TANYA GAROST

On May 23, 2023, at GFOA Annual Conference in Portland, Tanya became the new president-elect for GFOA US & Canada! This is a major achievement and the GFOABC team is very proud to see one of our own achieve this important position.

If you know Tanya, you will be aware this achievement comes as no surprise. She has steadily risen in her career and in 2021 was appointed Chief Administrative Officer with the District of Lake Country. Her career spans over 20 years and includes positions such as Chief Financial Officer for the District of Lake Country, General Manager of Finance and Corporate Services for the City of West Kelowna, Director of Finance for the Thompson Nicola Regional District and Revenue Manager for the City of Kamloops.

Tanya served on the GFOABC Board from 2013 to 2019, joining the Executive in 2015 and serving as President for two terms. GFOABC was transformed during Tanya’s tenure setting the foundation for GFOABC’s 2019-2024 Strategic Plan and for the redevelopment of the Strategic Financial Leadership Program. Tanya was and continues to be a valued resource for GFOABC and its members, providing guidance and mentorship to local government finance professionals throughout the province. For her amazing service, she was the recipient of the GFOABC Outstanding Contribution Award in 2019.

As the President-Elect for GFOA US & Canada, Tanya will continue to leverage her incredible leadership qualities in support of provincial and state finance professionals across North America and beyond. Tanya’s work with GFOA US & Canada began in 2017 serving on the Standing Committee on Canadian Issues. She subsequently joined GFOA US & Canada’s Executive Board in 2020. Her goals for GFOA US & Canada are to enable the creation of stronger communities by working with governments to support their diverse communities, strive for equity for the many groups GFOA serves, and to create safe spaces for everyone that in return will support the attraction and retention of staff that so many public sector organizations struggle with.

IF THERE IS SOMEONE IN YOUR ORGANIZATION THAT YOU’D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE IN THE JUNE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT, LET US KNOW. Contact office@gfoabc.ca.

Tanya’s position as President-Elect is without precedent for GFOA US & Canada as this is the first time in their history that three women are holding all three officer positions at the same time. Tanya is the first Canadian woman to achieve this position and will be the first Canadian woman to be President in 2024. Tanya will be the 11th GFOA US & Canada from Canada since 1906. (See Figure 1)

We were thrilled to welcome Tanya to the 2023 Annual Conference in Whistler to congratulate her on her election to President-Elect and to help kick off her tenure. She was joined by GFOA US & Canada’s Past President, Terri Velasquez, and Executive Director/CEO, Chris Morrill. We also welcomed Sandra Zwiers, President of the Municipal Finance Officers Association of Ontario, Alvin Allim, President of the Government Finance Officers Association of Alberta, and Dan Legard, President of the Washington (State) Finance Officers Association to join us in celebrating Tanya’s achievement.

We look forward to following Tanya on her journey to GFOA President!

Please join us in congratulating Tanya!

2010-2011 | Mr. Len Britton

2009-2010 | Mr. Paul Macklem

1992-1993 | Mr. John Pickard

1980-1981 | Mr. Fernard Denis

1964-1965 | Mr. Leland Romkey

1958-1959 | Mr. James Lowther

1951-1952 | Mr. L. Roberge

1948-1949 | Mr. C.L. Beazley

1935-1936 | Mr. G.A. Lascelles

1929-1930 | Mr. Charles Tulley