Walk softly and carry a big abacus…
I’m sorry to say that after two years as our controller (Dashboard’s first), Lee De Freitas is leaving us at the end of the month. Lee has worked with us only two days a week but her imprint has sure felt a lot bigger. She introduced systems, disciplines, measures, and processes that have had a meaningful and positive impact on our business and our ability to sleep well every night. She gamely conducted an excellent training session for the entire Dashboard team on Agency finances. It takes a special person to make accounting training fun. Lee has decided to shrink her work week and have a little more time in her life so she’s leaving Dashboard for some well deserved R&R.
Lee is a good sport so before she left, she agreed to submit herself to a special edition of the Dashboard “5 Questions” as part of her good-bye.
DB: What will you miss most about Dashboard?
Lee: I’ll miss the positive energy and the team spirit that exists at Dashboard. Everyone supports one another and have each other’s back. It’s a fun place to work where anything can happen, some great memories include … Blonski singing to the oldies, Sap talking about starting a book club, Nik talking soccer or volleyball, Gayle setting up the volleyball games, Barry telling me to buy CLQ.TO, Aniesha entering her pug in a best looking dog competition, Chad talking about the great zombie movie he’s watching, Jen trying to herd cats, Teebo’s amazing illustrations, Franz’s kindness, Thomas on Santa’s knee gazing lovingly at Obie, Barry telling me to not buy CLQ.TO, swearing with/at Wees, gosh so many great memories. These are talented and kind folks and I will miss working with everyone.
DB: What do you think has been the most significant change at Dashboard during your time with us?
Lee: I’m confident that I’m leaving Dashboard a financially well run business, where banks call offering credit and accountants say that the balance sheet is a beautiful thing. This has been a 2 year evolution that I like to think I had something to do with.
DB:You’ve made a lot of contributions to our business in the two years you’ve been with us, is there anything that you feel especially proud of that you want to highlight?
Lee: I believe that good financial management is a blend of strategy and tactic. The first year was about strengthening the tactical controls and in the last year I’ve focused the strategic analytics. I’m proudest of the analytical tools I’ve developed around our client relationships because they can help us become more proactive with our investment.
DB: You’re going to have two new free days a week, what are you going to do with your time?
Lee: I’m really looking forward to spending more time with my family at the cottage and less time on the 400 during rush hour.
DB: What was your favourite dish at our last potluck?
Lee: This is a hard question because EVERYTHING at the potluck was amazing; I have two favourite’s Jen’s vegetarian chili and Dave’s poor boy’s.
Lee, you’ll always be an honourary Dashboardian. Thanks for everything!
Aniesha says:
Adam says: