See also:

A message from Alan Hutton: Autumn — a time of change for FundSERV

FundSERV strategy matures

ESG V15 — A welcome challenge for testing and tech support department

Dynamic summer students have bright futures

V14 implementation production freeze

FundSERV automation research

Mark your calendars!

FundSERV network performance

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There's an old saying about how opportunity comes when we least expect it. Out of the blue, our lives can take a completely new and unexpected direction. For Jennifer Franchi, that's exactly what happened in the spring of 2004.

Franchi was well on her way to packing her bags for a summer in Muskoka. She was looking forward to evenings by the lake and days helping her significant other with his busy microbrewery business, Lakes of Muskoka Cottage Brewery (known for its award-winning Muskoka Cream Ale). Then, she got the call from a search firm about an opportunity at FundSERV.

Franchi was immediately interested as she had worked previously for International Financial Data Services (IFDS) as a business analyst and process improvement specialist. While there, she became familiar with FundSERV's ESG guidelines and standards through her work on a large-scale data conversion project.

The FundSERV opportunity, to head up the three-person member support department, was just too good to pass up. The department is usually the first point of contact for organizations wanting to join the network. It is also responsible for maintaining the code registry that assigns codes to industry participants, allowing them to trade securities. FundSERV took over this function from the Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC) in 1999.

Another key department responsibility is maintaining customer agreements and updating customer information. This is done through a central filing system where hard copies of customer contracts are kept, and through an electronic database storing all key customer information. Updating the database is one of the department's bigger tasks.

"I was excited about the opportunity to work at FundSERV because I was already very familiar with its work and its importance in the industry," recalls Franchi, who studied languages at Queen's University and is currently completing her business analysis certification with McMaster University. "The best part of the role is interacting directly with clients, something I have lacked in previous roles."

While Franchi had only been with FundSERV for a month at the time of her interview with FSQ, she already had her sights set on expanding the roles of her team and had subsequently been appointed to the strategic alignment task force. Franchi says she wants to become a valued resource to the company beyond the scope of her job.

Franchi, who still plans to visit Muskoka as much as she can on weekends this summer, might just share some of her brewing knowledge if she's asked. At the least, she could probably be persuaded to pass on the name of an ale or two if you're interested in trying something authentic, new, and truly Canadian.

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