Past Presidents

Select a President from the list below to read their message and biography.

  • Marlon Reid (2009)
  • Gavin Douglas (2008)
  • Zamal Whyte (2007)
  • Andru McAllister (2006)
  • Nicola Browne (2005)
  • Dionne England (2004)
  • Kurankye Sekyi-Otu (2003)
  • Earl R. Davis (2002)
  • Deland Kamanga (2001)
  • Ray Williams (2000)
  • Stanley J. Julien (1999)
  • Paget Warner (1998)
  • Paget Warner (1997)
  • Paget Warner (1996)

 

Marlon Reid

2009 | Marlon Reid

President’s Message

“Financially Fluent, Fluently Bicultural”

The Urban Financial Services Coalition rests squarely on a foundation of Networking, Professional Development, Community Outreach, and Financial Literacy. On the talent, drive, empathy, intellectual curiosity, and promise of its members, it is poised to guide, uplift and point the community away from downside risk of troubled financial markets and toward opportunity and achievement through education, mentorship and sharing of knowledge and ideas.

As an organization we remain committed to the Professional Development of our members, particularly in the soft skills that are instrumental to becoming leaders in our respective organizations. Our Professional Development programming responds quickly and decisively to the needs of our members and ranges from traditional activities like resume writing and interview skills, to the unique and cutting edge offerings like improv training and dress for success workshops. On the strength of our network, members stay current on career opportunities and stay abreast of recent market issues.

UFSC members dedicate themselves to the community by either seeking out opportunities to play a greater role, or by responding to the call of the community by making themselves available to those in need of our support and input. We have pledged to facilitate greater exposure of our youth to the financial services industry and, through Financial Fluency, repair the economic condition of our communities. Being fluently bi-cultural, members speak the language of the community, as well as the language of business. Because they are each products of their communities, members are imbued with the requisite empathy to be effective and credible role models.

UFSC will form and nurture greater strategic relationships with our corporate partners, like-minded community groups, and will endeavour to fortify and be guided by our corporate advisory board.

In times of crisis there is no better shelter than under the umbrella of community. In spite of the torrential downpour caused by the effects of global credit and liquidity troubles, through its unequivocal commitment to Networking, Professional Development, Community Outreach, and Financial Literacy, USFC, its members, and our Community will weather the storm, remain confident, and reach new heights of personal and collective achievement.

Marlon Reid
President
UFSC - Toronto

Kurunkye Sekyi-Otu

2003 | Kurunkye Sekyi-Otu

President’s Message

Urban Financial Services Coalition is a service organization of minority financial professionals that promotes the pursuit of excellence amongst our membership and within our communities and financial institutions.

As a five-year member of the UFSC Toronto chapter, I have witnessed the progression of our members through their contributions to a number of community initiatives: Junior Achievement, Inroads, Youth Encouraging Self-Empowerment and others. Our Professional Development workshops provide UFSC Toronto members experiences and ideas that enrich their professional abilities by addressing issues such as: Building Your Thinking Power, Team Building Exercises and Wine Tasting.

The theme, "Walk Strong" represents the way in which an individual approaches all aspects of life. UFSC members encourage minority students pursuing financial services or any discipline to always put their "best foot forward" and in doing so, appreciate that there is nothing they cannot themselves accomplish!

Imperative to the strength of our organization is networking and the sharing of ideas with respect to the financial services industry. UFSC Toronto holds general meetings the 4th Thursday of each month. One of the many highlights of these meetings, involve a presentation from a member or guest addressing a topic of significant interest. Past presenters have included Senior Economists, Portfolio Managers, Hedge Fund Specialists, Investment and Corporate Bankers.

UFSC Toronto is the "Canadian content" of a much larger, Washington, DC based organization with chapters throughout the United States. The organization was formed in 1974 and will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2004. UFSC Toronto members have the opportunity to network with financial professionals south of the border, through regional and national conferences held each year. My experience has been that these relationships are increasingly vital in a more global and consolidating financial industry.

As President for 2003, I look forward to welcoming new members and their positive contributions to this progressive organization.

Sincerely Yours,
Kurankye Sekyi-Otu, CFA
President
UFSC Toronto
"Walk Strong"