2013 CMABC Medallists and
Award Recipients
Medallists
Provincial medals are presented to the three CMABC candidates who earn the highest combined grades on the CMA National Entrance Exam and
in the Strategic Leadership Program. The medallists for 2013 are Ruben Ortiz (gold), Michael Shakespeare (silver), and Julia Chernyak (bronze).
Ruben ortiz, CPA, CMA
2013 CMABC Gold Medallist & Valedictorian
Birthplace & current city of residence:
Guadalajara, Mexico; Vancouver, BC.
Employer & position: BMO Bank of Montreal;
commercial credit manager.
What’s next? Now that I’ve got more time, I’ve been focusing on my
family and spending time with friends. I’ve also been able to go
mountain biking and hiking again. Professionally, I’ve been working
on my professional development.
What’s your favourite memory of the CMA program? The CMA
Strategic Leadership Program interactive sessions were great opportunities to share ideas and design creative solutions for different business
problems.
Who would you like to thank for providing support during your
studies? My wife Lourdes, my family, and my friends, as well as my
work colleagues.
Any parting advice you would give to other students? Be conscious that
the CMA designation is a commitment to your career and future professional development, which requires, among other things, determination
and good time-management skills to balance family, work, and study.
Michael Shakespeare, CPA, CMA
2013 CMABC Silver Medallist
Birthplace & current city of residence:
Winnipeg, MB; Kelowna, BC.
Employer & position: University of British
Columbia; associate VP, finance and operations.
What’s next? My attention has fully turned to utilizing my past experience and newly acquired skills to advance the strategic direction of
UBC’s Okanagan campus.
Photo of Julia Chernyak by Jed Share Photography; photos of Marta Cygan, Alan Le Couteur, Jacob Thekkakara, and Mazy
Wong by Jay Shaw Photography; photo of XiaoBo Yan by Jenna and Tristan Shouldice Photography; photos of Ruben
Ortiz and Michael Shakespeare provided by members.
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CPABC in Focus • Jan 2014
Who would you like to thank for providing support during your
studies? First, I would like to thank UBC for enabling my participation
in the CMA program. I would also like to thank my colleagues in the
11BC09 CMA Strategic Leadership Program [SLP] cohort, especially
my teammates, Sonia Imperial and Melissa Redshaw. Finally, a huge
thank you to my wife Kerrie, and sons Evan and Nolan, who made many
sacrifices in my pursuit of the CMA designation.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received? From Neil Tracey,
CPA, CMA, I learned that you lead a team by empowering each member
to capitalize on their personal strengths, and from Pierre Ouillet, CPA,
CGA, I learned that clarity of vision is the key to making meaningful
and sustainable change.
Julia Chernyak, CPA, CMA
2013 CMABC Bronze Medallist
Birthplace & current city of residence:
Ekaterinburg, Russia; Vancouver, BC.
Employer & position: Telus; financial business
analyst.
What’s next? I’m expecting my first child in January—so, being a parent
for the first time. I also plan to continue my studies through self-study
and continuing education; I’m considering pursuing a business analysis
certificate.
What’s your favourite memory of the CMA program? Seeing my
group at convocation. It was great to share the memories of our hard
work completing the CMA Program—celebrating that “we’d done it”
and were now CMAs.
Who would you like to thank for providing support during your
studies? I’d like to thank my husband Dimitri and my brother Greg
for their support and understanding during my CMA studies, and for
encouraging me and cheering me up in tough times. I’m also very
thankful to my colleague and friend, Laurie Sheehan, CPA, CMA,
who is also a CMA moderator, for her confidence in me and strong
encouragement.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received? Being successful
in your career starts with knowing yourself first.