James Hunter – MBA, FCA, CEO, NexGen Financial LP (Keynote Speaker) 

James Hunter is the Chairman & CEO of NexGen Financial LP. Jim is the former President and CEO of Mackenzie Financial Corporation. During his 13 year tenure at Mackenzie, Jim led the development of many of the top innovations in Canada’s mutual fund industry. Under Jim’s strategic direction and management, Mackenzie grew from just under $8 billion to $46 billion in assets under management and evolved to the multi-faceted investment management and financial services corporation it is today. Prior to his tenure at Mackenzie, Jim was a partner in Deloitte & Touche’s financial services practice in Toronto. 

Larry Smith – Professor at the University of Waterloo (Keynote Speaker)

Larry Smith teaches Economics to students at the University of Waterloo. His unique teaching style, tying in Economic theory to real-world examples, has made him a favourite of students, earning him the Distinguished Teacher Award. Over the years, Larry has released a number of publications, and he has recently written a book called “Beyond the Internet.” 

At UWAC, Larry Smith had the opportunity to share his insights on innovation and growth, and how Canadians can use these tools to stay ahead of the competition.

Kevin Morris (Motivational Speaker) 

Kevin Morris is a Toronto-based consultant, working with companies and helping them adapt to and embrace change. He uses various methods to promote the exchange of knowledge and social capital throughout organizations, helping them develop and utilize their strongest assets to the fullest extent. Currently, Kevin blogs on “Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything.” Kevin is also on the Advisory Panel for LOKU30, a social network for young leaders and influences who are the futures of their industries. 

At UWAC 2009, Kevin talked about the value of inexperience: how students, with little to no expertise in industry or practical accounting, can make a large difference to a company and to a workplace. 

Phil King - President, TSN (Keynote Speaker) 

Phil King first worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers and in 1988 obtained his CA designation. The following year he joined the finance department of TSN. He was soon promoted to Senior Vice President of Programming, and in 2004 because the President of TSN. As president, Mr. King has demonstrated many admirable qualities, including strong leadership and ample creativity. The network has recently launched TSN2, a time shifted West Coast feed. At UWAC 2008, he described his journey from an undergraduate student to an industry leader, emphasizing his CA designation as a tool to help him get there. 

Manjit Sharma - VP Finance & Controller, GE Canada/GE Capital (Keynote Speaker) 

Manjit Sharma obtained her CA designation in 1992 and has used her designation in many ways throughout her impressive career. Currently the VP Finance & Controller of GE Canada, she started as an Assistant Controller and was promoted 7 years later was promoted to her current position. She did not, however, begin her career with GE. Ms. Sharma started as an external auditor for KPMG. She was a member of the financial reporting team at Vale Inco (Inco Ltd at the time) and was a controller for the Canada wide pension plan, OPSEU Pension Trust. Having had such diverse experiences throughout her working career she offers many insights on the numerous applications that are possible with a CA designation. 

Sam (Ajit) Thiara - Student Affairs Officer, Simon Fraiser University, Faculty of Business (Motivational Speaker) 

Sam (Ajit) Thaira is a truly motivational individual. With a double major in Business Administration and Political Science from Simon Frasier University. He also has his Masters in Leadership from the University of Exeter.  

He is currently the Student Affairs Officer for the faculty of Business at Simon Frasier University. He is a firm believer in the fact that Leadership knows no boundaries, and demonstrates his belief on an everyday basis. He was contracted by the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Bid Corporation, where he was the Community Consultant Manager. With this, he was responsible for the implementation of various municipal and community projects. He looks back on this experience as one of the most exciting contacts he has ever fulfilled. 

At UWAC 2008, Mr. Thiara delivered a motivational speech to students and described his journey of determination. At the end, he left the students with the following message: “Everyone’s life is an autobiography, but you have to make yours worth reading.”

Lawrence S. Rosen - Principal, Rosen & Associates Limited (Keynote speaker) 

Dr. Rosen founded Rosen & Associates Limited – a litigation and investigative accounting firm – pursuing his interest within the accounting industry.

Dr. Rosen has provided consulting services and independent opinions for hundred of litigation related engagements. Furthermore, he has presented expert testimony on numerous occasions and in many jurisdictions throughout the country – including the Supreme Courts of British Columbia, Ontario, and Canada. Dr. Rosen has also served as Technical Advisor to three of Canada’s Auditor Generals.

Erik Peters - Auditor General of Ontario, 1993 - 2003 (Keynote Speaker) 

Mr. Peters served as Ontario’s Auditor General from 1993 through to 2003. Subsequent to his provincial post, Mr. Peters worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Alcan Aluminum, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and the Office of the Auditor General of Canada. He is also a Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario (ICAO) and Alberta. In the year 2000, the ICAO recognized Mr. Peters’ contributions to the profession and community, by presenting him with the Award of Outstanding Merit.