The president of Compass Accounting, Nike Bello, MBA, CPA, FCCA, CFE, has recently completed the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program (DEP). The DEP, a leading national education program for experienced directors, is offered by the Institute of Corporate Directors and is the foundation for attaining an ICD.D designation, which represents a lifelong commitment to excellence in the boardroom. The DEP is specifically designed to help experienced directors hone their boardroom leadership skills and Nike Bello is among 40 Winnipeg leaders to have recently graduated from the program.

For Nike Bello, this DEP designation is just the latest in an extensive educational background where continued growth and professional development have always been priorities. With more than twenty years of professional accounting experience, she holds a Master of Business Administration from Oxford Brookes University (UK) and four distinguished professional accounting designations including Chartered Accountant (CA-IFAC), Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA-Europe), Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA-Canada), and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE-North America).

In addition to her outstanding educational achievements and professional designations, Nike Bello has held a number of high-profile leadership positions including Chief Financial Officer, Finance Director, and Controller, in organizations ranging from MacDonald Youth Services to Economic Development Winnipeg, Pfizer Inc., Microsoft Ireland Operations Ltd., Xerox Europe, and Marks & Spencer. She is also the co-owner of a Winnipeg UPS store.

When it comes to board experience and community involvement, Bello serves as a network panel member at ACCA Canada, a council member at Ka Ni Kanichihk, and an active member of the Associates of the Asper School of Business. She is also the Treasurer of the Board at St. John’s-Ravenscourt School Parents’ Association, Treasurer of Com-Spam Inc., and Chair of the Finance Committee of the Manitoba 150 Host Committee Inc.

Institute of Corporate Directors is a not-for-profit, member-based organization that provides a voice for Canadian directors and boards. With 11 chapters across the country and more than 16,000 active members, the organization is dedicated to demonstrating and nurturing excellence in directorship and offers opportunities for informal learning sessions and networking as well as highly regarded professional development programs that lead to industry-recognized certifications.

The ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program (DEP) is considered to be a leading national education program for experienced directors. Delivered in 4 modules that each consist of 5-6 half-day sessions, the program has been specifically developed for experienced leaders looking to take the next steps in overcoming challenges and refining their leadership skills both inside and outside the boardroom. It is geared toward meeting the needs of directors from public and private companies as well as Crown corporations, public institutions, co-operatives, and large Canadian non-profit organizations.

Nike Bello is honoured to be among the DEP’s Winnipeg graduates this spring and looks forward to applying what she has learned in her various professional and community roles. She is always striving to improve Compass Accounting and the other organizations she serves and plans to continue seeking future opportunities for professional growth and development.