Georgian College

| Maria Artuso and her neice Sabrina Artuso explore the Barrie campus in Oct. 2022. 42 GEORGIANVIEW SPRING 2023 PAyING IT FORwARD: ALUMNI STORIES For Maria Artuso, a proud Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program graduate (class of 2001), her time at Georgian earned her more than just a diploma. It invited her into a tight-knit community of like- minded future leaders, granted her invaluable job-ready skills, and was the launchpad for her successful career upon graduation. Now, as an award-winning financial services professional and change-making community volunteer, she's paying it forward for future generations by giving back − in more ways than one. "Georgian reinforced my passions for learning, leadership, business and community, and I am proud to consider myself part of the family," shared Maria. "Though my career has taken me far and wide, I remain grateful to Georgian for everything it has given me — and that gratitude inspires me to stay connected to this incredible community." Looking back, Maria recalls several memories that solidified her long-standing connection to the college − from opportunities to apply her learning in unconventional fields, to co-op placements where she gained real-world experience, to cherished professors she still speaks to today. However, the defining moment didn't come until the end of her program in 2001. "Walking across the graduation stage with my family cheering me on was special enough as is, but to be honoured with awards for my volunteerism at school and in the community filled my heart to no end. The donors who supported these awards were paying it forward for me, and I knew I wanted to do the same." As she built a thriving career in financial services at RBC, Maria also expanded her impact beyond the 9-to-5 day job, serving as a mentor, board member, advisor, and donor to countless causes close to her heart − including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement of Canada, e power of paying it forward

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