Board of directors 2025–2026

Adam Taylor, CPA, CGA, is a Partner with MNP’s Enterprise Risk Services team. Adam provides risk management, consulting, internal and value-for-money audits, and assurance services to private and public organizations, helping them improve governance, processes, and reporting.

Prior to joining MNP, Adam served the B.C. government for 16 years in a variety of roles, including Chief Financial Officer of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Executive Director of Technology Initiatives in the Natural Resource Sector. Adam has extensive experience in helping organizations maximize opportunities, reduce risk exposures, and optimize operational effectiveness. His expertise also encompasses program and project governance, including IT governance, procurement, and negotiation support.

Adam’s focus includes internal and value-for-money audits, program reviews, financial and control effectiveness reviews, as well as performance measurement and benefits realization. His experience includes program and project governance, including IT governance and procurement and negotiation support.

Derek Cockburn is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA) working within the Province of BC as a Contract Manager supporting four Economy Sector Ministries, as well as many Crown Corporations, Agencies, Boards and Commissions.  For the past 29 years, Derek has been a leader, specializing in procurement/contract management, financial management, risk management, procurement and financial training, auditing, financial reporting, financial controls, and strategic planning.

Derek has also worked as a Sessional Accounting Instructor at Royal Roads University, University of Victoria and Camosun College in Victoria.

In his spare time, Derek enjoys spending time in the greater outdoors, being involved in athletics, and volunteering with local non-profits.

Having completed her CPA-CGA and MBA, Athena is currently the Regional Finance Manager for the Department of Canadian Heritage – Prairies and Northern Region.  A long time FMI member, Athena has served on her chapter board for over 10 years, hold various positions including Chapter President and Treasurer. At the National level, Athena served on the Finance and Audit Committee for two years before transitioning to the National Board of FMI where she served as Wester Liaison for four years.

Outside of the government and FMI, Athena has significant board experience working for numerous Not-For-Profit organizations. Although she has primarily been involved in the areas of finance, she has had significant experience in governance and policy development. In addition, she has over 20 years of experience in education and program development, serving as the Comptroller and Board member of a small independent school, as well as significant experience in small/medium sized business management as the proprietor of three separate business ventures.

Stephanie Pretty CPA, CMA has been with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador since 2009. She received her Certified Management Accountant designation in 2013 and has been a member of the Financial Management Institute’s (FMI)St. John’s Chapter Board since 2019. 

Stephanie has a strong background in financial analysis and strategic decision-making. Stephanie joined the Treasury Board Support Division with Treasury Board Secretariat in 2020, where she is responsible for gathering, analyzing, and delivering complex information to support key financial and policy decisions as part of the Government decision making process. 

Stephanie has extensive experience in change management, managing financial systems and resources, and enterprise-wide financial integration projects. She has had various progressively responsible roles with the Office of the Comptroller General including Financial Systems Analyst, Business Change Management Lead and Manager of Financial Systems. Stephanie has a proven track record of developing, establishing, and streamlining financial management best practices. 

Stephanie is also committed to mentorship and professional development, actively participating in delivering FMI and Government professional development and training material that fosters the growth of finance professionals. Her passion for public service is evident in her efforts to improve financial management knowledge and learning within her organization and the FMI membership through collaboration and relationship-building across organizations. 

With a blend of analytical expertise and a collaborative spirit, Stephanie is dedicated to making a significant impact on public sector finance and continuously enhancing financial practices to better serve the public interest.

Nicole Zywicki has been the Chief Audit and Evaluation Executive (CAEE) at Infrastructure Canada since September 2022. She started with the federal public service in 2011 by leading internal audits at Employment and Social Development Canada and Public Services and Procurement Canada. Her initial introduction to audit started in 2005 when she worked at Ernst and Young LLP as an Audit and Assurance Professional.

Nicole has a passion for finance and audit functions. She also has experience at the municipal level as she was the Head of Finance for the Municipality of North Grenville from 2016 to 2018. And she worked at TBS (2018-2020) as the financial advisor on the team at the Office of the Comptroller General responsible for the Horizontal Fixed Asset Review that made recommendations towards a sustainable and carbon-neutral real property portfolio.

Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Commerce specializing in Accounting from Carleton University. She is a Chartered Professional Account (CPA, CA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).

Madison has been with the Province of New Brunswick for 15 years and is currently the Executive Director of Corporate Services in the Department of Finance and Treasury Board. Her prior experience includes financial services roles at the Office of the Comptroller, Service New Brunswick, the New Brunswick Internal Services Agency, and the Department of Government Services. She holds a BBA with honors in accounting from the University of New Brunswick and is a Chartered Professional Accountant. 

Actively engaged in various committees at both local and national levels, Madison is the Past President of the Fredericton Chapter of the Financial Management Institute Board of Directors. She is passionate about professional development, team building, and fostering collaboration within the financial management community at all levels. 

I am currently Manager, Resource Management and Reporting with the Department of Western Economic Diversification.  For over 10 years, have been responsible for financial management that includes department budget allocation and management of operating and grants and contributions, senior management reporting on department financial position, central agency reporting that includes Main and Supplementary Estimates, TB submission costing, parliamentary questions and financial system control and maintenance.

Prior to WED, I worked with Alberta Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) for 8 years.  Roles included programs funding services officer and Manager, Financial Allocations and Transfer Payments.

Before my positions at INAC, held several positions at Revenue Canada.  These positions included Enquiries, Identification and Compliance, Auditor and Appeals Officer.

I obtained my CMA designation in 2000 and am past president of the Edmonton Chapter of the Financial Management Institute from July 2011 to 2014.

Mike has over 30 years of public sector experience, with over 20 years at the senior leadership/executive level with the Government of Saskatchewan. He currently serves as the Executive Director, Sector Management & Relations with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Advanced Education, with financial, legislative, governance and regulatory oversight responsibility for over 40 institutions in the SK post-secondary sector.

Mike’s has previous experience on the fmi I igf National Board of Directors, including two years as the first President/Chair to serve from Saskatchewan. He also served as Chair of the Saskatchewan (Regina) chapter for a number of years previous. Mike also served on the initial CPA Saskatchewan Board of Directors, including one year as Board Chair and Chair of the CPA Western Regional Forum. Mike was also Saskatchewan’s representative on the CPA Canada Collaboration Accord Renewal Task Force.

Mike has also served on three fmi I igf PSMW Organizing committees, including Organizing Committee Chair of the 2023 event in Regina. In 2013, he was named one of 50 people in Canada who shaped the success of fmi*igf over the organization’s first 50 years. In 2016, Mike also received one of the first five Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA) designations awarded in SK for exceptional service to the accounting profession/community.

In his spare time, Mike is a sports enthusiast and enjoys travel, cooking and adventures in wine tasting. Mike is currently pursuing his professional wine certification through the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET Level 2).

Gary Wuschnakowski recently retired from the Ontario Public Service after 35 years of service.  He is currently involved with a number of charities sharing his financial management knowledge and expertise with them.  While employed with the Ontario Public Service he held various senior management positions including acting Provincial Controller and Chief Risk Officer as well as Director of Financial Capacity, Control and Assurance within the Ontario Treasury Board Secretariat.    His career passion included the development and implementation of financial management learning and development programs with the intent to attract, develop, and sustain financial management talent and ensure robust talent pathways across the organization.

ceo@fmi.ca

During his tenure as Comptroller General, Mr. Huppé was responsible for government-wide direction and leadership for financial management, internal audit, federal assets and acquired services (project management). He also led the Financial Management Transformation initiative within the Government of Canada. 

Mr. Huppé entered the public service in 1992, when he joined Global Affairs Canada, where he held various positions within the Financial Services Division. Prior to being appointed Comptroller General, he occupied the role of Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Commissioner, Finance and Administration Branch at the Canada Revenue Agency. He has also been the Chief Financial Officer at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, where he ensured sound financial management and provided leadership on all corporate planning, risk management and evaluation functions. 

Mr. Huppé holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the Université du Québec and a master’s in public administration from l’École nationale d’administration publique de Gatineau. He is also a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). He also has the designation of “membre d’honneur (Fellow) de l’Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec,” which is an honour awarded to CPAs who bring distinction to the accounting profession and serve as role models to others through their outstanding career achievements and contributions to the community.