Mike Shaikh FCPA, FCA, recipient of a CPA Alberta Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022, has been bestowed with the Order of Canada. This is the country’s most prestigious civilian honour. Mike received the award in recognition of his dedicated community volunteerism and philanthropic contributions across diverse sectors in Alberta. He truly embodies the Order’s motto of “Desiderantes meliorem patriam,” which translates to “(those) desiring a better country.”
Mike is a business and community leader with a lengthy history of service and accomplishments. He spent his more than 30-year career in the profession in various public practice roles, including leading his own firm. He has always been an engaged member of the profession, serving on numerous committees as well as on the board of what is now the CPA Education Foundation. Well known for his community service within Calgary and the province of Alberta, Mike has been a director of the Paralympic Foundation of Canada, where he was the national chair of the ImagiNation campaign. As well, he was the director of Alberta Children’s Hospital, chair of Calgary Catholic Immigrant Services, director and past chair of Education Matters, and director of Calgary Counselling Services. His numerous previous community roles include chair of the Calgary Police Commission, chair of the Calgary Police Foundation, and member of the Canadian Association of Police Boards and the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team. He is also a past member of both the Board of Governors and Senate of the University of Calgary and has served as a director of Calgary Parking Authority, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, Alberta Securities Commission, Entrepreneurial Chartered Accountants Society, and Honorary Consul for the Government of Pakistan.
Mike is also a founding member of three foundations to promote education: People for Progress Foundation, whose mandate is to achieve sustainable development of essential resources in developing countries by empowering impoverished individuals and communities through education, leadership, and partnership; Calgary Police Foundation, which develops and promotes prevention, early intervention, and education; and most recently World Literacy Foundation, Canada, whose mission is to promote literacy. Mike has received numerous awards and citations for his service, including Fellowship in the profession.
Mike was appointed to the Order of Canada in June 2023 and celebrated at an event in Calgary on Sunday, August 6.
