Family, finance and the future: SAF alumni siblings taking on the finance industry together

Ayman and Ammar Kamran, twin brothers who studied Computing and Financial Management (CFM) together at SAF, graduated in 2023 before beginning their software engineering careers in different cities. Ayman took off to New York City to work in the heart of the finance industry as a Software Engineer at Bloomberg. Alongside a team that delivers the world’s financial data in real-time to enterprise clients, their data pipelines publish 100 billion data points daily on 70 million financial instruments! Ammar, on the other hand, chose a warmer climate and major hub for the tech industry, moving out to San Jose, California. As a Software Engineer at Securiti.ai, he builds Generative AI co-pilots that offer data privacy controls and guardrails for enterprise AI search applications. 

Finding success in their roles, the brothers reflect on how their time with SAF provided them with a breadth of knowledge in accounting and finance. Ammar highlights the School’s offering of diverse topics including corporate finance, managerial accounting, capital markets and international business case studies; Ayman fondly remembers the learning done outside of the classroom with distinguished professors, emphasizes the value of engaging in on-campus clubs, informative extracurricular activities and the abundant networking opportunities. Ammar notes how having this comprehensive understanding of finance has been a crucial skill for his employability as a software engineer, as he can leverage these insights to assist with the scaling of the startup he is working at, evaluating the finances of different technologies and making data-driven decisions based on financial models. 

"Habits will blossom into skills—cultivate them wisely.  
Skills are tools to success—sharpen them daily.  
Success is a loving circle of friends—pursue it thoughtfully.  
Friends become family—choose them carefully.  
Family is the cornerstone of strength—cherish them intently.  
And strength, ultimately, must become habit." –Ayman 

Succeeding in the finance industry is not easy, it takes hard work and support from others. When asked what they most admire about each other, Ayman celebrated his twin brother’s thoughtfulness, dependability, and his ability to uplift others with strength and kindness, adding that he is also a strategic leader who takes initiative in all facets of life and seizes every opportunity. Ammar highlights Ayman’s vision, optimism and determination, admiring how his brother pours his heart and soul into whatever he pursues. Whether Ayman is chasing his own goals or helping others succeed, Ammar admires how his brother approaches these challenges with purpose and genuineness.  

"Time whispers the truth: it’s the habits you keep, not the failures you shoulder, that define yourself. So seek wisdom like a traveler seeks the horizon; walk your own path, but don’t forget to enjoy the view. And when you look back, you’ll never regret being kind yet just, staying curious yet purposeful, and keeping earnest yet clear." –Ammar 

Puneet and Mahek Kaur, recent Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) graduates with specializations in Financial Markets, have been enjoying some time away from work recently – spending time with loved ones, picking up hobbies like cooking and reading, and planning a celebratory graduation trip to Portugal and Spain! 

The Kaur sisters describe how opportunities at SAF—namely classes, extracurricular activities, case competitions and co-op roles—allowed them to explore different focus areas within the finance industry prior to beginning their careers.  

Although Puneet had started university to focus more on accounting and getting her CPA, she started to gravitate towards finance after taking her first finance class AFM 121, taught by Garvin Blair. This interest grew further upon attending her first finance conference, which was hosted by Waterloo’s Women in Finance (WIF). Now, Puneet finds herself working in private equity as an M&A Analyst at banyan Software, a permanent acquirer of software companies. Puneet shares that her time at SAF not only helped her figure out where her interests truly lay, but also allowed her to build invaluable connections and gain the skills and knowledge that have supported her in both her professional and personal life after graduation. 

“Be intentional with your choices and how you spend your time. Prioritize learning, skill-building, and relationships that will compound over time. Avoid saying yes to everything—invest your time in activities that truly add value to your growth. It’s not just about staying busy, it’s about being strategic with how you direct your energy.” –Puneet 

Mahek emphasized how co-op opportunities were particularly helpful in determining the direction of her career following graduation. She remarks that she used her co-op terms to try out four different career paths, helping her realize she was most interested in consulting. Mahek secured a job in this field and will be joining McKinsey as a consultant later this year! While at SAF, she also got involved in various School initiatives and competitions including the Fellowship program, Student Investment Fund and annual strategy case competition, which helped her to develop valuable soft and technical skills that she can carry with her throughout her career.  

“Try new things, take risks, and explore as much as you can. Whether it’s taking an elective in a subject you're unfamiliar with, joining an intramural sports team, or doing a co-op term that’s off the beaten path—experiment and learn more about yourself, your interests, and what excites you.” –Mahek 

Though they followed similar paths, Puneet and Mahek shared that they admire their differences. Mahek remarks that she admires how naturally carefree her sister is, explaining that Puneet is the type of person to arrive at the airport thirty minutes before her flight and still make it onto the plane. Mahek adds that she truly respects that her sister does not let stress dictate her decisions or get in her way, instead, she trusts that things will fall into place and that “annoyingly, they usually do.”  

Conversely, Puneet admires her sister’s incredible discipline, saying that “if you ever need a spreadsheet for something completely unnecessary, [Mahek has] probably already made one.” Mahek’s dedication, organization, and ability to get things done are things Puneet highly respects about her sister, “even if it sometimes makes [her] question [her] own life choices.”