Leadership and academic aptitude earns CFM student, Rachel, the Jim Colvin Scholarship

Written by Maddie, CFM Program and Recruitment Associate

Rachel, a fourth-year student in the Computing and Financial Management program, is the 2025 recipient of the Jim Colvin Scholarship in Computing and Financial Management. Donated by Jim Colvin (BMath '84, Computer Science), the scholarship honours students who demonstrate strong leadership and academic achievement within CFM. 

Within her time at UWaterloo, Rachel has performed tremendously academically and has participated in a number of extracurricular activities, in and out of the classroom - which have developed her skills even further. Notable leadership has been demonstrated in the Student Venture Fund (AFM 326), a hands-on course that gives students exposure to early-stage investing with guidance from industry experts and supervision by faculty members.

Professor Neil Brisley, who is one of Rachel's instructors in the Student Venture Fund, says this of her contribution to the class: "Rachel exemplifies the qualities we aim to develop in the Student Venture Fund. Rachel and I interviewed the CEO of a startup firm in cutting-edge ‘Quantum Sensing’ technology. After our initial call, the CEO told me how impressed he was with Rachel’s ability to quickly understand and articulate the technical thrust of the project, while asking searching questions on the business case, opportunities, and risks".

We sat down with Rachel to congratulate her on receiving the Jim Colvin Scholarship and to gain insights into her academic journey, experiences, and aspirations that led to this award.

She answered a series of questions about her accomplishments and future goals.

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Q: What does it mean for you to win this scholarship?

Rachel: "Winning this scholarship is a huge honour, especially since this is my final term in the CFM program. It is particularly meaningful because I know that the program has an exceptional group of individuals, and to be chosen as the recipient of this award is truly special."

Q: What are the leadership opportunities you’re involved in that relate to the CFM program?

Rachel: "I’ve been involved in two key leadership opportunities. First, I’ve been a part of the Student Venture Fund (SVF) for three terms, beginning in my second year. I started as an analyst and progressed to an associate, eventually taking on a leadership role within the operations team. This experience was invaluable, both in terms of leadership development and honing my investing acumen, which has been directly applicable to my co-op positions, including private equity consulting.

Additionally, I was involved with Women in Finance. I co-led the group for a year and served as an executive prior to that. This role was particularly fulfilling because it provided me with a network of women who support one another in pursuing careers in finance. It’s rewarding to see the events we envisioned, like a professor-student mixer, come to life and make a real impact."

Q: What are the opportunities you’re involved outside of CFM?

Rachel: "I participated in intramural volleyball. Even though we didn’t win any games in some seasons, it was still enjoyable to get out and have fun. I also wrote an article for MathNews, which was a great opportunity to explore other interests during my final term."

Q: What message or advice would you like to give to future students looking to get involved on campus, or within CFM?

Rachel: "I would say it's never too early to start thinking about what you want to do. While opportunities like SVF are available starting in second year, it was beneficial for me to learn about them from my first year. An upper-year CFM student, Julia, was involved in SVF, and hearing about her experiences inspired me to get involved. It’s also important to make connections and get involved as early as possible to maximize the impact of your time at Waterloo."

Q: How has the CFM program at the University of Waterloo shaped your academic and professional growth so far?

Rachel: "The CFM program has been transformative for me. It offers a great blend of computer science and finance, which has allowed me to develop both my logical and analytical thinking skills. I’ve been challenged academically to think critically and push myself further. On the finance side, I have gained the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a career in finance, while also maintaining a broad skill set that will allow me to explore various career paths."

Q: How do you think being involved with SVF has helped you prepare for your career and your life after graduation?

Rachel: "Although SVF focuses on venture capital, many of the skills are highly transferable to private equity. The due diligence process, for example, involves similar tasks, such as analyzing the strengths of a company, understanding the industry, and evaluating its future potential. These are the same skills I used in my co-ops. My experience at BCI (British Columbia Investment Management Corporation) in private equity, followed by my work at PSP (Public Sector Pension Investment), was shaped by the foundational skills I gained in SVF. This experience has given me a strong advantage as I move forward in my career, which will include a full-time role in consulting at Bain & Company."

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Rachel: "I think it’s important to note that there’s often a perception that the CFM program is primarily focused on computer science, with finance as a secondary component. However, my experience has shown me that having both skill sets is incredibly valuable. Every one of my employers has commented on the importance of both the technical and financial aspects of my background. Whether it's in venture capital, due diligence, or any business context, the ability to think logically, solve problems, and apply strong mathematical skills is a huge asset."

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Rachel displays many of the qualities that we see in our CFM student community. She is part of many of the opportunities, associations, and experiences that are offered to our future and current students.