Norman H. Kondo, BA, JD, CIRP (Hon.)
President and CEO of CDA
Norm is a seasoned not-for-profit executive who served as the President of the Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals (CAIRP) for 28 years. He holds a BA in Administrative Studies and the degree of Juris Doctor. He is enthusiastic about helping CDA become a major force in assisting the millions of Canadians who face consumer debt issues.
Norm represented CAIRP in testifying before Parliamentary Committees on Insolvency reform. He worked closely with the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy and was one of the Chairs of the National Insolvency Qualification Board (NIQP) that was responsible for the training and testing of candidates who wished to be licensed by the Superintendent of Bankruptcy as trustees in bankruptcy.
Norm was also the President of the Canadian Insolvency Foundation, which created the Lloyd Houlden Research Fellowship to sponsor research on insolvency topics.
During his tenure at CAIRP, Norm participated in the creation of Standards of Professional Practice for Chartered Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals (CIRPs) and the creation of a competency-based examination for trustee candidates. He also provided support and guidance to CAIP’s Professional Conduct Committee.
After his retirement from CAIRP in 2011, Norm collaborated with Alan Spergel former CAIRP Chair to form ICIN (Independent Canadian Insolvency Network). The network consisted of independent insolvency firms across Canada. ICIN inspired the creation of GRIP (Global Insolvency Restructuring Professionals). GRIP Europe now has over 20 countries in its network and the recently created GRIP Asia Pacific has 13 counties in its network. Norm continues to serve as the Executive Director of GRIP North America.
In addition to his post-retirement business activities, Norm served as a volunteer governance consultant with MAS (Management Advisory Services) in Toronto. His particular interest was in assisting the Boards of small not-for-profits in understanding and implementing good governance practices.
Norm is looking forward to helping CDA grow its certification program so that consumer debtors can be confident that they have made the right choice when they select a Certified Debtor Advocate to assist them with their financial issues. It goes without saying that the certification program will also train the advocates to recognize that the debtor may have to seek advice from an LIT (Licensed Insolvency Trustee). The Consumer Debtor Advocates and LITs can, together, provide the best outcome for consumer debtors who require formal insolvency proceedings that only LITs can provide.