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As the CEO of Curling Canada and a proud BDO alumnus, Nolan Thiessen continues to exemplify excellence through the unique intersection of his skills as both a professional athlete and CPA. With a deep passion for curling and a background in accounting, his journey underscores the profound impact of combining a solid accounting foundation with the strategic and disciplined mindset required in professional sports, shaping a diverse and successful career that continues to drive the future of curling.
After working in BDO Canada’s Edmonton office from 2004 to 2007, Nolan made a significant career shift, leaving the accounting profession to pursue a professional curling career. A bold decision that led to remarkable success, including winning the World Championship 2010, and becoming a three-time Brier champion.
Reflecting on how his background in accounting benefited him in his first role after retiring from curling, Nolan said, “Being able to provide me that business acumen, I think was massive for me. Exposure to many different businesses and different clients, different motivations, being able to acknowledge all of those motivations for people, but then still being able to take it back to the business was valuable in my role.”
Obviously, the biggest one was winning the World Championship. I mean, it’s wearing the maple leaf, standing on top of the podium, singing your national anthem is your dream.
Nolan’s journey from the structured world of financial accounting to the pinnacle of Curling Canada encapsulates a story of ambition, adaptation, and achievement, demonstrating that the boundaries of success are as limitless as one's dreams.
“This means more to me than just sort of this one moment. I just say, ‘I don’t want to let the sport down’, and then I just care about it. I think the biggest thing for me is just planning, and focusing on the process, and knowing that there’s a long game.”
On the legacy he wants to leave, “I love our game. I love the community. I love what it is. It’s like this special piece of Canadiana. Our mission is more curlers, curling better and more fans.”