Association of Women in Finance

AWF Board of Directors

Being a Board Member for the Association of Women in Finance is a rewarding opportunity for any woman in finance wishing to obtain Board experience. The Association's Board positions are dynamic in nature and require the ability to work on several projects simultaneously, including assisting other Board members when called upon. These positions require energy and a positive attitude, as well as a time commitment. And what do volunteer Board members get in return? Membership in a high caliber organization, an opportunity to develop professionally by taking on projects outside one's normal scope of work, lifelong friendships and valuable business networks. This is also a chance to give back to your community!

If you would like further information about the AWF, please contact us by by email. Please include your name, telephone number and e-mail address to enable us to connect with you.

AWF's Board of Directors is currently comprised of twelve volunteer directors. They are:

	Vanessa Noga, Senior Account Manager, Royal Bank of Canada AWF - President Vanessa joined Royal Bank in Toronto in 1990 and moved with the bank to Vancouver in 1999. Throughout her career, she has been supporting business clients through direct relationship management and sales leadership roles, as well as roles in risk management, portfolio management and corporate finance. Vanessa holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business and is a graduate of Leadership Vancouver. Her previous community board involvement includes Dive Ontario (10 years), the BC New Canadian Entrepreneur Awards and the Vancouver Tourism Awards. Vanessa is a strong supporter of the Women’s Market within RBC including the Women Presidents’ Organization and participation in the 2010 Vancouver launch of WEConnect. Vanessa lives in New Westminster with her husband and two young daughters.
	Raewyn Brewer, Lawyer, Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP - AWF - Vice President Raewyn is a corporate commercial lawyer at Farris. Raewyn has experience in a broad range of transactions including debt and equity financings, mergers involving both public and private companies, and other corporate reorganizations. Her practice also focuses on advising issuers with respect to securities reporting, compliance and disclosure obligations, corporate governance and general corporate matters. Raewyn was also seconded to MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (“MDA”) as Corporate Counsel where she assisted the senior executive team and legal department in a variety of corporate and securities matters. Raewyn is passionate about the retention and promotion of women in business and law. She has served three terms on the AWF Board: PEAK Director (2008-2010) and Vice President (2010-2011). Raewyn is the mother of a young daughter and will be on maternity leave beginning September 2011 with her second child
	Sandra Tetzlaff, Heaver Tetzlaff, Professional Accountants AWF - Treasurer Sandra has over 18 years’ experience in the finance industry. She is currently a partner in a family public accounting practice. The practice focuses on auditing, accounting, financial reporting and income tax planning and preparation for individuals, not-for-profit entities, charities and private companies. Sandra graduated from UBC in 1990 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a specialization in accounting. After earning her Chartered Accountant designation in 1993 at Price Waterhouse, she transferred to their Forest Industry Consulting Group where she specialized in financial benchmarking and analysis, financial process re-engineering and forest practices audits. From 1997 through 2004 she worked in the corporate accounting department at Westcoast Energy Inc. There she developed accounting systems, processes and reporting for emerging businesses and developed detailed financial models for analyzing and calculating budget results and analyzing business development opportunities for Westcoast’s capital investment subsidiary. Sandra returned to public accounting in 2004 when she joined her mother’s Certified General Accountant practice. Sandra volunteered for three years on the Institute of Chartered Accountants of B.C.’s Board of Examiners and for a total of ten years has acted as Treasurer for two community amateur sports organizations.
	Sandra Abley, Financial Planning Specialist, RBC Dominion Securities AWF - Events Co-Chair Sandy is a financial planning specialist at RBC Dominion Securities and a tax lawyer. She primarily works with high net worth clients and she has extensive experience working with owners of closely held corporations. Sandy has a particular interest in estate, tax and business succession planning. Prior to joining RBC, Sandy honed her expertise as a tax lawyer in downtown Vancouver. She holds a business degree from Simon Fraser University and a law degree from the University of British Columbia. She completed the Canadian Securities Course (honours), and the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants two-year in-depth tax course and is a member of the Law Society of British Columbia.
	Julia Yan, Director of Business Development, Valiant Trust, Canadian Western Bank Group AWF - Events Co-Chair Julia has over 10 years experience in the banking industry and is currently responsible for strategic marketing and market share growth across BC region for Valiant Trust-Corporate Trustee division of Canadian Western Bank Group. Prior to joining Valiant Trust, Julia held numerous, progressive positions with Scotiabank where she has experience in opening a new branch, as well as managing and heading the Personal Banking Department for Scotiabank’s largest branch in BC. In addition to an MBA from Dalhousie University, Julia is a Fellow of Canadian Securities Institute and holder of 4 professional financial designations. A strong supporter for community involvement, Julia is also a member of the Association of Corporate Growth, the Vancouver Board of Trade, the Women Executive Network, the Vancouver Club and a Mentor with the Leaders of Tomorrow program.
	Emily Stock, Associate, Alexander Holburn Beaudin & Lang LLP AWF – PEAK Chair Emily is a lawyer with a practice that is primarily litigation-based, with a focus on defending financial professionals, including chartered accountants, certified management consultants, chartered business valuators and financial advisors. Emily has represented clients in all levels of Court in British Columbia on a variety of interlocutory and final matters, and has also resolved actions through various forms of alternative dispute resolution. Her recent previous community involvement includes co-chairing a leadership weekend organizing committee for the Minerva Foundation of British Columbia.
	Kate McKechnie, Manager, National Assurance Services, Ernst & Young LLP AWF - PEAK Vice Chair Kate is a manager with Ernst & Young LLP, where she has worked for the past 7 years. Kate recently transitioned from her role as an assurance engagement manager serving a large multi-national corporation into Ernst & Young LLP’s national assurance practice which focuses on engagement quality reviews, training and thought-leadership development and financial accounting and advisory services. Kate holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia as well as CA and CPA (Illinois) designations. In her spare time, Kate volunteers with the YWCA, loves staying active through yoga and running and travels the world whenever possible.
	Tatiana Jovic, Public Relations and Communications Manager, AG Hair AWF – Communications Director Tatiana has more than 10 years of experience in public relations and communications. She leads AG’s PR Department and is responsible for providing the first critical impression of the company. She also develops the company’s online and social media strategies, philanthropic initiatives and media opportunities. Tatiana holds a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto and has many years of experience working in newsrooms across the country. She brings years of communications experience from a very female-focused industry to her role with the AWF.
	Stephanie Daniels, Associate, Farris LLP AWF – Director at Large Stephanie is an associate lawyer in the Tax and Wealth Management Group at Farris. Since her call to the bar in 2004, Stephanie has practiced in the areas of taxation, wealth management, and trust and estate planning. She has completed Parts I and II of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants In-depth Tax Course. Stephanie has detailed and extensive experience in the implementation of tax and estate plans, trusts, wills and taxation-related corporate and commercial transactions for individuals, owner/managers and private corporations. Stephanie's practice also focuses on the establishment of charitable and not-for-profit entities and related governance, structuring and compliance matters. Stephanie has been active with the AWF Board since 2007, serving terms as the AWF's Secretary and Vice President. She was also extensively involved with the AWF's 2010 and 2011 PEAK Awards. She returns to the AWF Board this year following the birth of her second child.
	Lorna Nimmons, Audit Partner, KPMG AWF - Director at Large Lorna is an audit partner with KPMG. She started her career with KPMG in Edinburgh before moving to Canada in 1997. She has over 14 years of experience providing assurance and business advisory services to private and public companies in the real estate and hospitality sectors. Lorna is a 1994 graduate from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, in Law and Accountancy LLB (Hons) and she holds a Chartered Accountant (CA) designation from Scotland and earned her B.C. CA designation in 2005. Lorna has contributed to BC's real estate community through her active participation with Vancouver CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) of which she was a founding member of the Board of Directors and she is also a member of the Urban Development Institute in Vancouver. Outside of work, Lorna has previously been involved with the Big Sisters organization and is currently a director on the Board of the North Shore Disability Resource Centre participating on a number of its Committees. Lorna, her husband and two young daughters live in West Vancouver.
	Heidi Schmid, Senior Manager, Assurance and Business Advisory Services, Grant Thornton LLP AWF – Director at Large Heidi is a senior manager in Grant Thornton’s Vancouver office providing audit, accounting, tax and business advisory services to privately held businesses, primarily servicing clients in the real estate industry including those operating in construction, property management and development. Heidi has a combined sixteen years of experience, 10 years in public practice and six years working in the real estate industry in a financial management role. Heidi is a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia (ICABC), which she obtained after successfully graduating from SFU with a BBA, Dean’s Honour Role status, in 1993. For the past seven years Heidi has served on the Finance Committee of the Minerva Foundation for BC Women and the past four years on the ICABC’s Audit and Accounting Professional Development Committee. Heidi enjoys spending time with her husband Brett, their son Brady and their daughter Parker, in particular you may often see Heidi running with the double stroller along the shores of Jericho Beach
	Michelle Audet AWF - Director at Large
	Lenore Van Oene, MBA AWF - Program Director Lenore Van Oene represents the AWF as the Program Director working with the Board to assist the AWF in the quest to reach the finance community of British Columbia and continue to build upon industry partnerships. She will provide overall administrative coordination and support for all AWF initiatives and projects. Lenore joined the AWF in August 2011. Lenore has worked in the Lower Mainland for over 15 years supporting not for profit and private organizations in senior management roles with a focus on market development, fiscal management, board governance and development. She is currently CFO of a $5M family business, a volunteer treasurer for the False Creek Yacht Club, secretary and the financial agent for the White Rock/South Surrey Liberal Riding Association, member of the Women’s Executive Network and Women in the Lead. Lenore holds an MBA from Athabasca University and has extensive experience hosting major events, communicating with community leaders and politicians.

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