Toronto Ontario - Nadeem Velani, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Canadian Pacific (CP) has been named Canada's CFO of the Year for 2020.
 
Now in its 18th year, the award honours senior financial leaders who have made significant contributions to business in Canada with demonstrated quality, insight. and integrity.
 
The award is presented annually by Financial Executives International Canada (FEI Canada), PwC Canada and Robert Half.
 
Nadeem Velani is an accomplished and driven leader, making significant improvements to CP's financial performance, stakeholder relations, and use of operational data.
 
Nadeem's appointment as CFO in 2016 allowed CP's finance department to make changes for sustainable growth.
 
Nadeem re-imagined the role of the finance team, moving from a support function to a department that drives strategic decisions and enables results.
 
His leadership and support can be seen in his finance team, many of whom have undergone training to become qualified railway conductors, locomotive engineers, and rail car inspectors to better understand the operational aspects of the business.
 
He is a champion of diversity and inclusion, mentor, and sponsor of women with his involvement in CP's Women on Track events, CP Women's Open golf tournament, and is on the selection committee for the Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards.
 
As a mentor, he sponsors and facilitates developmental opportunities for all levels, from new hires touring the operational facilities to emerging leaders and the senior leadership team.
 
As Chair of CP's Leadership Steering Committee, he strongly believes that career development is integral to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce and plays a critical role in the success of CP today and into the future.
 
Nadeem holds a B. Economics degree from the University of Western Ontario and MBA in Finance/International Business from McGill University.
 
The Award, presented by Financial Executives International Canada (FEI Canada), PwC Canada and Robert Half, recognizes an individual who best exemplifies the evolving role of the CFO, which has moved beyond the traditional perception of financial expert to that of a strategic, influential, and essential member of the C-suite.
 
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