Doing Business Differently

How Don Ashton embraced innovation to become one of 3M’s top financial leaders.

When Don Ashton (Business Accounting 1988, Business Administration 1989) won the 2019 Ontario Premier’s Award for Business last December, one of his first thoughts focused on his fellow nominees. The Premier’s Awards annually celebrates outstanding graduates from Ontario’s 24 colleges with eight award recipients in each category.

What an incredible group of people!” says Don. “I was humbled by seeing what others have accomplished.

Don started working in 3M’s payroll department in 1989 and is now the company’s vice president of finance—one of 3M’s top seven financial executives— overseeing global business finance and financial planning and analysis.

Throughout his career, Don has embraced innovative approaches, implementing Six Sigma (he achieved Black Belt certification in 2004) and Lean back office processes to create a culture of continuous improvement with his work teams. “In my current role, part of my team focuses on data insights and analytics, using data and statistical analysis to help with both predictive and prescriptive analytics, helping us look at our portfolios and the way we do business totally differently,” he says.

Along the way, he has offered his expertise to support the development of several individuals, both at 3M and outside of the company. “I put people in places and situations that might be uncomfortable, knowing that they can succeed,” he says. “I take a personal interest to mentor and coach them as they work through the challenges.” Several of 3M’s top financial leaders have worked for Don at some point.

“I put people in places and situations that might be uncomfortable, knowing that they can succeed.”

Don’s Fanshawe experience helped to instill a thirst to learn. He went on to obtain CMA/ CPA designations, a Bachelor of Arts degree (Economics) and a Master of Business Administration degree, but he says the foundations of his success go back to his college days. “It provided practical applications beyond the theoretical and a broad business perspective beyond accounting. You have to understand context, what the numbers mean strategically and how they fit into the big picture.”

Don receiving his award at the Premier’s Awards last year

The Honourable Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities; Don Ashton; and Wallace Kenny at the Premier’s Awards gala.

Don says he was truly humbled and proud to be named as the Premier’s Award recipient last year. “It was an incredible way to be able to celebrate such an awesome school and my fellow alumni.”