Did you know that you can sign up to receive more communications from Deloitte, including information relevant to your business and needs? Visit the preference centre now to subscribe or update your Deloitte subscriptions and enable us to communicate with you more efficiently. Contact us at deloittealumni@deloitte.ca if you have any questions.

We’re pleased to share with you the Winter 2015 issue of our quarterly alumni e-newsletter.

In this edition, read about:

Happy 2015!

A new year is a time for reflection and action. The Deloitte Alumni Connections network now comprises over 16,000 registered alumni across Canada. Together with approximately 9,000 current employees and partners, our Deloitte family in Canada is over 25,000 members strong. We are a top community of professionals who are present in all regions, sectors, and organizations across the country. We are leaders, trusted advisors, trailblazers, entrepreneurs, mentors, retirees and friends, and we are very much focused on building and maintaining Deloitte’s strong brand and position in our markets.

As you embark upon the New Year, please remember to reach out and reconnect with your Deloitte friends and contacts, either current Deloitte partners and staff or those who are working outside the firm or who have retired. Our Alumni team across Canada commits to doing our part in facilitating connections and in keeping you current both on what’s happening with former colleagues and with those at Deloitte. Your continuous and candid feedback on how we’re doing in supporting a stronger Deloitte network is crucial to our success so please do not hesitate to give us your ideas and feedback at any time via deloittealumni@deloitte.ca.

We also encourage you to reach out to your regional alumni contacts if your require one on one assistance such as: locating a point of view or thought leadership piece; career assistance and coaching, access to any Deloitte staff and partners; information relating to our services; or even if you need a place to work during your travels. Our alumni are welcome to “touch-down” in any office in Canada or internationally for a few hours or more during their travels as needed and upon prior arrangement.

Finally, we thank you for your advice on ways in which we can grow the firm. Alumni are a very valuable source of business leads, relationship connections and growth ideas, and we are always interested in receiving your input and suggestions!

On behalf of your Alumni Connections Partner Champions across the country, we wish you a healthy and happy new year, and exceptional connections in 2015!

Richard Carson

Stay connected!

Karl Smith had just swum four kilometres across Okanagan Lake and biked 180 kilometres through the surrounding mountains in the Penticton Ironman, his first triathlon. Now, in the sweltering late August heat, 42 kilometres and another four hours of sweat laid between him and the finish line.

“There’s times when you feel you can’t put your next foot forward,” the chief financial officer of Fortis Inc. and Deloitte alumnus explains now. “But you draw on your training, desire, stubbornness, whatever it takes to get you through.”

It was a test of endurance, the quality Smith most attributes to his success in sport, but also business.

It’s certainly the kind of tenacity he has shown in helping build the multi-billion dollar Newfoundland-based electricity company where he has served as CFO since this past summer--and before that as chief executive officer of Fortis Alberta, a company division based in Calgary.

It’s also a trait Smith believes developed growing up in Stephenville Crossing, located on the western shore of Newfoundland, the kind of town that could fit in a midsized hockey rink. “When you have to struggle a bit it gives you a desire to better yourself,’’ he explains from his office in St. John’s overlooking the harbor. “If you had asked me if I wanted to be an executive when I grew up, I wouldn’t have known what an executive was.”

Clearly, he’s come a long way from his humble roots. In fact, all Fortis C-suite executives hail from towns that are more Main Street than Bay Street. But Smith cautions one shouldn’t confuse small-town roots with small-time thinking. In fact, he believes it’s encouraged his team to think big, motivating them to expand and take on larger competitors. Expansion brought Smith west to head the company’s Alberta division in 2007.

He says he found working in Calgary more similar than different to his home province, as both places have a down-to-earth business culture. “In Alberta the catchphrase in business is ‘Git’r done.’ It’s action oriented, like it is here.”

The Deloitte Advantage

Smith got his first taste of that action-oriented culture, working as a co-op student at Deloitte. He was studying at Memorial University when he landed a work term placement at Deloitte. “I must’ve done something right, because when I graduated they offered me a job,” he laughs now.

He quickly rose from junior auditor to senior manager, a path he credits to the mentorship he received from retired senior partner, Bruce Chafe. “He saw some things in me I didn’t even see myself, and we’ve had a lifelong working relationship,” he says. “There was a lot of opportunity, if you wanted to seize it, you could be successful. I felt both challenged and supported."

“There’s times when you feel you can’t put your next foot forward. But you draw on your training, desire, stubbornness, whatever it takes to get you through.”

The connections he developed at Deloitte, endure to this day. Smith continues to work with his early mentor, Chafe, who served as Chair of the Fortis board of directors from 2006 to 2008.

Smith has been eager to pay forward the support he received from those like Chafe. Smith has chaired the board of Junior Achievement, an entrepreneurship program for youth, in Calgary. “I love being around the energy and enthusiasm of the students,” he says. “The older I get the more I appreciate it.”

He also feels a strong appreciation for Memorial University, where he studied commerce and has since been involved in the business faculty. “It’s a big part of my success,” he reflects, “I realize firsthand the impact a great university can make in someone’s life.”

Change in the C-suite

It’s been a long and not always linear path from auditor to executive for Smith. When he entered the C-suite a decade ago, he noticed the CFO role was changing in response to new pressures. “It’s not just a finance role anymore, it’s about leadership,” he explains. “Being a former CEO makes me a better CFO, they’re very complementary roles. It’s not just about numbers, today a CFO is expected to provide solutions and strategy.”

He does credit his background in auditing with providing him with diligence and curiosity, but Smith makes it clear he never thought of himself as only an accountant. In his eyes, running a business--just like participating in a triathlon--requires mastering multiple talents. “Every executive has a background, but the good ones don’t limit themselves to it. They look to learn other skills.”

Alumni news and appointments

Join us in congratulating the following Deloitte and Andersen alumni on their recent appointments:

Alberta
Tracey Zehl was appointed to the board of directors of Rocky Mountain Dealerships Inc. in November. She was a partner at Deloitte from 2007 until 2014. Tracey is also the president of the board of Ronald McDonald House Southern Alberta.

Atlantic
Kevin Dumaresque joined Irving Oil Limited as chief financial officer in December. Kevin was the Deloitte market leader in New Brunswick and an important part of the leadership team in Atlantic.

Brent MacKinnon was appointed president and COO of Fortune Bay Corp. in November. Previously, Brent spent 10 years at the Abbey Group and prior to that he was Vice-president in the Corporate Finance group at Deloitte, where he specialized in capital raising, mergers and acquisitions and other financial advisory, mainly for mid-market companies.

British Columbia
Gord Lancaster was appointed interim chair of the board of Southgobi Resources in November. Gord has been a director of Southgobi since 2010. Previously, Gord was the CFO of Ivanhoe Energy Inc. He had a 20-year career at Deloitte with the last five years as a partner in Vancouver. Gord is also a director of Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd. and Sonde Resources Corp.

Karen Keilty was appointed to the board of directors of Great Canadian Gaming Corporation in December. Karen recently retired as the leader and director of operations for the British Columbia Audit practice of Deloitte. She served as a member of British Columbia’s Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants for five years, and acted as the Institute’s president during the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

Rob Neitzke was appointed president of Cummins Westport Inc. (CWI) effective January 2015. Rob joined Cummins in 1994 and worked in a number of roles from fuel systems and industry application engineering to emerging market strategy in India, Russia and Africa; and distribution business unit channel management in Europe, Middle East and Africa and CIS. Prior to joining Cummins, Rob was a consultant at Deloitte and a controls engineer at Allison Gas Turbine.

Toronto
Karen Basian was named to the board of Easyhome Ltd. in November. Karen is co-founder and CEO of Beehive5, managing director of Newtopia and principal at Firefly Strategy Capital Inc. Karen began her career as a CA with Deloitte specializing in international tax.

Christopher Govan was appointed CFO of Onex Corporation effective March 1, 2015. Chris joined Onex in 1998 and currently serves as a managing director, responsible for corporate and fund administration, and taxation. Prior to joining Onex in 1988, Chris was a senior tax manager at Arthur Andersen LLP where he worked for seven years in the areas of tax planning and structuring, mergers and acquisitions, financing, and international transactions.

Sandra Pereira was appointed vice president, head of tax services at Tricon Capital Group Inc. in November. Most recently, Sandra served as global tax strategy leader for Manulife Financial Corporation. Prior to Manulife, Sandra was a tax Partner at Deloitte and national leader of the post-merger integration tax practice.

Lenis Quan was appointed chief financial officer of Dream Industrial REIT in January 2015. Most recently, Lenis was the chief financial officer of Gazit America, and prior to that, she worked at Brookfield Asset Management for approximately 10 years in a number of progressive executive finance positions. Lenis started her career with Deloitte.

Tell us about your time at Deloitte?

Deloitte was an exceptional learning experience for me. I started in Audit where I was part of a team that served large manufacturing companies, which helped me develop business skills that I couldn’t acquire in a classroom. After a few years in Audit, I left Deloitte to devote myself to my greatest achievements – raising my two daughters. At the same time, I took the opportunity to do a master’s in taxation on a part-time basis. Once my youngest started kindergarten and my master’s degree was complete, I naturally returned to Deloitte, but this time, to join the Tax team. Once again, I had an opportunity to work on interesting and varied mandates with people who helped me to further develop and refine my professional skills. I left Deloitte a little over a year ago to work in the Tax department of a major manufacturer. That’s what they call destiny!

What was your most memorable Deloitte experience?

The Christmas parties! Kidding aside, I was invited to training for senior managers at Deloitte University in Dallas, and I was somewhat reluctant to attend because it was geared towards soft rather than technical skills. However, it was an exceptional program on how to manage difficult situations with clients and suppliers. The skills I learned there served me very well, and I continue to apply them in my new role at Pratt & Whitney Canada.

What do you like most about your position?

Our group has business throughout the world. My role is essentially a business support role that ensures tax matters are being addressed in every transaction. I work on reorganizations and due diligence reviews of investments and disinvestments. I’m responsible for transfer pricing, international compliance, sales tax and customs matters around the world. What I like most is the diverse nature of my position; I love working on various projects and the fact that my work has an impact on the company’s business. It’s very rewarding.

Tell us about your current job and what do you like most about it?

I run my own small photography business, Photobolic, which I started in 2005. I also work part-time at TransCanada in a governance role. I love the fact that I can be my own boss and work in a career that I’m passionate about.

Tell us about your career since you left Deloitte?

At Deloitte, I was a senior manager in ERS and worked with Paul Zonneveld to build Alberta’s security practice, which essentially became the cyber security practice.

I left the firm in 2007 to pursue an opportunity at TransCanada as a security architect. At the same time my photography business began to grow rapidly so in 2009 I decided to follow my passion and made it my primary profession. That being said, I wasn’t ready to give up the career I had built in risk and TransCanada didn’t want to see me go so I agreed to move to a part-time role, which I still do today.

What was the most important thing you gained from your experience at Deloitte?

My time at Deloitte was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. As I mentioned earlier, I was involved in building a new service line. The job was tough and I worked long hours, but I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything; it helped set me up for success. It provided the entrepreneurial perspective and discipline required to build a small business and it armed me with skills necessary to sustain profitability. I’m so grateful for the time, experience and the people at Deloitte.

Do you stay in touch with former colleagues?

Recently, I was able to mix my business with my alumni connections when I was hired to bring our photo booth to a Deloitte event. It was great to catch up with some of my former colleagues.

What inspires and drives you?

I’m a strong believer that you should follow your passion and pursue what you want in life. Around the age of 30, I was biking with a group of 14-year-olds. They were fast and had no fear. I was twice their age and couldn’t approach the jumps like they did. Sitting on the sidelines, one of the boys came up to me and gave me a very important life lesson. Just go for it!

It was then I realized sometimes you have to break out of your comfort zone, challenge yourself and jump in with two feet (provided you’re prepared and wearing the proper safety gear). Don’t be afraid of failure. If you fall, just get right back up and try again.

This attitude gave me the confidence and allowed me to succeed in my photography business. This became a reality when I was asked by the editor of Wedding Bells, Canada’s most popular bridal magazine, to photograph her own wedding. I also photographed the Premier’s daughter on her wedding day. I’m quite proud of that.

What is your favourite piece of business advice?

My new philosophy is to change things up every seven years or so. I worked at Deloitte for seven years before joining TransCanada. I had great success as a wedding photographer for the first seven years in my business but now I’m doing less of that and focusing on the photo booth business, which is growing exponentially.

As adults we need to keep things fresh; keep ourselves mentally nourished so we have the energy and drive to tackle the next big thing. You can’t be successful if you’re burnt out or you don’t have confidence in your skills and abilities. Believe in yourself and your dreams.

We are sad to share that Deloitte’s former Chairman Alan Dilworth passed away on November 27, 2014. Alan spent his entire career with Deloitte and played a variety of significant roles in the firm, in the audit profession, and in the Toronto business community. He led our firm through some of the most formative years in our history and he served as two-time chairman of Deloitte from 1972 to 1984 and from 1986 to 1990. Al retired in 1995 but continued to chair the Retired Partners Council, which he founded in 2006, until his passing.

Al’s commitment to the profession included service on various committees of the CICA, the Ontario Securities Commission Financial Disclosure Advisory Committee and on the Canadian Comprehensive Auditing Foundation. He served as a director of Mackenzie Financial Corporation, Investors Group and Medical Facilities Corporation. As a volunteer he served on numerous boards, including St. Michael's Hospital (Chair), York Club (Chair), Toronto Lawn Tennis Club, and the Dundas Separate School Board. He was a member of the Board of Governors of Regis College at the University of Toronto. In October 2014, the College conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws on Al and his wife in recognition of their work in service of the Catholic Church and community.

“Al has been a great presence in our lives, a touchstone for the leadership of this firm for over 50 years, and has irrevocably shaped us into who we are today.”
- Deloitte Chief Executive Frank Vettese and Chair Glenn Ives

Irene (Krotez) O'Neil, Deloitte alumna, February 20, 1970 - August 20, 2014 (see Around the country, British Columbia)

Wayne Musselman, Retired Partner, July 18, 1942 – October 26, 2014: Wayne retired from Deloitte in 2003 after a career of nearly forty years during which he served clients in the banking, securities, international trade and distribution industries. Wayne directed the Japanese Service Group of Deloitte Canada and served on the board of Deloitte's Global Japanese Services Group. He was the chairman of the board of FaithLife Financial from 2009 to 2012, and the chairman of the Audit Committee of State Bank of India (Canada).

Jeff Charriere, Audit Partner, February 28, 1962 - November 28, 2014: Jeff passed away on November 28, 2014 after a courageous battle with cancer. Jeff joined Deloitte as an audit partner this past summer. He began his career with Clarkson Gordon and rose to partnership at Arthur Andersen, Ernst & Young and most recently Deloitte. During his career, he assumed many leadership roles, including office managing partner (Winnipeg), national assurance partner, managing partner markets (Canada) and executive committee member working in both Winnipeg and Toronto.

Learning

TMT Predictions 2015

They’re here! Our much anticipated TMT Predictions were revealed during a three-week roadshow in 12 cities across the country this January Each session featured a keynote address by Deloitte’s Director of TMT research, Duncan Stewart, the complete list of Deloitte’s Canadian predictions for 2015; industry-specific insights based on exclusive research by more than 8,000 Deloitte professionals; and a new, interactive challenge that allowed participants to showcase their knowledge of TMT trends. Learn about the game-changing disruptions that will be affecting your industry in the coming year.

Introducing the Deloitte tax@hand app

Today’s tax professionals are agile members of interconnected teams. They need timely tax information on demand, on location, on the move, from one powerful source. Deloitte tax@hand delivers Canadian and global tax news and information, through a single global app accessible on all devices.

For access to information, interactive videos and to learn more about tax@hand please visit: www.deloitte.ca/taxathand.

Deloitte Dbriefs

Deloitte’s Dbriefs are live webcasts that give you valuable insights on important developments affecting your business. They cover a variety of business topics across all industries and services. They are often interactive, providing immediate and measurable feedback through polls and surveys, including real-time benchmarking with your peers. The webcasts are one to two hours long and are eligible for CPE credits (live webcasts only). Don’t miss out on these opportunities. Join Dbriefs

Deloitte 360° conference series 2015

Being a business leader today is about managing with increasing uncertainty, greater complexity and an extremely fast pace. There are solutions but to recognize and understand them, you need an integrated view — a perspective that covers every angle — and that is what Deloitte 360° is all about.

Deloitte 360° challenges linear thinking by providing a panorama of insights on trends shaping the context of business. Each event is a dynamic, interactive experience that allows you to build your own agenda by selecting the insights that interest you from a broad set of sessions. In 2014, Deloitte 360° conferences were held in nine cities across Canada and the feedback has been incredible. The series will come back in 2015 and dates and locations will be shared as they are finalized so visit Deloitte 360° often.

Deloitte reads

The consumer evolution: Are you adapting to new consumers’ behaviours?
Today’s consumer is connected and savvy and is changing everything companies thought they knew about serving their clientele. Now, the ‘Consumer-in-Chief’ has gone beyond influencing the path to purchase, to driving change in operating models. Download Deloitte’s new report, The consumer evolution, which will help you understand the trends reshaping the consumer business landscape.

Avoiding the death spiral of converts: The Canadian convertible debentures market
The Canadian marketplace is home to over $14 billion in publicly-traded convertible debentures and the appeal for these products is growing. Convertible debentures allow issuers to take advantage of lower cash costs and high yield potential, and they give investors the opportunity to earn current income without giving up the prospect of capital growth. Despite the advantages, there remain fundamental risks of issuing and owning these complex hybrid products. This Deloitte report helps you design an approach that is best suited to you to maximize gains and control risks.

Predictive safety – people and culture for life: With five fatalities in the first nine months of 2014, safety is top of mind for Alberta’s mining and petroleum development companies. It always is of course – but perhaps more than ever, balancing the safety equation not only protects workers and their families but also promotes productivity and good corporate citizenship.

This report is part of our first installment in our Gaining ground in the sands series of articles for 2015 – in which we look at: Grounding safety culture in the ethics of continuous improvement; building training programs that go beyond compliance; and increasing use of data analytics.

The Deloitte CIO Survey 2014: The 2014 report focuses on how CIOs are dealing with rapidly emerging technology trends and evolving service delivery models. The question driving the report is: how can CIOs leverage technology to drive growth and add value to the business, while growing IT’s business partnership role beyond its operational legacy?

We’re always looking for IT leaders to share their insights and perspectives on the role of today’s CIOs and issues that matter to them and the broader Canadian economy. If you would like to participate in our next CIO Survey, let us know.

Deloitte news

Transactions update: Deloitte acquires SwiftRadius

In January, SwiftRadius, one of the leading IT consulting firms in Atlantic Canada, joined Deloitte’s consulting team. SwiftRadius helps clients optimize their business processes through technology and has been repeatedly named one of the Best Places to Work in Atlantic Canada. “This team’s consulting expertise and commitment to client service are very closely aligned with our own, and we look forward to serving clients together,” says Mathew Harris, Managing Partner, Atlantic.

As a result of the deal, we’re opening the doors to a new office in Fredericton, which will enable us to better meet the needs of local clients and we also welcomed new employees to our Saint John and Moncton offices. Our consulting practice gained a sizable team, including two new partners – company founder Scott MacIntosh, a Deloitte and Andersen alum, and president Kevin Hurley.

Deloitte is always on the lookout for potential mergers, acquisitions or alliances to better serve our clients’ emerging needs. Our corporate development office (CDO), led by partner Alexandre Baril, is responsible for identifying profitable growth opportunities, executing upon transactions and monitoring transactions post-closing. This gives us a more comprehensive approach to work with organizations wanting to form an alliance or merge with Deloitte.

One of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2015!

We’re very proud to share that we’ve been named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for the second year in a row. Canada’s Top 100 Employers is one of the most highly coveted external awards for employers. It showcases employers from a wide variety of industries who offer exceptional workplaces that attract and retain top employees. This recognition celebrates both our people’s achievements and our firm’s commitment to our clients, our people and our communities.

Deloitte leaders named Canada’s Most Powerful Women

Three remarkable Deloitte leaders were named among Women’s Executive Network’s Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women for 2014. Congratulations to Jane Kinney (Corporate executives winner), Annipier Simard (Future leaders winner) and Shelley Brown (Hall of fame winner) for their exceptional achievements!

“The competition for this highly coveted recognition is stiff. Every year, it’s a tight race between hundreds of accomplished women across several industries that encompass the private, public and not-for-profit sectors across Canada. To have three of our women named to the list is an extraordinary achievement,” said Deloitte’s Managing Partner and Chief Executive, Frank Vettese.

And the 2014 Technology Fast 50™ winners are…

We’re pleased to share the 2014 Technology Fast 50™ awards winners. The 2014 winners grew an average of 4736% over five years, much higher than 2013’s average of 832% and the highest revenue growth rate for Canada’s fastest growing companies since 2011. Launched 17 years ago, the Technology Fast 50™ program celebrates the world-class achievements and the tremendous evolution of the Canadian technology sector.

Deloitte is making a significant difference for First Nations clients

Deloitte’s aboriginal client services practice is doing something bigger and different for First Nations trust clients. We are working with the communities and tailoring the approach to what is needed, encompassing traditional forms of decision making processes.

We’d like to share a video which highlights the positive difference we are making. The narrative tells a powerful story with clients’ first-hand accounts of the journey they’ve taken over the years and how far they’ve come.

Best Managed Companies 2014

Canada's Best Managed Companies program continues to be the mark of excellence for Canadian-owned and managed private companies with revenues over $10 million. Every year since the launch of the program in 1993, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies have competed for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates their management skills and practices. Deloitte is one of the program sponsors, along with CIBC, National Post, Queen’s School of Business and MacKay CEO Forums.

The 2014 Best Managed program is well on its way. Finalists were selected and celebrated at events across the country (see “Around the country) and the winners will be announced on March 10, 2015 in the National Post and La Presse. The winners will include:

To learn more, visit: www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca.

Congratulations to our 484 successful UFE writers

This December, Deloitte congratulated 484 successful UFE writers. This is a great accomplishment and a major step in the careers of these young professionals. Visit deloitte.ca/ufe to see the names of all the successful writers and honour roll members.

Around the country

News from your region

Alberta

You’re invited: Edmonton’s alumni gathering

Please join us on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 from 5:00 – 7:30pm at MKT Beer Market 8101 Gateway Boulevard Northwest Edmonton for the second annual Edmonton alumni event.This event is open to all Deloitte alumni in the Edmonton area, so please feel free to forward this invitation to any former colleagues who may be missing from our alumni database. Register online by February 9, 2015. For more information contact your Edmonton Alumni team at edmontonalumni@deloitte.ca.

Alberta Best Managed program
Alberta’s 2014 Best Managed program is well underway. On November 20, Edmonton recognized 11 new applicants to the program at an exclusive reception at the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald, and Calgary recognized 10 new applicants during a similar event on December 2 at Art Evolution Gallery. Program applicants were notified on the status of their application on December 15 but the winners will not be announced to the public until the national gala and symposium in Toronto in March 2015. We’ll keep you up to date in upcoming communications!

Calgary event round up!

Calgary held its annual alumni gathering on November 13 at the Calgary Zoo. Some 130 guests braved below seasonal temperatures to reconnect with their former colleagues.

In photo booth at Best Managed reception in Edmonton	Deloitte Chair Glenn Ives addresses guests at Best Managed reception in Calgary
From the Calgary alumni event on November 13, 2014

Atlantic

Breakthru 2015 and Deloitte

We’re proud to once again be partnering with the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) for their Breakthru 2015 competition. NBIF, Cox & Palmer and Deloitte are looking for New Brunswick's next great entrepreneurs. Breakthru is the largest competition of its kind in Canada, right here in New Brunswick! More than $500,000 in investments and services will be awarded at Breakthru 2015 Live on March 19, 2015 at the Fredericton Convention Centre.

Kevin Dumaresque named CFO at Irving Oil Limited

Congratulations to Kevin Dumaresque who has recently accepted the role of chief financial officer at Irving Oil Limited. Kevin was the Deloitte market leader in New Brunswick and an important part of the leadership team in Atlantic. We wish Kevin all the best in his new and exciting role.

SwiftRadius joins Deloitte

One of our Consulting alumni has returned to Deloitte – and he’s brought his team with him. In January, SwiftRadius – a well-respected business and IT consulting firm founded by Deloitte alum Scott MacIntosh –joined our Technology Consulting team. SwiftRadius has been serving companies in Atlantic Canada for over 10 years. The company’s Fredericton headquarters will serve as a new Deloitte office, with additional staff continuing to serve clients in Charlottetown, Moncton and Saint John. Scott is an alumnus of both our Consulting practice and Andersen Consulting. Under his leadership, SwiftRadius built up an impressive client list and was repeatedly named one of the Best Places to Work in Atlantic Canada. Scott brings with him a sizeable team, plus an unflagging commitment to innovation and long-standing support of Atlantic-based start-up companies.

Fast50 in Atlantic

The winner of the 2014 Fast50 Company to Watch award in Atlantic was Halifax-based company, 4Deep Inwater Imaging. They join 14 other companies across Canada selected for the 2014 program year (see Deloitte news).

Supporting Neptune Theatre

Deloitte is very excited to once again support Nova Scotia’s Neptune Theatre and a production from their 2014-2015 season – Alfred Hitchcock’s, “The 39 Steps.” In partnership with CIBC, both firms will be holding an opening night reception for the CEOs of Atlantic companies in the Canada’s Best Managed Companies program, and welcoming them to the theatre’s very popular after-party. Previously Deloitte have sponsored “Legally Blonde” and “Mrs. Parliament’s Night Out.”

Halifax hosts the 2015 Ford World Men’s Curling Championship

Hurry. Hurry hard. The 2015 Ford Men’s World Curling Championship will soon be here, and for the first time ever it will be hosted in Halifax, Nova Scotia. From March 28 to April 5, twelve countries will gather at the Scotiabank Centre to compete to be the world’s best. Deloitte are very proud to be Diamond Sponsors of this prestigious event and will be hosting events throughout the championship, so get in touch to make sure you get in on the action.

St. John’s Workplace of The Future grand opening

St. John’s celebrated the grand opening of the workplace of the future office on November 14 with about 100 clients and alumni in attendance. Everyone was very impressed with the space and with its exciting and innovative features. “Did I walk into Google?” an attendee commented. St. John’s is Deloitte’s third office to go live as part of workplace of the tuture program. It was preceded by Ottawa in October 2014 and Langley in October 2013. Scheduled next is Montreal in May 2015 and Toronto in December 2015.

Workplace of the future is a journey that Deloitte is undertaking to redevelop our work environments and redefine the way we interact with each others and with our clients. It focuses on creating an environment that offers flexibility of where and how work gets done, allows for enhanced collaborative opportunities and provides cutting-edge technology. The best part? The new environment is responsive to our existing behaviours and needs, utilizes space in the most effective way, and focuses on
delivering an exceptional employee and client experience.

British Columbia

Canada Winter Games to be held in BC

This February, Prince George will welcome over 2,350 athletes and 950 coaches and officials from over 800 communities for the Canada Winter Games. This is the first time the Winter Games will be held in BC and Deloitte is a National Partner and the presenting sponsor for the VIP program. The Games provides Prince George and our team an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see future Olympic champions and perhaps get even closer to the action by being one of the 4,500 volunteers required to host the Games.

The Canada Games are more than just the sports – they’re about creating legacies, sporting, economic, cultural and physical. The constructed permanent facilities will position Prince George as a provincial and national hub and will increase community participation in sports thereby ensuring healthier lifestyles. Moreover, the Games will raise the profile of Prince George and the surrounding region in Canada and encourage tourism. They will allow the city to showcase local art, literature, and music and they are a chance to share what we do with the rest of Canada.

“Alongside with our fellow sponsors, many of whom are clients, we will demonstrate our commitment to our community and help make the 2015 Games a huge success for Northern BC. For us, it is an opportunity to participate in showcasing Prince George and the surrounding region as much more than just the geographic center of the province, but as an incredible sporting and cultural center and why so many of us are proud to call Prince George home. We hope that Prince George will find its place into the hearts of everyone who competes and visits,” says Betty Ann Shiels, Managing Partner, Prince George.

The Prince George office extends a warm welcome to any Deloitte alumni who will be in town for the Games to watch a son, daughter, or grandchild competes, participate as a coach or official or just as a spectator. Come and share your 2015 Canada Winter Game’s story with us– we would be thrilled to meet you! For more information, please reach out to the regional alumni coordinator – Cora Lam (corlam@deloitte.ca).

Best Managed Companies: Finalists reception in BC

On November 27, we recognized 12 finalists who are new to the Best Managed program in BC. The reception took place at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. The finalists will compete for the honour of being one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for 2014, and the winners will be announced in March 2015.

This year, many of the applicants demonstrated passion and commitment to investing in sustainable growth and to building innovative, high performing cultures and teams. As such, the theme for the evening was innovation – a characteristic critical to the health of our economy, and thankfully a characteristic that is alive and well in each of our finalists. Our two keynote speakers, Deloitte Chair Glenn Ives and Kohn Crippen Berger President Len Murray, touched on the different spectrums of innovation – from “why we need it” to “how to do it”. Check out the pictures from this event.

In Memoriam: Irene (Krotez) O'Neil

We are sad to share that Vancouver alumna Irene (Krotez) O’Neil passed away on August 20, 2014. She was 44-years-old and had battled her cancer with strength, grace and courage that was inspirational to everyone. Irene joined Deloitte in 1990 and had a very successful career until October 2010 when, wanting to spend more time with her family, Irene found work within her own community at The Vermeulen Group in Tsawwassen. She also pursued her interest in sports with so much passion. Irene was an integral member of the Tribe slo-pitch club; she enjoyed playing ice hockey and was an avid winger on the Smooth Grooves hockey team. Irene touched the hearts of all who knew her, and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with her husband RJ O'Neil, her son Tysen, her daughter Tessa and her family.

Ottawa

Deloitte 360: Ottawa Edition

Over 600 guests attended Ottawa’s Deloitte 360 event on December 5, 2014. The full-day event featured three keynote speakers and over 20 sessions designed to help companies explore new ideas, innovations, and business solutions.

Canada's Best Managed Companies Finalist Reception

On November 5, Deloitte celebrated the 2014 National Capital Region (NCR) Best Managed program finalists. The event, which took place at the newly-constructed TD Place, home of the CFL Red Blacks, was a fun-filled evening of celebration, networking and also included a visit onto the field. Stay tuned for a list of program winners who will be announced in the March 10 issue of the National Post and La Presse.

Ottawa retired partners’ luncheon

Former partner Peter Rowan-Legg organized a luncheon for the retired Ottawa office partners on September 24, 2014. He shared with us the following picture.

Peter Rowan-Legg (standing 2nd from left). Those who attended were: Left to Right, front row; Colin Potts, Bob Brouillard & Peter Hyde; Second row: Dennis Campbell, Bruce Joyce, Carman Joynt, Bob Chevrier, Peter Rowan-Legg and Andre Dulude.

Prairies

Celebrate Aboriginal Women in Leadership: Winnipeg

On December 4, nearly 50 people came to the Winnipeg Deloitte offices to Celebrate Aboriginal Women in Leadership. This event hosted Aboriginal women leaders from a variety of sectors and provided a venue to discuss how to best leverage a strong network of Indigenous women to affect change locally, nationwide and around the globe.

The evening’s keynote speaker was Rosa Walker, founder, president and CEO of the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc. Rosa was named to one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 Awards by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) for 2014, and she inspired the room with her discussion of the impact of Indigenous women and the evolution of the World Indigenous Business Forum.

Attendees enjoy the presentation from keynote speaker Rosa Walker

Best Managed finalists’ receptions in Saskatoon and Winnipeg

In its 22nd year, Canada’s Best Managed program continues to be the mark of excellence for Canadian-owned and managed companies. On November 13, nearly 80 guests attended the 2014 Saskatchewan Best Managed Finalists’ Reception where the 19 Saskatchewan finalist companies were honoured.

The Best Managed companies in Manitoba gathered for a night of celebration at the beautiful Qualico Family Centre in Winnipeg on November 25. More than 100 attendees enjoyed the atmosphere and networking as the 2014 Manitoba finalist companies were honoured. The evening was hosted by Chuck Davidson, president and CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, and featured a presentation by Peter Brown, senior practice partner with Deloitte Canada, co-leader for Canada’s Best Managed Companies Program in Toronto and co-author of The Power of The Best. Twenty Manitoban companies were finalists.

Winners will be officially announced in the National Post special report scheduled for release on March 10, 2015. To learn more about the Canada’s Best Managed Companies program, visit www.canadas50best.com.

The finalists get a chance to network at the Manitoba event

Deloitte 360: Winnipeg edition

The Deloitte 360 event made its Winnipeg debut on December 4, attracting a significant group of Manitoba’s top business people and providing an opportunity for learning and insights from some exciting presenters and keynote speakers.

The first keynote speaker, Deloitte partner Jessica Goldberg, discussed emerging approaches in releasing latent capacity, improving quality and customer service and effecting cultural change in her session Moneyball for the back office. Terry Stuart, Deloitte’s Chief Innovation officer, closed out the morning with the highly anticipated speech, Living in an exponential world, which enthused the audience by building awareness of how exponential technologies are changing industries.

This half-day event gave attendees the chance to get inspired, reset their outlooks and perspectives and return to work with a renewed optimism and energy and a set of great ideas to implement.

Attendees check in to the Deloitte 360 event

Deloitte Chief Innovation Officer Terry Stuart delivers an energetic exponential technologies presentation

Québec

A successful event and another coming up – stay tuned!

More than 300 alumni and current Deloitte people attended the annual cocktail reception for Deloitte’s Greater Montreal Area alumni on October 2, 2014 at Auberge Saint-Gabriel in Montreal. Here are some select pictures to remind you of the evening and of fall weekends you spent at the cottage.

We’re also happy to announce that the next alumni reunion will take place in the new Tour Deloitte – Montreal’s workplace of the future – which will be inaugurated in spring 2015. Make sure you keep us current and updated on your contact details to ensure you receive an invitation to this much-anticipated gathering.

Cocktail reception for the Quebec finalists of Canada’s Best Managed Companies

On November 20, Deloitte, CIBC Commercial Banking and La Presse honoured 58 Quebec finalists of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies program at a cocktail reception in Montreal’s Loft Hotel. More than 200 people attended the events. Among this year’s first-time finalists are a few Deloitte alumni:

The winners will be announced on March 10, 2015 in the National Post, La Presse and La Presse+. For more information, please visit www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca/en.

Deloitte 360 – Montreal edition

The Montreal edition of Deloitte 360° took place on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 and was a great success, with over 800 participants, including 153 alumni. If you were unable to attend, you can access and review the presentations.

If you did not receive an invitation to Deloitte 360°, make sure you visit the preference centre to subscribe to communications and invitations based on your preferences. We hope to see you at the next Deloitte 360° in Montreal, scheduled on November 5, 2015.

Fast 50 in Montreal

On November 13, 2014, 112 people attended the Technology Fast 50™ awards ceremony at the Montreal Ritz-Carlton. This year, the Province of Quebec had 9 winners in the Technology Fast 50™ rankings as well as 12 winners in the Technology Fast 500™ rankings and 3 winners in the Companies-to-Watch category.

Southwestern Ontario

Deloitte 360: Kitchener-Waterloo edition

Deloitte hosted over 130 guests at its inaugural Deloitte 360 event on November 4, 2014 in Kitchener. This half-day of learning offered a diverse agenda where participants selected sessions designed to inspire and educate. The workshop topics included mergers and acquisitions, data analytics, tax updates and more.

Canada’s Best Managed Program Finalist Reception

Deloitte was proud to celebrate with the Southwestern Ontario finalists for the 2014 Canada’s Best Managed program on November 19, 2014. The event took place at the Perimeter Institute of Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, a scientific research organization that works to advance the understanding of physical laws and develop new ideas. The very snowy night was filled with celebration, networking and guided tours of the innovative facility. If you missed it, or would like to see pictures from the event, click here. Stay tuned for a list of program winners who will be announced
in the March 10, 2015 issue of the National Post
and La Presse.

Spring Alumni Event

The Kitchener office will be hosting an alumni event this coming May! Keep an eye on your inbox for more details.

Toronto

One of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers

We’re proud to share that Deloitte has been named one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for 2015. For the second year in a row, Deloitte is excited to be recognized by this external award that celebrates organizations that are headquartered in Toronto and offer an exceptional work culture. This award is a celebration of our firm nationally and all of the people from coast-to-coast that make our firm a great place to be.

Deloitte 360 – Toronto edition

Toronto hosted the first Deloitte 360 conference on September 16, 2014 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. We had close to 1,400 attendees, including about 300 alumni. There were so many sessions to choose from covering a wide range of hot topics, from international tax, cyber security and crisis management to inclusive leadership, finance function acceleration and big data. The feedback from the conference was outstanding and we look forward to organizing and hosting the 2015 Deloitte 360 in Toronto in the fall.

Workplace of the Future coming to Toronto in December 2015

The construction of the Bay Adelaide Centre East – the future home of Deloitte and our Toronto workplace of the future – is well underway and it’s quite visible if you’ve been around. As we gear up towards our much-anticipated move, we want our alumni to know that they’ll be among the first to see the new and exciting space, and we’ll keep you in the picture between now and December 2015 when we start our phased move in. In the meantime, make sure you keep us informed on your whereabouts and alert us to any changes in your contact information and business coordinates at talumni@deloitte.ca. And if you know of alumni who we’ve lost touch with, don’t hesitate to let us know. We’re planning to celebrate with you!

Best Managed

At the Best Managed Finalists reception in Toronto, which took place on November 18, 2014 at the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Poll:

What do you value most about the Deloitte alumni network?

Don’t miss out on alumni communications!

To receive invitations to industry and technical events, make sure you we have your current professional and contact information. Register or update your profile in our alumni directory or join our Canada Alumni LinkedIn group. For help, please contact us at deloittealumni@deloitte.ca.

Stay connected!

Register or update your profile in our alumni directory or join our Canada Alumni LinkedIn group. For help at any time, please contact us at deloittealumni@deloitte.ca

Your alumni contacts