| 16 | Dianne Valentim | I am a Director of Finance with experience working in both small and mid-sized municipalities. I believe in the power of bringing together professional peers to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and find innovative solutions to common problems.
I grew up in the small municipality of Niagara on the Lake, worked as a Senior Financial Analyst in Ajax for 11 years, moved to the municipality of Scugog as their Director of Finance / Treasurer and recently moved back to Ajax as the Director of Finance / Treasurer. I bring a unique perspective and deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that face both small and medium sized, urban, and rural municipalities.
With 18 years of municipal finance experience, I have developed a keen sense of fiscal responsibility and strategic financial planning. I am a dedicated financial professional and am also a passionate advocate for collaboration and critical discourse. As a finance professional, I am committed to fostering an environment of open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving, both within my organization and with external stakeholders.
I envision the MFOA as a key vehicle for advancing the field of municipal finance. In the next ten years, I believe that it is imperative for the MFOA to continue to enhance the base they have built and continue educating municipal finance officers, equipping them with the latest knowledge and best practices. MFOA has been a great source of information and support to municipalities of all sizes, and it will be important to continue to support municipal leaders especially during times of rapid change in our social, economic, and legislative environments.
Additionally, having a voice and advocating for municipal governance at the provincial and federal level is essential, such as the deputations made to Legislative Assembly of Ontario, most recently on Bill 23, ensuring that the voices and concerns of municipalities are heard and considered in policy-making processes.
I hope to assist MFOA to attract new young professionals to the field of municipal finance during the 2024 to 2026 term. Recognizing the importance of continuity and fresh perspectives. I believe in cultivating and nurturing the next generation of finance professionals. By actively promoting the field and creating opportunities for young professionals to engage, learn, and contribute, this will build a robust and diverse talent pool for the future. | Dianne.png | I am a Director of Finance with experience working in both small and mid-sized municipalities. I believe in the power of bringing together professional peers |
| 15 | Trevor Pinn | I am the current Deputy CAO/Treasurer for the Municipality of Clarington, the eastern most municipality in the GTHA, and a unique combination of protected rural and high-growth urban areas. As a former treasurer in Parry Sound, I have an understanding of the needs of smaller municipalities as well as those in Northern Ontario and can bring those experiences to the Board.
Being a member of the Board provides an opportunity to bring the experiences of having lived and worked in many municipalities in Ontario of various sizes and locations (from Bancroft and Espanola to Thunder Bay and Ottawa) to an association that represents over 90% of the population of Ontario. The work that finance officers do in their communities has a daily impact on the quality of life of residents and businesses in Ontario; the work of the Board ensures that those officers have the best learning opportunities, networking opportunities, and that the voice of finance officers is heard.
With many colleagues retiring over the next ten years it is important that the next generation of finance officers have the opportunity to grow and evolve into the leaders of tomorrow. Continued professional development ensures that new professionals are ready for the next opportunity. I'd like to see the MFOA work with partners such as AMO and CPA Ontario to promote municipal finance as a career opportunity for the new professional to ensure that we continue to recruit into our communities.
Having served on the Board for 7 years, including two as President during the COVID-19 pandemic, my experience on the Board will allow me to get caught up quickly and be a pivotal member of the team. I look forward to the opportunity to serve the membership once again from 2024 to 2026. | trevor.png | I am the current Deputy CAO/Treasurer for the Municipality of Clarington, the eastern most municipality in the GTHA, and a unique combination of protected rural |
| 18 | Cindy Laprade | One last kick at the can! Please vote for me! I would love to represent you on the MFOA Board of Directors.
I am the Treasurer of a small rural township in Eastern Ontario, population approximately 10,000. I understand the issues facing small townships, e.g., limited resources (staff and money) and too much work. We wear many hats and end up being responsible for many other roles such as Asset Manager, HR Manager, IT Manager, etc. I will represent your interests on the Board as well as the general interests of all Treasurers in Ontario. Regardless of the size of our municipality we all have similar issues.
MFOA is a great organization for training, networking, and sharing of ideas but one thing I know we need is an up-to-date email list of all treasurers in Ontario. Since MFOA has all our email addresses I would be asking MFOA to be the keeper of the email addresses and share that information with all of us. I know how many times we try to reach out to each other for advice only to have about 50+ bounce backs from bad email addresses and people getting fed up because we keep sending emails to incorrect addresses. No one is responsible for maintaining this list and I think MFOA would be the best ones to keep and share this list.
I have worked for over 45 years in finance. Thirteen of those years in municipal finance with the past 7 years as the Treasurer of the Township of Rideau Lakes, 6 years with Hydro Ottawa, 4 years private accounting practice and the remainder with the federal government in various departments including CRA, Chief of Revenue Reporting and Office of the Comptroller General, Treasury Board of Canada, Senior Policy Analyst producing the Public Accounts of Canada. I have gained a lot of experience over those years, and I would love to offer that experience to MFOA in any way that I can.
My vision for MFOA for the next 10 years is to keep on doing the great job they are doing but perhaps to get involved in providing advice or training on financial technology improvements. As a small township we are behind the times, and behind the larger municipalities, in technology and our residents let us know. They want to pay their taxes with a credit card and not have to pay the credit card fee; they want to pay other bills with e-transfer; they want a one stop shop for all payments. I don’t blame them, but we cannot currently accommodate this and even if we could what system do we use? If MFOA could coordinate this, bringing municipalities together so that we could learn from each other, it would be so helpful.
What I hope to accomplish in the 2024-2026 term is to work with MFOA to help them achieve their goals thereby helping us implement best practices in every area under our authority.
I hope I have your support. | Cindy.png | One last kick at the can! Please vote for me! I would love to represent you on the MFOA Board of Directors. |
| 13 | Patrick Kelly | PATRICK KELLY CPA, CMA has been a board member since 2021 and is the Director of Corporate Services / Treasurer with the Township of Wilmot.
A proud graduate of Western University, with nearly 20 years of progressive experience in the Public Sector, I have participated on various cross-functional teams to find unique solutions to complex fiscal challenges. I have co-championed the establishment of a corporate culture committed to holistic Asset Management and am a valued member of Wilmot’s Corporate Leadership Team, specializing in asset management, corporate procurement, strategy and financial reporting.
As a member of the MFOA Board of Directors, I would seek to continue supporting staff in reaching MFOA’s vision of “Leading to Connect, Inform, Equip and Empower Members”. I would continue to work collaboratively with board members, bringing voice to the unique issues facing communities with large rural/farm assessment, and the diverse needs of a growing population within a mixed urban/rural community.
In my professional experience, I have demonstrated a commitment to continuous improvement in various aspects of municipal finance. I have taken on a leadership role in the promotion of a streamlined and efficient year end financial reporting and FIR. Other initiatives I have led include the modernization of our corporate procurement process and the creation of a culture of holistic Asset Management for the organization.
As a committed and engaged member of the MFOA Board since 2021, I supported the organization throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this term on the board, I participated on the audit committee and the governance committee, in addition to actively participating in events, training and knowledge sharing opportunities. In my 10 plus years with the MFOA as a member, committee member and board member, I have recognized the value of collaborating with members from a variety of different municipalities.
From a vision perspective, the MFOA must remain focused on connecting, informing, equipping, and empowering members. Continued participation on the board, and particularly the governance committee, will ensure that the MFOA team is best equipped to meet the evolving needs of municipal finance professionals. Over the next 10 years, MFOA needs to be ready to adapt to the expectations of a changing municipal workforce, while maintaining the professionalism and discipline that the organization is known for.
As a member of the Board for the 2024-2026 term, I would seek to balance the requests from members with the capacity existing from a staff perspective. Through board / committee participation and conferences, I have developed an understanding that MFOA staff are the backbone of this organization, and the key to achieving board objectives. During times of significant change in our sector, it is critical that staff and board relations continue to be effective and efficient. This will enable the Executive Director to guide the implementation of various strategic initiatives for the MFOA. Any successful board member should be capable of working seamlessly with MFOA staff in a collaborative manner, while moving ahead with stakeholders needs from a training and policy perspective. | patrick.png | PATRICK KELLY CPA, CMA has been a board member since 2021 and is the Director of Corporate Services / Treasurer with the Township of Wilmot. |
| 2 | Laura Barta | For the past five years I have had the pleasure of representing fellow finance officers as a member of the MFOA Board of Directors, including one as president. Being a part of this organization is a privilege. One of my first major projects on the board was to participate in the development of MFOA’s strategic plan. This plan helped to set the course for the organization with a focus on providing the best quality service to members. We are still rolling out aspects of the strategic plan and I am running for the board so that, if elected, I can be part of completing that implementation.
In addition to serving on the board, I have also been an active member of the ARO Working Group and other MFOA initiatives. I actively encourage my finance staff to participate in the working groups, discussion forums, training and all MFOA offerings as the knowledge they gain will benefit them throughout their municipal career.
Currently, I am employed as the Director of Finance/Treasurer with the Township of Scugog, a lower tier municipality in the Region of Durham. The Township has a population of 22,500 and although part of the GTA, has a rural feel.
What interests will you represent on the Board?
If re-elected, I look forward to the challenge of being a board member and hope that I can continue to gain new insight from the experience of my fellow board members and offer my perspective in return. I will represent all members with a wealth of hands-on experience from the small to mid-sized municipal operation.
What is your vision of where MFOA should be headed in the next ten years?
I would like to see the MFOA continue to provide support to municipalities through their interpretation of legislative requirements; continue to provide knowledge to existing members through webinar presentations and training sessions; and increase the efforts to ensure knowledge is passed from retiring professionals to those new to the field. Knowledge and understanding are critical to the success of a finance professional and MFOA must continue to focus on these offerings to keep their membership relevant.
What will you accomplish as a Board member for the 2024-2026 term?
The history of municipal accounting must not be lost as it impacts many of the existing practices and is still relevant. I would like to continue to promote the profession and encourage young professionals to embrace the challenge of municipal finance. I would also continue to look for new ways to engage mature members in an effort to keep them motivated, engaged and informed.
It is not always the most glamourous profession, but it is enjoyable when equipped with the right tools. I love what I do and would like to think that I can continue to pass along my enthusiasm for the profession and for the MFOA as my accomplishment as a board member. | laura.png | For the past five years I have had the pleasure of representing fellow finance officers as a member of the MFOA Board of Directors |
| 21 | Rebecca Anas | With more than 20+ years in public sector leadership and 10+ years of volunteer board roles, I bring passion for building productive and lasting partnerships – ones that break down silos and unite people around a common goal. I am excited to represent the City of Toronto in Southern Ontario, spanning 57 programs and agencies that provide 150+ distinct services to more than three million people. I would like to acknowledge that this land is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
At the City of Toronto, my focus is with Financial Planning and Transformation in roles that enable the City's annual budget, monitoring and reporting processes to be delivered in alignment with Council direction, evolving provincial legislation and financial sustainability. With key responsibilities that include Equity Responsive Budgeting and training program and agency staff on budget processes, templates, systems, building their financial acumen and ensuring continuous improvement and performance monitoring, there is significant alignment with the role of the MFOA that I'm excited to pursue.
(2) what is your vision of where MFOA should be headed in the next ten years;
The MFOA provides crucial opportunities for members to connect and share knowledge to carry out their statutory and other financial responsibilities. I hope that in the next ten years, the MFOA can further strengthen the information sharing and networking opportunities to enable its members to educate their non-financial colleagues on key financial, economic and political issues and to enable an aligned advocacy strategy. It will be critical for MFOA members to share their solutions to address economic pressures while maintaining services in a dynamic world balancing climate, pandemic, financial and political stresses. This year's MFOA Annual Conference "Cultivating Courageous Communities" is precisely what our network needs to support each other in the numerous challenges facing our respective municipalities. We are stronger together!
(3) what will you accomplish as a Board member for the 2024-2026 term?
As a contributing and active part of the MFOA Board, by the end of my term, I would like to ensure the MFOA membership community is robust, network members are easily identified by topic and expertise, and the next generation of municipal finance officers is engaged and supported. I would like to conclude my term proud of the progress accomplished together and excited to continue my contribution in novel ways. | rebecca.png | With more than 20+ years in public sector leadership and 10+ years of volunteer board roles, I bring passion for building productive and lasting partnerships |
| 14 | Tiffany Farrell | Tiffany Farrell is a Chartered Professional Accountant specializing in municipal finance. Tiffany serves as the Director of Corporate Services for the Municipality of Middlesex Centre, overseeing finance, information technology, communications, and human resources.
Prior to joining Middlesex Centre, Tiffany was the Treasurer at the Municipality of Dutton Dunwich and a Manager in the Audit Division of Deloitte. Tiffany truly believes the success of any organization comes from a strong team effort. She is always exploring new ways to improve municipal services provided to residents and businesses, and looking for opportunities to increase government transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
Tiffany brings her more than 13 years of experience in managing the finances of smaller growing municipalities to the MFAO board. Despite having limited staff resources, finance officers in smaller municipalities must live up to the high professional standards and expectations of council, residents, and businesses. Tiffany’s experience allows the corporate services team at Middlesex Centre to continually “punch above their weight” when it comes to performance. For example, Tiffany has led the Corporate Services team in achieving the
GFOA’s Budget Presentation award for two consecutive years. She is looking to share her best practices and to collaborate with other municipal financial officers to establish effective approaches to challenging issues.
Tiffany’s vision is for MFOA to have a larger presence similar to the US-based GFOA, becoming the premiere membership organization for all municipal treasurers and finance staff. Tiffany believes that MFOA is well positioned to work with other levels of government to ensure the municipal financial perspective is considered in the development and review of legislation prior to it coming into force. Tiffany wants to be part of the team pushing for MFOA’s voice to be heard at the table. Tiffany also sees the MFOA playing a role in setting best practices and standards for municipal budgets and other financial reporting in Ontario. By presenting financial data in easy-to-understand formats, municipal financial officers can build trust with residents and businesses that supports confidence in broader government policies and initiatives.
As a board member, Tiffany would bring her passion and commitment of municipal fiscal responsibility to advance the objectives of MFOA. In the 2024-2026 term, Tiffany would focus on three key areas:
- Continue the amazing work done to date on raising the profile of MFOA as the go-to organization for municipal finance, particularly with the Province as they develop new policies and legislation.
- Engaging new members and establishing MFOA as the must-join organization for municipal finance staff across Ontario.
- Undertaking a process to establish best practices and standards for municipal financial reporting in Ontario.
Tiffany welcomes the opportunity to be part of the MFOA board, working innovatively to raise the profile of municipal financial officers, to strengthen relationships among colleagues, and to build trust in municipal government. | tiffany.png | Tiffany Farrell is a Chartered Professional Accountant specializing in municipal finance. Tiffany serves as the Director of Corporate Services for the Municipality of Middlesex Centre |
| 20 | David Baxter | An urban and rural small Municipality leader, and the recipient of the 2022 MFOA Engagement Award, I would be honored to serve on the Board. As the Director of Finance for Port Hope in Eastern Ontario, I have a decade of experience in a Municipality involving many improvements and challenges. MFOA has been instrumental in my journey, from Training, Networking, Advocacy, to understanding Provincial Policy and providing opportunities for those in my staff team to also grow.
Working closely with MFOA staff and other Municipal Finance professionals as a member of the New Professionals Network Committee and subsequently the Professional Development Committee, each for several years, I have learned from many passionate leaders in our community and tried to have a positive influence – whether it be to support another peer, or as part of the Conference to support all of us.
I ask questions about the best approach to challenges, and the more I ask the more I have learned many others face similar circumstances. As a result, I have had the opportunity to partner with other leaders in our community and share knowledge though co-presenting about Municipal Finances and Local Boards (2019), mitigating COVID-19 (2020), Debt Management (2021), Lessons Learned from Modernization Funding (2022) and a Small Municipality Service Delivery Review case study (2022). Facilitating learning and sharing is a core function of MFOA, it needs to stay at the forefront to support our members.
MFOA can play a broader role in supporting all, but especially small, Municipalities improve efficiency and in doing so create opportunities that support more strategic focus and reduce work related stressors for members. Several examples of this are lean initiatives, more training for core functionality, facilitating modernization of policies that promote flexibility and efficiency, and tools to improve communicating and reporting to senior decision makers in simplified ways that leverage existing information.
I began my career in the private sector and moved to Municipal upon the encouragement of someone with experience. Our sector is going to be challenged by a shortage of Finance Professionals, increased awareness of the rewards of working in a Municipal Finance team would be a benefit to all. MFOA can play a key role in assisting all of us to expose and encourage new and experienced potential staff to the Municipal sector opportunities.
I appreciate the nomination and welcome the opportunity to be more involved and give back to the MFOA. There is always room for growth, and I intend to support the great work of the MFOA. I would be honoured to receive your support in this year’s election.
Thank you very much for your consideration,
Dave | david.png | An urban and rural small Municipality leader, and the recipient of the 2022 MFOA Engagement Award, I would be honored to serve on the Board. |
| 17 | Darcy Chapman | Darcy Chapman is an experienced, results oriented finance professional with the proven ability to develop and implement new and leading best practices within local government. A highly accomplished career spanning over 20+ years, working with multiple small, rural and northern municipalities in developing new processes, procedures and maintaining legislative compliance. Darcy is an accomplished change agent successful at transforming operations through the design and enhancement of business processes and technologies that introduce efficiencies and organizational cost savings. He is a strategic advisor across all business functions with the advanced ability to build and manage successful partnerships with key stakeholders, Council members, and fellow executive leaders to support strategic planning and drive continuous improvement. Mr. Chapman is highly skilled in public sector finance, budgeting, asset management & long term planning, financial policy development, insurance & risk management, development charges, and procurement.
As an experienced municipal leader working with smaller organizations, Darcy fully understands the complexities and challenges faced from a financial, human capital and community perspective and is ready to join the MFOA Board to ensure there is a voice for rural and northern municipalities. As the Director of Corporate Service for the Municipality of Greenstone, Darcy brings a unique experience as a senior leader for one of the largest single tier municipalities (by size) in Ontario.
Darcy is ready to leverage his exceptional financial stewardship, leadership, team building and strategic planning abilities in a new challenge. Darcy believes MFOA must continue to take a leadership role in supporting its members in ensuring legislative compliance, standardized policy framework/reporting and asset management implementation. MFOA also needs to develop and lead programs which will engage youth to grow the next generation of finance professionals within local government.
As a member of the Board, Darcy will strive to ensure MFOA advocates on behalf of small municipalities when new or changing legislation will affect workflow and reporting resulting in more pressure on existing staff. He will also support advanced advocacy on developing long term sustainable annual infrastructure grants from Provincial and Federal governments to bridge the gap on asset management funding shortfalls. Lastly, Darcy wishes to work with fellow Board members to develop outreach programs within the high school and post-secondary level to attract new talent into the municipal finance sector. | darcy.png | Darcy Chapman is an experienced, results oriented finance professional with the proven ability to develop and implement new and leading best practices within local government. |
| 19 | Stephanie Sinnott | As a seasoned municipal leader with over 30 years of Finance experience in the private and public sectors, I bring strategic perspective to the Board.
It has been my privilege to serve on the MFOA Board of Directors for the last 3 years (with 2 as the Board’s Treasurer) and as such I am pleased to accept the nomination for election to the municipal finance officers Association, Board of Directors for the term of January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2026.
As noted, my background includes over 30 years of Finance experience in both the private and public sectors. I am well educated and currently hold Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA) designation. The City Of Oshawa has approximately 180,000 people and an annual operating budget of approximately $200 million.
Since joining the City in 2003, I have held a variety of finance related positions, my current role of Commissioner, Corporate and Finance Services and City Treasurer provides me opportunities to use my strategic, technical and business knowledge to achieve corporate objective as well as strategically plan for the future.
I am in accomplished results-oriented senior leader who empowers successful cross-functional teams to resolve complex fiscal challenges and champion financial stewardship in the municipality through a collaborative approach. Also as a leader in continuous improvement I currently hold a Lean green belt certification.
Over the next 10 years the MFOA should continue its important advocacy role on emerging issues facing municipalities and continue to grow the professional development programs with visionary training, seminars and webinars while expanding its digital footprint.
The MFOA should continue its essential strategic planning work to solidify the future of the MFOA. Board members should provide professional opinions, advice, and tactical suggestions to implement the long-term strategic direction of the organization.
Municipalities have experienced unprecedented financial impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, uncertain economic environments and a period of extremely high inflation. Board members over the short to medium term outlook should aim to provide resources to assist municipal recovery, stimulate local growth, economic growth and plan for the future to provide resiliency to municipalities when faced with future global issues.
In summary give my broaden, diverse experience in Finance and Business I am confident that I have the leadership skills and vision that will allow me to continue to be valuable asset to the MFOA as a member of the board of directors.
Thank you for your consideration. | ssinnott.png | As a seasoned municipal leader with over 30 years of Finance experience in the private and public sectors, I bring strategic perspective to the Board. |