By Donna Collins, FCIRP (ret.)

In any given year, a high percentage of CAIRP’s members volunteer their time and expertise in some capacity. These volunteers have discovered the secret of volunteerism: You get back much more than you put in.  When you volunteer with CAIRP, in addition to the satisfaction you get from contributing to the Association and/or Canada’s insolvency and restructuring system, you develop a network of lifelong friends that stretches from coast to coast.

Each year, CAIRP formally recognizes a few extraordinary members. The challenge is identifying those who have made a substantial contribution to our Association and the profession. To meet this challenge, CAIRP needs the help of its members and other insolvency and restructuring professionals.

If you know a member that you believe has provided CAIRP with extraordinary service, take the time to nominate him or her for one of CAIRP’s awards: Fellow, Keith G. Collins Memorial Award, New Member’s Award, or Outstanding Volunteer Award. The detailed criteria for each award along with the nomination forms can be found in the “CAIRP Awards” page on CAIRP’s website. If you need assistance completing an application, CAIRP’s staff would be pleased to assist you. The nomination deadline is March 31, 2025.

CAIRP proudly recognized the following members in 2024: 

Fellow Chartered Insolvency and Restructuring Professional (FCIRP)

Lee Close, CPA, CA, CMC, FCIRP, LIT and Naida Kornuta, FCIRP

In their capacity as Co-Chairs, Lee and Naida ensured that the CNIE exam process met the highest professional standards and the examination results were consistent and reliable. Their work included the development and delivery of the exam and the oversight of both the Assessment Centre and the Appeals Process. Lee and Naida also worked closely with Dr. Sid Ali, an educational measurement expert specializing in credentialling, to develop and implement the Competency Profile and to ensure that all checks and balances were in place.

Their notable undertakings and achievements included the design and delivery of a system of feedback to unsuccessful candidates, so those candidates could better understand and address their shortcomings in subsequent attempts. Lee and Naida constantly interacted with the Exam Oversight Committee to improve the language and focus of the CNIE exam. They were instrumental in the development of a case writing/case approach topic at the CNIE Preparatory Tutorial, and they guided the development of marking keys for the Assessment Centre. During their tenure as Co-Chairs, they also guided the management of the exam development and assessment process through the Covid-19 Pandemic, supporting CAIRP staff, candidates and markers through uncharted territory.

CAIRP and its members owe a great deal to Lee and Naida for their unwavering support and countless volunteer hours as Co-Chairs of the CNIE Board over the last several years.

 

Ian Penney, FCPA, CA, FCIRP, LIT

Ian’s volunteer contributions to CAIRP and the Newfoundland provincial association have been vast and impactful at a national, provincial, and local level. Ian has served as an Executive member on the Newfoundland Association Board over the years. He also served on CAIRP’s Board of Directors as Newfoundland’s representative from 2010-2012 and as the CPA representative on the Executive Committee from 2012-2015. Ian has chaired and participated in several CAIRP committees including, to name a few, Professional Conduct, Conference Planning, Strategic Planning, and the Public Education Task Force. He also participated in the MSME and LILA/NINA Working Groups. Ian co-authored CAIRP’s Strategic Plan in 2013. In addition to his contributions to CAIRP’s advocacy efforts, Ian has been active in the education space as a CNIE Marker, Oral Board Examiner, and presenter at the CNIE Tutorial.

Ian can always be counted on to provide thoughtful commentary and insights on challenging issues facing the industry. He is highly respected across the industry, including by the OSB and other key stakeholders who work closely with the profession.

 

Andrew Dalgleish, CPA, FCIRP, LIT

Andrew has been a valued member, thought leader, and outstanding volunteer for CAIRP at a national, provincial, and local level for close to 40 years.

Andrew has demonstrated his commitment to the industry and CAIRP through his engagement on several CAIRP Committees including the Annual Conference Committee, the NIQP (including as Chair of that committee), and the CQP. In addition, he served on CAIRP’s Board of Directors as the Quebec representative. He has also been involved with the Quebec Association over the years. Andrew’s commitment to education is very evident from his committee work as well as other efforts. He has been very involved with CNIE marking over the years and is currently engaged with the CQP Renewal effort as an author, subject matter expert, and content reviewer. Andrew’s review comments have always been thoughtful, professional, and demonstrative of a very clear perception of what is required to pass knowledge along to the LITs of the future. His insights are always on point and delivered with great diplomacy. Andrew is known and respected among the education volunteers and staff across the country for his knowledge and, in particular, his knowledge of Quebec civil law as well as common law. Throughout his career, Andrew’s advice and counsel has been highly valued and respected across the industry and by those key stakeholders that work closely with the profession.

Keith G. Collins Memorial Award

William (Bill) A. Courage, CPA, CA, FCIRP (Ret.)

Over the course of Bill’s 30 plus year career, he has been known for his high degree of integrity, courtesy, and professionalism. He has contributed significantly to the profession and the reputation of the profession through his work and actions on behalf of CAIRP. Bill served on the CAIRP Board as Chair from 2003-2005. He has also volunteered on several committees including the Education Committee, the Honours and Awards Committee, and the Editorial Advisory Board.

After serving as Editor of Rebuilding Success magazine for the last seven years, Bill stepped down as Chair of the Editorial Advisory Board in 2024. Bill was instrumental in bringing the latest news, issues, and trends in the insolvency industry to the magazine’s readers. Rebuilding Success is well respected for the variety and quality of its content and, under his leadership, the magazine readership grew to over 7,400. Bill is passionate about the industry and keen to share his knowledge and insights with other members and stakeholders. He has also been very active in CAIRP’s education programs, exam settings, and assessment centres for many years. As part of the CQP redevelopment initiative, Bill made invaluable contributions, including the development of a complex case, which CNIE candidates encounter near the end of the program. Our future LITs will appreciate his attention to detail and thoroughness. He brings a positive attitude, a healthy dose of curiosity, and an infectious energy to all his pursuits.

Outstanding Volunteer Award

Zaki Alam, CPA, CA, CIRP, LIT

Zaki has been a valued member, thought leader, and outstanding volunteer for CAIRP at the national, provincial, and local level for well over 20 years. Zaki has demonstrated his commitment to the industry and CAIRP through his engagement on several CAIRP Committees including the Nominating Committee and the Editorial Advisory Board. In addition, he served on the CAIRP Board of Directors as the Alberta representative from 2020-2024. Zaki has been a very active member of the Alberta Association over the years, including in the role of President. He has also provided helpful insights on the diversity file for CAIRP and has participated in industry roundtables on that issue. Zaki’s insights are always on point and delivered with great diplomacy.

Throughout his career, Zaki’s advice and counsel has been highly valued and respected across the industry and with key stakeholders working closely with the profession. Zaki has also been an active Board member on Money Matters.

 

Crystal Buhler, CPA, CGA, CIRP, LIT

Crystal has been a CAIRP volunteer at a national, provincial, and local level for over 12 years. In 2015, early in her career, Crystal was recognized by CAIRP with the prestigious New Member’s Award of Merit. Crystal exemplifies strong leadership and is well recognized for her knowledge of the industry. Currently, Crystal is an active CAIRP Board member as the Manitoba representative. As an example of the high regard in which Crystal is held, CAIRP requested her participation on a broad range of key committees including the Media Communications Committee, the Consumer Practice Committee, and the Tariff Review Task Force. Crystal brings a thoughtful and measured national and local voice to many of the challenges and opportunities faced by the industry. As a result, she is often asked, as a leader in the industry, to participate in roundtables with government officials on a broad range of issues. Recently CAIRP asked Crystal to join a small delegation to provide her views to the Superintendent of Bankruptcy on key issues facing the industry.

In addition to her efforts on the national stage, Crystal has been active with the Manitoba Association and served as its President from 2021-2022. Crystal leads by example and believes in the importance of high standards within the profession, and the importance of continuing education as indicated by her engagement and leadership with the Insolvency and Restructuring Forums Committee.

New Member’s Award of Merit

Laura (Nicole) Olsen, AFCC, CIRP, LIT

Nicole is the current New Member Representative on CAIRP's Board of Directors and has been the Vice President of the Alberta Association since 2022. She has been very active in CAIRP’s education program, and has been a mentor for CNIE candidates both as a sponsor and as an educator for online group learning sessions. She is also a CQP Renewal author and subject matter expert reviewer. Nicole also organized a webinar for her firm for the promotion of the CQP Renewal.

Nicole is very compassionate towards people who are in need of financial counselling and debt relief. She is a regular blogger on topics related to financial literacy and financial counselling and is passionate about the development and delivery of financial literacy programs.