Born in Romania, my parents emigrated to Canada after the fall of communism. When I was nine months old, they left for a chance at a better life for all of us. Their hard work and dedication to education have instilled in me the same values that led to their success.

After completing my Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Guelph, I worked in retail banking for one of Canada’s big six banks. During this time, the bank shifted its focus from sales to a service culture, and I was part of a pilot program that successfully improved the client experience. This led to my transition into a Learning and Development position, where I trained new hires to achieve similar results. After a year of supporting other teams, I moved into a Mutual Fund Advisor role. That initial leap then propelled me to work with one of Canada’s largest retail custodians, where I learned about supporting independent portfolio management firms across Canada. Using my L&D experience, I supported the development of each new hire on our team by building their knowledge and confidence. Eventually, I created a first-of-its-kind 100-hour New Employee Onboarding program and a 4-week Leadership Development Program.

Following this, I had an opportunity to follow my passion by moving into a Trading role, where I supported domestic and international equities, mutual funds, options, fixed income, and FX trading for Portfolio Managers. Now, at Dixon Mitchell, I support the development of those working within our Trade Desk and Operations department.

I hold certificates in Technical Analysis, Equity Trading and Sales, Fixed Income Trading and Sales, Derivative Market Strategies, and Advanced Investment Advice. I am also currently pursuing technical courses in Python and SQL through BCIT.

Since moving to Vancouver from Toronto in April 2024, I have been exploring the city with fresh eyes, and I’m learning a lot about this beautiful city day by day. What’s one thing I’ve learned so far? The view of the mountains every day makes Vancouver truly special.