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FINANCE & ACCOUNTING SECTOR HUB PRESENTERS
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Heather F. Turnbull, B.A. (Hons.), CMF
President, Turnbull Consulting Group
As President of the Turnbull Consulting Group, Heather helps organizations achieve high quality decisions and implement them effectively.
Using proven facilitation strategies and innovative techniques she works to support dialogue, build consensus and guide implementation. Clients frequently remark on her consummate professionalism and her ability to inspire the “important conversations” necessary for real progress.
Her experience as a facilitator, writer, and management innovation professional spans over 20 years and virtually every sector including financial services (banks and credit unions), not for profit, health care, education, legal services, engineering, management consulting, information and communication technology, and retail.
Desmond Alvares, MBA, MBCS CITP, CMA, ORBIT
Regional Director, Risk Management Committee of Ontario - Toronto
Desmond has over twenty-five years of experience in Business, Project Management, Finance and IT Management. He provides insight and understanding of compliance rules for all levels in the Industry. Over the last six year Desmond managed business risk with IIROC firms, most recently leading Head Office and National teams supporting Branch Management staff and Investment Advisors.
Desmond helps his profession by conducting talks promoting the benefits of Risk Management, Mentorship Programs, Project Management, Strategy and Contract Management.
Desmond is a Certified Management Accountant, is a Chartered IT Professional from the UK and Masters of Business Administration holder from York University.
Raul L. Alicaway, MM, CMA
Corporate Finance Manager, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
Raul hold a Master’s degree in Management , a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) with years of solid retail banking experience, managing growth of branch deposits and loans, improving operational processes, and conducting business analysis.
His experiences also include working as senior member of the leadership team in a real estate company in the Philippines, as financial management engineer in a US-based productivity consulting firm, a financial controller and a lecturer in Economics after graduating from university.
After arriving here in 2007, he has taken the International Accounting and Finance Professional (IAFP) program at Chang School of Continuing Education, and completed his designation from CMA of Ontario.
Ayesha D'Souza
Sr. Product Manager, Automotive Finance, Scotiabank
Ayesha holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of Mumbai and 5 years of international work experience when she migrated to Canada in 2006. She managed to utilize her transferable skills to secure full time permanent position at Scotiabank in January 2007, as a Sr. Product Manager Automotive Finance position.
Ayesha loves challenge and have been up against tough competition all her life. She lives by Walter E. Disney's philosophy: “ Think, Dream, Dare and Believe" She keeps smiling at the many successful moments in her life (exploring a new place and being the first among onlookers to attempt a reverse bungee adventure).
Cecilia Leung - CEO, HandyWise Professional Advisors Inc.
Ms. Leung has over a decade of experience in the data management, business, accounting, and technology fields. Holder of Bachelors of Math (with a specialization in computer science) and a Masters of Organizational Management, she started her career in 1998 as a software engineer.
In 2005 Cecilia started her own consultation business: Cecilia M Leung & Associates Inc. where she has been successfully providing business solutions to organizations of all types and sizes to help them maximize their resources and make the most of their assets. She also holds the position of CEO with HandyWise Professional Advisors Inc. and a member of the Academy of Management.
Franklin Garrigues – Vice President, Business Banking TD Commercial Banking
As Vice President, Business Banking, Franklin is part of TD Commercial Banking in Toronto, Ontario. TD Commercial Banking provides business financial solutions to Businesses across Canada, including Cash Management, Deposit and Investment, Financing, International and Specialty Services.
Franklin is passionate about diversity, until recently, he was the executive sponsor for the Operations & Technology Diversity Council within TD. In his personal time, he is supporting the leadership of Skills for Change, a not for profit organization helping immigrants and refugees to access and fully participate in the workplace in the Greater Toronto Area.
Karelyn Murray, CA, BComm - Associate Director of Admissions, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario (ICAO)
As the Associate Director of Admissions, Karelyn plays a key role in the ICAO’s assessment of the experience and professional qualifications of internationally trained accountants. Karelyn also carries out a variety of duties relating to admission to membership with the Institute and the licensing of public accountants in Ontario.
Karelyn is a Canadian Chartered Accountant and Registered Certified Public Accountant in the State of Illinois. In addition to her professional accounting designations, Karelyn holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from the University of Toronto. Prior to joining the ICAO, Karelyn held various lead and management level roles within Industry and Public Accounting.
Carmen Jacques, CGA - Business Development Manager, CGA Ontario
Carmen is a business development manager with CGA Ontario. As a key liaison, she generates business opportunities that drive recruitment with focus on internationally educated professionals. Carmen, an Internationally Educated Professional herself brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and experiences to share with newcomer professionals to Canada.
Prior to CGA Ontario, Carmen built a strong career in accounting and finance as a senior accountant with the Canadian Organization for International Philanthropy. Carmen received her bachelor's degree in Commerce from Sydenham College, University of Bombay. She proudly achieved her CGA designation in 2007.
Mazen Sharif, MBA - Manager, CIBC Commercial Banking
Mazen was born and raised in the Middle East and studied abroad to achieve his BA in accounting. When he came to Canada, Mazen enrolled at Wilfred Laurier University where he attained his MBA. He is currently a manager in the Commercial Banking Division of a major Canadian Financial Institution, and is also a CMA candidate.
Mazen is an active participant in Canadian political life, working closely with one of the federal parties and is a member of a number of service clubs in his community.
Vincent G. Dong, C.A. - Founder, LEAP Inc.
Mr. Dong has been a practicing Chartered Accountant in Toronto for over twenty five years and founded the only boutique Financial Consulting practice in the advertising industry over 20 years ago in Toronto. Prior to embarking on his own, Vince worked for Vickers & Benson Advertising Ltd. as the company's controller, secretary and treasurer.
Mr. Dong also opened the first language communications company in Toronto (Language Education for Accounting Professionals Inc. unique to teaching foreign-born accounting professionals how to better communicate and adapt to the Canadian business culture demands in today's workplace.
Evert Akkerman LL.M. Eur, CHRP - Manager, Human Resources, DUCA Financial Services Credit Union Ltd.
Evert immigrated from The Netherlands to Canada in 1999, realizing the dream of a lifetime. After working his way through setbacks that every immigrant encounters, he spent 2.5 years at ING Direct in service & sales and marketing. In 2004, he joined DUCA Financial Services Credit Union Ltd. as Manager HR, reporting to the President & CEO.
Evert holds a Dutch Law Degree and CHRP designation. At DUCA, he is responsible for the personnel function, which includes payroll, performance management, the benefits and pension plans, training & development and recruitment.
