

Jeannine LiChong (MAcc’92):

Executive Vice-President & Portfolio Manager for the Waratah Income Fund.

Julie Robson (MAcc ‘92):

Continuing Lecturer, Taxation

Jennifer Roedding (MAcc ‘94):

President of Roedding Associates Management Consultants Inc. and Waterloo Hub for Sustainability Integration Executive in Residence.

Nilofer Ahmed (MAcc ‘12):

Vice President of Commercial at Motif FoodWorks.

Shari Mann:

Continuing Lecturer, Financial Reporting.

2021 Event Panelists

Carol Leaman (MAcc '89, FCPA)

CEO of Axonify Inc.

Carol Leaman

Carol Leaman (MAcc '89, FCPA) is the CEO of Axonify, a SaaS based training and learning platform used in over 150 countries. Over the past 20 years, Carol has built an impressive track record of successfully leading technology companies. Carol is a celebrated entrepreneur and award-winning thought leader whose articles appear in leading learning, business and technology publications. Carol sits on the boards of many organizations and advises a variety of Canadian high-tech firms.

Read the full story of the 2021 Women In Accounting and Finance Global Summit

Carmen Chung (MAcc '10, CPA, CA)

Head of Finance and Business Advisory for the Asia General Account Investments at Manulife

Carmen Chung

Carmen Chung (MAcc '10, CPA, CA) is the Head of Finance and Business Advisory for the Asia General Account Investments at Manulife. She leads a team that oversees the business infrastructure and finance for General Account investment entities across the region. Outside of the workplace, Carmen is passionate in sharing her experiences and giving back to the community. She volunteers as a Treasurer for a Chiropractic College Foundation and provides mentorship to aspiring entrepreneurial accountants.

Read the full story of the 2021 Women In Accounting and Finance Global Summit

Julia Klann (MAcc '05, CPA, CA, US CPA)

Partner, Eastern Canada Leader, US Corporate Tax at Grant Thornton LLP

Julia Klann

Julia Klann (MAcc '05, CPA, CA, US CPA) is the US Corporate Tax leader for Eastern Canada at Grant Thorton and has over 16 years’ experience assisting clients with US and cross-border tax issues. She has designed and taught an introductory US tax course for the University of Waterloo and has been named in bestselling book Total Rethink as the best tax mind in US deal planning. Outside of the workplace, Julia is passionate about child welfare, education and development, sitting on the Board of Directors for both Nutrition for Learning, as well as Rising Oaks Early Learning Ontario.

Read the full story of the 2021 Women In Accounting and Finance Global Summit

2020 Event Panelists

Joanne Gutwinski (MAcc '14)

MBA Candidate, Harvard Business School
Private Equity, Blackstone Group

Shana Laurie de Hernandez (MAcc '98)

Retail and Consumer Leader, PwC Europe

Michelle Lam (MAcc '01)

Former Co-Founder and CEO, True Co

Elaine Lee (BA '03)

Senior Manager, Change Management Office, The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
President, UW SAF Alumni Association

Read the full story of the 2020 Women In Accounting and Finance Global Summit

Siddhi Purohit (MAcc '08)

Associate Portfolio Manager, European Equities, RBC Global Asset Management

2019 Event Panelists

Julie Cays (BA '82)

Chief Investment Officer, CAAT Pension Plan

Jeannine Li Chong (MAcc '92)

Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Waratah Capital Advisors Ltd.

Kaila Orr (MAcc '10)

Senior Manager, Privacy Advisory, Scotiabank

Suzanne Patfield (PDAcc '03)

Manager of Finance, Ontario Universities' Application Centre

2018 Event Panelists

Marilyn Wang (MAcc '97)

Vice President, Data Analytics and Business Modelling, PwC

Shikha Gandhi (MAcc '04)

Vice President, Finance and Corporate Services, Purolator Inc.

Cathy Cobey (MAcc '95)

Partner, Advisory Services, EY

2017 Event Panelists

Swati Patel (BA '93), CPA, CA, CPA (Illinois)

Assurance Partner, PwC

Master of Ceremonies (2018)

Christine Wiedman FCPA, FCA (PhD '94, Cornell University)

Associate Director of Research at School of Accounting Finance, University of Waterloo

Cynthia Devine FCPA, FCA (HBA '87, Western University)

Chief Financial Officer, Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment

Master of Ceremonies

Victoria Davies (MAcc '88)

Director and Strategic Consultant, VP Connections and Events, SAF Alumni Association

2016 Event Panelists

LEAN IN - WHAT DOES IT TRULY MEAN IN 2016?

Lisa Coulman

Lisa Coulman (BA ’88)

Partner, PwC

ESG FOR ME: SUSTAINABILITY IN YOUR CAREER AND LIFE

Pamela Steer

Pamela Steer (MAcc ’94)

Chief Financial Officer, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

MY BRAND: DEFINE YOURSELF BEFORE OTHERS DEFINE YOU

Carol Wilding (BBA, York)

President and CEO, CPA Ontario

2015 Event Panelists

BE YOURSELF, BUT BE YOUR BEST SELF

Colleen Johnston

Colleen Johnston (BBA ’82, York)

Group Head Finance, Sourcing and Corporate Communications, and Chief Financial Officer, TD Bank Group

BRINGING CONFIDENCE TO THE TABLE

Federica Nazzani

Federica Nazzani (MAcc ’95)

Founder and President, Capital Assist (Valuation) Inc.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES - STILL EXCITING AFTER 30 YEARS

Tracy Riley

Tracey Riley (BA ’88)

Managing Partner, Assurance, PwC

2014 Event Panelists

THE POWER OF YOUR NETWORK

Lana Paton (BMath ’93)

Partner, PwC

WHAT DOES LEADERSHIP MEAN AT DIFFERENT LEVELS?

Jane Skoblo (BBA ’85, York)

VP and LFO & Chief Financial Officer, Amex Bank of Canada

BE BOLD, BE DARING, BE DIFFERENT

Michelle Wettlaufer (MAcc ’89)

VP Corporate Finance, Tim Hortons

2013 Event Panelists

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT – ACCOUNTING IN NON-TRADITIONAL ROLES

Sepanta Dorri (MAcc ’97)

Former General Manager, Business Development, Xstrata Nickel

ACHIEVING SUCCESS AND BALANCE IN PUBLIC PRACTICE

Betty Ann Jarrett (MAcc ’86)

Tax Partner, PwC

LESSONS FROM 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

Tricia O’Malley (BComm ’71, Manitoba)

Chair, International Forum of Accounting Standard-Setters

THE POWER OF TEAMS – BUILDING FOR SUCCESS

Lynda Sullivan (BMath ’82)

Executive Vice President and Controller, Manulife Financial