MEET THE TEAM
Alex MacDonald
Co-President
EY, Toronto
Vivek Bassi
Co-President
EMCO, London
Hannah Watson
Vice President, Sponsorship & Finance
Edward Ouyang
Vice President, Events
Vivek is currently completing a 13-month work term at EMCO on the Internal Audit Team. Upon graduation, he aspires to obtain his CPA designation. Previously, Vivek held the VP of Sponsorship role within the Western Accounting Association and is serving as a Co-President, where he is responsible for overseeing the club’s operations and maintaining strong professional relationships with sponsors, executives and club members. Vivek has repeatedly shown his dedication to WAA’s goals to bridge the gap between Western’s students and accounting professionals to provide opportunities for the club’s members. He does so in an insightful manner, as he uses his expertise to consistently provide valuable contributions, suggestions and advice. He is ecstatic to work alongside the rest of the team to not only ensure the club’s success this year, but also for the years to come. Overall, Vivek is a committed student that is regularly willing to lead, learn and be an effective brand ambassador for WAA.
Andre is in his third year at Western University and has begun his first year in the Honors Business Administration (HBA) program at the Richard Ivey School of Business. Andre has been a Director of Events in the 2018-2019 year for Western Accounting Association (WAA) before returning as the Vice President of Finance for this year. He will be responsible for overseeing WAA’s budget and collaborating with the executive team in order to ensure that WAA has another successful year. Andre has worked for the past two summers as a Manager at Hidden Lake Golf Club in Burlington. He also an executive for Western Cryptocurrency and can be found keeping up with world events and financial news. Along with ensuring that the future of WAA has a sound financial foundation Andre hopes to ensure the club offers a valuable experience for all of its members.
Edward is in his third year at Western University, studying Management and Organizational Studies with a Specialization in Accounting. He is very interested in the different functions of the accounting industry and plans to pursue the CPA designation in the future. Edward was a general member of WAA in his first year and a Director of Events in his second year. In addition, he is also a Faculty of Social Science Soph and a Director of the Canadian Asian International Students’ Association. This past summer, Edward was as an intern at SGGG Fund Services Inc. as a Financial Reporting Analyst. Edward is a passionate executive who is dedicated to facilitating new and existing events of WAA during the upcoming school year.
Malena is a fourth-year student in the Honors Business Administration (HBA) program at the Richard Ivey School of Business. She has been a dedicated member of the Western Accounting Association (WAA) serving as the Director of Events for two years and will now take on the role of Vice President of Communications. This position will require Malena to actively engage with WAA's members and potential members. All while promoting the club events on various social media platforms. Her experiences coupled with her previous involvement in marketing and public relations will allow her to showcase her creativity and gifted design capabilities. Malena is committed to maintaining the integrity of the organization and excited to contribute to another successful year for WAA.
Malena Thushanthan
Vice President, Communications
WAA Directors 2020-2021
Daivik Shelat
Director of Events
Daivik is a first-year student in the Dan Management and Organizational Studies (BMOS) program. He plans to major in accounting starting his second year. As a Director of Events, Daivik's role involves helping behind the scenes at events to ensure everything flows smoothly.
Noor Hussain
Director of Events
Noor is a first-year student in the Management and Organizational Studies program at Western University. She plans to pursue a specialization in Accounting and her CPA designation upon graduation. Noor is a dedicated member of the Western Accounting Association (WAA) serving as the Director of Events this year. In her spare time, she enjoys reading classical literature, trying new outdoor activities, and practicing photography. Noor is committed to supporting the Events team in the planning and execution process of WAA events and ideating new and innovative ways to engage students in Accounting opportunities.
Kiera Taylor
Director of Events
Kiera is in her second year at Western University, studying Management and Organizational Studies with an Honours Specialization in Accounting. She plans to pursue the CPA designation after graduation. This year she is serving as the Director of Events as her first year in this role. In addition, she is also a Charity Soph and an executive on the University Student Council Peer Support team. This past summer, Kiera was an intern at Crom Financial Services. Kiera is excited to be a part of the WAA team and is committed to representing the organization and contributing to the success of future events!
Ben Stonkus
Director of Events
Ben is in his third year at Western University, studying Management and Organizational Studies with a specialization in Accounting. He is interested in audit and advisory and plans to pursue the CPA designation after graduation. This is Ben’s first year in the club serving as a Director of Events. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and golf as well as keeping up with the financial markets. This past summer, Ben interned at rSolutions, an IT Security and Data Analytics company. Ben is an active member of the Western Community and holds leadership positions with Students Fight Parkinson’s and the Western Real Estate Club. He loves meeting new people and looks forward to being an excellent brand ambassador for WAA.
Samantha Su
First-Year Representative
Samantha is in her first year in the Management and Organizational Studies program at Western University. She plans to study at the Richard Ivey School of Business in her third and fourth year. She is excited to be taking on the role of First Year Representative for the Western Accounting Association (WAA). This position will require Samantha to advertise and promote WAA’s events to all first-year students at Western and its affiliates. This past year, Samantha worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor, and played competitive sports. Samantha is looking forward to being a part of the WAA team and the unique learning opportunities it provides.
Chantel Ferro
Second-Year Representative
Chantel is in her second year in the Management and Organizational Studies program at Western University. She is excited to take on the role of Second-Year Representative on the Western Accounting Association through which she actively engages with Western community to promote the club. Chantel is currently working as an Accounting Clerk at a private firm and intends on applying her hands-on skills to her role in WAA. She plans to obtain her CPA designation upon graduation, and is looking forward to being a part of WAA and working among the other executives.
Rohen Nayyar
Third-Year Representative
Rohen is a third-year student in the Honors Business Administration (HBA) program at the Richard Ivey School of Business. He plans to pursue his CPA designation upon graduation. After being an active member of the Western Accounting Association (WAA) during his first 2 years, Rohen now serves as the Director of Communications. He is also a Section Representative for the Ivey Accounting Club. This past summer, Rohen worked as an Intern in the Audit and Assurance division at Deloitte Vancouver and looks forward to returning again for the 2021 summer. In his free time, he enjoys playing Basketball and Rugby, playing poker and managing his fantasy teams. Rohen is excited to work with the WAA team this year and help contribute towards enhancing communication between Western students and the Accounting industry.
Hannah Watson
Third-Year Representative
Hannah is in her first year in the Management and Organizational Studies program at Western University with the goal of obtaining a specialization in accounting. She plans to obtain her CPA designation upon graduating in a couple years. She is taking on the role of First Year Representative on the Western Accounting Association (WAA). In this role, Hannah is required to advertise and promote WAA’s events to all first year students at Western and its affiliates. This past year, Hannah worked as a Customer Service Representative for Scotiabank where she gained real world experience in finance. Hannah is looking forward to being a part of the WAA and learning from other executives.
Ania Krekora
Second Year Representative
Aaryan Patel
Third Year Representative
Abby Berkvens
Fourth Year Representative
Peter Chen
Director of Finance/Sponsorship
Mahima Asrani
Director of Finance/Sponsorship
Ania is in her second year of the Management and Organizational Behaviour program at Western University pursuing a specialization in Accounting. Ania is excited to be joining the Western Accounting Association team as the Second Year Representative. She is looking forward to collaborating amongst many other like-minded students also pursuing a CPA designation upon graduation and working with the talented executive team. Previously holding the position as a CPA Ontario Ambassador, Ania is happy to continue her involvement within the Accounting community. While communicating to the Western University student body about upcoming events, Ania is committed to ensuring that students will proud to be a part of such a prestigious student association.
Abby is in her fourth year in the Management and Organizational Studies program specializing in accounting. Upon graduation she plans to obtain her CPA designation. Abby is the 4th year representative for the Western Accounting Association. In this role, Abby actively engage with WAA members and promote the club. She is very excited to be a part of the team and contribute to the success of the club.
Peter is in his first year at Western University and has just begun his journey of obtaining his Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies. Peter was previously a Marketing Assistant at Wequal, a non-profit organization in which he was responsible for creating a variety of advertisements and translating documents. He plans to put forth considerable effort to help the Western Accounting Association provide more value to its members. Peter also aims to improve his social skills through his director position on the Western Accounting Association. In his spare time, Peter likes to play tennis with his friends, play the cello and piano. Peter is looking forward to work hard and to help the club achieve its goals and gain more experience in the accounting industry.
Mahima is a third-year student in the Management and Organizational Studies Program at Western University working towards obtaining an honours specialization in accounting, and pursuing her CPA designation upon graduation. This is her first year being involved with Western Accounting Association. As Director of Finance and Sponsorship, she will collaborate with other VPs and executives to ensure a successful year for WAA. In this role, Mahima is responsible for striving to increase sponsorship engagement while building more valuable relationships with new and existing sponsors, as well as using WAA funds to maximize member value. Mahima also aspires to serve as an effective overall brand ambassador through spreading awareness of our events to fellow students and club members. Mahima previously worked as analyst intern at Lincoln International Investment Consulting Firm. Mahima looks forward to contributing as an involved executive member for WAA in the future to gain valuable experience and further improve WAA alongside its team!
MEET THE TEAM
Alex MacDonald
Co-President
EY, Toronto
Vivek Bassi
Co-President
EMCO, London
Hannah Watson
Vice President, Sponsorship & Finance
Edward Ouyang
Vice President, Events
Vivek is currently completing a 13-month work term at EMCO on the Internal Audit Team. Upon graduation, he aspires to obtain his CPA designation. Previously, Vivek held the VP of Sponsorship role within the Western Accounting Association and is serving as a Co-President, where he is responsible for overseeing the club’s operations and maintaining strong professional relationships with sponsors, executives and club members. Vivek has repeatedly shown his dedication to WAA’s goals to bridge the gap between Western’s students and accounting professionals to provide opportunities for the club’s members. He does so in an insightful manner, as he uses his expertise to consistently provide valuable contributions, suggestions and advice. He is ecstatic to work alongside the rest of the team to not only ensure the club’s success this year, but also for the years to come. Overall, Vivek is a committed student that is regularly willing to lead, learn and be an effective brand ambassador for WAA.
Andre is in his third year at Western University and has begun his first year in the Honors Business Administration (HBA) program at the Richard Ivey School of Business. Andre has been a Director of Events in the 2018-2019 year for Western Accounting Association (WAA) before returning as the Vice President of Finance for this year. He will be responsible for overseeing WAA’s budget and collaborating with the executive team in order to ensure that WAA has another successful year. Andre has worked for the past two summers as a Manager at Hidden Lake Golf Club in Burlington. He also an executive for Western Cryptocurrency and can be found keeping up with world events and financial news. Along with ensuring that the future of WAA has a sound financial foundation Andre hopes to ensure the club offers a valuable experience for all of its members.
Edward is in his third year at Western University, studying Management and Organizational Studies with a Specialization in Accounting. He is very interested in the different functions of the accounting industry and plans to pursue the CPA designation in the future. Edward was a general member of WAA in his first year and a Director of Events in his second year. In addition, he is also a Faculty of Social Science Soph and a Director of the Canadian Asian International Students’ Association. This past summer, Edward was as an intern at SGGG Fund Services Inc. as a Financial Reporting Analyst. Edward is a passionate executive who is dedicated to facilitating new and existing events of WAA during the upcoming school year.
Malena is a fourth-year student in the Honors Business Administration (HBA) program at the Richard Ivey School of Business. She has been a dedicated member of the Western Accounting Association (WAA) serving as the Director of Events for two years and will now take on the role of Vice President of Communications. This position will require Malena to actively engage with WAA's members and potential members. All while promoting the club events on various social media platforms. Her experiences coupled with her previous involvement in marketing and public relations will allow her to showcase her creativity and gifted design capabilities. Malena is committed to maintaining the integrity of the organization and excited to contribute to another successful year for WAA.
Malena Thushanthan
Vice President, Communications
WAA Directors 2020-2021
Daivik Shelat
Director of Events
Daivik is a first-year student in the Dan Management and Organizational Studies (BMOS) program. He plans to major in accounting starting his second year. As a Director of Events, Daivik's role involves helping behind the scenes at events to ensure everything flows smoothly.
Noor Hussain
Director of Events
Noor is a first-year student in the Management and Organizational Studies program at Western University. She plans to pursue a specialization in Accounting and her CPA designation upon graduation. Noor is a dedicated member of the Western Accounting Association (WAA) serving as the Director of Events this year. In her spare time, she enjoys reading classical literature, trying new outdoor activities, and practicing photography. Noor is committed to supporting the Events team in the planning and execution process of WAA events and ideating new and innovative ways to engage students in Accounting opportunities.
Kiera Taylor
Director of Events
Kiera is in her second year at Western University, studying Management and Organizational Studies with an Honours Specialization in Accounting. She plans to pursue the CPA designation after graduation. This year she is serving as the Director of Events as her first year in this role. In addition, she is also a Charity Soph and an executive on the University Student Council Peer Support team. This past summer, Kiera was an intern at Crom Financial Services. Kiera is excited to be a part of the WAA team and is committed to representing the organization and contributing to the success of future events!
Ben Stonkus
Director of Events
Ben is in his third year at Western University, studying Management and Organizational Studies with a specialization in Accounting. He is interested in audit and advisory and plans to pursue the CPA designation after graduation. This is Ben’s first year in the club serving as a Director of Events. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and golf as well as keeping up with the financial markets. This past summer, Ben interned at rSolutions, an IT Security and Data Analytics company. Ben is an active member of the Western Community and holds leadership positions with Students Fight Parkinson’s and the Western Real Estate Club. He loves meeting new people and looks forward to being an excellent brand ambassador for WAA.
Samantha Su
First-Year Representative
Samantha is in her first year in the Management and Organizational Studies program at Western University. She plans to study at the Richard Ivey School of Business in her third and fourth year. She is excited to be taking on the role of First Year Representative for the Western Accounting Association (WAA). This position will require Samantha to advertise and promote WAA’s events to all first-year students at Western and its affiliates. This past year, Samantha worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor, and played competitive sports. Samantha is looking forward to being a part of the WAA team and the unique learning opportunities it provides.
Chantel Ferro
Second-Year Representative
Chantel is in her second year in the Management and Organizational Studies program at Western University. She is excited to take on the role of Second-Year Representative on the Western Accounting Association through which she actively engages with Western community to promote the club. Chantel is currently working as an Accounting Clerk at a private firm and intends on applying her hands-on skills to her role in WAA. She plans to obtain her CPA designation upon graduation, and is looking forward to being a part of WAA and working among the other executives.
Rohen Nayyar
Third-Year Representative
Rohen Nayyar
Third-Year Representative
Rohen is a third-year student in the Honors Business Administration (HBA) program at the Richard Ivey School of Business. He plans to pursue his CPA designation upon graduation. After being an active member of the Western Accounting Association (WAA) during his first 2 years, Rohen now serves as the Director of Communications. He is also a Section Representative for the Ivey Accounting Club. This past summer, Rohen worked as an Intern in the Audit and Assurance division at Deloitte Vancouver and looks forward to returning again for the 2021 summer. In his free time, he enjoys playing Basketball and Rugby, playing poker and managing his fantasy teams. Rohen is excited to work with the WAA team this year and help contribute towards enhancing communication between Western students and the Accounting industry.
Rohen is a third-year student in the Honors Business Administration (HBA) program at the Richard Ivey School of Business. He plans to pursue his CPA designation upon graduation. After being an active member of the Western Accounting Association (WAA) during his first 2 years, Rohen now serves as the Director of Communications. He is also a Section Representative for the Ivey Accounting Club. This past summer, Rohen worked as an Intern in the Audit and Assurance division at Deloitte Vancouver and looks forward to returning again for the 2021 summer. In his free time, he enjoys playing Basketball and Rugby, playing poker and managing his fantasy teams. Rohen is excited to work with the WAA team this year and help contribute towards enhancing communication between Western students and the Accounting industry.
Hannah Watson
Third-Year Representative
Hannah is in her first year in the Management and Organizational Studies program at Western University with the goal of obtaining a specialization in accounting. She plans to obtain her CPA designation upon graduating in a couple years. She is taking on the role of First Year Representative on the Western Accounting Association (WAA). In this role, Hannah is required to advertise and promote WAA’s events to all first year students at Western and its affiliates. This past year, Hannah worked as a Customer Service Representative for Scotiabank where she gained real world experience in finance. Hannah is looking forward to being a part of the WAA and learning from other executives.
Ania Krekora
Second Year Representative
Aaryan Patel
Third Year Representative
Abby Berkvens
Fourth Year Representative
Peter Chen
Director of Finance/Sponsorship
Ania is in her second year of the Management and Organizational Behaviour program at Western University pursuing a specialization in Accounting. Ania is excited to be joining the Western Accounting Association team as the Second Year Representative. She is looking forward to collaborating amongst many other like-minded students also pursuing a CPA designation upon graduation and working with the talented executive team. Previously holding the position as a CPA Ontario Ambassador, Ania is happy to continue her involvement within the Accounting community. While communicating to the Western University student body about upcoming events, Ania is committed to ensuring that students will proud to be a part of such a prestigious student association.
Abby is in her fourth year in the Management and Organizational Studies program specializing in accounting. Upon graduation she plans to obtain her CPA designation. Abby is the 4th year representative for the Western Accounting Association. In this role, Abby actively engage with WAA members and promote the club. She is very excited to be a part of the team and contribute to the success of the club.
Peter is in his first year at Western University and has just begun his journey of obtaining his Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies. Peter was previously a Marketing Assistant at Wequal, a non-profit organization in which he was responsible for creating a variety of advertisements and translating documents. He plans to put forth considerable effort to help the Western Accounting Association provide more value to its members. Peter also aims to improve his social skills through his director position on the Western Accounting Association. In his spare time, Peter likes to play tennis with his friends, play the cello and piano. Peter is looking forward to work hard and to help the club achieve its goals and gain more experience in the accounting industry.
Mahima is a third-year student in the Management and Organizational Studies Program at Western University working towards obtaining an honours specialization in accounting, and pursuing her CPA designation upon graduation. This is her first year being involved with Western Accounting Association. As Director of Finance and Sponsorship, she will collaborate with other VPs and executives to ensure a successful year for WAA. In this role, Mahima is responsible for striving to increase sponsorship engagement while building more valuable relationships with new and existing sponsors, as well as using WAA funds to maximize member value. Mahima also aspires to serve as an effective overall brand ambassador through spreading awareness of our events to fellow students and club members. Mahima previously worked as analyst intern at Lincoln International Investment Consulting Firm. Mahima looks forward to contributing as an involved executive member for WAA in the future to gain valuable experience and further improve WAA alongside its team!
WAA Executive Team 2023-2024
Kelly Song
Co-President
Hello, my name is Kelly Song, and I am currently in my fourth year of the Management and Organizational Studies program, where I'm focusing on obtaining an Honours Specialization in Accounting. After completing my studies, I plan to pursue my CPA designation. Alongside my academic pursuits, I am honored to serve as this year's Co-President, taking charge of overseeing club operations and nurturing professional relationships with sponsors and fellow club members. During the 2021-2022 academic year, I served as the Director of Events at WAA, and this past year, I held the position of VP of Events. Over the summer, I interned at EY under their Financial Service practice. Outside of academics, I am on the Varsity Figure Skating team, and in my free time, I enjoy binging my favorite show. I am excited to embark on this journey as Co-President alongside my partner, Rachel. Together, we aim to make a positive impact to the club and create memorable experiences for everyone involved.
Rachel Lee
Co-President
Hey WAA! My name is Rachel Lee and I am currently in my third year at Western, beginning HBA1 at the Ivey School of Business. I am extremely excited to be a Co-President of WAA, along with my partner Kelly, as I have enjoyed all the events and opportunities that the club has offered me in the past few years. In my first year, I was a general member, and then joined the executive team in my second year as the VP of Communications. I learned so much from my time in WAA and cannot wait to see what this great year and team has in store! Following my passions in accounting and the business field, I am planning to pursue my CPA designation upon graduation. This past summer, I interned at EY as an Assurance Intern in their Financial Services practice. With my passion and experience in the field, I am determined to relay the great experiences I’ve had to my fellow WAA members and to make this year memorable for all!
Hello, I'm Khalid Al Zadjali. Born in Qatar and proudly Omani, I've always been driven by a deep fascination for numbers and the stories they tell. Now in my third year at Western and my first year at the Ivey School of Business, I've grown from an eager member to the VP of Sponsorship and Finance at the Western Accounting Association (WAA). My dedication to WAA is mirrored in my professional journey with Bank of Montreal (BMO). From understanding complex wealth structures to analyzing intricate operations, my two summers at BMO have been transformative. I’m excited to leverage this experience to further WAA’s mission. Here's to learning, growing, and achieving together.
Khalid Al Zadjali
Vice President, Sponsorship & Finance
Mary Gefter
Vice President, Events
Hi, my name is Mary Gefter. I'm in my fourth year of the BMOS program at Western, working towards obtaining an Honours Specialization in Accounting, as well as my CPA designation. Currently, I am working as a Junior Accountant at Measured Growth CPA, with a focus in bookkeeping and tax. I have been a part of WAA for multiple years, including the previous year where I served as Director of Events. I am so excited to be VP of Events this year, so that I can put on the same successful events as last year, plus add new ones. I hope this year is rewarding and fun for all WAA members!
Hi, I'm Mackenzie Widdup. I am in my third year at Western, and my first year in the HBA program at Ivey School of Business. In my first two years, I studied Accounting and Economics. WAA was the first club I ever joined at Western, so I have been a member for two years already. Last year I was able to serve as Second Year Communications Representative, where I created social media posts about upcoming events. This year, I will use that experience as I take on the role of Communications VP. I am looking forward to improving WAA from this position and making the association easily accessible to members. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in WAA, and I encourage anyone else to join if they want to connect with others in the industry and learn about career path options.
Mackenzie Widdup
Vice President, Communications
Hi, my name is Ainsley Kaszecki. I'm a third-year student in the Management and Organization Studies program, with an Honours Specialization in Accounting. I plan to pursue my MBA upon graduation and further my education in the sports business area. I have been a general member of WAA for the past two years, and look to make an impact in my third as VP of Recruiting. Throughout my time in WAA, I have gained the communication skills necessary for networking, which I hope to now share with the other members. This past summer I was a Financial Operations Representative at Halton Region, where I learned many new skills that I will use in my new position for the upcoming school year.
Ainsley Kaszecki
Vice President, Recruiting
WAA Directors 2023-2024
Melodie Goverde
Director of Events
Feiyu Lin
Director of Events
Shivum Aery
Director of Events
Adam Keogh
Director of Events
Reanna Toivis
Communications Representative
Emma Bradacs
Communications Representative
Cameron de Mello
Communications Representative
Derica Zheung
Communications Representative
Brooke Mirabella
Director of Sponsorship & Finance
Anthony Woo
Director of Sponsorship & Finance
Teja Sabapathy
Director of Sponsorship & Finance
Sultan Hafez
Director of Sponsorship & Finance
Megan Bisset
Director of Recruiting
Rachel Shapton
Director of Recruiting
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Academic Advisory
Stacey Hann, CPA, CA
Academic Advisory
Western University
Stacey is a Lecturer in the DAN Management and Organizational Studies Department at Western University. Her teaching focus is in the areas of intermediate accounting, auditing and advanced accounting. Stacey also teaches in the Graduate Diploma of Accounting for students wishing to pursue a CPA designation. Stacey started her career in public accounting as a Senior Manager in the Assurance and Advisory group at Deloitte, where she obtained her Chartered Public Accountant designation. Prior to joining the DAN faculty, she also worked in industry as the Manager of Treasury, and Controller at Emco Corporation.