My experience at SFU Beedie

“It was an intense experience. I made some good friends in the program, and we studied together and worked hard as a group. We were in it together. I was also heavily involved in the SIAS Fund where I learned a lot. I had never managed money before or talked to investors. As Chief Compliance Officer, my SIAS experience taught me important lessons about being compliant. I learned about being a leader and how to communicate with a senior audience, as well as a non-technical audience.”

“I learned that what you put in is what you get out, but also that the best use of your time is not necessarily to go for 100%. It is important to understand what is “good enough.” In the real world, those extra percentage points can require four or five more hours of work and yet only add minimal value.”

My Journey

“I liked that the Master of Financial Risk Management degree was a truly quantitative program with a pure focus on finance. I also liked that it was offered in 12 months. I participated in an international exchange at SFU, so I was already familiar with the university, but it was mostly the content of the program that attracted me.”

“I would not have my position if I didn’t have my Master of Financial Risk Management degree. FINCAD is a highly technical company, and in any of the technical or quantitative roles, nobody has anything less than a Master’s. It was needed to get the technical background. Without it, I wouldn’t have even been considered for my current role.”

Highlights

• Chief Compliance Officer – SIAS

• Risk Analyst Intern

• R.I.S.E. Competition

Where I am today

“I am the Head of Professional Services Americas for FINCAD. I head up the implementation team where I work with new and prospective clients to gather their requirements and to try to figure out the best way to deliver a project.”

“Our clients are all very smart, and I enjoy the opportunity to interact with them and to help them problem solve and overcome their business challenges.”