Meet the CMA Campus Ambassadors

If you're looking for more information about the CMA designation, look no further than your own campus. CMA Alberta has ambassadors at most major post-secondary institutions in Alberta. Find your campus ambassador below and contact them with any questions you may have about the CMA designation. They'll be more than happy to tell you how a CMA can help you as you start on your career path and tell you about the exciting CMA events coming up in the next few months.

Email J'Nan

J’Nan Sturgis
Mount Royal University

On campus, you’re most likely to find me:
You will be able to find me either in Recreation, the library, Bissett School of Business, the Y wing study room or out by the pond.

I want to get my CMA designation because:
After some soul searching into which program I was interested in taking, I started looking at all designations available and have determined it to be the best suit for me as it is not all about the black, white and red of general accounting. Rather it includes a strong strategic leadership component that will be not only knowledge but a tool that will enable me to make a difference wherever I go. As the world of business becomes more complex, yet more streamlined, it will be important to be able to strategically think “outside the box” when it comes to making financial decisions.

My dream job is:
While I used to think I knew exactly where I wanted to be, the industry I wanted to work in, it has been through networking and learning from current CMA’s exactly how vast the opportunities are for CMAs. Throughout the next two years, I look forward to being able to network with even more CMAs and hopefully narrow down exactly where I would at least like to start. The one thing I am sure about is that I would like to be able to make a difference in people’s lives, especially those who struggle with basic financial management knowledge (either through employment or volunteer opportunities). In knowing the importance of having personal financial management knowledge, it is essential to me to help fellow peers, community members, family and friends prevent and thrive through financial hard times.

What is one of your favourite quotes?
a. Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal. – Henry Ford
b. Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm. – Winston Churchill
c. The greatest mistake you can make is to be continually fearing you will make one. – Elbert Hubbard

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A teacher, and well one day I still might, but at a very different level than I once dreamed. With the positive experiences I have had with many university professors, I one day may be able to have a lasting impression on future generations.

Email Shawna

Shawna MacDonald
University of Lethbridge

The best part about being a CMA Ambassador is:
I am passionate about the designation and believe that through it you can really make a difference. The best part about being a CMA Ambassador is that I can share my passion with other students and show them how the CMA designation can benefit them.

On campus you’ll find me:
Somewhere in the library or at the gym.

What is one of your favourite quotes?
Peter Drucker once said, "The best way to predict your future is to create it." I love this quote because it encourages one to follow their dreams by stating that we are in control of our own lives, and every decision we make contributes to the creation of our future. The future can be whatever we want it to be.

The best class I ever took was: Strategic Business Management. I loved the exhilaration of working with my team members to run our own simulated company. The opportunity to enhance teamwork skills and actually apply my knowledge was very inspiring and made me so much more excited for what lies ahead.

Email Eric

Eric Liu
University of Calgary

On campus, you’re most likely to find me:
Somewhere in the Business Library or Haskayne Clubs Trailer

I want to get my CMA designation because:
I strongly believe that the CMA designation could offer me an exciting career where it combines accounting with elements of strategic planning and management skills for an organization. The designation offers more than just a job but a limitless opportunity in the real world.

My dream job is:
Food columnist

In my spare time, I like to:
Travel

What is one of your favourite quotes?
“A right delayed is a right denied.” – Martin Luther

If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?
My cost accounting professor Abu Shiraz Rahaman.

What is the best class you’ve ever taken and why?
Film Studies with Bart Beaty. The course was based on the history of Batman and the text books were all comic books. What more could you ask for?

The best part about being a CMA Alberta Campus Ambassador is:
The opportunity to meet new faces while promoting an exciting designation.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Robotic Engineer

You’re on a deserted island and can only bring one thing… what is it?
A soccer ball and I will name it Wilson.

Email Mathew

Mathew Dobko
NAIT

On campus, you’re most likely to find me:
To be honest, Either in line at Tims, or chilling in the Nest.

I want to get my CMA designation because:
I believe it is the best mix of accounting and communication skills in one designation. Compared to other designations, it incorporates more then just numbers and I believe it really differentiates itself from typical accounting for that reason.

My dream job is:
CEO of a large corporation

In my spare time, I like to:
Watch sports or hit the gym.

What is one of your favourite quotes?
If your not first, your last.

If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor? Brett Favre, he would teach you there is no such thing as quitting.

Who is the best professor you’ve ever had and why?
My first accounting professor, John Beck. He was clear and his teaching methods were simple and to the point. He never said more then was needed and he never said any less. That’s exactly how accounting should be taught.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Jet Fighter Pilot

Email Derrick	Derrick Stielow University of Alberta On campus, you’re most likely to find me: On the 2nd floor of the business building in the BSA office or in the student lounge. My dream job is: No single job but rather I would like to have the freedom to continuously explore different fields. That or being able to work from a beach sounds alright too. What is one of your favourite quotes? Whenever I see a brilliant kid decide to join Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, or Google, I think to myself: a start-up just died, and as a result our world is a little less wealthy, innovative, and interesting. -Chris Dixon Chris Dixon is the creator of a website called Hunch, an interesting idea that I can’t really explain, but check it out and you will see what I mean. I guess this quote appeals to me because of the entrepreneurial nature of my family. I also think it brings up a whole array of arguments and interesting ideas but I won’t go into that because this would quickly turn into an essay. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to live the Canadian dream and be a pro Hockey player. You’re on a deserted island and can only bring one thing… what is it? I am going to go with a cruise ship. I would think there should be enough supplies to get me through until I feel like sending out a distress call. Of course if the ship is really stocked up it might make a nice vacation.
Email Craig	Craig Pollard Grant MacEwan City Centre Campus I want to get my CMA designation because: CMA affords the ability to fuse together my 3 primary business interests – accounting, economics, and marketing. It is a designation that uses the financial knowledge of the past to plan for the future, an exciting prospect. My dream job is: R & D for a prominent guitar company, determining the parameters for new products and predicting/confirming their viability. In my spare time, I like to: play guitar, travel, and learn new languages. Current language: Arabic. Do you play a musical instrument? I currently play and own 23 guitars, all of which are precision tools of heavy metal! You’re on a deserted island and can only bring one thing… what is it? The obvious answer to me is an inflatable helicopter to fly home in…
Email Leonard	Leonard D'Silva University of Lethbridge Calgary Campus I want to get my CMA designation because: The CMA designation is well known and respected throughout the industry. I enjoy Strategic Management and prefer being proactive rather than reactive when it comes to financial decision making. Through completing the program I will further develop my skills while learning new ones. I personally have had many doors open in my career simply by mentioning I intend to pursue a CMA designation and can only imagine how many more will open upon completing it. What is one of your favourite quotes? You only get out of something what you put into it. I’ve found this quote to be very meaningful and very true in my life. It reminds me that the some of the best things in life can be the most difficult to achieve and if I truly value whatever it is I am pursuing then I must be willing to work for it. Who is the best professor you’ve ever had and why? Lorne Williams because of his unique teaching style. Rather than simply lecturing alone he instead pushes students towards gathering from their own work and life experiences and applying them to concepts in the class. This allows students to develop an enhanced understanding of the material and uniquely tailor their learning experience. In addition his excellent sense of humour and genuine concern for students helps elevate him to a leader status within the academic community. What is the best class you’ve ever taken and why? Strategic Management and Policy – It is the capstone course of the degree program and combines everything into one. Previously throughout my degree I went through business cases thinking from only an accounting standpoint. This class has helped me develop a sense of strategic management and enabled me to see the big picture; this skill has proven valuable in my career and is central to the CMA program as well. The best part about being a CMA Alberta Campus Ambassador is: Being able to represent an organization I am truly passionate about. I enjoy spreading awareness and letting people know about the possibilities that the CMA designation will create for those who pursue it. I also get to meet successful CMA’s and it further motivates me to complete the designation and create my own success story.
Email James	James Cameron SAIT On campus, you’re most likely to find me: If I’m not in class you’ll most likely find me in the Atrium of the Heart building, the library, or The Gateway. In my spare time, I like to: Snowboard during the school year on my days off, play soccer and go camping during the summer months. What is one of your favourite quotes? Practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect. I’ve seen this credited to about 4 different sports stars parents so not sure of the actual source, but the principle is something I agree with strongly. If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor? My father for his amazing work ethic, his commitment to our family and for helping me become the person I am today. Who is the best professor you’ve ever had and why? I can’t think of an accounting professor at SAIT that I haven’t enjoyed (even the ones I bumped heads with over answers). I’m a huge supporter of the fact they are all individuals who spent years in industries, and am very grateful to have learned form them.