PD Seminars - Instructors

ACTON, Bruce
BRUCE ACTON, FCMC, MBA, is the president of Acton Consulting Ltd. Bruce’s expertise includes business process redesign, knowledge management and performance measurement. He brings a broad background consulting to both the private and public sector.

ANDREWS, Jonathan
JONATHAN ANDREWS, CA.IT, CISA, FCA (England & Wales) is CEO of NetLearn Services, Inc., an online course and seminar development company. Jonathan has led provincial institute and CICA PD courses for several years, and developed a wide range of online courses. His extensive IS audit background with international firms and subsequent experiences in consulting, course development, and as a VP of Finance have given him a practical insight into business operations, management approaches, and client expectations.

BLATCH, Ward
WARD BLATCH, B.COM., CA, MCSA, is a Senior Associate with K2 Enterprises Canada. Since joining K2 Enterprises in 2005, Ward has provided consulting and training services throughout the United States and Canada. Ward also has his own practice in Nova Scotia which focuses on the issues of small accounting firms and professional businesses, providing training, support, and network evaluations.

BRANHAM, Laird
LAIRD BRANHAM, CA, is a director of Branham & Company Chartered Accountants Ltd. Laird’s primary area of interest is tax planning for private corporations and their shareholders, including restructurings, mergers, dispositions, and acquisitions. He has previously authored and presented seminars for ICABC.

BUCK, Gregory
GREGORY BUCK, BCOMM, CA, has been in public practice for 26 years specializing in owner managed and professional business. He has extensive experience in small to medium businesses from a practical standpoint. Greg has lectured extensively at UCFV in the Business Computing and Business Administration departments. Greg has authored three textbooks on the subject of computerized accounting and the use of computers in business.

CALDWELL, Rhonda
RHONDA CALDWELL is the founder of Caldwell Communications Inc., a Vancouver based management consulting and professional development company. As a business owner with over 20 years of corporate and entrepreneurial experience, Rhonda offers real world solutions that are immediately applicable. She has provided services to organizations across North America as a consultant, training designer, classroom facilitator and coach. She focuses on giving people the skills they need to enhance their personal and team performance and strengthen their business relationships with colleagues and clients.

CAMPEAU, Greg
GREG CAMPEAU, B.COMM, is a learner and teacher of timeless truths that govern both personal and organizational effectiveness. Greg has delivered over 2200 presentations and workshops throughout North America, and has instructed courses in the School of Business at BCIT. Greg’s broad and riveting appeal is rooted in his relevant, meaningful, thought-provoking and practical content that is always delivered in an interactive, humorous and inspirational style.

CHANG, Louis
LOUIS CHANG, CA holds a TESOL English Teaching Diploma, and for over 10 years has taught English to adult professionals and students at various institutions including The English Language Institute at UBC, the YMCA, Immigration Canada, Mosaic, and other Business Language schools throughout Vancouver. Louis believes that the ability to speak confidently and clearly is essential for success in the accounting profession. He has used his unique skill set as a CA and an English Instructor to help international CA clients improve their English communication skills in a supportive class environment.

CULLINGWORTH, Russell
RUSSELL CULLINGWORTH is the founder and President of the Centre of Excellence for Young Adults, speaking and training with organizations such as ICABC, Sauder School of Business and other corporate clients. He has over 20 years experience in administrative and financial management, and has held executive level positions as Controller at CGA-Canada and Director, Finance and Facilities at Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. Russell has an MBA from SFU and is an Accredited Insights Discovery Licensed Practitioner. He brings an interactive and energetic style to his workshops to create intense learning experience.

DENEGA, Karen
KAREN DENEGA is a transformational trainer who has led thousands of individuals through programs across the globe. She specializes in Change Management, Communication and Leadership Development, helping increase the effectiveness of individuals, teams, sales-forces, leaders, and organizations. Having facilitated more than 200 workshops and coaching sessions, Karen brings with her a unique blend of training ‘know-how’, real-life business sense, and an ability to connect with her audience that helps her to inform, influence, and inspire action. Karen earned her CA designation while working for Ernst & Young for nearly a decade.

DENNY, Adam
ADAM DENNY is a Senior Manager with KPMG LLP, focused on providing auditing and advisory services to public sector organizations including municipalities, colleges and universities, as well as a number of clients the not-for-profit sector. He also provides auditing services to a wide variety of private companies in the manufacturing, distribution and retail industries. Adam is involved in KPMG’s in-house training program and is an active member of their non-for-profit and public sector group.

DEWAR, Tammy
TAMMY DEWAR, Ph.D., combines a Ph.D. in adult learning with 15 years of practical leadership and team development experience. She is a “pracademic”, spending part of her time teaching at Royal Roads University in their MBA and Executive Leadership programs and the other part of her time running a consulting company with her husband and business partner. They provide leadership development, teambuilding, and executive coaching.

DIEHL, Robin
ROBIN DIEHL, CA, CBV is a business valuator and a business analyst. Robin has vast experience presenting internal and external courses, including courses for undergraduates, professional designations and private firms. She has helped author various accounting courses and composed professional examination questions. Her areas of focus include financial accounting, financial reporting and assurance topics.

DORIAN, Lisa
LISA DORIAN, CA.CIA, heads up the MDA Training Vancouver office. She has extensive experience in risk management, corporate governance, strategy, budgeting and business process development. She is also an accomplished trainer and facilitator working with all levels of management including boards of directors. Lisa previously held the position of Vice President, Finance & CFO with Citizens Bank of Canada. Lisa also serves as Vice Chair of Financial Executives International Canada, and is a member of FEI’s National Issues and Policy Advisory Committee’s sub-committee on corporate governance and internal controls.

DUHOLKE, Tim
TIM DUHOLKE, FCA, has practiced tax exclusively for over 25 years and is a Senior Tax Advisor at Davis LLP. He specializes in advising professional firms and entrepreneurs on a broad range of taxation and related matters. His practice includes public and private companies in various industries. Tim has a special interest in the area of estate planning.

DUTCH, Helen
HELEN DUTCH, CGA, is Senior Manager, Audit, and a member of both the Public Sector and the Private Company Services Groups in Deloitte’s Vancouver office. Helen has 10 years of public practice experience in Canada, with a focus on the not for profit and government sectors. Her extensive experience includes specific expertise in not for profit organizations, government funded organizations, privately owned and managed businesses, providing them with audit, accounting, taxation and business advisory services. Prior to joining Deloitte, Helen resided and worked in public practice in Edinburgh, Scotland.

EYOLFSON, Todd
TODD EYOLFSON, BMath, CGA, joined CaseWare International Inc. in 1996. Currently CaseWare’s Director of Education, Todd has managed support, been involved with sales, marketing, and education. Todd authors and supervises development of training materials, hosts online webinars and has instructed thousands of professional accountants across Canada and other countries worldwide on CaseWare applications.

GARDNER, John
JOHN GARDNER, FCA, MBA, CDir, is a director of Alliance Grain Traders Inc., Canada’s largest processor and distributor of pulses. He is also a director of The Econo-Rack Group Inc., Canada’s largest manufacturer and distributor of intralogistical warehouse systems. With more than 16 years experience as a CEO of large corporations, John has successfully led corporations in achieving significant financial accomplishments through the proper development and execution of a strategic plan. Currently he focuses his time between corporate directorships and assisting companies achieve their competitive advantage through strategic planning.

GILLESPIE, Tom
TOM GILLESPIE, B.COMM., CA, is a Professional Standards Advisor with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia. Prior to joining the ICABC he worked as a Manager with KPMG Bermuda’s investment and banking practice. Tom has significant experience in Canadian, U.S. and International accounting standards as well as a focus on auditing complex investment valuations for private equity funds. He is an accomplished instructor having taught many accounting and assurance seminars and information technology courses internationally.

GREGORY, John
JOHN N. GREGORY, LL.B. of Thorsteinssons LLP, Tax Lawyers, is a member of the Bars of BC and Ontario. He has served as a senior rulings officer with the Canada Revenue Agency in Ottawa, and as an instructor in the Faculty of Commerce at UBC. Mr. Gregory practices primarily in the areas of real estate taxation, corporate reorganizations, estate planning, and international tax planning.

GROSS SHAEFER, Arthur
ARTHUR GROSS SHAEFER is an associate with Frank Sanitate Associates. Arthur is also an attorney, a Professor, a Certified Public Accountant and a Rabbi. He has been a professor of business law and ethics at Loyola Marymount University since 1978 and is currently the chair of the department. He has received numerous teaching awards and was recently honoured as Professor of the Year for the University. He has written and spoken extensively on ethics, conflict resolution, diversity, labour law, sexual harassment and issues of separation of church and state.

GUNDERSON, Terry
TERRY GUNDERSON, B.COMM., CA, is a partner with Manning Elliott LLP, and has 36 years of auditing, financial accounting and tax experience with a wide range of clients. He has been a member of Manning Elliott LLP’s Quality Control and Accounting Standards committees and acted as leader for the firm’s quality monitoring program. Terry also has been preparing for the adoption of international standards for three years and giving seminars on International Financial Reporting Standards.

HARPER, Gary
GARY HARPER, LL.B., Certificate in Conflict Resolution (Justice Institute), is the principal of Harper and Associates. Gary is a trainer, writer, speaker and facilitator who specializes in conflict resolution training. Through his unique blend of experience as a personal injury lawyer, general manager, insurance regulator and retail store owner, he learned the value of clear communication and conflict resolution skills. In 2004 he authored The Joy of Conflict Resolution.

HOPE, Margaret
MARGARET HOPE, M.ED., has been providing ICABC education programs since 1988. She has a Masters Degree in Education, is an Internationally Accredited Professional Speaker – one of fewer than 65 speakers ever accredited worldwide, and the author of You’re Speaking – But Are You Connecting? Margaret is an Adjunct Professor at SFU, teaches at several other Canadian universities and for a variety of business and association clients.

IRELAND, Dr. Shawn
DR. SHAWN IRELAND, M.SC., MA, E.Dd is the lead consultant and managing director of HRCgroup, inc. Dr. Ireland’s areas of subject matter expertise include action-learning initiatives in support of managing change, leadership, strategy, management of virtual teams, project leadership, fostering critical thinking, communications, and managing human behaviour. He has worked extensively with international Fortune 500 companies. He recently published the book “IFRAME: A Manager’s Guide to Critically Balanced Thinking” with his co-author Lorne Kelton.

JACKSON, Peter
PETER JACKSON, CA, is a Senior Manager with KPMG LLP in Vancouver and specializes in servicing Canadian and United States public and private companies. He also works in their Advisory group and has extensive knowledge of IFRS, Canadian and US GAAP and securities rules and regulations.

JOG, Dr. Vijay
DR. VIJAY JOG is the President of Corporate Renaissance Group (CRG) and the Chancellor Professor of Finance at the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University. He consults extensively to many government departments, crown corporations, and private sector firms around the world. He is the author of textbooks, has published numerous articles in international journals, and has won many national and international awards for his publications.

KENT, Duncan
DUNCAN KENT, BA, MA, has been a professional writer and documentation consultant for more than 30 years. His firm, Duncan Kent & Associates Ltd., has completed more than 300 documentation projects over the past two decades. He is a founding member and past President of the Canada West Coast chapter of the Society for Technical Communication, and teaches technical writing at SFU’s Writing and Publishing Program and business writing at UBC’s Sauder School of Business. Duncan is the author of Sharpening Your Writing Skills and Writing Revisable Manuals.

LAM, David
DAVID LAM, CA, CF, CBV, leader of the mid-market Corporate Finance practice at Deloitte Vancouver, focuses on mergers, acquisitions and debt & equity financing for mid-market private companies in a wide range of industries, including the distribution, manufacturing, business services, food & beverage, and retail sectors. David has successfully assisted owners of private companies with their capital requirements through dividend recapitalization, the sale of minority or majority interest to private equity, management buyouts, and outright sale to trade buyers.

LEUNG, Stella
STELLA LEUNG, CA is a Professional Standards Advisor at the ICABC. She assists members in public practice and industry with ethical and technical questions as well as practice management and other professional issues. Stella has been with the Institute since 2000.

LIVINGSTON, Barbara
BARBARA LIVINGSTON, CA, CPA (Colorado), is a partner in the accounting advisory services practice in KPMG’s Vancouver office. Barb began her career with KPMG in the U.S. and, since her arrival in Canada, has focused her practice in Vancouver assisting companies in identifying and understanding new accounting requirements resulting from changes in accounting frameworks, new business transactions, new securities/listing requirements and/or new accounting standards. Barb has spent a significant portion of her time assisting companies in their transitions between Canadian GAAP, US GAAP and IFRS.

LOUGHLIN, Benita
BENITA LOUGHLIN, CA, is a Partner in KPMG LLP’s International Executive Services group. Benita practices in the area of tax planning and compliance for individuals, estates and trusts in a US and cross-border context. She advises individuals on both sides of the border on tax matters related to their residence, compensation including equity compensation, investments, retirement plans, estates, trusts, gifts and expatriation. Benita has authored and taught several courses for the ICABC and is a frequent speaker on cross-border tax planning topics.

MCDONALD, Diane
DIANE MCDONALD, CA, has been in public practice for over 28 years. She has assisted many Canadian companies with initial and continuing Canadian and SEC financial reporting obligations, and provided accounting and financial reporting consultation services to management and auditors on the application of IFRS, ASPE and U.S. GAAP. In recent years, Diane has developed and presented professional development sessions for preparers of financial statements and practitioners on accounting frameworks and auditing in the new CAS environment.

MCINTYRE-SMITH, Steve
STEVE MCINTYRE-SMITH, Ph.D, has been involved in and around the public accounting profession for over 30 years. Steve is a lively and entertaining speaker and his engaging speaking style means that his audiences are always alert at his events! His common-sense approach to typical issues faced by accounting firms, based on his personal experiences both as a practitioner and as a consultant to accounting firms, has often been described as a breath of fresh air.

MURRAY, Dr. Jim
DR. JIM MURRAY is CEO of optimal solutions international, a firm dedicated to helping people and organizations achieve their full potential. Jim has created and taught courses for ICABC since 1982. He holds four degrees, is the architect of several advanced executive development programs for four Provincial Institutes, has published three best-selling books and provided strategic counsel to over 600 organizations. He has been nationally honoured by the university community and his courses formally recognized for “excellence in innovation and design”.

ONUFRECHUK, Shane
SHANE ONUFRECHUK, CA, is a Senior Tax Advisor at Davis LLP. Shane’s focus in the firm is in the area of corporate reorganizations, acquisitions, financings and providing tax advisory services to other professionals. Shane has previously spoken for the ICABC, plays an active role in ICABC professional development and had been extensively involved in teaching and course development for the CA School of Business.

PATTERSON, Mark
MARK PATTERSON, CA, is a partner in the mining practice of PwC Vancouver and has been with the firm for over 12 years. Mark has extensive experience working with public companies in the mining industry at all stages of development from junior exploration to major international mining companies. Mark’s experience includes working with companies reporting under Canadian GAAP, U.S. GAAP and IFRS and those undertaking significant acquisition, debt and equity financing transactions.

PHILP, Tanner
TANNER PHILP, CA, CIM, is an Investment Counsellor at RBC Phillips, Hager & North Investment Counsel where he is responsible for managing private client discretionary portfolios for individuals, their families and their companies. Tanner has been in the financial services industry for 14 years in various investment, leadership and operational roles. In managing all aspects of his clients’ investments, he is able to draw on his extensive experience and a network that includes accountants, lawyers, specialists in tax, legal, insurance and estate planning and other investment professionals to deliver integrated wealth management solutions.

POWELL, Scott
SCOTT POWELL, MPHIL, is a UK Chartered Accountant. Scott is an Adjunct Professor with Simon Fraser University’s Business School and is President of MDA Training. He has written and delivered finance workshops around the world for numerous corporate and banking clients. Scott holds an honours degree in Politics/Economics from Trent University and a master’s degree in Economics from Cambridge University.

POWER, Mary
MARY POWER, CA, is principal of M.V. Power Inc., and has over 30 years of experience exclusively in taxation. She has published papers in taxation, has spoken at the BC Tax Conference and has been teaching taxation courses since 1982.

PRIDDLE, Stephen
STEPHEN PRIDDLE, CA, CMA is Vice-President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Chinook MHD in Ottawa. Stephen worked with KPMG for five years, before he moved to industry and worked for several different companies prior to joining Chinook. During this time, he has gained a wide range of financial reporting, treasury management, mergers & acquisition and other business experience. Stephen also leads seminars for controllers and CFOs across Canada, has taught at a number of universities and is a prolific author of published business and accounting case studies.

RAO, Erin
ERIN RAO, CA, is an independent consultant and has been working with organizations transitioning to IFRS. Erin has developed and presented IFRS courses and has written several finance and accounting-related reference materials. Prior to this, Erin was a Vice President at the International Headquarters of ABN AMRO Bank in Amsterdam, the Netherlands where she was a project manager on a global team responsible for implementing IFRS. As part of that project, Erin led two financial system conversions, developed training material, and taught finance and operations staff worldwide about IFRS.

REYNOLDS, Elaine
ELAINE E. REYNOLDS, BA, LL.B., LL.M., (US Tax), is a principal at Legacy Tax & Trust Lawyers. Elaine is a member of both the BC and California Bars and practises in the area of domestic and international tax and estate planning for private clients with a particular emphasis on U.S./Canada cross border planning. She is a frequent lecturer and is widely published including in the Canadian Journal of Taxation.

ROBERTSON, Tammy
TAMMY ROBERTSON, MA in Physical and Health Education from the University of Western Ontario has over 25 years of corporate and entrepreneurial experience. As a life and leadership coach, author and professional speaker, she inspires and challenges audiences to step into their true potential. Tammy believes that the essence of our challenge today is captured in one simple message, Get Your Heart in the Game™… Engagement is Emotional! She is also a Founder of RealTalk, a global community committed to improving communication and relationships one real talk at a time.

ROSENTRETER, Kurt
KURT ROSENTRETER, CA, CFP, CLU, TEP, FMA, CIMA, FCSI, CIM, is one of Canada’s most credentialed and experienced wealth management experts. Kurt is the past co-founder of the billion-dollar investment advisory practice at one of Canada’s Big Four accounting firms and a national best-selling author with seven books on money tips. He is a Senior Financial Advisor at Manulife Securities Incorporated, an instructor of Financial Planning for CA Institutes across Canada, and a media spokesperson on money issues for the national press, providing practical financial advice in easy to understand language.

SALMON, Alan
ALAN SALMON is recognized as Canada’s leading analyst in the area of accounting technology. He has over 26 years of business, management systems and education experience. As the Canadian CEO and President of K2 Enterprises Canada, he is responsible for the Canadian operations of this international consulting group which provides technology education for accountants across Canada and the U.S. He has a degree in science and an Advanced Teaching Certificate from the University of Toronto. As an author, he has published 14 books on Accounting Technology, including 7 eBooks on Microsoft Excel.

SHERMAN, Jeffrey
JEFFREY D. SHERMAN, B.Com., MBA, FCSI, CA, (FCA in Ontario), is CFO of Pure Nickel Inc. He has over 20 years experience as chief financial officer primarily in the mining, high tech and biotech areas, and with a large chartered bank in various senior capacities. His interests include corporate governance, risk management and internal control, restructuring and start-up enterprises. Jeffrey has lectured for many organizations, and was an adjunct professor at York University for fifteen years. He has written many magazine articles on finance and treasury, as well as over twenty books.

SHERRITT, Mark
MARK SHERRITT, CA, is a tax senior manager at Ernst & Young LLP in Vancouver. He specializes in income tax planning for owner manager businesses and transactions, including restructuring, mergers, dispositions and acquisitions.

SLACK, Andrew
ANDREW SLACK is a manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in Vancouver, dealing with clients in a range of industries, both public and private, predominantly in the mining industry, under Canadian, U.S. and IFRS accounting frameworks. Andrew qualified as a chartered accountant in the U.K. in 2003, and has several years experience in both accounting practice and industry, where he worked within a financial reporting role under IFRS. He is currently bringing this experience to bear in helping his clients transition from Canadian to International accounting standards, and has already completed full audits under IFRS.

SLATER, Lisa
LISA SLATER, LL.B. is a partner in the Vancouver office of Davis LLP where she maintains a broad family law practice including all matters relating to division of property, trusts, common-law relationships, child and spousal support, child custody and access, and drafting of marriage, cohabitation and separation agreements. In addition to her family law practice, Lisa has also advised clients on commercial matters including shareholder disputes, solicitor negligence and construction claims, and with respect to representation agreements and related issues.

STEDMAN, A.G. (Sandy)
A.G. (SANDY) STEDMAN, CA, has been a partner with Schibli Stedman King in Victoria since 1996. Prior to joining SSK, Sandy’s career included internal audit, controllership, and a range of public practice experience. He has been a course author and instructor for the ICABC and other provincial institutes since 2002. His practice includes accounting and tax advice for professionals, owner managed business, high net worth individuals, and groups of privately held companies.

STORY, Tristan
TRISTAN STORY, CA, is a partner with Schibli Stedman King, CAs, a medium-sized firm in Victoria, BC. He specializes in helping owner-managed companies, focusing on tax planning including reorganizations, estate planning and the use of trusts.

STUBBING, Mike
MIKE STUBBING, CA, CFP, TEP is a tax partner with Grant Thornton LLP in Victoria. His practice focuses on providing tax advice to owner-managed businesses. Mike chairs the technical committee of Grant Thornton’s national Succession and Estate Planning group.

SZABO, Brian
BRIAN SZABO, CA, is a Partner with KPMG LLP, focused on providing auditing and advisory services to public sector organizations including municipalities, colleges and universities, health authorities and school boards, as well as the not-for-profit sector. He also provides auditing services to private companies, primarily in the real estate sector. Brian is involved in KPMG’s in-house training program, is a director of the Government Finance Officers Association of BC, Director and Treasurer of the North Shore Chena Swim Club, and past Executive Committee member of the International Centre for Sustainable Cities.

TANG, Fred
FRED TANG, CA•CBV, is a Vice-President of BDO Canada Corporate Finance Inc., and a Senior Manager in the Vancouver office of BDO Canada LLP practicing in its Financial Advisory Services Group. Fred’s practice is involved in providing advisory services to clients in the areas of business and securities valuations, M&A and divestitures, capital raising, transaction support and due diligence services and litigation support. He has qualified as an expert witness and has provided expert testimony in the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

TAYLOR, Andrew
ANDREW TAYLOR, CA, is principal of Taylor & Associates, a Richmond based Chartered Accountant firm practising exclusively in the area of taxation. He specializes in corporate reorganizations, purchase and sale of businesses and estate planning and has been a frequent lecturer and instructor for ICABC for many years.

TERHART, Rosanne
ROSANNE TERHART, CA, CFE, is with BDO Canada LLP, and has over 25 years of experience in accounting, auditing, and forensic investigations. Rosanne has been involved in many forensic investigations addressing allegations of fraud, quantifying economic damages for civil litigation matters and special purpose audits. She has given expert witness testimony in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the Supreme Court of California, and the Law Society of British Columbia regulatory hearings.

THOMAS, Shan
SHAN THOMAS, B.SC., MA, CA, is actively involved in training and education both for the ICABC and in industry, as well as working on a variety of industry consulting projects. She has taught PD courses in accounting and auditing for over 15 years, including authoring and mentoring various courses. Shan has over 16 years’ experience in public practice, including developing and selling a successful practice, as well as several years experience as a management consultant and turnaround specialist/CFO.

THOMSON, Julie
JULIE THOMSON, CA, works exclusively with Not-for-Profit Organizations in Calgary and is PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s National Leader for the Not-for-Profit Practice. Julie is a high energy, service oriented professional with extensive experience providing assurance services to entities in this sector. Julie is a member of the Not-for-Profit Organizations Committee with the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. She is a frequent presenter on topical and technical issues to entities in the Not-for-Profit sector and is responsible for staff training and current event updates for this industry in the PwC Calgary office.

TOAZE, Deborah
DEBORAH TOAZE, JD, LL.M, CA, is a partner at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP’s Tax Group in Vancouver. Her practice focuses on tax dispute resolution and transfer pricing. She represents taxpayers in tax disputes involving the CRA at the audit stage, appeals stage and in court proceedings. Ms. Toaze also has extensive experience in the taxation of financial institutions and financial products. She previously held tax positions in industry, including Vice President of Taxation at a Canadian chartered bank. She regularly writes on tax matters and speaks at various tax conferences.

TOMASSETTI, Marco
MARCO TOMASSETTI, CA, CBV, is a Partner with Capital West Partners, a leading, independent corporate finance firm serving some of Western Canada’s pre-eminent mid-market public and private enterprises. With over 10 years of corporate finance experience, Marco is proficient in a wide-variety of corporate finance transactions including mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financings, management buy-outs, leveraged buy-outs, and in the preparation of valuations and fairness opinions. Marco’s experience spans a broad array of industries.

VELLA, Marc
MARC VELLA, BA, CFP, CIM, is an Associate Portfolio Manager at Pacifica Partners Inc, an established investment boutique providing customized portfolio management solutions to both Canadian and U.S. investors. Marc completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from Thomas Aquinas College in California and worked as an Investment Advisor for both Canadian and U.S. based investment firms. Marc is a Certified Financial Planner and Canadian Investment Manager. He has over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry.

WASNY, Garrett
GARRETT WASNY, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP, is an award-winning speaker, author, columnist, certified management consultant and visual artist in Vancouver. He is the author of “World Business Resources.com” and “How to Conquer the World”. He delivers multimedia seminars to accounting institutes and professional service organizations across North America, Asia and the Caribbean.

WILHELM, Klemens
KLEMENS WILHELM, CBV is with Deloitte LLP in Vancouver. Klemens is a CPA in the state of New Hampshire. With over 10 years of M&A experience, Klemens has advised private and public companies as well as private equity firms on mergers and acquisitions, focusing on buy-side and vendor financial due diligence. Klemens has significant experience in cross-border transactions. In addition, Klemens is advising clients on valuation matters and has published several articles in this area.