Alumni

Lighting the way for a more sustainable future with Sean Arani (MBA’16) | 91ֱ�� Management Insights

MMI — Tue, 27 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000

In this episode of 91ֱ�� 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 91ֱ�� 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) | 91ֱ�� Management Insights

MMI — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 13:50:08 +0000

In the latest episode of 91ֱ�� Management Insights, BCom student Mia Colaner sat down with 91ֱ�� 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) | 91ֱ�� Management Insights

MMI — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 11:59:33 +0000

In the latest episode of 91ֱ�� 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 91ֱ��’s Faculty Club, bringing the 91ֱ�� 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) | 91ֱ�� Management Insights

MMI — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 13:18:26 +0000

In this episode of 91ֱ�� Management Insights, current MBA student Liela Touré sits down with Danny Di Perna, a 91ֱ�� 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) | 91ֱ�� Management Insights

MMI — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 15:21:08 +0000

Anne-Sophie Martin’s journey from 91ֱ�� graduate to business leader and mental health advocate is one marked by ambition, resilience, and self-discovery.

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

91ֱ�� 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 91ֱ�� prepared me for a multinational career

91ֱ�� Desautels — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 13:49:53 +0000

Franca Ciambella, BCom’84, is a trailblazing 91ֱ�� 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 91ֱ�� helped shape her values, sharpen her skills, and prepare her for a multifaceted international career.

Anna Kim: A 91ֱ�� scholar’s perspective on local innovation and global gtrategy

91ֱ�� Desautels — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 15:55:24 +0000

As an Associate Professor in the Strategy & Organization area at Desautels, Anna Kim has spent over a decade exploring how local perspectives shape sustainable development across East Africa. Her ethnographic research spans Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, where she has partnered with Fairtrade-certified tea producers and mobile money innovators to uncover unique, ground-level insights into impact creation.

Courage, culture, and the CPA path: Inside the 91ֱ�� Desautels journey of Steve-Florian Maniratanga (BCom'25)

91ֱ�� Desautels — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 14:33:54 +0000

Driven by purpose and a deep sense of community, Steve-Florian Maniratanga (BCom’25) brings heart, intellect, and ambition to everything he does. Originally from Burundi, his journey to 91ֱ�� Desautels was sparked by the bold academic decisions of a peer and further fueled by a desire to empower entrepreneurs through financial knowledge. Now majoring in Accounting with a concentration in Finance, Steve-Florian is carving a path toward becoming a CPA, with sights set on a future in audit and possibly mergers and acquisitions.

The Super Upside Factor and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs with Daniel Kang (BCom’16) | 91ֱ�� Management Insights

MMI — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 13:33:34 +0000

Catch up with Daniel Kang, a 91ֱ�� BCom graduate and the author of The Super Upside Factor—scheduled to hit stands on March 25—in the latest episode of 91ֱ�� Management Insights.

Alae Smaili (BCom’26): Investing in Africa’s future, one venture at a time

91ֱ�� Desautels — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 19:56:21 +0000

Driven by purpose and a global mindset, Alae Smaili (BCom sudent at 91ֱ�� Desautels) brings both passion and ambition to her academic journey. Raised in Toronto and now thriving in Montreal’s dynamic cultural scene, Alae is majoring in Finance with a concentration in International Business. Alae's sights are set on making a meaningful impact across Africa through venture capital—a field she sees as pivotal to the continent’s future.

From Rwanda to 91ֱ��: Serena Birasa (BCom’25) on leadership and learning

91ֱ�� Desautels — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 19:22:52 +0000

Serena Birasa (BCom’25) has embraced every challenge and opportunity that 91ֱ�� Desautels has to offer. Originally from Rwanda and majoring in Finance, she chose 91ֱ�� for its dynamic environment, where driven and passionate individuals push each other to grow. From forming lifelong friendships to securing internships that led to job offers, her journey has been transformative both academically and personally.

Beyond the classroom: Julia Ayim (BCom’23) on leadership, growth, and impact

91ֱ�� Desautels — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 15:40:54 +0000

For many students, the university experience is more than just academics—it’s a journey of self-discovery, cultural exploration, and building lifelong connections. Julia Ayim, BCom’23, embodies this journey, having navigated 91ֱ�� Desautels with a deep appreciation for diversity, community, and opportunity. Originally from Ghana and having lived in multiple African countries, Julia sought a university that reflected her global perspective. From spearheading impactful events to developing essential professional skills, she has made the most of her time at 91ֱ��.