Welcome to Career Canvas with Sandra Wu — the podcastwhere creativity meets strategy to shape a career and life you love.

Today’s guest, Ali Pahlavani, is proof that your career pathdoesn’t have to be linear to be successful.

Ali started his career as a civil engineer — a world rootedin structure, analysis, and problem-solving. However, his curiosity and passion for working with people led him to make a bold pivot into financial services. Armed with an analytical mindset from his engineering background, Ali quickly found his footing in the world of investment strategies, wealth management, and financial planning — eventually becoming a Certified Financial Planner.

His leadership skills didn’t go unnoticed. Ali rose toexecutive roles at major financial institutions, driving business development, and operational strategy, and fostering a culture of innovation. Beyond the corporate world, Ali is also a passionate advocate for the financial services profession.

Through his involvement with Advocis, the Financial AdvisorsAssociation of Canada, he’s held leadership roles both locally and nationally — championing the voice of financial advisors across the country.

Today, Ali continues to work closely with clients as aCertified Financial Planner with Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network and Desjardins Financial Security Investments Incorporation, combining his technical expertise with a deeply human approach to financial planning.

But what really sets Ali apart is his passion for giving itback. As a professor, mentor, and educator, he loves helping the next generation of financial professionals — and even shares his best tips on teaching financial literacy to children!

This is a conversation about career pivots, transferableskills, leadership, and lifelong learning.

Let’s dive in — and start painting the canvas of yourcareer, one bold stroke at a time.