Although Notarius is now experiencing rapid growth, Nathalie Denis, VP of Finance and Administration, still displays the same thoroughness and rigour that have allowed her to make her mark within the company. Through its successes, she has been part of the journey since the beginning. In fact, Notarius has 25 years of history and yet, Nathalie has been working for the company for 26 years!
Leaving UQAM as a CPA, Nathalie remembers with amusement her first professional experience with an exterminator that used a rat as their mascot. How did she go from working for an extermination company to one of the fastest growing IT companies in Canada?
“I am surrounded by experts. (…) You must be open to learning and understanding technologies. (...) This is a very specialized field and I consider myself privileged to understand it."
Over the years, it is this spirit of openness and constant curiosity that has enabled Nathalie to identify Notarius' needs and help the company weather storms.
For almost a quarter of a century, Nathalie has worn almost every hat. She first witnessed the birth of the company, when it was part of the Corporation de service des notaires du Québec, and then contributed to its transition as a nonprofit organization (NPO). Finally, in 2013, she forged the contours of what the organization is today.
“There are times in Notarius’ history that have been very difficult. In the past, we have already gone from 70 employees to 20 employees. Now, we have found our way and we are on the way to great growth. It makes me really proud."
As VP, Nathalie takes the pulse, sets goals and guides company priorities. Her role is to show foresight and act with pragmatism.
She estimates that Notarius will be the leader in Canada in terms of electronic signatures for professionals within 5 years.
"We have to make sure that the vision is well received and accepted by the Board of Directors. After that, it is all about good business development and investment in the right verticals while developing the current markets. (…) We have to work on multiple business spheres."
For Nathalie, it’s the goal that makes the difference, but to achieve it, the approach must be well understood by all departments. Everyone must focus on the right targets.
Her experience allows her to embody a leadership focused on the vision of the company. She admits: “10 years ago, we were much more scattered, whereas now, the positioning is much clearer, and the actions are more oriented."
She believes that in the future, this clarity will allow Notarius "to make the right decisions and surround itself with the right people." In this regard, Nathalie acts as a model for the team. She motivates and inspires confidence. She often tempers emotions and encourages opportunity. She always acts in a way that allows her colleagues to continue in the right direction.
“If we want to grow and get to a certain point, we have to focus on our goal."
“Sometimes we quarrel, but when we make a decision, everyone is in agreement."
Nathalie has overcome all the challenges Notarius has encountered. If the company is what it is today, it is partially thanks to Nathalie’s attention to detail and accuracy, but also her ability to count on colleagues who can put their pride aside when it comes time to make difficult decisions.
Having helped grow the business, Nathalie notes that even though the IT world is very male-dominated, she has never had any difficulties as a woman developing professionally in the field. She believes that since the Notarius adventure began with humility and small means, the culture of listening and fairness took hold naturally.
“I never felt a difference in the fact that I was a woman. (...) I have always had the flexibility to play my roles as a professional at Notarius and as a mother to my family. Family-work balance isn't just an idea here, it's in our DNA."
Nathalie makes a point of recruiting women so that one day Notarius will be one of the standard-bearers of gender equity within the technology industry.
Speaking to young women and young CPAs, she invites them to start by "learning the trade of their company."
“Just because you do accounting doesn't mean you don't have to know what your business does. (...) You have to be interested in what the company is doing and learn. This is how you grow."
"Notarius is like my second family. I am proud to work with all our employees and partners. I am proud of our company, where we are and where we are headed."
Nathalie has been with the company since its inception and has always been able to foresee the needs of everyone even before they realise it. We feel very privileged to have Nathalie as Notarius’ VP. Her temperament and expertise promote trust when it comes time for the team to navigate complex challenges and stay on course.