Finance Forward: AI, Innovation, and the Future of Public Sector Financial Management

Panelist: Director of Finance and Human Resources, Province of Prince Edward Island

As a CPA, CA with more than 25 years of experience in public sector finance, audit, governance, and human resources, Wendy MacDonald has built a career focused on strengthening organizations through sound financial management, strategic leadership, and accountable decision-making.

As Director of Finance and Corporate Services for the Department of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy with the Government of Prince Edward Island, Wendy provides leadership in budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, audit oversight, risk management, policy development, and organizational effectiveness. She works closely with senior leaders to support evidence-based decisions, ensure compliance with legislative and policy requirements, and drive continuous improvement across complex public sector operations.
Throughout her career, Wendy has held leadership positions with the Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy, PEI Liquor Control Commission, Office of the Auditor General, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. These roles have given her extensive experience in financial stewardship, governance, regulatory compliance, strategic planning, and team leadership across government, Crown corporations, and private sector organizations

Wendy is recognized for her collaborative leadership style, commitment to professional excellence, and ability to build high-performing teams. She is passionate about fostering inclusive workplaces, supporting organizational growth, and advancing strong financial stewardship within the public sector. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Prince Edward Island, earned her Chartered Accountant designation in 1998, and completed studies in Public Sector Leadership and Development.

Speaker: Former Chief Information Officer, Director General Information Technology, Information Management, Administration and Privacy at Veterans Affairs Canada. Current Director General at the Canada Revenue Agency.

Chris joins us from the Canada Revenue Agency where he is the Director General IT, Debt Management, Regulatory Affairs, and Appeals Systems Directorate where he manages IT development and systems related to the mentioned CRA business lines. Previously he was with Veterans Affairs Canada, where he served as Chief Information Officer and Director General of IT/IM, Administration and Privacy. He graduated with a master’s degree in engineering management, and a bachelor’s degree in applied sciences: Computer Engineering from the University of Ottawa.

Chris is an advocate for being agile and innovative and is always looking for a digital way to solve problems. He brings skills from a very broad portfolio beyond just IT/IM, from project management, facilities/administration, physical security, and privacy. He looks forward to driving change through innovation and collaboration to deliver modern services.

Panelist: Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Veterans Affairs Canada.
Jonathan Adams is currently the Deputy Chief Financial Officer for Veterans Affairs Canada. In this role, Jonathan is responsible for all aspects of financial management and stewardship with an expenditures base of over $8B per year in support of Veterans benefits and services. 

Jonathan started his career as a Tax Auditor with the Canada Revenue Agency before joining Veterans Affairs Canada in 2003. Over the course of his career with Veterans Affairs, Jonathan has held various executive positions responsible for Internal Audit and Evaluation, Access to Information, and different roles covering all aspects of Finance.

Jonathan graduated from the University of Prince Edward Island with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Certificate in Accounting as well as possesses a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Designation.

Speaker: BDO Charlottetown – Partner, Assurance

Lauren Vail is a Partner in BDO’s Charlottetown office. Over the last 15 years, she has built her career in public accounting, specializing in assurance and accounting advisory.

Originally from Sussex, New Brunswick, Lauren and her husband, Ben, relocated to Prince Edward Island in 2017 to pursue career opportunities. They now live in Cornwall with their dachshunds Rafa and Felix.

Lauren works primarily with public-sector entities and financial services co-operatives, as well as not-for-profit organizations and the private sector. She is an active board of director of the Greater Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce and a member of various CPA Prince Edward Island, committees.

Lauren is passionate about the intersection of finance and policy, with a particular interest in how financial strategies can support economic growth—whether by driving innovation and resilience in the private sector or by enhancing programs and services in the public and not-for-profit sectors.

Panelist: Executive Director of Fiscal Management, Province of Prince Edward Island

Speaker: Constable in the RCMP General Investigation Section

Panelist: Vice-President Administration and Finance at the University of Prince Edward Island

Tim Walker currently serves the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) as its Vice-President Administration and Finance, where he oversees functions including access to information and privacy; ancillary services; athletics and recreation; enterprise risk management; facilities management; financial; and information technology.

Before joining UPEI, Tim accumulated over a decade of experience at each of the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) and the University of New Brunswick (UNB) serving in progressively complex roles focused on data-driven decision-making and resource planning and budgeting. Before his time at post-secondary institutions, Tim held positions at Enbridge Gas New Brunswick, the Office of the Comptroller, and the Office of the Auditor General for the Province of New Brunswick.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (UNB); a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation; and has been awarded a Director designation (ICD.D) from the University of Toronto (Rotman School of Business) Director Education Program. He was awarded a Fellowship (FCPA) by CPA New Brunswick in 2026.

His expertise in accounting is complemented by his passion for both learning and teaching, as evidenced by his sponsorship of continuous improvement programs and regular contributions to management learning programs (on the topic of accountability and continuous improvement). Additionally, Tim has supported Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICAN) leadership institutes for managers by serving as an instructor sharing insights from his varied work experience.