alumni newsletter - summer 2011
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Alumni NewsletterAlumni NewsletterAIESEC Edmonton
Summer 2011
Alumni Profile: Oscar Mauricio Lopez
AIESECer Profile: Shree Govindarajan
Chat with the Executive Boardof 2011-2012
Alumni NewsletterAlumni NewsletterAIESEC Edmonton
AIESEC EDMONTON ISSUE 1 – SUMMER 2011 aiesec.ca/edmonton IN THIS ISSUE Page 1
Page 2
Upcoming Events
News Updates Page 3 Alumni Profile: Oscar Mauricio Lopez Page 5 AIESECer Profile: Shree Govindarajan Page 7 Chat with the Executive Board of 2011-2012 Page 9 Keep In Touch
CONTRIBUTORS News and Upcoming Events - Jessica Steingard & Silu Liu Alumni Profile & Chat with the Executive Board – Karis Oswald AIESECer Profile – Pippa Kennard & Vivian Man DESIGN Sergio Ortega CONTACT US AIESEC EDMONTON Room 2-04, School of Business University of Alberta Edmonton, AB T6G 2R6 T: 780.492.2453 E: aiesec@ualberta.ca For any alumni inquires, please contact Jessica Steingard, VP Corporate and Alumni Relations at jessica.steingard@aiesec.net or Sam Turner, VP of Incoming Exchange at sam.turner@aiesec.net.
1UPCOMING EVENTS
Alumni Mixer
Want to connect with old friends and meet the new AIESEC crew?!
AIESEC Edmonton is hosting an Alumni Mixer on Monday, June 20th starting at 5pm through 7pm at Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse, owned by AIESEC alumnus Oscar Lopez. Tickets for the event will be $20 which
includes admission and appetizers, payable at the door. To reserve your spot, contact Jessica Steingard at
jessica.steingard@aiesec.net before June 13th.
AIESEC Edmonton’s Corporate Breakfast
AIESEC Edmonton is once again hosting a Corporate Breakfast to promote awareness of AIESEC within the
Edmonton and area business community. To make this event successful, we need your help! We are asking
you, our alumni, to help us broaden the AIESEC network by introducing us to yours!
The Breakfast is being held on Wednesday, June 22nd at 7am at the Radisson Hotel Edmonton South.
Tickets are $55, which includes a buffet breakfast and the opportunity to network with over 100 members from
the Edmonton and area business community. Our guest speaker will be alumnus Oscar Lopez, Grill Master
of Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse.
For more information about the event or if you or someone you know are interested in attending, please contact
Jessica Steingard (jessica.steingard@aiesec.net) or Denise Thompson (deniserae.thompson@gmail.com)
before June 10st.
2NEWS UPDATES
Come and enjoy a fantastic dining experience at Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse
Brought you by our very own AIESEC alumnus Oscar Lopez!
Come and enjoy a fantastic dining experience at Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse Brought to you by our very own AIESEC alumnus Oscar Lopez!
Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse offers a unique fixed-price dining concept known as “rodizio.” This service style
features continuous table-side service of 10 different select cuts of beef, pork, lamb, poultry, and wild game.
Included in your “rodizio” experience is their one-of-a kind salad bar. For more information about the restaurant
visit their website at www.pampasteakhouse.com.
Oscar’s internship to Brazil proved to be a life-changing experience as it laid the foundation for opening Pampa
Brazilian Steakhouse today. To learn more about Oscar Lopez, his AIESEC experience and Pampa Brazilian
Steakhouse, watch our latest edition of AIESEC TV at www.youtube.com/user/AIESECedmonton.
AIESEC Edmonton Partnering with the Portugal Canada Chamber of Commerce and Industry
AIESEC Edmonton is excited to announce a burgeoning new partnership with the Portugal Canada Chamber of
Commerce and Industry that will be formalized in September. Affiliation with the Chamber provides AIESEC
members, as well as alumni, access to one of the most influential and rapidly emerging global markets, currently
represented by over 260 million people. Some benefits to this access include skill development training, tangible
business experience, and the opportunity to be acknowledged with author credit in various Chamber publications.
More information will become available in mid-September coinciding with the beginning of the 2011/2012 school
year. For information on the Portugal Chamber of Commerce and Industry please visit their website at
www.canada-portugal.com.
3ALUMNI PROFILE: Oscar Mauricio Lopez
“AIESEC is really about entrepreneurshiphaving your own business, and creating something out of nothing.”
Oscar Mauricio Lopez is concerned with
authenticity, and he should be. In February he opened
his first restaurant in downtown Edmonton, Pampa
Brazilian Steakhouse. He wants to show that the
restaurant is authentic through and through, and this
stems from the genuine experience he had on an
internship in Santa Maria, a small city in Southern
Brazil.
The opening of Pampa was a culmination of the
hard work and unique experiences Lopez underwent in
the past decade. He largely credits his time at the
Alberta School of Business and his involvement in
AIESEC with giving him the opportunity to develop his
entrepreneurial skills and the international experience
that transformed his life today.
Born in El Salvador, Lopez moved to North
Edmonton when he was ten years old. It seemed his
Central American roots would draw him back to the
southern climate for two exchanges, an academic
exchange to Guadalajara, Mexico, and a management
internship in Santa Maria, Brazil. It was the former
exchange through AIESEC, the student-run global
internship program, which influenced his career path
today.
“AIESEC is really about entrepreneurship, having
your own business, and creating something out of
nothing. So I was given the opportunity via this
organization to do something completely different and
here we are today,” he says. In Brazil he met his current
business partner, Joao Antonio Dachery, and the two
came up with the concept of Pampa.
This all began when Lopez applied for exchange in
2002 upon graduating with a BCom in Distributions
Management and a minor in International Marketing
AIESEC experience leads to the opening of Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse
from the University of Alberta. His background seemed
to be a perfect fit for Dachery, who hired him as an
intern at Tolio Cereais Ltda. As an intern Lopez was
given the task of determining the viability of transporting
grains to and from Brazil and Alberta. However, as
Lopez discovered, it seemed this was not plausible at
the time: “After spending a whole year there, trying to do
some work in international business and
exporting/importing grains, we saw that there wasn’t
really a market for different reasons, including free trade
agreements, distribution costs, and transportation
costs.”
Although importing and exporting grains was not
feasible, the initiative of importing a piece of Brazil to
Canada was not impractical; it just needed to be
reworked. The idea to export a Brazilian service rather
than a commodity popped into Lopez’s head one day
over lunch. “My former boss [Dachery], who is one of my
business partners, and I came up with the idea of
exporting a service—the concept of a Brazilian
Steakhouse to Edmonton. Everything just sort of
matched because Alberta raises world class beef and
Brazil also raises world class beef.”
Eight years after that luncheon, Lopez and Dachery’s
idea came to fruition at the opening of their restaurant
on 109th Street. Lopez and his partner’s main goal is to
4
Oscar Lopez with Ami of AIESEC TV
maintain the authenticity of the Churrascaria, the
Portuguese term for the most common style of
restaurant in Brazil. Almost all aspects of Pampa are
derived from the Brazilian culture, and add to its
authenticity. These features include the meat cuts
served, the charcoal-fired rotisserie grill, the Americas
region wine selection, and even Pampa’s unique name.
Pampa is a region in Southern Brazil where, like
Alberta, cattle-raising takes place. It is also the
birthplace of churrasco, the method of barbequing meat
and the inspiration of the Churrascarian style restaurant.
This century-old technique of using large wooden or
metal skewers to roast meat was learned by Lopez in
Southern Brazil after his internship was over, and then
brought to Pampa.
Lopez also imported the rotisserie grill used to cook
the meat from Brazil, and monthly imports the lump
hardwood charcoal that fuels the grill and adds flavour,
moisture and texture to each cut of meat. Pampa uses
AAA Alberta beef, but have their suppliers cut it to the
same shape, size and spec as they do in Brazil. From its
decor, to its staff dressed in colourful Brazilian attire, to
the fixed-price continuous tableside service dining style,
the Brazilian culture is infused throughout Pampa.
To incorporate all these features it took eight years of
research after Lopez left Brazil. It was important to him,
and to his business partner, to get everything right in
order to properly introduce to Edmonton a taste of
Brazil. Lopez hopes to use Pampa as a base to
educate, create and invent new tastes for Edmontonians
and then expand his idea across not only Alberta, but
Canada. He hopes now that Brazil’s barriers to trade
have opened more that he can expand his idea to more
products under the Pampa brand name. He and
Dachery hope to begin this initiative after a year of
operation, with the goal of becoming the leading
Brazilian style steakhouse in Canada.
Lopez could not have accomplished all of this
without his educational background in Distributions
Management and his experience in AIESEC. Here he
not only gained leadership skills, but he also had the
chance to meet and share his home with interns from
Russia, Tunisia and Australia, before embarking on his
own internship to Brazil. “It’s wasn’t just about
exchange,” he says of his involvement in the local
chapter in Edmonton. “Being a member meant being
proactive, doing sustainable actions, becoming an
entrepreneur. It’s about changing people’s
perspectives. I think it’s key to have that AIESEC
experience prior, because at the end of the day you
are an ambassador of AIESEC. It makes your
experience more fulfilling.”
--
Look for Oscar Mauricio Lopez and Joao Antonio
Dachery on David Adjey’s The Opener. The opening of
Pampa was filmed by the program in February and was
a unique experience for the Pampa owners to learn from
the Celebrity Chef about the do’s and don’ts of opening
a restaurant. It will air on Food Network Canada
sometime this summer.
5AIESECer PROFILE: Shree Govindarajan
After three years as a member of AIESEC Edmonton, Shree Govindarajan moves on to becoming a member of AIESEC Brazil
“AIESEC is the best path I know of for youth to be given the responsibility and the experiences necessary to better the future.”
When did you join AIESEC, and why? I joined in January 2008, because my cousin was LCP at the time. She encouraged me to do it so that I could
experience leadership experience while doing my undergraduate studies.
What skills have you gained from AIESEC, and how do you think that has changed you?
I believe AIESEC has made me more self-aware, and allowed me to test out
my managerial and leadership skills in a relevant and safe learning
environment. I’ve also learned how to manage my time well so that I would not
fall behind in my studies and still be able to fully participate in AIESEC. When I
was doing my LCP term, I had a full course load, and I was HR case captain
for JDC West. I started block scheduling so that I would still be able to stay on
top of things.
What I believe really made me aware of the skills I gained from AIESEC was
this past January. As was mentioned above, I was HR Case Captain for JDC
West, and my team received first place. The skills that I used in the
competition, the management skills, the communication skills, and the critical
thinking skills – I’ve learned from being involved in AIESEC. When I got the
case, I inherently knew the answer to the problem – or rather had ideas of how
to solve it, because I was able to visualize what I had to do exactly all from
what I’ve done before in AIESEC.
What motivated you to run for LCP and then continue on your AIESEC journey by applying to become MCVP of Communications for Brazil? I wanted to become LCP, because it felt like a natural transition from VP to LCP. I felt like I understood how to make
positive changes, and I wanted to be a part of that. That year I became LCP, I saw the people who were applying for
VP, and I thought that they would be a great team to work with, and like I said earlier, I wanted to be a part of that, so
it motivated me to apply for LCP.
Now after my LCP term, I want to go on an exchange but still be able to use the skills I’ve learned from AIESEC.
Instead of deciding to just do a normal exchange, I decided to apply for the role of MCVP of Communications for
Brazil, in hopes of being able to integrate both the challenging experience of an exchange and a leadership role, and
6
5 Generations of LCPs - Left to Right - Andrea Urbina (2012), Shree (2011), Diana Gaviria (2010), Nithya Ramachandran (2009), Marc Marion (2008)
Executive Board 2010-2011
also put to use all the AIESEC knowledge I’ve
obtained these past few years. Another reason why I
applied to Brazil is because Brazil is one of the top
four countries with the highest number of exchanges,
and it seems like a great place to experience more of
AIESEC’s global network.
How do you feel about successfully becoming MCVP from May 2011 to July 2012? Well, I’m nervous and excited. It’s going to be a great experience to meet and live with new people and a new culture.
It’s also going to be a challenge to adapt to a completely different culture and language, and I’m trying to pick up a
little Portuguese before I go. While most people are usually nervous about the job, I feel nervous and excited for both
the job and the environment.
What does AIESEC mean to you now after your LCP and the MCVP of Communications? AIESEC still means the same to me as before, how I still believe AIESEC is the best path I know of for youth to be
given the responsibility and the experiences necessary to better the future, and be able to find yourself. Now, I can
visualize the network that AIESEC has, and it’s gone beyond what-can-I-do at the LC level, and a lot more as a team
to drive results in this country, that country, etc. I want to help the organization as a whole with greater impact.
7Chat With The Executive BOARD of 2011-2012
Andrea Urbina, Local Committee President Baccalauréat ès arts (Political Science), 3rd Year
Why did you join AIESEC?
I originally joined AIESEC to go on exchange but ended
up becoming a member and taking on two EB roles in a
row, preventing me from going on an internship.
Although I hope I'll be able to travel to some
international conferences. Once I graduate in 2012, I will
go on exchange through AIESEC and complete my @
XP.
What is one ambition of yours?
To travel to as many countries as possible and live
abroad for at least five years before I come back to
Canada and move to Montreal. I am willing to take
whatever road will lead me there.
Jessica Steingard, VP Corporate & Alumni Relations Bachelor of Commerce (Int’l Business), 3rd Year
Why did you join AIESEC?
I joined AIESEC as a way to get more involved in
student activities while pursuing my degree. I wanted to
feel like I was contributing to something more than just
studying for exams, so a friend recommended I join!
What is one ambition of yours?
To participate on an AIESEC internship once I have
finished my degree. I really have no idea what I want to
do when I graduate, so I feel that an AIESEC internship
will provide me with some more practical work
experience as well as international experience. Upon
return, I may pursue a law degree.
Colin Waugh, VP Outgoing Exchange Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing), 3rd Year
Why did you join AIESEC?
I found myself at a crossroads. My youthful instinct
urged me to continue floating through life, but it was time
to grow up. To me AIESEC is an organization that allows
students to be a big fish while still a minnow. Other
school clubs host pub crawls and networking events,
AIESEC delivers something much more
meaningful. Every EP realised is another life that I have
directly influenced. The feeling of
responsibility associated with being on the EB is anxiety
riddled at best, but exposure to this kind of pressure is
exactly why I chose AIESEC to be the wind in my sails
on my journey to success.
What is one ambition of yours?
Politics has always been an interest of mine. But as
Machiavelli says, power must be justified by an action.
Therefore, I plan to first find success and respect in
business before I transition into the political sphere. My
pinnacle job is to be a Canadian ambassador. Hopefully
somewhere warm.
8
Karis Oswald, VP of Campus Communications Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), 4th Year
Why did you join AIESEC?
I joined because being more involved in student groups
was emphasized by my professors. Since my
academic exchange ignited my desire to travel more, I
thought AIESEC would be a perfect organization for
me to get more involved in campus activities.
What is one ambition of yours?
Before AIESEC, I never had an entrepreneurial spirit in
me, but after leading a team as a co-VP with James, I
feel that I do have qualities of an entrepreneur. Once I
obtain my Chartered Accountant designation, I hope to
use the business knowledge I gave gained to start my
own business, preferably in real estate.
Andrew Rogan, VP Finance Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), 1st year After
Degree
Why did you join AIESEC?
For professional and personal development with a
global perspective.
What is one ambition of yours?
I want to be a member of the executive in a large
company, preferably in the energy or health sciences
sectors.
Nicole Bisson, VP Talent Management Bachelor of Arts (Political Science), 2nd Year
Why did you join AIESEC?
I joined to meet new people and for personal
development in an area that my faculty cannot help me
with.
What is one ambition of yours?
To study at UBC Law and eventually be an
international lawyer.
Sam Turner, VP Incoming Exchange Bachelor of Commerce (Finance), 2nd Year
Why did I join AIESEC?
I wanted the opportunity to work with some the most
highly motivated young leaders throughout Canada.
The people that I have met in AIESEC have pushed
me to step outside of my comfort zone, and I have
developed myself both personally and professionally
What is one ambition of your?
I am currently training to run a 28km marathon in
August in support of the Canadian Cancer Society.
James Soulodre, VP of External Communications Bachelor of Commerce (Finance), 4th Year
Why did you join AIESEC?
I wanted to gain more out of my University career than
what was taught inside the classroom. It was my
understanding that joining a student organization such
as AIESEC would help me develop my skills both
personally and professionally.
What is one ambition of yours?
I would like to one day become a successful
entrepreneur. I've always thought it would be an
amazing feeling helping the business you created grow
from the ground up. I'd like to be able to make my own
decisions and set my own rules, and only be
accountable to myself in the case of failures. Another
ambition of mine is to be able to balance my life
equally between work and play. I want to make sure
that I am able to maintain a certain degree of
professionalism while also being able to do the things I
want to do in life.
9Keep in touch
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/groups?promosList=&gid=3643877&trk=anet_ug_promos
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/aiesecedmonton
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/AIESEC-Edmonton/138939779484252?v=wall
Twitter http://twitter.com/aiesecyeg
ANDREA URBINA Local Committee President T: 780.554.5314 E: andrea.urbina72@gmail.com JESSICA STEINGARD VP Corporate & Alumni Relations T: 780.905.8792 E: jessica.steingard@aiesec.net SAM TURNER VP Incoming Exchange T: 306.960.6663 E: sam.turner@aiesec.net AIESEC EDMONTON Room 2-04, School of Business University of Alberta Edmonton, AB T6G 2R6 T: 780.492.2453 E: aiesec@ualberta.ca
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