By Donna Collins, FCIRP (ret.)

Ask any longtime CAIRP volunteer why they keep coming back, and you'll likely hear some version of the same thing: what they've gained — in connection, in purpose, in friendships that span the country — has far outpaced what they've given. That's one of volunteering's greatest rewards.

Every year, a remarkable share of CAIRP's membership steps up in some capacity, whether on a committee, at an event, or behind the scenes supporting the profession's growth. Most do it without expecting recognition. That's exactly why CAIRP's awards program matters: it's our chance, as a community, to make sure those contributions don't go unnoticed. But we can't do it without you. Identifying the members who've gone above and beyond requires nominations from the people who've seen that dedication up close — colleagues, committee members, fellow practitioners.

If you know someone whose service to CAIRP and the profession deserves to be recognized, consider putting their name forward for one of our four awards: Fellow, the Keith G. Collins Memorial Award, the New Member’s Award of Merit, or the Outstanding Volunteer Award. Full criteria and nomination forms are available on the "CAIRP Awards" page of CAIRP's website, and CAIRP staff are happy to help with any part of the application. Nominations close January 31, 2027.

CAIRP proudly recognized the following members in 2025-2026:

Fellow Chartered Insolvency and Restructuring Professional (FCIRP)

Emmanuel Phaneuf, FCIRP, LIT

Emmanuel has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the Association and the profession throughout his career. He served as the Quebec representative on the CAIRP Board from 2019 to 2021 and has been a member of the Corporate Practice Committee since 2012. He has also been a member of the Editorial Advisory Board (for Rebuilding Success magazine) since 2024.

Further, Emmanuel is deeply involved in education, previously chairing the CNIE Board and serving as a member of the Exam Oversight Committee. He has been an instructor for the AICP Workshop since 2016, participated in multiple exam corrections and appeals, reviewed exam grades and training materials, and sponsored numerous candidates for the profession.

Emmanuel can always be counted on to provide thoughtful commentary and insights on challenging issues facing the industry. He has served on a number of formal and informal advisory committees, and actively participated in consultations and CAIRP’s review of legislative changes.

Outstanding Volunteer Award

Nathan Sugeng, CIRP, LIT

Nathan's volunteer record runs deep: he currently sits on CAIRP's Board of Directors as Ontario's representative and chairs the Media Communications Committee, which he joined in 2021. His provincial leadership includes seven years on the OAIRP Board, including a term as President, during which he aligned provincial association branding with CAIRP’s national brand. A passionate advocate for financial literacy, Nathan has written extensively to educate the public on financial wellness and moderated CAIRP's first Facebook Live webinar in 2020. Colleagues know him as a steady source of insight who motivates fellow volunteers to get involved in CAIRP's communications work.

Mark Morgan, CPA, CA, CIRP, LIT

Mark's volunteer contributions have had real impact on the profession's advocacy efforts. As part of CAIRP's push for LIT remuneration reform, he took on the detailed number-crunching and built a key relationship with the Treasury Board, helping move the OSB's position on the issue. A longtime OAIRP Board member since 2017 and President from 2023 to 2025, Mark has also served on the Consumer Practice Committee and Tariff Review Task Force, led the OAIRP Creditors' Committee, and remains an active voice in Provincial Presidents' meetings, regularly offering technical advice and counsel to fellow practitioners.

Barbara Visentin, CIRP, LIT

Barbara has been instrumental in shaping professional development within the insolvency community. As a founding member of the Insolvency Administrator Associate (IAA) Professional Development Committee since 2022, she helped build the program from the ground up, drawing on her extensive network to connect the committee with high-quality speakers and subject matter experts. She also led the development of the Associate Justice Panel at the Toronto Exchange, now one of the event's most popular sessions. Barbara's leadership extends provincially as well, having served as OAIRP Board Secretary, Vice President, and President since 2025.

Christopher Keliher, JD, CIRP, LIT

Chris has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the Association through meaningful volunteer involvement, particularly in the area of education. He has actively contributed to the CNIE standard setting initiatives, served as a tutorial instructor, and supported the profession through his work as a CNIE Marker and as a member of the CNIE Board. Chris’s contributions as a tutorial instructor are especially noteworthy. He has presented two distinct and highly technical tutorial topics, each supported by a minimum of 100 PowerPoint slides, creating resources that many candidates have described as a comprehensive study guide.

Mark Wentzell, CPA, CA, CIRP, LIT

Mark has provided exemplary service to the Association and the industry, particularly in the area of education. He has been a member of the Exam Oversight committee since 2013 and has served as Chair from 2016. He has also been involved as a sponsor for CQP candidates, written cases for the CQP Renewal, participated in countless CNIE assessment centres and was involved in the CQP competency profile revision. In addition to his active involvement with CAIRP, Mark is also involved with other professional insolvency organizations and has published several articles and presented on topical issues at insolvency conferences.

New Member’s Award of Merit

David Buckingham, CPA, CA, CIRP, LIT

Since becoming a CIRP in 2019, David has built a reputation as a trusted voice in both consumer and corporate insolvency. David's contributions extend well beyond his practice. He has represented Newfoundland & Labrador on CAIRP's Board of Directors since 2024 and served as Secretary/Treasurer of NLAIRP since 2023. Recognized as a thought leader in the field, he shares practical, informed perspectives through speaking engagements and public outreach. True to CAIRP's mandate of developing future leaders, David has also taken an active mentorship role, coaching an administrator enrolled in the insolvency program in 2026 — a fitting reflection of the qualities behind his New Member's Award of Merit.

The strength of CAIRP has always rested on members who are willing to share their time, expertise, and energy in service of the profession and one another. If someone in your network embodies that spirit of service, consider recognizing their contribution through a nomination. One volunteer truly can make a difference — and often, that difference reaches much farther than they realize.