Career Conversations Panel Series:
Discovering Careers in Entrepreneurship & Consulting
Thursday, March 8, 2012
2:30–4:30 pm
Vanier Renaissance Room, 001 Vanier College
In partnership with the Centre for Student Success, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.
Sponsored by York University Alumni Relations.
About the Event
Always wanted to start your own business? Want to meet York Alumni and other professionals working as entrepreneurs or consultants?
Connect with professionals currently enjoying careers in Entrepreneurship & Consulting and get the inside scoop on what it's really like to work in this field. During this panel professionals will share their personal stories about breaking into the field, how their career paths took them from graduation to where they are now, what knowledge, skills and experience helped them succeed in their jobs and what types of opportunities are available in the field. The panel will be moderated by one of the Career Centre's team members and followed by an open forum where students will have an opportunity to ask the panelists their own questions.
Participating Panelists
Vic Cizmarik
President, TORViC Technologies, Inc.
Alumnus: MBA, Schulich School of Business, 2005
Since playing my very first competitive hockey game at an early age, I aspired to lead by example. Today, I take pride in being referred to as an innovative front-line leader and working hand-in-hand with some of the brightest minds in software development. With my diverse experience, ranging from software development and sales to management consulting, I continuously challenge myself with complex and novel engagements.
Malcolm Janes
Senior Program Manager/Owner, Projects Canada
Alumnus: BA Arts, York University, 1994
I am service oriented, entrepreneurial and inquisitive by nature. These attributes have served me well as an independent contractor. The field of project management offers a unique opportunity to work with people, businesses and technologies in a variety of industries. My work varies greatly, ranging from small, high profile endeavors to enterprise level programs with multi-million dollar budgets and team sizes in the hundreds. The key to success in my field is the ability to establish effective relationships, lead people and solve problems. The opportunity to help people achieve their business goals is a powerful motivator for me.
Rick Leswick
Consultant, North West Protection Services
Alumnus: BA Arts, York University, 1975
In 1975 upon graduation from York and after I had completed some military reserve training, I answered an ad in the paper for persons to do, "domestic surveillance". I had no idea what this was but it turned out that I was required to follow errant spouses. It was terrible, mind-numbing work but I also was assigned to conduct a number of high profile criminal investigations for lawyers who were defending persons charged with murder and other forms of mayhem. At age 21 that was incredible. I went on to occupy two senior corporate security positions and then opened my own business, FOURTEEN-FORTY. My colleagues and I specialized in investigating product counterfeiting and I even had supper with Fidel Castro in Havana....but that's another story.
Robert Martellacci
President & Publisher, MindShare Learning
Alumnus: BA Economics, York University, 1984
I have over 25 years of expertise in the learning & technology space as an administrator at York University & Country Manager, TLC School Division. My board appointments include: vice-chair, Canadian eLearning Enterprise Alliance and board member York U IRLT. I was inspired to start my own business as a result of the unique skills and expertise I gained through my various jobs following graduation. The Dot.Com crash inspired me to take a leap of faith to go it alone.
David Tsai
Director of Franchise Recruitment and Development Dept., Kumon Canada Inc.
Alumnus: BA Political Science, York University, 1997
BES, York University, 1999
I did not really know much about franchising when I started my first job at Bell Canada. Over the last 10 years, I've worked with over a thousand entrepreneurs to establish their first business. Franchising as a growth strategy provides you with the ability to gain market share by increasing your points of distribution. Compared to other business expansion models, franchising allows you to expand faster with minimal capital as investment at the unit level is covered by your franchisees. Franchising offers the opportunity to have a multitude of units throughout the world.
Moy Wong-Tam
Executive Director, Centre for Information & Community Services
Alumna: MES Environmental Studies, York University, 1983
After graduating with an MES with a focus on the elderly and health care, my first job was Director of Seniors Department at Dixon Hall. When the Executive Director (E.D.) left, I became acting E.D.. Later, I worked for then United Way of Greater Toronto. I was chair of Seneca College's new Social Service/Gerontology Worker Program, as well as instructor, and later taught at Algonquin College. After becoming E.D. at OCISO for several years, I was appointed as a Commissioner of the Commission on Systemic Racism in the Ontario criminal justice system. In 1996 I was appointed the first CEO & ED of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation. After my term ended, I did management consulting work for several years before taking on my current role at CICS. As Executive Director of the Centre for Information and Community Services (CICS), a charitable organization, I am responsible for the overall operation of the agency, and report to a volunteer board of directors. My duties include program development and management, financial and asset management, human resource management, as well as community relations.
