EDMONTON CHAPTER

Welcome to the Edmonton chapter of FEI Canada.

Our chapter provides a great forum for peer networking by CFOs and other senior financial executives who want to meet quality people and share solutions to the crucial issues that confront them daily.

Our FEI Canada dinner meetings, professional development seminars, and informal outings focus on the highest quality speakers and entertainment to facilitate the flow of new ideas and perspectives, as well as sound career and business decisions.

About Our Chapter

Eye on FEI

Edmonton Chapter Member Spotlight

FEI Canada boasts more than 1,100 members nationwide. This professional network brings together financial executives to enhance their professional success, to advocate on issues that affect the finance function in Canada, and to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experience among its members. Eye of FEI shares a glimpse into the accomplished members that make up our Edmonton Chapter. Nominated by another member based on their accomplishments, leadership, and shared values, this monthly Member Spotlight uncovers the personal benefit of membership through a thoughtful Q&A.  

This month’s nomination is by Larry Brownoff, FEI Edmonton Membership Chair and National Representative, and Director, Member Relations, CPA Alberta. As Membership Chair, Larry has dedicated the last five years to the development of strategies and processes to grow the Edmonton Chapter’s membership and sharing those at the National level to help other chapters recruit, onboard and retain FEI members.

March Member Spotlight:

Sheila Smigarowski, CPA, CA, CIA, CRMA, ACC, TEC Canada Chair

March Eye on FEI

On International Women’s Day, we are proud to celebrate Sheila Smigarowski as our March Eye on FEI member spotlight! As a woman entrepreneur and finance executive, Sheila’s dedication to the field and commitment to continuous learning is inspiring. 

Sheila is a highly accomplished executive leadership coach and risk management consultant. For over three decades, she inspired and supported leaders and businesses to reach their goals, delivering quality results in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. In addition to this, Sheila was appointed the Chair of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Board of Directors in Canada and served on its Board for eight years.

Sheila actively makes a positive impact in the community as the Board Chair of McDougall House, a women’s residential addiction treatment facility in Alberta. And she remains an honorary member of the Sanford Housing Society, a non-profit housing society and charity that builds and manages homes for mental health consumers.

While she’s lived in various places, Sheila and her partner have called Edmonton home for 15 years, sharing a summertime passion for golf.

What has been your experience as a woman executive in the finance industry?

Being the first in my family to pursue a university education, I have created great variety in my life and career by living, working, and volunteering in different cities in Western Canada and working across multiple industries and sectors. Building on my CA designation, my thirst for learning and growth has continued and over the years I have pursued additional certifications in internal audit, coaching, risk, and audit committee to broaden my leadership capacity. My experiences in small and medium sized organizations, large public companies, the public sector, and multiple volunteer roles have set me up to serve effectively as a Fractional Chief Audit Executive, Executive Coach, Board Chair and TEC Canada Chair.

With no barriers to education, I am excited for what women are contributing within their workplaces, their families, and their communities now and how this will expand exponentially in the future as women’s presence continues to positively impact our communities.

What words of advice/mentorship would you provide to a woman starting a new role, or embarking on a career in finance?

Build and nurture your network, find a sponsor who believes in you - one or multiple mentors over the years who will support and guide you as your career unfolds and help to navigate both the opportunities and the challenges encountered on the journey. As internal rotation programs are commonplace today, take advantage of these opportunities to serve in a variety of roles including treasury, financial reporting, internal audit, enterprise risk, operations, and other areas of shared services. Other things I have done is serve in volunteer roles, in my profession and the many non-profit organizations, which provides great opportunity to build your experience and confidence. This vast experience will set you up for successfully taking on a senior finance or other leadership role, IF you aspire to that.

How does membership in FEI Canada create a positive difference for women in finance?

I have been a member and served in the leadership of many associations over the years. While still a relatively new member of FEI, I am enjoying the opportunities to meet a new community of finance leaders. With its variety of high-quality educational events held over breakfast, lunch, and dinner, FEI provides the time to build relationships and networks.

The 2024 FEI Canada National Conference in Edmonton is just around the corner, from June 5-7. What are you looking forward to the most?

I look forward to meeting finance leaders from across Canada, sharing in great learning opportunities, networking with peers, and (of course) golfing at one of my favorite courses, the Northern Bear - a regular stop for me each summer.