About Us

The Financial Empowerment Initiative (theFEI.ca)

The Financial Empowerment Initiative is a non-profit organization that empowers individuals and communities through financial literacy education and impactful events.

Our mission is to foster economic well-being and enable people to make informed, confident decisions about their money, ultimately leading to a brighter and more secure future.

Our Core Values

Our mission

Our mission at the FEI is to provide the necessary information and knowledge base to accomplish the following:

We do these through our comprehensive, targeted and culturally appropriate financial literacy sessions and tax clinic offered free of charge to the community.

Ethics Statement

 


At the Financial Empowerment Initiative (thefei.ca), we take our role seriously as a Black-led, Black-serving, and Black-focused organization.

Our core values drive everything we do, and we’re committed to being upfront, fair, and accountable in all our actions.

Being transparent and honest is at the heart of our work. We strive to create a space where everyone feels respected and heard.

Our mission is to support the Black community with integrity, and that means treating everyone with dignity and fairness.

We follow a clear code of conduct, making sure that every decision we make respects people’s rights and contributions. Our team is dedicated to maintaining these high standards and ensuring our actions reflect our commitment to ethical behavior.

We also believe in constantly improving. We regularly look at our policies and practices to make sure they’re up-to-date and effective. Our goal is to build and keep trust with the community and our partners, making sure our work truly empowers and benefits the people we serve.

In everything we do, we’re focused on doing what’s right and making a positive impact. Our promise is to stay true to these values and continue working towards the betterment of our community.

Our Team

Tayo El-Nathan

Executive Director

Tayo El-Nathan

Executive Director
Tayo Elnathan is the Executive Director of the Financial Empowerment Initiative (thefei.ca), a community-focused non-profit organization dedicated to promoting financial literacy and empowerment in Edmonton and Calgary. Under her leadership, the organization runs annual community tax clinics, hosts impactful workshops, including the signature Money and Marriage Seminars, and organizes events such as Leadership and Business Evenings and Financial Literacy Nights. Tayo is a passionate advocate for financial empowerment, particularly within underserved communities, providing resources to help individuals and families navigate financial systems, improve financial well-being, and build sustainable futures. She is known for her strategic leadership, community engagement, and ability to foster collaborations that drive positive change. Tayo’s commitment to financial education and empowerment has made her a respected voice in the non-profit and community development sectors, with a track record of delivering programs that make a tangible difference in the lives of those she serves.

Yinka Adeoye

Board Member

Yinka Adeoye

Board Member
Yinka Adeoye is a dedicated board member of the Financial Empowerment Initiative (thefei.ca), a non-profit organization committed to promoting financial literacy, empowerment, and education within communities in Edmonton and Calgary. With a strong background in governance and community engagement, Yinka plays a vital role in supporting the organization’s strategic initiatives, including annual tax clinics, financial literacy workshops, and community leadership programs. Yinka’s passion for financial empowerment stems from a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals and families in accessing financial resources. Through her involvement with FEI, she contributes to creating opportunities that help community members gain financial independence and stability. Known for her collaborative approach and unwavering commitment to community development, Yinka continues to support impactful initiatives that foster financial awareness and economic empowerment for all.

Mary Aina

Board Member

Mary Aina

Board Member
Mary has many years of experience across multiple functional groups, including Technology, Operations, Enterprise Risk and Anti-Money Laundering (AML); she’s led multiple technology transformative initiatives and continues to look for opportunities to improve how work is done. She is currently Associate Vice President, Property and Casualty Technology at Cooperators Group Limited, where she leads a team of experts supporting core IT functions and serves as a director at a couple of Fintech Startups including Opolo Global Innovation Limited. She has lent her expertise as a keynote speaker and panelist at various Fintech conferences, Technology and Compliance events both home and abroad, promoting diversity. In addition, she is a Governing Council Member of CIBN. Additionally, she serves as a mentor to students and newcomers looking to restart their careers in Canada and mid-level career individuals positioning themselves for growth. She has participated, coached, and judged multiple competitive programming events geared at improving financial literacy particularly for Women. Mary holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Technology Management, a Masters Degree in Business Administration, is a Project Management Professional (PMP), a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Nigeria and an associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Scotland.

Ahmad Sanni

Board Member

Ahmad Sanni

Board Member
Ahmad Sanni is an accomplished IT professional with over 30 years of experience in ICT operations, project management, and business development. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership and innovation, making him an asset in both corporate and nonprofit sectors. Currently, Ahmad serves as the Managing Partner of SHPlus Technologies Inc., a company specializing in delivering end to end IT solutions and training to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), including nonprofits. Ahmad holds several certifications, including Project Management Professional (PMP), Prince2 Registered Practitioner, and ITIL Foundation, which complement his extensive experience managing IT infrastructure, application development, and support. His leadership experience spans roles in Wipro Solutions (formerly ATCO I-Tek), where he managed diverse teams, led cloud-based IT projects, and provided strategic technical oversight for business continuity and disaster recovery. In addition to his professional expertise, Ahmad is deeply committed to community service and nonprofit governance. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Nigeria Canadian Association of Edmonton (NCAE), He also serves as Chairperson of the St. Albert and District Further Education Board and is the Vice Chairman of the Art and Heritage Foundation of St. Albert. His work on these boards has involved policy development, organizational sustainability, and driving educational and cultural initiatives in the community. Ahmad’s extensive experience in IT, combined with his dedication to community leadership, aligns seamlessly with TheFEI’s mission to empower nonprofits through educational innovation and leadership development. His passion for mentoring and capacity building has enabled him to drive meaningful change in the organizations he serves. Ahmad is a family man, happily married with four children, including twins. When not involved in professional or board commitments, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling to historical sites, and following sports, particularly soccer, basketball, and hockey."

Ikenna Nduaguibe

Board Member

Ikenna Nduaguibe

Board Member
Ikenna Nduaguibe, CPA, CA, is a seasoned financial professional with extensive experience in corporate, individual and entrepreneurial finance. Currently serving as a Senior Client Success Advisor at Diligent, he excels in fostering customer success and delivering strategic insights. Prior to this role, Ikenna was a Senior Manager at KPMG Canada and a Manager at PwC, where he honed his skills in internal and external audits, financial reporting, technical accounting, and risk management. A Chartered Professional Accountant in Canada and an Associate Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Ikenna brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, making him a valuable resource in the field of finance.