Q&A with Angela Kaiser, CPA, CGA
Member Ambassador of the Year 2024 - Angela Kaiser
Why did you want to become a Member Ambassador?
I became a Member Ambassador after doing a FinLit workshop for high school students. This was the perfect opportunity to share the value, benefit and rewards of becoming a CPA with our youth, showing how those three initials represent trust, integrity, and honesty. When I share my personal story as a CPA, I strive to paint the picture of the endless opportunities that a CPA profession provides and how this designation is a mark of leadership, respect and trust, positioning individuals to make a meaningful impact in their communities.
What have you gained from your Member Ambassador experience? This can include both personal and professional examples.
Engaging with youth as a Member Ambassador reminds me of the importance of unfettered curiosity and desire to make the world a better place. When I interact with potential future CPAs, I gain inspiration from their ability to dream big and innovate, which reminds me of the exciting possibilities within the CPA profession.
Outside of your work and being a CPABC Member Ambassador, what are you passionate about?
While I’m passionate about teaching financial literacy and piano, I treasure family time. Whether cycling, running half-marathons, kayaking, snowshoeing, or simply enjoying the family cottage, these activities are a significant part of my life and joy.
Q&A with Betty Mak, CPA, CA
Member Ambassador of the Year 2024 - Betty Mak
Why did you want to become a Member Ambassador?
As my children were getting older, I felt that I had more time to volunteer and an opportunity to share my career path in accounting and tax as a Member Ambassador was a natural fit. I wanted to connect with students because many people think of accounting jobs as boring and they may not realize that tax is an interesting and rewarding career option. Being a CPABC Member Ambassador is also a great fit for me as an active volunteer for Tax Executives Institute (TEI) as the association also sees a need to bring more young talent into the tax field.
What have you gained from your Member Ambassador experience? This can include both personal and professional examples.
I have gotten a better understanding of the services that CPABC provides to all of its members. I also think the Financial Literacy session materials are excellent resources for the general public. I encourage more organizations to book sessions through the CPABC.
Outside of your work and being a CPABC Member Ambassador, what are you passionate about?
As I get older, I have realized the importance of taking care of myself. When I’m not working, looking after my family or volunteering, I like to read a book, play the piano or do watercolour painting.
Q&A with Gail Thiessen, CPA, CMA
- Member Ambassador of the Year 2024 - Gail Thiessen
Why did you want to become a Member Ambassador?
I love giving back to the to my designation. I get joy from helping other people achieve their goals.
What have you gained from your Member Ambassador experience? This can include both personal and professional examples.
I get to meet people that I would not have otherwise met. The people I meet are not only potential CPAs. I also get to meet other CPAs.
Outside of your work and being a CPABC Member Ambassador, what are you passionate about?
I am passionate about music. I am on the board of two organizations that are music related. I am also a part of my church’s choir. I am looking for another choir to join.
Q&A with Jagjot Singh
- Campus Ambassador of the Year 2024 - Jagjot Singh
- Yorkville University
Why did you want to become a Campus Ambassador?
I wanted to represent the prestigious organization that CPABC is. My ultimate goal is to become a CPA, and I've been working towards it for the last three or four years. Representing CPABC in my student community was a great honor and helped me develop my social attitude and aptitude. It also helped me to brainstorm the idea of a student community club at my university. This role provided me with a unique opportunity to develop my communication and leadership skills while helping fellow students navigate their paths toward a CPA designation.
What have you gained from your Campus Ambassador experience? This can include both personal and professional examples.
From a personal growth perspective, this experience has significantly improved my communication skills and confidence. Initially, I struggled with forming even coherent sentences, but this role allowed me to practice and improve continuously. I learned to listen more passionately to people and their problems, which enhanced my ability to provide thoughtful responses.
On the professional side, being a Campus Ambassador taught me how to set up meetings, network, and coordinate within professional settings. It also helped me demonstrate to employers my commitment to the CPA designation and the CPA community. I was also fortunate enough to secure an intermediate accounting job through the skills and confidence I gained in this role, where I am directly reporting to the Director of Finance at a non-profit organization.
Outside of your education and career goals, what are you passionate about?
Outside of work, I am passionate about traveling, meeting new people, and music. Traveling allows me to explore new cultures and broaden my perspective. I enjoy connecting with new people and expanding my social network. Music, especially techno, is a significant interest of mine, providing both relaxation and inspiration.
Q&A with Sally Song
High School Ambassador of the Year 2024 - Sally Song- Richmond Secondary School
Why did you want to become a High School Ambassador?
I was motivated to become a high school ambassador, as I knew it was a unique opportunity to educate my peers on the importance of financial literacy, and the benefits of pursuing a CPA designation. Beyond the knowledge that this ambassadorship would not only benefit my own personal experiences, my motivation stemmed from the ability to connect with a wide array of students in regards to a shared passion for business education.
What have you gained from your High School Ambassador experience? This can include both personal and professional examples.
A significant part of this year’s educational outreach was to “myth-bust” the profession of accounting, and presentation to “Finding your Ikigai.” My involvement in CPABC helped me personally connect with peers, and this ambassador experience helped not only myself, but many other students overcome career limitations based on grade-point averages– looking beyond academic stereotypes. This role has given me the opportunity to take initiative in leading others, networking with career professionals, and provide a new insight into the accounting profession.
Outside of your education and career goals, what are you passionate about?
Outside of my professional development, I am involved in a multitude of extracurricular activities which help fulfill my desire to help others on a personal level. Within the past year, I have committed over a thousand hours to Pharmaceutical services in the healthcare industry. Additionally, I am the Vice-President of an uprising organization dedicated to improving the lives of animals across British Columbia. It is one of my greatest passions to have the ability to create change for animal welfare, and it has become one of my personal missions to expand this aspiration. Aside from volunteerism, I am a competitive cheerleader, piano player, and a content creator. These passions bring me a true sense of fulfillment, though I am always looking to explore new opportunities.