2010 Theme: ‘i 4 Mission’

February 26-28, 2010

Session Leader Biographies

Mel Finlay

A nationally respected leader, Mel has served in senior leadership roles in government, the not-for-profit and corporate sectors. He has played a key role in the development of both national and provincial policy, and served as Chief Provincial Representative on federal-provincial task forces and in negotiating cost-sharing and other agreements. In executive positions he has been responsible for budgets approaching a half billion dollars and more than 1100 staff. He has filled specialist roles with an international corporation; served as consultant to Fortune 500 companies, small- to mid-size businesses, and not-for-profit organizations; and has been mentor and coach to executives and other high potential corporate and sectarian leaders.

In 1997 Mel returned to pastoral ministry as Senior Pastor of a multi-ethnic community church, leaving that position in the summer of 2008 to join his wife Susan as National Director of Nation At Prayer.

Mel has served on the boards of national and international organizations and is currently chair of an NGO doing development work in Afghanistan.

Authors of numerous publications, Mel and Susan currently co-author a feature article on prayer in each issue of Business Life magazine.

Mel holds the Master of Divinity degree from Queen’s University and Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba.