Year In Review

Select a year from the list below to read the year in review for that year.

2003 Year in Review

Kurunkye Sekyi-Otu

“Walk Strong”

UFSC has had a tremendous impact on me professionally since becoming a member in 1998. Last year, as President of the Toronto Chapter, was the most rewarding position I have held during my career in financial services. UFSC offered me and every member an opportunity to be challenged, give back to the community and have exposure to some of the most dynamic financial professionals in Canada. I encourage all UFSC members to share in riches this organization provides.

In 2003, UFSC Toronto was building on the success of our 5-Year Anniversary Gala(Oct/02) and the profile associated with it. UFSC Toronto was featured in ROB Magazine, a Mackenzie Financial publication and on ROB TV. We were able to leverage our increased profile into attracting a line-up of fantastic guest speakers at our monthly general meetings: James Morgan, Investment Banking, Scotia Capital Markets, Terrie-Lynn Devonish, Executive Vice-President, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer, HSBC Securities Canada, Hazel Claxton, Partner & Senior Vice-President, PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Certainly the year’s highlight guest speaker was Dr. Sherry Cooper, Chief Economist, BMO Nesbitt Burns. Many thanks to UFSC members who contributed to attracting the above mentioned professionals.

One of the pillars of our organization is working towards the professional development of our members. In 2003, there were a number of opportunities for UFSC members to explore areas beyond finance that can be critical to remain a well-rounded professional. Building Your Thinking Power(I): Mental Flexibility and Building Your Thinking Power(II): Power of Ideas. These sessions were facilitated by Maxine Shrouder, President of Toast of CIBC(Toastmasters International) UFSC members also participated in the following professional development activities: Thinking Like an Entrepreneur(Terrance Hibbert), Media Training(Media Profile) and Dress for Success(Charles Bennet, Holt Renfrew).

In addition to working on our professional abilities, UFSC members reached out to young folks in the black community to teach them how to become successful. Each year UFSC members participate in Junior Achievement. Here we identify two schools within the Greater Toronto Area that have a large black student population and teach Junior Achievement’s Financial Economics course to Grade 7 students. UFSC members also participated in activities with: The Applause Institute, Youth Encouraging Self-Empowerment(Y.E.S.), Tropicana and the Harry Jerome Scholarships.

Networking with other UFSC members is one the greatest benefits of becoming a UFSC Toronto member. Last year, the ability to network was increased significantly as our membership grew over 40%! Chapter achievements such as the first CFA study group and the creation of our quarterly newsletter, The Balance Sheet, attracted new members from across the financial industry. Throughout the year, UFSC members were forging business relationships. This is crucial for a successful networking organization.

Finally I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to our corporate partners and members of our Corporate Advisory Board.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your President. Last year we “Walked Strong”, in 2004, with Dionne England as President, we will “Raise the Bar”.

Kurankye Sekyi-Out

2002 Year in Review

Earl R. Davis

Looking back upon 2002 puts a smile on my face. It was a successful year on many fronts; we expanded our membership, added to the depth of both our professional development and guest speakers, increased our participation in volunteer initiatives, and capped it off with an extremely successful fifth year anniversary gala.

It was an especially pleasurable year to be president given the dedication of our membership. Our members participated in numerous speaking engagements throughout 2002 within the community and amongst our youth. We spoke at elementaries, high schools and universities. The highlight of member participation was achieved at Junior Achievement where 16 UFSC members spent the day teaching approximately 120 grade 7 students about personal economics.

Another highlight of UFSC for 2002 was the commitment of the organization towards improving the skills and knowledge base of its membership. This commitment was demonstrated through the caliber of our guest speakers (which was second to none). Amongst our many interesting and varied speakers for 2002 were senior bank economists, portfolio managers and a former bank CEO & Chairman. UFSC also facilitated a number of informative and practical professional development seminars ranging from 'Writing Winning Resumes' to golf tutorials.

2002 also proved to be a very successful year in regards to forging new corporate relationships. Our corporate partners provided UFSC with unprecedented support (both morally and financially) in what they see as a well-run, well-structured and much needed organization in both the financial and black community. To our sponsors, I express our gratitude and excitement in building upon an already strong relationship. Thank you Mackenzie Financial; Scotia Capital; BMO Financial; TD and RBC.

In closing, I would like to say that UFSC would not be where it is today without the foundation that our past presidents have laid down. It is with this thought that I look forward to the future of UFSC and the strong leadership of both Kurankye Sekyi-Otu and Dionne England in the year and years to come. Thank you UFSC and continue to 'Walk Strong'.

Earl Davis
President Emeritus

Special Note:
I would like to extend my special thanks to the planning committee of our 5th year anniversary event, 'The Opening Bell Gala'. The Gala was a grand success with over 200 people (from across North America) in attendance at the grand hall of the beautiful King Edward Hotel. Without their commitment, this exquisite event would not have been possible.…