From campus to career: early achievements of recent SAF alumni

Just a few years after earning his undergrad degree, Dominic Lau is already making bold moves in the world of venture capital. As a partner at Ripple Ventures, Dominic leads the firm’s Vancouver office, investing in early-stage startups across Canada and the United States. Ripple backs founders who are transforming B2B industries with software and AI, often before they even have a product or revenue. 

Dominic’s passion for helping founders turn unconventional ideas into world-changing companies is what drives his work. “Especially at the earliest stages, when belief is scarce and execution is everything, being a trusted partner through those inflection points is incredibly rewarding,” he says. 

He credits SAF for providing the right foundation to leap into venture investing. “The School of Accounting and Finance gave me a strong foundation in analytical thinking, financial rigor, and business model evaluation—skills that are crucial in venture investing,” Dominic shares. The co-op experience was just as important, offering firsthand exposure to different roles, industries and company stages, and helping him build pattern recognition early on. 

For those who are just beginning their careers, Dominic shares that “You don't need to have all the answers, but you do need to ask the right questions. Curiosity and velocity of learning compound faster than any credential.” 

Looking ahead, Dominic is focused on scaling Ripple Ventures into a go-to partner for top-tier founders, building the next wave of innovation. He’s also collaborating with corporations and conglomerates to help them adopt new technologies and prepare for the age of AI. 

Whether it’s guiding first-time founders or helping large organizations adapt, Dominic is proving that success isn’t just about how early you start — it’s about how deeply you engage. His story shows that with the right mindset and mentorship, young professionals can play a big role in shaping the future of business and tech. 

Since completing the Master of Accounting (MAcc) program at the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF), Travis Fonderson has built an impressive resume that includes earning his CPA, Chartered Business Valuator (CBV) and Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) designations. Now an associate at Cohen Hamilton Steger & Co. Inc (CHS), Canada’s leading boutique firm for business valuation and economic damages quantification, Travis focuses on complex financial matters that require both technical depth and strong analytical judgment. 

At CHS, Travis supports litigation teams through business valuations, economic loss quantification and forensic accounting investigations. He describes his role as one that provides “litigation support on a broad range of financial matters” and involves assisting in “the preparation of expert reports for complex commercial disputes.” One of the most rewarding parts of the work for Travis is seeing his contributions directly reflected in the final deliverables relied upon by clients, legal counsel and even the courts. 

Looking back, Travis remarks “SAF played a pivotal role in shaping my early career, particularly through its robust employer engagement initiatives.” Exposure to industry professionals from as early as his first year helped open important doors, including national campus recruitment conferences for three of the Big Four firms. “Each of these selections resulted in offers of employment—initially as a co-op student, and subsequently as a full-time hire,” he says. Among his early career highlights was being named the sole recipient of the PwC Professional Award, recognizing the delegate who best exemplified the firm’s values. 

Travis’s interest in business valuation emerged during his time in the MAcc program, where he enrolled in the Introduction to Business Valuations elective. He explains that although it was a course many students avoided due to both midterm and final exams, he was drawn to the subject matter and was eager to explore its practical applications. The course not only sparked his interest, but also provided exemptions from two CBV Institute courses, giving him an early advantage in the field. Within a year of completing the MAcc and CFE, he accepted a role with CHS. 

Travis shares his best piece of advice for young professionals — learn to be an effective communicator. “The true value of your work lies not just in the quality of your analysis, but in how clearly you can communicate it. Your insights are only as impactful as they are understandable.” He emphasizes that financial concepts may be entirely unfamiliar to clients and stakeholders and advises professionals to always explain their work with clarity and simplicity. 

Looking ahead, Travis is excited to grow in two key areas: business development and mentorship. He hopes to become more involved in speaking at professional events, presenting proposals to prospective clients, and is eager to support the next generation of CBVs. From rigorous electives to real-world impact, Travis’s story is a strong example of how early-career professionals can build credibility and influence by combining technical excellence, communication and mentorship.