Meet your 2021/22 CPA Campus Ambassadors
The 2021/22 Campus Ambassador team is here to assist you on the path towards the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. The following ambassadors will be the primary point of contact for students to get information about important events and activities, as well as answers to their questions about the CPA Professional Education Program and the CPA designation.
Sarah DeLeon
Concordia University of Edmonton
sdeleon@cpaalberta.ca
What are you looking forward to most about being a CPA Campus Ambassador?
All the learning opportunities outside of the classroom and to be able to connect with other ambassadors!
Why have you chosen to pursue a career in accounting?
The learning aspect of it never ends; there are always new procedures or legalities involved. I’m also really excited to see how the profession continues to grow with the world around us.
What pump-up jam do you listen to before a big test or presentation?
“Get Up” by Mac Miller
LeeAnn Dirk
Why were you interested in becoming a CPA Campus Ambassador?
I want to be able to share my love for accounting with aspiring accounting students of all ages, to promote an organization I greatly respect, and to meet new and influential individuals within the CPA profession.
How do you think technology will impact the future of accounting?
I believe we will see a large shift in responsibilities and duties within an accountant’s role as technology advances. I look forward to seeing what new progressive skills and opportunities will grow as the accounting field transitions into a partnering relationship with technology.
Who do you listen to before a big test or presentation to pump yourself up?
Lady Gaga!!
Ashley Drought
University of Lethbridge
adrought@cpaalberta.ca
What is one thing the COVID-19 pandemic taught you?
The COVID-19 pandemic taught me that even though the circumstances may not be ideal, you can still find ways to make the most of your time and improve your experience.
Why have you chosen to pursue a career in accounting?
I want to pursue a career in accounting because I like being given the chance to challenge myself and work through problems as well as help people.
What is something people might be surprised to know about you?
One thing that might surprise people about me is that before I graduated high school, I went on a volunteer trip to Costa Rica to help with turtle research. It wasn’t long, but it was very fun!
Frederick (Red) Enorme
University of Alberta
fenorme@cpaalberta.ca
What are you looking forward to most about being a CPA Campus Ambassador?
I am truly looking forward to building meaningful relationships with students, CPA Alberta staff, influential business leaders, and CPAs!
What is one thing the COVID-19 pandemic taught you?
The pandemic has taught me that we, collectively, are resilient and adaptable. For instance, with networking events, meetings, and school lectures being hosted virtually over this past year, many firms, professors, and organizations made an effort to make these events engaging and a positive experience for everybody.
What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I am a big foodie and am obsessed with Gordon Ramsay! This summer, I challenged myself to perfect his signature dish—the infamous beef wellington.
Alexi Gladue
MacEwan University
agladue@cpaalberta.ca
Why have you chosen to pursue a career in accounting?
Ever since I was a child, I really liked the idea of a professional job. At my sixth birthday party, I dressed up in a fairy costume and a blazer. I remember telling my mom I wanted to look “office-y.” I also had a miniature desk with a stapler, cheque book, and other office supplies at my grandparents’ house.
What was something positive that surprised you about online learning?
What surprised me about online learning is how crucial a good night’s sleep is for learning and focus. It is one of those things that you always hear people preach about but will never believe it until you experience it. Sleep is a bigger priority for me now.
What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I am very short; I sometimes get mistaken for a lost child in the grocery store.
Yawen Guo
How do you think technology will impact the future of accounting?
We have seen how accounting software and AI automation have saved accountants time on high-volume, repetitive work. Technology will continue to benefit future accounting in an efficient and effective way. One thing I cannot wait to see is the increased application of big data in auditing where issues can be identified with real-time access to the whole data set and transactions.
What is one thing you wish people knew about accounting?
Accounting is not just about dry numbers and mathematics. The analytical and problem-solving skills taught by accounting are practical and can be applied in almost any industry.
What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I enjoy challenging hikes in the mountains throughout the summer months. The most difficult mountain I hiked so far is near Kananaskis Improvement and is called Mist Mountain.
Shekinah Lim
Red Deer College
slim@cpaalberta.ca
What are you looking forward to most about being a CPA Campus Ambassador?
Being able to make meaningful connections that will help me gain experience and being able to share CPA events with my fellow students.
Why have you chosen to pursue a career in accounting?
A teacher of mine inspired me and really got me into accounting. I also believe that learning about accounting is crucial if you’re planning to build your own business.
If you could build your dream business overnight, what would it be?
Recently I have been very interested in the wedding industry. My dream business would be to have my own wedding venue and photography studio.
Jay Park
University of Calgary
ypark@cpaalberta.ca
What are you looking forward to most about being a CPA Campus Ambassador?
I was a campus ambassador last year and things were much different than they have been previously for students in terms of virtual interactions and events. I am super excited to (hopefully) resume in-person gatherings, events, and interactions as an ambassador this year. I think it will also be extremely exciting for students that have yet to experience the in-person aspect of events for the CPA profession!
What is one thing the COVID-19 pandemic taught you?
I think that one thing the COVID-19 pandemic taught me is to appreciate the social interactions I have with my family and friends!
If you could build your dream business overnight, what would it be?
A heli-skiing company! Then I could use my own services since heli-skiing is at the top of my bucket list.
Isra Tanweer
University of Lethbridge (Calgary campus)
itanweer@cpaalberta.ca
What was something positive that surprised you about online learning?
The shift toward enhanced cooperation and communication. I have seen instructors and students alike (including myself) being more flexible when it comes to online learning.
What is one thing you wish people knew about accounting?
I wish they knew of the possibilities that accompany a degree in accounting. Technical skills aside, students are given the opportunities to enhance their soft skills.
What is something people might be surprised to know about you?
That I am originally from Pakistan. I am more than willing to assist international students that speak Urdu/Hindi with English as their second language.
Jazmin Vidales
Mount Royal University
jvidales@cpaalberta.ca
Why were you interested in becoming a CPA Campus Ambassador?
I believe it will give me the opportunity to connect with fellow accounting students. Through this role I look forward to exploring the career opportunities gained by obtaining a CPA designation and helping my peers plan their own CPA career journeys.
What was something positive that surprised you about online learning?
One of the most positive aspects of online learning was the recorded lectures for all my courses. This supported my learning in an unexpected way as I was able to re-watch difficult concepts and not miss important material if I could not make it to the online lecture.
If you could build your dream business overnight, what would it be?
An Argentinian bakery where customers can order and enjoy warm drinks and delicious Argentinian treats. It would be a wonderful opportunity to share my culture and traditional foods with the rest of the world.