2023-2024 Full-Time Guidebook

SUCCESS
BUSINESS
STORY
Alumnus Darlene Llewellyn-Konecny
applies learnings to mentorship
Since completing her accounting education at Centennial in
1985, Darlene Llewellyn-Konecny has returned to the college
twice. First, as a student in the Fundraising program, and most
recently as a mentor to the next generation of business leaders.
When Darlene first attended Centennial College for accounting
in the 1980s, she did so because of the college’s proximity
to her home. When, nearly 30 years later, she returned for the
part-time Fundraising certificate offering, she did so because
Centennial felt like home. Today, as she mentors Business
School students, it’s because Darlene understands the
importance of fostering the connections to lifelong learning
from which her career has benefitted.
understand accounting, Darlene has discovered surprising uses
for the skills she gained in the Fundraising certificate.
“I took the Fundraising program to be a better leader at a
charity where I was volunteering,” says Darlene, whose portfolio
includes mainly smaller businesses with 100 or less employees
that turn to Konecny Consulting to complete roles for which
they may not be able to hire full time. “But even when I write
reports today, I think back to how that program taught me to
write reports that are compelling. Fundraising knowledge also
plays a role in the power of business because in fundraising you
are trying to raise awareness for a cause and in business those
skills can be transferred to promoting yourself.”
“I want students to understand that they won’t stop learning
the day they graduate,” says Darlene, who, with her husband,
owns an IT consulting firm that also offers services such as
documentation, bookkeeping, office management, and project
management. “Their Centennial credential is the first step in a
long career. Even after graduating in 1985 and then returning
to Centennial in 2012, I’m still taking courses and getting more
certifications. It’s a lifelong process.”
With a career in business that spans more than 35 years,
Darlene still finds herself turning back to the skills she gained
at Centennial College. In addition to employing her accounting
knowledge as a certified bookkeeper to help companies
DARLENE SAYS...
A few years ago, Darlene’s Centennial College experience
came full circle when she became involved in the college’s
Ten Thousand Coffees initiative. A networking platform, it
connects students and grads with alumni and industry
professionals. Every four weeks, mentors are paired with new
mentees. Centennial’s branch of the platform also holds events,
during which notable college alumni give advice to students.
Darlene says when the opportunity arose, she didn’t hesitate to
get involved in giving back. She says her role as a mentor has
been a way to pay forward her not only her business experience,
but also her views on the importance of continuous learning.
“It took me about a year to get a job after I graduated. I want to be there for the
students who are having similar challenges. I start with the initial four weeks,
but I am open to keeping the connection going. I have one student who I have
mentored for two years now. I want to help these students to advance their careers
and I always tell them if they need me, I’ll be there. It’s rewarding to feel like
you are adding value to someone’s career journey.”
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Success Story