Q&A with Zahra Carol Baghdadi, CPA, CGA
Member Ambassador of the Year 2023 – Zahra Carol Baghdadi- Ambassador from October 2022 to April 2023
Why did you want to become a Member Ambassador?
I have had the opportunity to travel and reside in various countries. When I first obtained my designation from CPA Australia, I was in the early stages of establishing my career. It was only after many years, when I relocated to BC, that I truly comprehended the significant impact of being a CPA on both my professional and personal life. I felt compelled to share this insight with individuals who are eager to learn more. Joining as a Member Ambassador provided me with the platform to effectively convey this message.
What have you gained from your Member Ambassador experience? This can include both personal and professional examples.
Ever since I took on the role of a Member Ambassador, I've had the privilege to engage with the community, initiate discussions about the CPA designation, its potential influence on careers and industries, and contribute meaningfully to the community.
Outside of your work and being a CPABC Member Ambassador, what are you passionate about?
I am truly passionate about empowering entrepreneurs, especially women led companies so they can run a thriving business. I also love the outdoors and spending time in nature is my favorite thing to do.
Q&A with Luke Shen
Campus Ambassador of the Year 2023 - Luke Shen- SFU
- Ambassador from October 2022 to April 2023
Why did you want to become a Campus Ambassador?
Above all else – besides the personal and professional growth benefits – I wanted to contribute to BC’s accounting student community. At the start of my CPA journey, I benefited from countless people who were generous with their time and advice. In this sense, I felt a duty to pay it forward and do my part, so to speak.
What have you gained from your Campus Ambassador experience? This can include both personal and professional examples.
From a personal growth perspective, by putting me in spontaneous interactions, this experience has helped to level-up my communication skills and confidence. On the career side, it has helped me to demonstrate to employers my commitment to the CPA designation and the CPA community in general.
Outside of your education and career goals, what are you passionate about?
Outside of work, I’m a very curious person with an intrinsic need to understand how the world works. To that end, reading is a big passion of mine. One genre I’m really into is called “Big History”, which takes broad-sweeping looks at how we, as humans, got to where we are today: why our society is set up the way it is, why certain institutions prevail, etc. If this sounds interesting to you, I recommend checking out Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari.
Q&A with Bao “Danny” Nguyen
High School Ambassador of the Year 2023 - Bao “Danny” Nguyen- Prince of Wales Secondary
- Ambassador from October 2022 to April 2023
Why did you want to become a High School Ambassador?
As an international student, I always seek to establish new connections, build my confidence and explore different opportunities in my field of interest, which is why I decided to become a CPABC High School Ambassador.
What have you gained from your High School Ambassador experience? This can include both personal and professional examples.
As a High School Ambassador, I was introduced to CPABC's COIN Competition, where I developed digital marketing skills by creating promotional strategies for the CPA brand. I also connected with industry professionals and Canadian CPAs, improving my communication and active listening skills while gaining valuable insights into the profession.
Outside of your education and career goals, what are you passionate about?
Outside of my education and career goals, I’m keen on volunteering and doing community service. Whether it’s during the school days or the summer holidays, I’ve kept my service schedule busy with planning monthly projects with the Prince of Wales Key Club and leading lower grade classes respectively. Volunteering experiences like these bring me joy as they allow me to meet new people whilst engaging with the community.