Strategic Leadership.
Delivered Fractionally.
Shawn McMillan, CPA.CF, CA.CF, ICD.D
20+ years of CFO-level leadership across energy, construction, transportation, and technology — delivered as a fractional executive to the companies that need it most.
CFO-Level Expertise. Entrepreneurial Spirit.
Shawn McMillan is an accomplished executive finance leader and business strategist with a proven track record of transforming organizations across diverse industries. With 20+ years of experience driving scalability and delivering enhanced market positioning, Shawn has steered operational strategy from a finance perspective across businesses ranging from $500K to $2B in revenue.
His holistic approach — combining finance, operations, and M&A expertise — enables C-suite leadership to pivot and adapt swiftly based on market needs. Shawn has been involved in 20+ acquisitions and divestitures, including post-deal integration, and has served as CFO, Interim CFO, and Principal Business Advisor across energy, clean air, construction, transportation, manufacturing, aviation, biotech, and post-secondary education sectors.
A passionate mentor, Shawn has developed multiple team members who have advanced to CFO and VP roles. He is an active board member, community leader, and continuous learner — bringing the same energy to his advisory clients that he brings to every organization he serves.
Credentials & Education
Executive Services, Tailored to You
Fractional CFO
Strategic financial leadership, cash flow management, banking relationships, and financial reporting — delivering CFO-level expertise without the full-time cost. From capital raises to covenant reviews.
Interim CFO / VP Finance
Stepping in during leadership transitions to maintain financial momentum, guide the team, and ensure continuity. Shawn has served as Interim CFO at NAIT, All Weather Windows, and EarthRenew.
M&A Advisory
End-to-end support across 20+ acquisitions and divestitures — from deal structuring and due diligence to post-acquisition integration and organizational alignment.
Business Strategy & Planning
Developing actionable strategic plans, OKRs, and long-term roadmaps. Translating complex financial information into clear, executable strategies for founders and executive teams.
Organizational Development
Building high-performance finance teams, leadership structures, and succession plans. Shawn has developed 4 CFOs and 4 VPs from within the organizations he has led.
Board Advisory & Governance
Experienced ICD.D-designated board member currently serving Bear Hills Casino LP and the Edmonton Space and Science Foundation. Providing governance expertise and strategic oversight.
Capital Raising & Financing
Proven track record securing $130M in public high-yield bonds, $12M in equity capital, and $40M in debt strategies. Managing banking relationships with RBC, ATB, and Scotiabank.
Operations & Process Improvement
Identifying strategic methods to create efficiencies, streamline workflows, and establish functional structure. Includes creation of Continuous Improvement teams to embed lasting operational discipline. Achieved $2M in cost savings within 6 months at Sureway Construction.
Mentoring & Leadership Coaching
Coaching CFOs, VPs, and Directors toward senior leadership roles. Shawn serves as a strategic bridge between CEOs and their finance teams, preparing emerging leaders for the next level.
The Smart Alternative to Full-Time Hiring
The fractional executive model is the fastest-growing leadership solution for ambitious companies across Canada and the US. You get enterprise-level CFO expertise — the same calibre that has driven EBITDA from $20M to $55M and secured $130M in public bonds — delivered with the flexibility your business actually needs.
Proven Results, Across Every Sector
From $500K startups to $2B+ enterprises, Shawn has delivered measurable results across energy, construction, manufacturing, education, and technology.
KBL Environmental
Business Advisor
Guided founder and CEO through restructuring, bank refinancing, and growth strategy. Drove 400%+ revenue growth through acquisitions and organic expansion.
All Weather Windows Ltd
Fractional Interim CFO / VP Finance
Led the family-owned enterprise through a senior leadership transition. Spearheaded M&A activities, driving 65%+ revenue growth and a 15x increase in profitability.
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Fractional Interim CFO & VP Administration
Partnered with the President to lead key capital initiatives, including planning a $750M Advanced Skills Centre and a P3 student residence project.
BGE Clean Air Ltd
Fractional CFO & VP Finance
Advised CEO on acquisition integration, restructuring, and growth strategy while mentoring the Director of Finance and driving organizational alignment.
EarthRenew Inc / Replenish Nutrients
Fractional CFO & Corporate Secretary
Raised $12M in capital and deployed a $40M debt strategy. Drove revenue growth from under $1M to $24M for the CSE-listed startup.
RTL-Westcan Group of Companies
CFO (2011–2019) / VP Finance (2008–2011)
Increased EBITDA from $20M to $55M. Secured $130M in public high-yield bonds — the first private-entity-backed private company to accomplish this in Canada.
Also Worked With
Built for Businesses Ready to Scale
Shawn has partnered with companies ranging from early-stage startups to $2B+ enterprises across energy, construction, manufacturing, aviation, biotech, and technology. His 360-degree approach — combining finance, operations, and people leadership — delivers results at every stage of business growth.
Startups & Scale-Ups
Founders seeking CFO-level leadership to build financial infrastructure, raise capital, and prepare for the next funding round or market expansion.
SMEs ($5M–$250M Revenue)
Established businesses navigating growth, operational complexity, or leadership transitions that require senior financial and strategic guidance.
Private Equity & VC-Backed Companies
Portfolio companies requiring experienced CFO leadership to accelerate value creation, manage banking covenants, and meet investor milestones.
Family Businesses
Family-owned enterprises undergoing succession planning, professionalization, or transformation — Shawn has led multiple family businesses through critical transitions.
Boards & Founders
Leaders seeking an experienced ICD.D-designated board advisor to challenge assumptions, provide governance expertise, and guide critical decisions.
Companies in Transition
Organizations navigating M&A, restructuring, or significant strategic pivots that require steady CFO-level leadership and hands-on execution.
Deeply Rooted in Edmonton & Beyond
Shawn's commitment to community and governance extends well beyond the boardroom. He has served as Chair, Director, and Treasurer across multiple organizations, bringing the same rigour and leadership to community initiatives that he applies to his client engagements.
What Clients Are Saying
Shawn led our maturity in reporting, data analytics, and financial reporting during a period of intense growth — both organic and through M&A. His leadership was instrumental in building the infrastructure we needed to scale.
Working with Shawn improved my team's results through his understanding of strategy, culture, and execution. His ability to focus on the real problem — not the symptoms — and create tangible goals led us to exceed our financial targets and growth projections.
Shawn is a steady hand at the CFO position and a trusted advisor. He joined during a critical transition and navigated the technical and interpersonal dynamics to support a smooth outcome on both fronts. His expertise extended well beyond accounting — providing strategic value with key suppliers, partners, and stakeholders. Since we've both moved on, I've continued to look for ways to work with Shawn again.
Shawn has quickly become a trusted advisor to our leadership team, bringing clarity to complex financial issues and helping us make more informed, disciplined decisions. He brings structure, insight, and discipline to our financial operations — highly effective, pragmatic, and focused on driving real business outcomes. His work has had a meaningful and lasting impact on our business.
Ready to Accelerate Your Business?
Let's start with a conversation. Book a complimentary 30-minute discovery call with Shawn to explore how McMillan Advisory can support your goals.
Book a Discovery CallLet's Start a Conversation
Book a complimentary 30-minute discovery call with Shawn to explore how McMillan Advisory can support your business goals. No obligation — just a candid conversation about where you are and where you want to go.
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