Karin Mizgala and Sheila Walkington, are Certified Financial Planners and co-founders of the Women’s Financial Learning Centre. Karin and Sheila are "fee only" financial educators and do not sell investments or financial products.

With more than 20 years in the financial services industry, Karin Mizgala has worked as a financial educator, financial planner, bank manager, investment advisor and life skills counsellor. Karin is a certified financial planner (CFP), has an MBA from the University of Western Ontario and a BA in Psychology from York University.

Using a unique blend of financial planning and counselling skills, Karin provides a holistic approach to helping people take charge of their money so they can live more comfortable, balanced and meaningful lives. Karin facilitates a wide range of life and financial planning workshops for small groups, organizations and corporations through LifeDesign Financial and the Women's Financial Learning Centre.

Karin's clients often include women and couples who are undergoing - or anticipating - life transitions such as marriage, divorce, widowhood, setting up a small business or retirement. Karin is also a contributing editor to the Financial Post Magazine and her unique approach to financial planning has attracted national media attention (Globe & Mail, Financial Post, Vancouver Sun, More Magazine, MoneySense).

AFTER MANY YEARS IN A SUCCESSFUL FINANCIAL PLANNING PRACTICE, it became clear to me that a good deal of my clients needed more than a financial planner. What they really needed was a money coach – someone to encourage and teach them to take control of their finances.

Money affects almost every aspect of our lives, from where we live and work to how we play. Yet many of us were never taught how to effectively manage our own money.

It’s hard enough to manage our money on a day-to-day basis, much less juggle conflicting goals, such as paying down debt versus contributing to an RSP. My clients were particularly challenged managing their money in times of transition – changing jobs, starting families or businesses, saving for a house or getting married. Over the years I realized there was a real need to focus on the basic cash flow issues and day-to-day management of people’s finances. Helping people manage more effectively in these areas can make a huge difference in their lives.

I also realized I wanted to offer my coaching, motivating and financial skills in a way which would bring more balance and fulfillment into my life, with the ability to work from home. (After all, hadn’t I been advising my clients how to decide what they want and how to achieve it?) So in February 2004, I became a Money Coach, a profession that is so new, CBC Radio interviewed me as one of the first Money Coaches in Canada!

My aim is to motivate and educate people to take control of their finances. I am committed to providing my clients with a common-sense approach to understanding their finances, designing a plan to suit their unique circumstances and helping them achieve their dreams. Nothing is impossible!

~ Sheila

"The all-women environment felt safe and comfortable. Hands-on exercises helped me clarify my financial picture and identify attainable goals. I learned how easy it is to get my finances in order even with a busy schedule and small salary. Karin and Sheila put us all totally at ease and explained the basics thoroughly and with humour." --Harriet, writer/editor