During National Volunteer Week, we want to shine a light on those who actively help our community grow and evolve.
For the occasion, we spoke with Jo-Ann Hajdamacha, Executive Director of CFA Montréal, to better understand the essential role our volunteers play, their impact, and what motivates them to get involved.
At CFA Montréal, this commitment is very real. We can count on 142 volunteers, including 55 women, aged 26 to 71. The vast majority are CFA charterholders (or on their way to becoming one), representing various sectors of Montréal’s financial community. But beyond the numbers, it is the quality of their engagement that defines our model.
Volunteers play a central role in how we operate. As Jo-Ann Hajdamacha explains, their contribution is built on close collaboration with the permanent team.
She notes that this model allows us to maintain a high level of expertise while staying connected to real-world realities. Volunteers actively contribute to the design and evolution of our initiatives, ensuring the continued relevance of our offering.
This “by members, for members” approach is reflected in the diversity of ways to get involved. Some serve on the Board of Directors, others contribute through management committees (programming, university relations, mentorship, fintech, or sustainable finance), while many participate on a more ad hoc basis as speakers, judges, or collaborators on specific projects.
The contribution of our volunteers is directly reflected in the quality and richness of our activities.
They are behind many initiatives aimed at the next generation, including campus outreach, programs such as the Research Challenge , and events like Discovery day: Career in finance. They also support key programs such as mentorship and contribute to the development of specialized content.
Beyond the experience offered to members, their involvement also has broader impacts. It fosters knowledge sharing, supports talent development, and contributes to the growth and visibility of Montréal’s financial sector.
Jo-Ann Hajdamacha emphasizes that volunteering acts as a true lever for professional development. It allows individuals to build skills, expand their network, and increase their visibility within the industry.
“Being a volunteer at CFA Montréal goes beyond involvement: it is a concrete opportunity to grow one’s career by developing new skills and strengthening a sense of belonging to an engaged and inspiring community,” she notes.
Volunteer engagement continues to evolve. CFA Montréal aims to encourage more targeted, flexible, and high-value contributions, based on each individual’s expertise and availability.
As Jo-Ann Hajdamacha points out, this evolution is intended to strengthen collective impact while offering a rewarding experience for volunteers.
New opportunities are emerging, particularly in the development of specialized content, innovation in event formats, and the strengthening of initiatives aimed at the next generation.
Our volunteers are a driving force behind CFA Montréal. They transform the expertise of our members into meaningful actions that benefit the community.
In closing, Jo-Ann Hajdamacha shares these words:
“Being surrounded by such an engaged community of volunteers is a true privilege in my role as Executive Director. The people I meet every day are a constant source of inspiration.
I am fully aware that volunteering is added to already busy schedules, which makes your commitment all the more remarkable. Every minute you dedicate to CFA Montréal is meaningful and reflects both generosity and a deep connection to our mission.
The entire CFA Montréal team knows how fortunate we are to be able to count on your involvement. The achievements we're proud of today are a direct reflection of your commitment, your creativity and your desire to move the community forward.
Thank you sincerely.”
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