The DAA has a long standing practice of aiding students in their transition from studying accounting at university to applying that knowledge in the accounting work place. We strive to find new and unique opportunities that will provide students and our designated partners with value. Our committed executive members ensure that each year the established tradition of the DAA continues to grow and prosper into the future.

2012/2013 Executive Members

Jordan Sovran  - President

I am very excited to be coming back this year as the President of the DeGroote Accounting Association. As President my duties include sponsorship, financials, event planning, connecting with faculty, and ensuring that DeGroote students have the best opportunities in the field of accounting. The DAA had great success in the past year, and we have even more planned for 2012/2013. The main goal that I plan on pursuing is to continue to encourage students to get involved with our association, and to build a strong connection with faculty to facilitate this. I hope that students realize the opportunity that is available outside of the classroom, and take advantage to jump start their careers. Even for the many students who are unsure of what path they would like to take, the DAA is always here to help. Feel free to contact me anytime during the year if you have any questions, and I look forward to seeing all of you out at our events!

Stuart Matson – VP Administration

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen!! My name is Stuart Matson and I am the newly selected Vice-President of Administration for the Degroote Accounting Association (DAA) for the 2012/2013 year. It gives me great pride to be entering my 3rd year of service with the DAA this year. My new duties involve developing the DAA sponsorship to make sure DeGroote students are exposed to the top industry representatives and facilitating our fantastic events. I invite all students, sponsors and faculty to please get in contact with me as I am here for you and want to hear your feedback. Please connect with me by email, Linked In, Twitter (@MrStuieMatson) and Facebook. I finish this introduction with an address to my fellow students, I would like you to please take some time out of your busy lives in the coming year and come out to as many DAA events as you can. Membership in DAA allows you to develop and grow your soft skills so please take a leap of faith as you have a lot to gain and nothing to lose, don’t let life pass you by!!

Patrick Train – VP Finance

Welcome back to all of our previous members and I am very happy to welcome all of you who are first
time members of the DAA. My name is Patrick Train and I am a fourth year Honours Commerce Student
with a minor in economics and this year’s Vice President of Finance. I am responsible for the cash
flows and budgeting for the DAA. My main goal for the year is to ensure that we stay on budget. I look
forward to seeing all of you at our events this year.

Kristina Schmuttermeier – Director of Communications

I am a fourth year commerce student and after participating in a 16-month internship at Jaguar Land Rover Canada, I’m very excited to be back at school and to be getting involved with the DAA! As the Director of Communications my job involves conveying information about upcoming events to the faculty and accounting students. I am in charge of managing the associations e-mail
account to ensure all incoming questions from the students are answered. I encourage all students to get involved with the DAA this year by coming out to our events and I welcome all students to please e-mail the DAA if you have any questions for us, we’re more than happy to help!

Manraj Chauhan – Director of Technology

Hello everyone! My name is Manraj Chauhan and I am your new Director of Technology for this upcoming year! I look forward to serving as a member of the DAA executive team for this upcoming year. My responsibilities include updating the DAA website, creating the executive business cards, and assisting in the design of the club t-shirts. I look forward to serving in my new role, and I hope to see many of you at all of the wonderful events the DAA has planned this year!

Laura Semotiuk – Director of Professional Development

Hello everyone, welcome back. In my position as the Director of Professional Development, my main responsibility is to coordinate the Accounting Membership Program. The goal of this program is to assist DeGroote students in second year accounting courses by helping them develop key accounting concepts and technical abilities. As well, I am always available to answer any questions students may have regarding the accounting profession or the DAA in general. I look forward to meeting all of you this coming year!

Laura Goldhaber – Director of Professional Development

I’m extremely excited about being one of the Directors of Professional Development. My main responsibilities include organizing the Accounting Mentorship Program, and creating events which deliver the information DeGroote students need to know about the accounting profession. I’m here to help with any questions and concerns you have. A little bit of information about me: I’m in my forth year at McMaster, I’m really enthusiastic about volunteer work and I love baking. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone at events or on campus!

Julie LingMa – Director of Marketing

As this year’s Director of Marketing, I am pleased to bring forth my wealth in fashion and graphic design experience to the Association. I will be involved in diverse areas in the organization to provide aesthetic and communication value. I am ecstatic to return to the DAA following my first term as First Year Representative where I became familiar with many students throughout the Commerce program. As one of two Junior Board of Ambassador Representatives from the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ontario, I look forward to being a resource for students interested in pursuing their professional designation Chartered Accountant. I welcome you to engage with me throughout the year, and I certainly look forward to meeting you!

Maya Baluschak – Director of Public Relations

Hi everyone! I’m Maya Baluschak and am going into third year. Being the Director of Public Relations, my main role is to meet with the other business associations within DeGroote to discuss current and future events. I will also be preparing DAA’s page in the monthly commerce newsletter to keep students up to date and to provide articles and tips about the industry. If anyone has any ideas for or questions about the commerce newsletter, please feel free to contact me anytime. I hope to meet all of you this coming school year!

Alexandra Stawecka-Lacina  - Logistics Coordinator

As this year’s Logistics Director, my main responsibilities involve booking rooms for all events and meetings as needed, along with assisting in the set up of these events. This year I also have the pleasure of planning the associations Alumni Night. I am currently in my third year of the commerce program with desires to pursue my CA designation. I hope to see you all at the many DAA events, and I look forward to working hard to ensure a successful year!

Melody Liu – 4th Year Representative

Hello everyone and welcome back! As your new 4th year rep, I will be providing fourth year students with information about upcoming DAA events and connecting students to accounting professors and industry professionals.  After successfully passing the intense competition of intern recruitment last fall for accounting firms, I can provide you with valuable insight on graduate recruitment and networking with Big 4 recruiters. Please feel free to approach me at any time and use me as a resource. I am here to help YOU succeed down your path in accounting and I am determined to help you in any way. I hope to meet you all in the coming year!

Matthew Lewarne – 3rd Year Representative

As the 3rd year executive I will be acting as the primary liaison between the third year students and the DAA. I will also be assisting in the planning of various DAA activities. This year I want to help get more 3 rd year students involved in the DAA. I am very honoured to have this position and cannot wait to work with such a great team this year.

Lindsey Schneider - 2nd Year Representative

Hello everyone! I can’t say how thrilled I am to be a member of the DAA and to represent my fellow classmates as the Second Year Representative! Through my position, I hope to provide insight to all your accounting relating questions, whether they be about DAA, classes, or other extracurricular activities. I’m sure many of you have questions about the upcoming merger; please don’t hesitate to ask me! As a McMaster Junior Representative for the ICAO, I promise to do my best to keep you up to date, and promise to find answers to any question I may not know. Please don’t hesitate to get to know me, I’m eager to help. Best of luck this year!

Geoffrey Blasutti – Accounting Case Co-Chair

As the Co-Chair of the Fast Pace to the Case (FPC) Competition, I am responsible for the planning of one of the largest post-secondary accounting competitions in Ontario. I will be to working together with many different parties such as my co-chair, DeGroote School of Business, our accounting faculty, different business schools and their accounting associations in order to make Fast Pace to the Case 2013 the biggest it has ever been. In addition, I will be recruiting judges and representatives from different accounting firms and institutions and attracting students from top Canadian universities to make sure Fast Pace to the Case is well represented at each front. Finally, I will have to work out every detail leading up to the event to ensure FPC runs smoothly and is successful.

Kristen McMurdo – Accounting Case Co-Chair

Hello everyone! As Co-Chair for Fast Pace to the Case 2013 I am dedicated to committing my time, knowledge and skills to ensure that this extensive competition is a booming success! I will be responsible for coordinating event logistics such as recruiting teams from a variety of universities, inviting elite industry professionals to judge presentations and will be communicating with numerous departments such as the DeGroote School of Business to take this competition to the next level. Furthermore, I will have the responsibility of developing a budget, reserving a venue and working with associative staff members to fine-tune each and every detail as it arises before the day of the event. I am excited for the hard work that lies ahead, and I personally guarantee that this will be a spectacular day beneficial to all involved! Best wishes for the school year and I look forward to seeing you represent McMaster at Fast Pace to the Case 2013!