2013 Schulich Alumni Recognition Awards
Over the years, graduates of the Schulich School of Business have attained a number of noteworthy accomplishments. On Thursday, May 9th, the achievements of four graduates will be recognized at the annualSchulich Alumni Recognition Awards.
Presented by the Schulich School of Business and the Schulich Global Alumni Network, the 2013 Alumni Recognition Awards will honour Mr. Frank Vettese (BBA ’86, MBA ’91), Managing Partner & Chief Executive, Deloitte; Mr. Patrick Iaboni (BBA ’93, MBA ’94), President, Berkley Developments; Ms. Janice R. Fukakusa(MBA ’79), Chief Administrative Officer & Chief Financial Officer, Royal Bank of Canada; and Mr. Bill Graham (MBA ’86), President, Schulich Global Alumni Network, Schulich School of Business.
Frank Vettese (BBA ’86, MBA ’91), Managing Partner & Chief Executive, Deloitte, will be presented with theOutstanding Executive Leadership Award for extraordinary achievement, leadership and innovation in a global operation. Throughout his 25-year career in public accounting and professional services, Mr. Vettese has focused on valuations and forensic and dispute consulting.
The depth and breadth of his experience lends Mr. Vettese a unique perspective in client engagements. He has extensive knowledge across a multitude of practice areas, including, but not limited to, expertise in business valuations, quantification of economic damages, forensic accounting, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, as well as accounting standards and practices.
In his current role as Managing Partner and Chief Executive, Mr. Vettese is committed to evolving the service offerings of Deloitte to provide integrated solutions to the significant issues and opportunities his clients face. He believes integration and innovation are critical in order to realize the firm’s vision of significant market leadership and distinction, and is relentlessly driving what Deloitte calls “As One” behavior, which fosters collaboration across Deloitte’s global network of member firms.
Mr. Vettese’s leadership goes beyond his professional career. He is an active member of various boards and has developed and led diversity-related initiatives worldwide. Among other charitable endeavours, he co-chairs the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund. Deeply involved in educating future leaders, he is also an accomplished lecturer for universities and professional associations
After working in Scotiabank’s Real Estate Lending Group, Patrick Iaboni (BBA ’93, MBA ’94), founded the Berkley Group of Companies in 1996 with a small residential development. Since then, the company has completed over 40 real estate development projects representing over 3,000 single-family homes and condominium units. On May 9th, Mr. Iaboni will be presented with the award for Outstanding Progress and Achievement for demonstrating outstanding career potential and early success and recognition in his field.
Under Mr. Iaboni’s leadership, the Berkley Group has completed the acquisition of over $300 million of income producing assets across Southern Ontario and the South Florida markets and the property management group manages over 7,500 residential apartments throughout Ontario. Windsor Capital, the mezzanine financing division of the company has placed over $400 million in mezzanine financing throughout North America. The Group’s latest diversification includes the recent acquisition of two automotive dealerships in Southern Florida.
Mr. Iaboni graduated from Schulich with his BBA in 1993 and his MBA in 1994. During his time at the School, he was the winner of the Alan and Esther Hockin award for highest GPA in the BBA program, as well as the Gold Medal winner for highest graduating average in the MBA program. For the past 12 years, Mr. Iaboni has been teaching Real Estate Finance and Real Estate Development on a part-time basis at the School and received a Schulich Teaching Excellence Award in both 2008 and 2011.
The award for Outstanding Public Contribution will be presented to one of the top financial executives in the country, Janice R. Fukakusa (MBA ’79),Chief Administrative Officer & Chief Financial Officer, Royal Bank of Canada. As a member of RBC’s Group Executive, Ms. Fukakusa is one of nine executives responsible for setting the overall strategic direction of RBC. Since joining RBC in 1985, she has held positions in retail and business banking, corporate banking, account management, corporate finance, treasury, strategic development and corporate functions.
Ms. Fukakusa serves on a number of professional and charitable organizations, including Wellspring Cancer Support, Princess Margaret Hospital, Ryerson University and Schulich School of Business. In 2011, Ms. Fukakusa was named one of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario’s Fellows of the Institute, earning the designation FCA. The highest designation the Institute confers, Fellowship is awarded for outstanding career achievements as well as outstanding service to the community and the profession. In 2007, she was inducted into Canada’s Most Powerful Women Hall of Fame.
The Outstanding Contribution to the Schulich School of Business award will be presented to a much-deserving recipient this year, Bill Graham (MBA ’86), who contributes countless hours to the School as President of the Schulich Global Alumni Network, Executive-in-Residence for the International MBA Program, a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council and on the Board of the York University Alumni Association.
Mr. Graham is the President of Quartham International. Prior to this, he was the founding President and CEO of Proponix Inc., a global technology and process outsourcing company owned by Barclay’s Bank Plc, Bank of Montreal Ltd., ANZ Banking Corporation and American Management Systems (now CGI Inc), and dedicated 15 years to his career at Citibank N.A., serving in various international positions including Asia-Pacific Regional Head of Financial Institutions (Singapore), Interim Head of Citibank Canada, and Managing Director of the Canadian Financial Institutions Group and Global Transactions Services (Toronto).
Bill has an MBA with distinction in International Finance and Business from Schulich, and a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University. He is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and is a Professional Engineer (retired).
