Denise Zaporzan

Denise is President of Denise Zaporzan and Associates, a strategy practice based in Manitoba. As a trusted advisor, Denise demonstrates her passion, energy, and knowledge of strategy and leadership through work with public and private clients. 

Prior to founding her practice in 2002, Denise was Chief Financial Officer of a privately held and publicly traded environment, where she successfully enjoyed over 20 years of executive leadership; formulating, implementing and evaluating financial and strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, and change leadership.

Denise is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA), and received the prestigious Fellowship (FCPA) designation in 2010, the profession's highest recognition of significant career achievements and contributions to community. She received her Balanced Scorecard Professional (BSP) certification through George Washington University, and furthered her studies with Harvard authors Kaplan and Norton in spring 2014. She has been a moderator for the Chartered Professional Accountants of Manitoba (CPA Manitoba, formerly as a Certified Management Accountant, CMA) Strategic Leadership Program, as well as the I.H. Asper School of Business Executive Education program. 

In 2017, Denise developed and launched her newest initiative, D by denise, a Canadian lifestyle blog, brand, and e-commerce platform. D by denise publishes content celebrating the modern, professional middle-aged woman, and collaborates with local (Canadian) brands and media to celebrate the authentic voice of the modern, middle-aged female audience.

Denise speaks regularly at conferences across North America on the subject of strategy and leadership as well as delivers keynote addresses in sharing her "story" as a woman in business.

Denise currently serves as a Board member for The Associates at the University of Manitoba, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, a startup pharmaceutical company and an International Women's Fund.  

After years of trying to do it all, realizing that perfectionism was not her best strength, and accepting her journey with anxiety, Denise embraced middle age and the opportunity to reflect and make change for her next version of living life. As a professional, engaging, impactful and motivational keynote speaker,  Denise now shares what she has come to know - through her stories of what many are thinking but not always saying and practicing!

Testimonials: 

"Denise Zaporzan is a dynamic, content rich speaker who effectively reaches women wanting to find their voice in today's world. I have experienced firsthand how Denise can mobilize and empower women to take positive steps in their lives, whether personally or professionally. Denise knows what often holds women back from true success and offers inspiration and practical ideas for women to get un-stuck. She is passionate, authentic and a true believer in the resiliency and power of women. Denise is an original and informed speaker who commanded the attention and respect of our organization's audience and was by far one of the best received speakers we have engaged". MaryAnn Kempe FCPHR, MBA, CEC Chief Human Resources Officer | Birchwood Automotive Group

"I have had the pleasure of working with Denise Zaporzan on many occasions and in different settings over the past decade. Denise is a polished and professional speaker who is well prepared and informed. She relates extremely well and connects to her audience. Denise is able to combine broad-knowledge on many subject areas (including but not limited to strategy, management accounting, and workplace dynamics) along with her deep expertise with regards to lifestyle and personal brand. I would highly recommend Denise for a speaking engagement."   Todd Scaletta MBA, FCPA, FCMA. CDir - President & CEO Chartered Professional Accountants of Manitoba

"Denise was a speaker at our inaugural SHEday event in 2015 and delivered a very engaging and inspiring talk to 560 women.  She was authentic, impactful and her presentation resulted in encouraging deep thought and dialogue amongst the women attending.  Denise is best described as highly energetic and possessing the rare ability to truly and deeply connect with her audience.  She was rated by many as one of the top speakers that day, with some of the participants still talking about her presentation."  Brenda LaRose Co-Founder of SHEday Partner, Leaders International Executive Search