Jane Roy
Founder and Chair
Jane is a chartered professional accountant who enjoyed a varied career in CFO positions where she was most interested in strategic planning for growth and diversification. In 2005, she shifted gears entirely to become the proud Creator and Chair of Catapult Leadership Society and discovered the joy of making a positive difference in the lives of teens. Jane also serves on the Board of Governors of Saint Mary’s University, was Founding Chair of Autism Nova Scotia, and has served on multiple other NPO Boards. She was named an FCA in 2005, Nova Scotia’s CA of the Year for 2009, a Woman of Excellence in 2015 and Canada’s Commonwealth Point of Light in 2018.
In her own words:
I chose the CPA profession because it offered a challenging career that provides a lot of options and flexibility. I’m a person who thrives on change. I switched jobs every 5 years, I actively served within professional associations, and I volunteered with charities. Consequently, I developed a wider range of skills, discovered talents I didn’t know I had, made numerous connections, and enjoyed a lot of interesting experiences.
My greatest success came in doing it ‘my way’. I purposely stepped off the career ladder when my babies were born and found balance between family priorities and meaningful work by creatively negotiating reduced hours. As my children became older and more active I dropped from 100% to 80% to 66% to finally 37.5%, and I moved from a senior position in a large company to a senior position in a small one. I may have sacrificed prestige and money, but I didn’t sacrifice any of the things that were most important to me. When my children were in junior high, I chose to take a year “off” and be a stay-at-home mom. And that’s when I got the idea for Catapult.
I didn’t always know where I was heading but I accepted opportunities when they arose and allowed a path to develop based on current priorities. I could never have predicted that I would end up leaving the financial world to spend my days volunteering in an area I had zero experience with. But I am so grateful I took a leap and created Catapult - a world-class leadership program for NS youth who have natural leadership qualities but limited opportunities. Creating life-changing opportunities for underprivileged youth with enormous potential is incredibly rewarding.
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What are you most proud of professionally? And who or why?
I must admit I’m very proud of being awarded the prestigious FCPA (FCA) designation. The title of Fellow CPA recognizes distinctive career and community achievements that bring honour to the profession. To be recognized and respected by my peers despite following my own definition of success was truly an honour.
But of all the things I’ve done, I’m most proud of creating Catapult. The idea formed when I was registering my own children to attend a leadership camp and I thought about the potential impact of such a program on young people who always miss out on self-growth opportunities simply because of life circumstances. I’ve helped create and chair other charitable organizations and events, but Catapult has been deeper. The Catapult difference is that I’m right there, on the front line. I’m not just sitting around a board table. I live with our youth in residence. I eat with them. I see, hear and feel the difference we are making. I’ve built real relationships, some that are going on 12 years. I’ve even had the privilege of working alongside my children who were counselors for a combined 11 years. And it’s provided me multiple opportunities to speak to an audience and inspire others to get involved and make a difference.
I’m not just proud of the organization and its network of student leaders though. I’m proud of my own self-growth. I’ve learned that some of the most amazing, wise, kind humans have an exterior shell that may seem intimidating ... until you get to know them. I’ve watched in awe as young people who have very little commit to helping others who have even less. I’ve been enriched with a more diverse circle of friends. I’ve seen how a tiny gift of kindness from one person can make the world of difference to someone else. My Catapult youth have helped me become a better person.
What’s your vision for Atlantic Canada in 10 years? What’s our biggest opportunity now?
The only thing I feel certain about is that our next generation is pretty amazing. My experience with today’s young people shows a far greater passion and commitment to community than I saw among my own peers at their age. We need to support them ... so they can support us!
What was your greatest stage of growth? What made it a shift for you?
My greatest stage of professional growth was probably in the first 5 years of my accounting career. A deeper sense of confidence came with the designation and that propelled me into taking risks by grabbing opportunities. I successfully ran in the CA Institute’s council elections, I accepted the position of President of Financial Executives Institute (despite being a young female in a group of experienced men), I accepted invitations to join Boards. Those experiences helped me develop skills and widen my network - and that fueled my confidence even more. The only way to discover what you’re capable of is to take a risk and try something new, and then learn from the mistakes you’ll inevitably make. Taking these risks at such a young age set a really solid foundation that allowed me to veer off on my own unique path when I became a mom.
What’s your favourite or most read book or podcast? Now or at each of your greatest stages of growth?
I enjoy reading historical fiction for pleasure - especially while lying on a beach under a palm tree! The non-fiction book that has most inspired me is Bill Strickland's "Make the Impossible Possible". Whenever I’m asked for a favourite quote, I share something Bill said - There is no experience that makes a person feel more vividly, passionately, and purposefully alive than the chance to use their talents and resources to bring more dignity, hope and opportunity into the world.
What’s your deepest learning from this past year? How did/will you apply it?
I learned to ask myself, “What if I’m wrong?” It’s a humbling internal shift from focusing on why I’m right. It’s allowing me to listen deeper, to be less judgmental, and of course ... to learn.
What would you have done differently?
If I could go back in time I’d stop trying to be perfect and not beat myself up so much after making a mistake. No one is perfect and we all make mistakes. Get over it. Be kind to yourself.
What are the principles you live by?
The more positive energy you put out in the universe, the more positivity comes back to you.
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Serial volunteer, accountant, youth leader, world traveler, hobby photographer, tennis novice, golfer wannabe