Personal Statement

I am writing to express my intent to apply and be accepted for admission to the University of Fredericton’s EMBA program.

Learning and education have always been a passion. I enjoy the challenge, interaction, and success of the learning experience. I regularly take classes, attend seminars, visit museums, and art galleries as a way to further my education. I also read extensively and gravitate to topics like business, history, and self-improvement.

My management experience in the past 20 years of my career began as a project manager with the launch of the bank President’s Choice Financial in 2008. I led a three-year project working with the CIBC’s technology arm, INTRIA, to manage the installation of branches inside Loblaw Company stores

I oversaw 50 store managers and 6 regional managers developing sales plans including performance goals for their department managers and staff. Additionally, I provided sales coaching and training for managers that, in turn, would coach and train their staff to meet forecasts and targets.

As a self-motivated contributor, I always strive to do more than expected and delivered sales in excess of 300,000 new accounts per year and consistently exceeding all funds under management targets. I received the National Winner of the 2007 Annual GE Money National (North America) Pace Setters Award for Leadership and Sales Excellence during my tenure at General Electric.

I moved on to Canadian Tire Financial from GE after they sold the portfolio to Capital One. At Canadian Tire Financial I dealt with issues from the vendor who was responsible for delivering new customers through direct marketing activities. As the Manager of Relationship and Business Development, I worked to repair the problems with the vendor that did not work out. After an interview phase with new vendors, I introduced a program and developed a new customer acquisition process to maximize profitability. Within nine months, the new vendor was profitable and delivered on the forecast I calculated for my

I moved from a corporate job to a not-for-profit organization because of my interests in contributing to the education sector. As a Business Relationship Manager, I would be able to have a positive impact on students through savings on the purchases a school board, college or university makes.

I was accountable for managing contracts including RFP development strategy, contract management, business development, marketing and process improvements. I managed a team of three supply chain analysts (CPA's) to understand results and trends and maximize the output of my portfolio. I managed sales of $200M and generating fees of over $1M from my portfolio. Of the three Business Relationship Managers, I delivered high sales spend on 55% of the top 15 contracts. On the academic side, I completed a certificate for Lean Six Sigma at the University of Toronto this year. I also completed two on-line courses on Public Sector contract management and contract negotiations. I’m at ease working on a team in an academic environment and enjoy the process of contributing to the team's success. Through that process, I realized this is the best time for me to finally see my EMBA goal