First in a series of profiles of recruiters and association representatives.
Name: Deborah Clarke
Title: Regional Director, Marketing – Southwestern Ontario
Organization: Certified Management Accountants of Ontario
Hometown: Grand Bend, Ontario
Education/Qualifications: Odette School of Business, University of Windsor, (MBA); Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
My first job as a kid: I worked at a roadside fruit stand in Grand Bend, Ontario at the young age of 12 years old. It was my first taste of working alongside an entrepreneur. I was called an entrepreneur before I knew what the word meant. Throughout my career as a young entrepreneur and since, I’ve been told, “An entrepreneur isn’t something you do, it is who you are.” That makes a lot of sense to me and is why I chose the CMA path as my designation of choice. From a very young age I’ve been looked upon as a leader, the ideas person with creative and innovative ways of accessing situations. The CMA designation supports creativity and innovation through the strategic and management training in our program.
Where I am today : I am a change agent with more than 20 years experience acting as either the catalyst for change or helping to manage change in the not-for-profit, municipal government, health care, retail and service sectors. My Work History: For the past ten years I have enjoyed my position, and the resulting growth, as Regional Director Marketing and Communications with CMA Ontario. I have watched students from The University of Western Ontario, Richard Ivey School of Business and University of Windsor graduate and move into some great careers as business leaders and CMAs. Prior to my current position with CMA Ontario, I was the Manager of a privately owned shopping centre, the Administrator of a long term care facility, and the Asst Finance Director for a municipal government construction project My career began working in the tourism industry and flourished as a young entreprenuer as an author, motivational speaker and business management training consultant.
In my spare time : I love to paint – oils on canvas, mostly abstract but also some stills. I also love photography, and travelling the world. I have met so many interesting people in my career and travels.
Interesting fact: Most people wouldn’t guess that I have had my motorcycle license since I was 16 years old. A Suzuki motorcycle was my main mode of transportation to/from school. I grew up riding mini-bikes on trails in the woods around Grand Bend. My grade 8 graduation present from my parents was a Honda 70 mini-bike…Now that brings back memories. Still love the outdoors!
You can reach Deborah Clarke at dclarke@cmaontario.org.
