Mona Khan

General Manager Finance , International Non-Profit

Toronto, Canada

Proven financial leader with 20+ years’ experience in financial management, grant administration, and operational strategy for non-profits and global organizations. Expertise in managing complex, multi-million-dollar donor-funded grants (USAID, UNFPA, DFID, EU), ensuring compliance, and building robust financial systems to align operations with international standards in high-impact environments.

Contact Mona Khan
Area of Expertise:
  • Administration, Management, Finance/Accounting, Procurement
  • Capacity Building, Training, Advocacy
  • Government, Governance, Reforms
  • Monitoring, Evaluation, Policy, Research, Analysis
  • Private Sector, Social Enterprise, Corporate Social Responsibility
Professional Experience:

With over 20 years of experience in financial management, grant administration, and operational leadership, I have a proven track record of driving financial sustainability, ensuring compliance with complex donor requirements, and aligning financial systems with organizational goals in mission-driven environments. My expertise spans non-profits, global health organizations, and UN-funded initiatives, managing budgets exceeding $235M and leading diverse, high-performing teams.

As Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at the Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO), I managed a $120M annual budget, delivering a 90% increase in surplus through strategic financial planning and process re-engineering. I spearheaded an ESG-aligned $120M investment strategy and secured over $45M in grants and donations, ensuring compliance with donor agreements. I implemented centralized financial systems across 34 offices, enhancing reporting transparency and operational efficiency.

At the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), a UN-funded organization, I oversaw a $235M global budget, ensuring compliance with USAID, UN, and EU regulations. I designed and implemented ERP systems to provide real-time financial data, enabling informed decision-making. My leadership in grant management resulted in clean audits for two consecutive years and established ICMP’s first-ever Annual Report, improving donor confidence and transparency.

In my role as Senior Project Manager with the United Nations, USAID, and DFID, I managed a $76M UNFPA-funded HIV prevention program across eight countries, ensuring programmatic and financial compliance. I conducted pre-award assessments and evaluations of financial systems for 29 international partners, enhancing their operational efficiency and adherence to donor requirements. I also provided technical assistance to align partner practices with grant deliverables.

As Senior Director at Ernst & Young (EY), I led financial compliance and governance projects for multinational corporations and non-profits, implementing COSO frameworks and internal audit systems. My work for UNDP included evaluating the utilization of funds by 179 implementing partners, ensuring alignment with project goals and donor expectations.

Currently, as Principal at Boyden Executive Search, I support non-profits and global organizations by recruiting leadership talent for financial and operational roles. I also provide advisory services on governance, grant compliance, and financial strategy, helping organizations optimize their workflows and achieve sustainable growth.

Throughout my career, I have consistently delivered results in managing multi-million-dollar budgets, streamlining financial operations, and fostering collaboration across teams. My expertise in grant management, donor reporting, and compliance ensures the integrity and transparency of financial systems, while my leadership in risk mitigation and ERP implementation drives operational excellence. With a strong commitment to mission-driven work, I thrive in roles that require strategic thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and a focus on delivering measurable impact.

Education:

I hold a Master’s in Criminology from Deakin University, complemented by advanced professional qualifications as a Chartered Accountant (CA) and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), with a CPA designation currently in progress. These credentials underpin my extensive experience in financial management, compliance, and operational excellence across diverse sectors.

My training includes certification as an Authorized IFC Trainer under the World Bank’s Institute of Corporate Governance, specializing in enhancing governance and compliance frameworks for non-profits and mission-driven organizations. I have completed specialized programs in COSO Framework Implementation and Risk-Based Internal Audits, equipping me to develop and oversee robust financial controls and risk mitigation strategies for global organizations.

I am also trained in Sustainability Reporting and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices, aligning financial strategies with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. My expertise extends to financial systems and process optimization, with practical experience in implementing ERP systems and enhancing data-driven decision-making. This includes leading the integration of advanced systems like Microsoft Dynamics, Salesforce, and Financial Edge to streamline reporting and improve operational efficiency.

Additionally, I have conducted training and workshops on topics such as the EU Emission Trading Scheme for Airlines, compliance frameworks for anti-money laundering, and valuation of ecological assets, showcasing a multidisciplinary approach to financial leadership.

With this foundation of education and specialized training, I am well-positioned to deliver strategic financial leadership and align financial operations with organizational goals in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

Affiliations and Achievements:

Strategic Financial Management
Successfully restructured financial workflows to reduce reporting timelines by 30%, enhancing decision-making capabilities for senior leadership.
Designed financial dashboards that improved budget forecasting accuracy and provided actionable insights for global programs.
Increased grant utilization efficiency by aligning financial planning with programmatic goals, resulting in better resource allocation.

Grant Management and Compliance
Secured over $45M in grants through compelling financial proposals and strong donor relationships.
Introduced grant-specific compliance training programs, reducing compliance deviations by 20%.
Negotiated favorable terms for multi-year grants, ensuring sustainable funding for long-term organizational goals.

Leadership and Team Development
Built and mentored high-performing teams, increasing staff engagement and retention in high-pressure environments.
Developed and implemented training modules for finance and operations staff, enhancing capacity in grant compliance and financial reporting.
Established cross-departmental collaboration processes, leading to smoother coordination between finance, HR, and program teams.

Risk Management and Internal Controls
Implemented risk assessment frameworks that reduced financial irregularities by 25% across multiple projects.
Designed COSO-compliant internal control systems for international programs, ensuring adherence to donor and regulatory requirements.
Conducted financial risk audits, uncovering inefficiencies and implementing corrective actions that saved $2M annually.
ERP and Financial Systems Implementation
Spearheaded the rollout of ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics, enhancing real-time data accessibility and decision-making.
Migrated legacy systems to cloud-based platforms, improving data security and streamlining financial reporting.
Developed automated financial tracking tools, cutting administrative workload by 40%.

International and Multi-Sector Expertise
Managed multi-donor portfolios, balancing complex requirements across diverse geographies and sectors.
Led financial operations for programs in conflict-affected regions, ensuring compliance and operational continuity under challenging conditions.
Negotiated partnerships with international organizations, increasing funding opportunities by 15%.

Recognition and Awards
Recognized with the UNFPA Woman of the Year award for exceptional contributions to financial and operational leadership in global programs.
Delivered keynote addresses at international forums on financial sustainability and grant compliance best practices.
Authored published articles on anti-money laundering, financial governance, and the economic impacts of global development projects.

Available for:

  • Consulting assignments
  • Job opportunities
  • Being headhunted – make me an offer

Years of Experience:

15-20 years

Highest Qualification:

Masters

Languages:

English, Urdu

Nationality:

Australia