BEATA PAlKA

Her career with Wood & Co. began three years ago when she joined the firm as a research analyst. Six months later, she became research manager and in October 1998 she was appointed vice president. Palka previously worked as an equity analyst in Canadian investment bank RBC Dominion Securities in Toronto. She graduated from Concordia University in Montreal. Last fall, she became one of the first Poles to receive her diploma as a certified financial analyst. She speaks fluent English and French. Married with two children - Michal and Natalia aged 11 and 7, respectively - Palka said she enjoys spending her free time with her family. They like taking car trips and biking around Poland, she said.