DREAM BIG, ASK QUESTIONS, AND GO FOR IT. IT’S POSSIBLE THAT YOU’LL ACCOMPLISH MORE THAN YOU’VE IMAGINED.
ROBERT MADEJ (BMath ’92, MMath ’94)
DREAM BIG, ASK QUESTIONS, AND GO FOR IT. IT’S POSSIBLE THAT YOU’LL ACCOMPLISH MORE THAN YOU’VE IMAGINED.
ROBERT MADEJ (BMath ’92, MMath ’94)
HELPING NEW GRADUATES
DREAM BIG
Robert Madej (BMath ’92, MMath ’94), CEO of PureFacts Financial Solutions Inc., was a young man with a plan. His dream was to study mathematics and start a business, and he was going to make it happen. But his high school guidance counsellor had doubts and encouraged him to become a math teacher or an actuary instead, both lucrative professions with job security. Despite the counsellor’s best efforts, there was no changing Robert’s mind.
The words of his mother, Suzanne Casey (BMath ’92), were already ingrained in him: “You can do anything,” she’d say, “Do what you love.” And he believed her. Today, Robert’s living his dream and is now helping others try to achieve theirs.
His guidance counsellor suggested he pursue a math degree from a school with an entrepreneurial spirit. Waterloo’s exceptional math program and innovative co-operative education option would give him the strong foundation needed to achieve his dream. He’d study with brilliant mathematicians, gain real-world business experience and could graduate without debt. It was a clear choice.
When Robert applied to study Pure Math at Waterloo, his mother decided to pursue her dream of a math degree as well. There were those who told her it would be impossible, but she too believed that she could do anything. Determined to succeed, Casey quit her job as a nurse in Montreal and joined her son at Waterloo. They would graduate together on the same day.
Robert describes the joy of learning, love for each other and resilience as being at the core of their family. “We understood we could do anything, and with entrepreneurship in my DNA, I spent all my time thinking about what ‘anything’ looks like. I still think like this.”
PureFacts Financial Solutions grew out of a software company Robert started with his brother 25 years ago. The growing wealthtech firm creates products that solve complex challenges with advanced mathematics, data analytics and AI. Today, PureFacts has offices in Zurich, Lisbon and Toronto and is recognized as a global leader in fee billing and revenue management.
Robert believes that starting a business is one of the most positive ways you can make an impact on the world, helping to provide amazing jobs and opportunities for others to live up to their potential. The PurePossibilities program is part of the company’s commitment to giving back. This program awards scholarships in various disciplines to ambitious and motivated students in Canada and Europe; Waterloo’s faculties of Mathematics and Engineering each offer a scholarship funded through PurePossibilities.
Supporting new graduates is beneficial for our country, Robert explains. Debt can delay them from starting their own business, buying a house or investing to build wealth themselves. PurePossibilities helps students start pursuing their goals right away. He encourages everyone to “dream big, ask questions, and go for it. It’s possible that you’ll accomplish more than you’ve imagined.”
Adapted from a story by Kathy Smidt
Robert Madej (BMath ’92, MMath ’94), CEO of PureFacts Financial Solutions Inc., was a young man with a plan. His dream was to study mathematics and start a business, and he was going to make it happen. But his high school guidance counsellor had doubts and encouraged him to become a math teacher or an actuary instead, both lucrative professions with job security. Despite the counsellor’s best efforts, there was no changing Robert’s mind.
The words of his mother, Suzanne Casey (BMath ’92), were already ingrained in him: “You can do anything,” she’d say, “Do what you love.” And he believed her. Today, Robert’s living his dream and is now helping others try to achieve theirs.
His guidance counsellor suggested he pursue a math degree from a school with an entrepreneurial spirit. Waterloo’s exceptional math program and innovative co-operative education option would give him the strong foundation needed to achieve his dream. He’d study with brilliant mathematicians, gain real-world business experience and could graduate without debt. It was a clear choice.
When Robert applied to study Pure Math at Waterloo, his mother decided to pursue her dream of a math degree as well. There were those who told her it would be impossible, but she too believed that she could do anything. Determined to succeed, Casey quit her job as a nurse in Montreal and joined her son at Waterloo. They would graduate together on the same day.
Robert describes the joy of learning, love for each other and resilience as being at the core of their family. “We understood we could do anything, and with entrepreneurship in my DNA, I spent all my time thinking about what ‘anything’ looks like. I still think like this.”
PureFacts Financial Solutions grew out of a software company Robert started with his brother 25 years ago. The growing wealthtech firm creates products that solve complex challenges with advanced mathematics, data analytics and AI. Today, PureFacts has offices in Zurich, Lisbon and Toronto and is recognized as a global leader in fee billing and revenue management.
Robert believes that starting a business is one of the most positive ways you can make an impact on the world, helping to provide amazing jobs and opportunities for others to live up to their potential. The PurePossibilities program is part of the company’s commitment to giving back. This program awards scholarships in various disciplines to ambitious and motivated students in Canada and Europe; Waterloo’s faculties of Mathematics and Engineering each offer a scholarship funded through PurePossibilities.
Supporting new graduates is beneficial for our country, Robert explains. Debt can delay them from starting their own business, buying a house or investing to build wealth themselves. PurePossibilities helps students start pursuing their goals right away. He encourages everyone to “dream big, ask questions, and go for it. It’s possible that you’ll accomplish more than you’ve imagined.”
Adapted from a story by Kathy Smidt
