Alumni

��VR��Ƶ Desautels celebrates the Class of 2026 at Spring Convocation

Stefania Montuoro — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:19:00 +0000

On May 27, 2026, graduates, family members, faculty, staff and friends gathered at the Tomlinson Fieldhouse for ��VR��Ƶ's Spring Convocation, celebrating the achievements of the ��VR��Ƶ Desautels Class of 2026 and the accomplishments of distinguished members of the Faculty community.

Where preparation becomes opportunity: Inside the 2026 Desautels Cup

��VR��Ƶ Desautels — Thu, 07 May 2026 14:38:46 +0000

The Desautels Cup is where preparation becomes opportunity. On February 13, 2026, MBA students translated classroom frameworks into real‑world strategy, presenting their thinking to alumni who challenged them to sharpen their analysis and elevate their communication. This year’s competition centred on a live business case drawn from the company of Daniela Suarez, BCom’18, CEO and Founder of Ēvolvō Studio Inc. For Daniela Suarez, returning to Desautels as both founder and judge marked a full‑circle moment.

The ��VR��Ƶ Desautels Launch: A student-led beginning to alumni life

��VR��Ƶ Desautels — Thu, 07 May 2026 14:26:51 +0000

On March 27, more than 200 students, alumni, faculty, and staff gathered for the inaugural Desautels Launch, a student‑led evening designed to explore what it means to become a Desautels alum. Rather than a traditional send‑off, the Launch was designed as a student‑led initiative, built from the ground up to answer a simple but important question: what does it actually mean to become a Desautels alum?

Homecoming 2025: Where Desautels connections come full circle

��VR��Ƶ Advancement — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 20:14:35 +0000

Every fall, Desautels alumni return to campus to reconnect, reminisce, and meet the next generation of business leaders walking the same halls. This year’s Homecoming was a celebration of everything that makes ��VR��Ƶ Desautels unique: world-class learning, global impact, and a community that keeps growing stronger with time.

Alumni give back

Even before Homecoming officially began, visiting alumni brought their expertise into classrooms and student activities.

Lighting the way for a more sustainable future with Sean Arani (MBA’16) | ��VR��Ƶ Management Insights

MMI — Tue, 27 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000

In this episode of ��VR��Ƶ Management Insights, MBA alum and founder of Arani, Sean Arani (MBA’16), shares his journey from engineer to entrepreneur with current MBA student Kelly-Dawn Clarahan.

Building a purpose-driven brand with Neil Cuggy (BCom’10)

MMI — Mon, 12 May 2025 13:20:56 +0000

In this episode of ��VR��Ƶ Management Insights, Neil Cuggy, Co-Founder, President and Chief Operating Officer of Goodfood and host Katherine Lake, a current BCom student studying finance and sustainable management, explore the evolution of entrepreneurship, the challenges of building a busines

Taking the long view of your career with Brian Fetherstonhaugh (BCom’79) | ��VR��Ƶ Management Insights

MMI — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 13:50:08 +0000

In the latest episode of ��VR��Ƶ Management Insights, BCom student Mia Colaner sat down with ��VR��Ƶ alum Brian Fetherstonhaugh (BCom '79), a visionary leader whose career has spanned global marketing, executive coaching, and authorship.

Managing change in the modern workplace with Simon Blanchette (BCom’14) | ��VR��Ƶ Management Insights

MMI — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 11:59:33 +0000

In the latest episode of ��VR��Ƶ Management Insights, BCom student Megan Curadeau sits down once again with BCom graduate, faculty lecturer, and visiting scholar Simon Blanchette (BCom’14). This engaging conversation focuses on a topic that resonates deeply with both students and professionals alike—change management.

Trailblazers honoured at 45th Desautels Management Achievement Awards

Ireland Compton — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 13:03:36 +0000

On March 14, 2025, members of the Desautels community gathered to celebrate the recipients of the 45th Desautels Management Achievement Awards. This ceremony was held at ��VR��Ƶ’s Faculty Club, bringing the ��VR��Ƶ Desautels community together with members of Montreal’s local business community to highlight the significant contributions of four outstanding businesspeople selected by a committee of current students.

Leadership and the Future of Transportation with Danny Di Perna (MBA’97) | ��VR��Ƶ Management Insights

MMI — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 13:18:26 +0000

In this episode of ��VR��Ƶ Management Insights, current MBA student Liela Touré sits down with Danny Di Perna, a ��VR��Ƶ MBA alum, Desautels International Advancement and Advisory Board member, and seasoned executive with experience at companies like PwC, Air Canada, Alstom, and Bombardier.

Advocating for mental health and wellness in the corporate world with Anne-Sophie Martin (BCom’16) | ��VR��Ƶ Management Insights

MMI — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 15:21:08 +0000

Anne-Sophie Martin’s journey from ��VR��Ƶ graduate to business leader and mental health advocate is one marked by ambition, resilience, and self-discovery.

Ten years of ��VR��Ƶ DABI: A legacy of voice, vision, and impact with Sonia Buma

��VR��Ƶ Desautels — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 18:07:23 +0000

What began as a student initiative has grown into a decade-strong platform for African leadership, innovation, and dialogue. In this interview, Sonia Buma, former ��VR��Ƶ Desautels African Business Initiative (��VR��Ƶ DABI) leader and Mastercard Foundation Scholar, reflects on the journey from grassroots organizing to global advocacy. From elevating the annual conference to founding a nonprofit that influences international policy, this story is a testament to the power of vision, bold leadership, and the enduring impact of student-led movements.

��VR��Ƶ Desautels' hidden curriculum: Confidence, connection and culture with Liz Thomas (BCom'22)

��VR��Ƶ Desautels — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 17:52:41 +0000

What happens when a multilingual, ambitious student steps into one of Canada’s most diverse academic environments? For Liz Thomas (BCom'22), ��VR��Ƶ Desautels wasn’t just a place to study, it was a launchpad for transformation. From mastering French to navigating cultural dynamics in the classroom, and from leading real-world projects to thriving in the corporate world, this interview reveals how education, environment, and experience came together to shape a confident, globally-minded professional.

Exploring the invisible: Professor Robert Nason's insights on informal entrepreneurship in Africa

��VR��Ƶ Desautels — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 18:36:16 +0000

In this exclusive Q&A, Professor Robert Nason delves into his groundbreaking research on informal entrepreneurship in Africa. With a focus on the unique economic activities within the townships of Cape Town, South Africa, and the evolving role of Market Queens in Ghana's Ketjetia Marketplace, Professor Nason's work challenges conventional views on entrepreneurship.

Franca Ciambella (BCom’84): How ��VR��Ƶ prepared me for a multinational career

��VR��Ƶ Desautels — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 13:49:53 +0000

Franca Ciambella, BCom’84, is a trailblazing ��VR��Ƶ Desautels alumna whose dynamic career has taken her across continents—from managing a prestigious law firm in Singapore to her current work in Nigeria as a legal and management consultant. With decades of global experience and a deep appreciation for professional excellence, she reflects on how her time at ��VR��Ƶ helped shape her values, sharpen her skills, and prepare her for a multifaceted international career.

Alumni

����VR��Ƶ Desautels celebrates the Class of 2026 at Spring Convocation

Where preparation becomes opportunity: Inside the 2026 Desautels Cup

The ����VR��Ƶ Desautels Launch: A student-led beginning to alumni life

Homecoming 2025: Where Desautels connections come full circle

Lighting the way for a more sustainable future with Sean Arani (MBA’16) | ����VR��Ƶ Management Insights

Building a purpose-driven brand with Neil Cuggy (BCom’10)

Taking the long view of your career with Brian Fetherstonhaugh (BCom’79) | ����VR��Ƶ Management Insights

Managing change in the modern workplace with Simon Blanchette (BCom’14) | ����VR��Ƶ Management Insights