Our guest speakers this Friday were Rachelle Allen and Adam Plaxton of Investors Group who spoke about personal financial planning.

I was lucky to discover financial planning at an early age through some of my own investigations and my Mom’s encouragement, and it’s something I’m planning to continue investing in. I’m specialize in design, someone else specializes in finances. Nuff said.

Catherine Baird is the Associate Creative Director at Dashboard

From the classroom at Sheridan Web Design, Catherine walked us through her career right up to her current position at Dashboard. It was inspiring to see how far and how quickly she has achieved her goals. It was fun to see her final Independent Project, which we’re all slaving over right now! I think what caught my attention most, was that she was able to go to Paris and work. I think I have a soft spot for Paris, not just because it’s Paris, but the city plans for my hometown and Paris are the same, not to mention the architecture is very similar…

Here are some tips from Catherine:

Brendan Good is the Associate Creative Director at Leo Burnett.

Brendan is an alumni of the Sheridan Web Design program. His presentation was fascinatingly interactive. He was prepared with many topics, and allowed us to choose to hear about what we thought was most interesting. I think I can safely say, we learned a lot.

This is his presentation. Follow Brendan Good on Twitter here.

Steve Miller, OneMethod Digital + Design‘s VP and Creative Director came to speak to us today, about his work and his company.

He said that all the experience you have from life will help you in your future, and your job.

Some things Steve recommended checking out are:

• Flickr wireframes group
• FWA
• Designerfix
• Twitter (Pete Cashmore @mashable, mobile/social
• Adam T. Bailey @adambailey, Tropicana
• Grace Smith @gracesmith, type, UK, WordPress
• Mitch Joel @mitchjoel
• One Method @onemethod
• Steve Miller @thatstevemiller

Keith is the President and Co-Founder of ecentricarts inc., and Leslie is the Art Director.

Some of the projects that they have worked on include: Osler Lawfirm website, Stikeman Lawfirm holiday card, Kids Help Phone website, National Ballet School branding and site, Textile Museum of Canada, Toronto Museum Project, and Munk Debates, among many others.