FP Canada has announced the first recipients of its inaugural Diversity in Action Scholarship: Efe Rich Akhibi, Manojkumar Ramachandran, Joy Russell, Jay Saspara and Simon Nkotanyi.
The scholarship provides financial support to five aspiring certified financial planner and qualified associate financial planner professionals from groups that are underrepresented in the financial planning profession. Scholarship recipients can enroll in a qualifying education program of their choosing from the FP Canada Institute at no cost.
Below is a breakdown of the recipients’ diverse backgrounds and experiences:
- Edmonton-based Akhibi is an independent life insurance advisor with a background in digital marketing
- Ramachandran, who hails from Ajax, Ont., is a product owner and manager with experience in the insurance technology space
- Russell, based in Oshawa, Ont., is a financial advisor and the founder of Plan with Joy Financial Services
- Saspara is a financial planning associate at Ryan Lamontagne Inc. in Ottawa
- Nkoytani is a master of business administration graduate in Burnaby, B.C.
As part of their scholarship applications, the recipients outlined different reasons for wanting to pursue financial planning certifications. This included wanting to financially empower newcomers and underrepresented communities, provide culturally aware financial planning advice and explore AI’s capabilities to improve financial planning outcomes, a release said.
“Congratulations to Efe, Manojkumar, Joy, Jay, and Simon — we’re very pleased to provide support for your journeys toward certification and continued success,” said Tashia Batstone, FP Canada president and CEO, in the release.
“Awarding the Diversity in Action Scholarship to these five deserving individuals is a small but significant step toward building a financial planning profession that truly reflects Canada’s population.”
The scholarship is open to women, racialized persons, Indigenous persons, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, and persons with disabilities who can demonstrate a financial need. Individuals must submit a personal essay and letters of reference to be considered.