alumni newsletter - summer 2011

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 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: [email protected] For any alumni inquires, please contact Jessica Steingard, VP Corporate and Alumni Relations at [email protected] or Sam Turner, VP of Incoming Exchange at [email protected].

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

[email protected] 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 ([email protected]) or Denise Thompson ([email protected])

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


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!


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


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.


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


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.


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


For professional and personal development with a

global perspective.


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


I joined to meet new people and for personal

development in an area that my faculty cannot help me

with.


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


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.


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: [email protected] JESSICA STEINGARD VP Corporate & Alumni Relations T: 780.905.8792 E: [email protected] SAM TURNER VP Incoming Exchange T: 306.960.6663 E: [email protected] AIESEC EDMONTON Room 2-04, School of Business University of Alberta Edmonton, AB T6G 2R6 T: 780.492.2453 E: [email protected]

alumni newsletter - summer 2011

Documents

aiesec experience

aiesec alumnus oscar

aiesec network

awareness of aiesec

oscar mauricio lopez

alumni relations

new aiesec crew

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