News

The tax landscape is evolving rapidly, making cross-sector collaboration and lifelong professional connections more vital than ever.

The newly launched Master of Taxation (MTax) Alumni Network is designed to bring together SAF’s global community of tax leaders to share knowledge and support the next generation.

Meet the cohort that bet on a new kind of professional — and won.

In 2021, 12 students enrolled in a degree that didn't yet have a graduating class, an employer track record, or even a course calendar listing. Today, they cross the convocation stage as the first-ever graduates of the Sustainability and Financial Management (SFM) program — and every single one of them has a next step. Six are heading into the Master of Accounting program, and six have landed full-time roles, five of them directly in sustainability and ESG.

The School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) brought together over 100 donors, alumni, students and faculty at the 2026 SAF Alumni Excellence Gala for an evening celebrating achievement, leadership and community.

The gala honoured the outstanding achievements and milestones earned across the SAF community over the past year — from alumni making their mark at the highest levels of their fields, to students representing Waterloo on the world stage in competition against the best and brightest universities globally.

Adnan Khan (MAcc ’17), co-founder and co-CEO of Viva Talent, is being recognized with the School of Accounting and Finance’s 2025 Leader to Watch Award. From launching his first social venture as a student to building a global talent platform, Khan’s work is rooted in expanding access to opportunity.

A committed member of the SAF community, Khan continues to give back through mentorship and support for student initiatives. His journey reflects a belief in the power of relationships, curiosity and creating pathways for others to succeed.

From first-generation student to senior RBC leader, Troy Maxwell (MAcc ’89) has spent his career driving results and helping organizations evolve. In recognition of his contributions to the banking industry and his ongoing support of the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF), he has received the Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award.

Throughout his career, Maxwell has championed mentorship, broad thinking and continuous learning — values shaped during his time at Waterloo. Today, he continues to give back to SAF and its students, helping to inspire the next generation of finance leaders.

Three School of Accounting and Finance alumni — Francesca Loreto (MAcc ’16), Jacqueline Sue (MAcc ’19) and Akash Kapoor (MAcc ‘14) — have been named among CPA Ontario’s 2025 Emerging Leaders, recognized for their early career impact and commitment to uplifting others.

Their journeys reflect a shared dedication to mentorship, community leadership, and shaping what’s next for the profession.

Each year, the University of Waterloo recognizes exceptional alumni from each faculty and school with Alumni Awards. Recipients from 2025, Troy Maxwell (BA ’89, MAcc ’89) and Adnan Khan (BAFM ’17, MAcc ’17), are highlighted for their professional achievements, leadership and community impact.

Visit the 2025 Alumni Awards page for a full list of recipients.

Jatinder Bassi (MAcc ’10), President of Echelon Insurance, reflects on continuous learning, leadership growth and the mindset shifts that supported his journey from accounting and finance roles to executive leadership.

In this Q&A, he shares practical career insights and advice for the next generation of business leaders.

Graduate studies aren’t just about earning a degree — they’re about asking deeper questions, gaining new perspectives and shaping conversations that reach far beyond the classroom.

This month, we’re spotlighting Jillian Adams (PhD ’24), a School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) alum whose passion for tax policy and pursuit of a PhD shows how curiosity can be turned into impact.

Benjie Thomas (PDAcc '98), CEO of KPMG in Canada returned to the University of Waterloo's School of Accounting and Finance where he was recognized for his longstanding generosity to the University and shared valuable career insights with the next generation of accounting and finance professionals.