Today we’d like to introduce you to Idalin McKenzie.

Idalin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

My journey is deeply rooted in the values of hard work, education, and community service instilled by my parents. From an early age, I was inspired by mentors who demonstrated how professional success could be balanced with purpose and impact. These foundational lessons, coupled with my drive, shaped how I lead with intention, focusing on delivering results and making a meaningful difference through my work.

Education has been the cornerstone of my journey—the bridge between my aspirations and reality. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and later a master’s degree in Management Information Systems and a master’s degree in Business Administration. Along the way, I became a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and obtained specialized certifications in governance, ITIL, audit, and risk management. These academic and professional milestones equipped me with both technical expertise and strategic acumen, enabling me to lead across disciplines, departments, and industries.

I began my career as an IT Consultant with a leading global firm, gaining foundational experience in business systems analysis, design, and implementation. A pivotal moment in my journey was my decision to move to Canada, expanding my professional experience beyond the Caribbean and the United Kingdom. This transition was uncertain as I rebuilt my career in a new environment, sometimes taking on roles that did not reflect my qualifications. These experiences, however, taught me invaluable lessons in resilience, adaptability, and perseverance, while deepening my appreciation for the global relevance of transferable skills.

As I advanced in my career, I transitioned into leadership roles spanning IT, Audit, Finance, Risk Management, Strategy, and Governance. I gained experience across diverse sectors, including professional services, energy, nonprofits, real estate, and financial services, among others. Founding KLAM Consulting marked another transformative chapter, where I served as a consulting CFO and trusted advisor. Through this experience, I partnered with clients to develop growth strategies, achieve operational excellence, and drive strategic transformation. These career experiences allowed me to make a meaningful impact on people, processes, products, and policies and earned me a track record of delivering results in complex environments. In 2023, my contributions were recognized when I was honoured as one of WXN’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada in the professional category.

Today, I serve as the Vice President of Finance and Asset Management at YWCA Hamilton. In this capacity, I focus on enhancing systems and infrastructure across finance, IT and facilities to support the organization’s growth and mission.

Beyond my professional roles, I am passionate about governance, education and public speaking. As a keynote speaker, I share insights on strategy, business transformation, enterprise resilience, governance, and leadership with global audiences. This work allows me to inspire others and contribute to vital conversations on innovation and impact.

Reflecting on my journey, I am proud of how the challenges, including relocating to a new country, rebuilding my career, and taking on roles that demanded adaptability and innovation, have shaped my leadership philosophy. I have learned the importance of resilience, continuous growth, and aligning strategy with purpose. My journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the belief that every challenge presents an opportunity to grow and lead with intention.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

The road to where I am today has been anything but smooth. Yet, it is through these challenges that I’ve developed resilience, adaptability, and the ability to turn obstacles into opportunities. One of the most defining moments of my journey was relocating to a new country, a leap of faith that required me to rebuild my career from the ground up. Starting over meant accepting roles that didn’t always reflect my qualifications or experience. While humbling, these roles were pivotal stepping stones that taught me perseverance and the importance of embracing every opportunity to learn and grow, even in the face of uncertainty.

Navigating traditionally male-dominated fields also presented challenges, particularly as I stepped into leadership roles. It required me to assert my expertise, cultivate confidence, and champion my vision in environments that often demanded more than technical knowledge. They demanded presence, tenacity, and the ability to inspire others. Transitioning across industries added another layer of complexity, as I adapted to dynamic economic and organizational landscapes while leveraging transferable skills to create meaningful impact.

Working with entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized businesses has been another transformative chapter in my journey. Supporting these businesses required me to balance strategic vision with practical solutions, guiding leaders through the complexities of growth, operational efficiency, and financial sustainability. Partnering with entrepreneurs to scale their ventures or overcome challenges underscored the importance of innovation, collaboration, and inspiring confidence in uncertainty. It has been immensely rewarding to help these businesses thrive while building stronger communities through economic empowerment.

I also encountered the unique challenge of balancing financial stewardship with mission-driven goals in the nonprofit sector. These experiences pushed me to innovate, collaborate, and leverage limited resources to deliver measurable impact. Purpose-driven leadership requires strategic thinking and a commitment to aligning actions with values to achieve sustainable outcomes.

Each of these challenges has shaped my professional identity and leadership philosophy. They’ve deepened my appreciation for the power of transferable skills and taught me to embrace obstacles as opportunities to grow, innovate, and lead with authenticity. Whether working with entrepreneurs, navigating organizational transformation, or advancing social impact, I’ve drawn on these lessons to inspire others and create lasting value.

Through these experiences, I’ve cultivated a leadership style prioritizing resilience, adaptability, and continuous improvement. As an executive, speaker, and coach, I draw on these lessons to empower others to navigate complexity, thrive in uncertainty, and achieve their fullest potential. The road hasn’t been smooth, but every challenge has been an opportunity to become a stronger leader, a more strategic thinker, and a more impactful change-maker.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I specialize in finance transformation, strategy, and governance, leveraging technology and AI to drive operational efficiency, enhance decision-making, and achieve measurable results. My expertise includes developing innovative financial strategies, optimizing operations, and aligning resources with organizational goals to deliver sustainable impact across corporate, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial sectors.

As a keynote speaker, coach, and advisor, I empower leaders and organizations to navigate complexity, foster innovation, and achieve excellence. I also facilitate workshops on leadership, strategy, business transformation, enterprise resilience, and governance, equipping participants with practical tools to overcome challenges and drive meaningful change.

One of my proudest achievements is being recognized as one of Canada’s WXN Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2023. This honour reflects my commitment to leadership, community impact, and empowering others through my work.

What sets me apart is my multidisciplinary approach, integrating expertise in finance, IT, strategy, and governance to solve complex challenges and deliver transformative results. My leadership philosophy emphasizes aligning strategy with purpose, fostering inclusivity, and building sustainable systems that enable organizations and individuals to thrive.

Through speaking engagements, coaching, advisory, and workshops, I aim to inspire others, equip them with actionable insights, and create lasting impact.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?

While many know me as a speaker, coach, and leader, it often surprises people to learn that I’m naturally introverted. I’ve developed the ability to connect deeply with others and engage audiences effectively, which can sometimes give the impression that I’m an extrovert. In truth, I draw energy from quiet moments of reflection, whether through hiking or spending time in nature. These moments help me recharge, gain clarity, and approach challenges with fresh perspectives.

Another lesser-known aspect of my journey is how much my Jamaican heritage has shaped who I am. It instilled in me a deep appreciation for resilience, adaptability, and community—values that influence how I navigate life and work. This heritage also inspires my love for music and culture, which often brings joy and balance to my busy professional life.

This combination of introspection and connection has shaped my approach to leadership, speaking, and coaching. I aim to lead with empathy and authenticity, using what I’ve learned along the way to support others in achieving their goals. While I enjoy sharing ideas and building relationships, it’s the quieter, reflective side of me that fuels my creativity and ability to support individuals and teams in meaningful ways.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://klamconsulting.ca/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/idalinmckenzie/
• Other: https://speakerscanada.com/keynote-speaker/idalin-mckenzie/