Connecting the dots with David Paradis
In the first of our Alumni boomerang spotlights, we sit down with David Paradis, who returned to PwC Canada in January 2023 after leaving in 2021. David talks about the importance of making a difference and why it’s great to be back at PwC Canada.
Welcome back, David Paradis!
You've spent a significant amount of time building your career with PwC Canada. How does it feel to be back?
It feels really good to be back. When I left PwC Canada in 2021, I was working as Senior Manager on the sales team. But it was time to try something new, and I branched out, looking to expand my skill set. Now I’m back as a Client Services Director aligned to the private equity and pensions sector.
What brought you back to PwC Canada?
The firm's strategy shifted, and this required a new role in the private equity and pensions sector. This presented the opportunity for my return.
I stayed very connected to my former stakeholder groups within PwC Canada and spoke to them every few months. Staying connected to this network was key, because when an opportunity came up, I was top of mind.
Have there been any challenges since your return?
When you're embedded within the firm, a rapid pace of change is the norm. But when I stepped away and came back, I realized the firm had made significant changes. For example, they've created a brand new Alliances business, which is a big change from the PwC I grew up in. So when I first got back, keeping up with the pace of change gave me a bit of whiplash.
One of our core values at PwC Canada is to make a difference. How does working at PwC Canada allow you to make a difference both personally and professionally?
Professionally, I’ve embraced opportunities to expand my skill set by leaning into challenging work.You have to push beyond what people think you can do and, more importantly, what you think you can do. No matter who you are, take ownership and push beyond these limitations.
Personally, it’s important for me to be connected to the community where I live. My job at PwC allows me to stay connected to global issues, and my position on various boards helps me to stay connected to local issues, and guides the way I think about community impact.
Any parting thoughts for our readers?
When you leave, you have the chance to reframe your relationship with the firm. Understand what you want out of your relationship with PwC and ensure that your stakeholders understand that as well. I sat down with my stakeholders and said these are my personal and professional goals. Doing this led to the opportunity of a new role and my return to PwC Canada.
I’m grateful for the warm welcome back and the opportunities that lie ahead!
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