Shannon Pestun
Originating from the Métis homeland and Treaty 1 territory, Shannon resides in Treaty 7 territory and is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta.
Shannon is the Senior Advisor to the Diversity Institute for Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub and the 50-30 Challenge where she supports the development of research and strategies that advance gender equity and diversity in leadership and helps organizations accelerate diversity strategies already underway. She is also the CEO of Pestun Consulting, Co-founder of The Finance Cafe and a board member at NPower Canada and Vice Chair of the Board of Governors at Mount Royal University. Prior to this, Shannon worked in the financial services sector where she became known for setting the stage for financial inclusion in Canada's banking and financial services, and became the first Indigenous woman to serve on Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy expert panel.
As Co-founder of The Finance Cafe, Shannon has played an instrumental role in empowering entrepreneurs through financial education and has provided financial learning experiences for a number of organizations, including: Clarence Campeau Métis Development Corporation, Apeetogosan Métis Development Corp, National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), Dana Naye Ventures, Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada and more. She has also been recognized by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business as an Indigenous leader in finance and has been a national speaker at CCAB, Forward Summit, Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association, Cando and NACCA conferences. She has also been a guest speaker at the national Cando youth summit.
As a presenter, Shannon is real and authentic. Her passion for empowering others is hearfully felt. On money and financial wellness, Shannon takes a trauma-based approach, sharing how her own childhood trauma impacted her life. Shannon shares her life story unapologetically, reminding us that it is never too late to take a new path in life, to learn from the past and live into who we were created to be.
“Fully owning all who we are, and all that we were, is the catalyst for bringing us to who we will be. It also allows us to see our whole selves and the wholeness of everything around us.” Shannon Pestun
Shannon is committed to bolstering Indigenous economic prosperity, driving economic growth and bringing an Indigenous-centered approach to her work. In 2020, she created the Gifting Circle Bursary for Indigenous women entrepreneurs raising over $150,000 in support of advancing Indigenous women’s entrepreneurship in Canada.
Her commitment to building an inclusive economy has made her a sought-after finance consultant and trusted voice for educators, government, industry and media.
