Challenges of adapting Canada’s pension model for the UK
In a Financial Times piece on the UK’s interest in replicating Canada’s pension system, Associate Professor Sebastien Betermier highlights concerns about the growing politicization of Canada’s pension funds. He notes that the success of the Maple 8 model relies on maintaining independence from government interference.
McGill Desautels BCom student wins Government of Canada’s 2024 Building Better Financial Futures Challenge
In a display of academic excellence and innovative thinking, Khushi Toprani (BCom’25) has clinched the top paper award in the 2024 Building Better Financial Futures student competition. The Challenge is a post-secondary student paper competition designed to promote the creation of actionable, evidence-based solutions to current financial challenges faced by vulnerable communities.
Montreal retailer Frank and Oak files for creditor protection for second time
In January 2025, the Montreal-based retailer Frank and Oak filed for creditor protection for the second time in recent years. A company statement said it was to protect employees, assets and operations from creditor claims while exploring options to restructure.
Taken together, excellence and equity are a true measure of success
Inclusion should not undermine performance, nor should performance come at the expense of individuals, Dean Yolande Chan in the Leaders & Strategists podcast hosted by McGill Desautels Professor Anicet Fangwa. “For me, success is about both excellence and equity,” said Chan.
In the face of a volatile world, modern leaders should draw on expertise suffused throughout the organizations they lead
The days of the CEO as the sole person making all the calls are behind us, writes Professor Karl Moore in Forbes.com. Modern leaders face a world that is volatile, unpredictable, complex and ambiguous, requiring a shift in the way we think about leadership. No one leader can anticipate every twist and turn. Instead, CEOs must tap into their teams’ collective intelligence to build resilience.
Experiencing London’s finance hub: An MMF’25 perspective
From October 13-17, the McGill Master of Management in Finance (MMF) 2025 cohort visited London to explore one of the world's largest financial hubs. Arthur Deng MMF’25 shares his experience on this week-long trip, which included visits to historical sites, networking events, and meetings with alumni. Students were welcomed at the High Commission of Canada and the Quebec Delegation Government Office, showcasing London's diverse, inclusive culture.
Purchase planning can help reduce environmental impact of holiday season
The holidays are a time for celebration, but higher levels of consumption also cause pollution. “Our busy, materialistic lives are not well aligned with climate objectives, and during the holidays, it’s even worse,” says Ghina El Haffar, a postdoctoral researcher at McGill Desautels Centre for the Convergence of Health and Economics. “We forget our convictions and that heightens pressure on the environment.” But making incremental improvements is straightforward enough.
Emotional intelligence is key to leadership
Emotional intelligence is the cornerstone of true leadership, says Thomas Lecordier (MBA’97), the President and Director General of A2C, an association of more than one hundred creative communications agencies. The ability to manage your own emotions and understand the emotions of others can make you a better coach and a better collaborator.
Sam Greene named Assistant Pitching Coach for Toronto Blue Jays
In baseball, data is of paramount importance. Since graduating from the Master of Management Analytics program, Sam Greene (MMA’21) has been applying the analytical skills he developed at McGill Desautels as a researcher with the Toronto Blue Jays Major League Baseball club. In 2025, Greene will be even closer to the action as he takes on a new position as Assistant Pitching Coach for the team.
Even the best-known global brands reflect local realities
Claudia Navarro (MBA’03) is Coca-Cola’s Chief of Marketing for Latin America, but her climb through the company’s ranks started out at their Toronto office. “We need to be part of the global conversation, but also be relevant locally,” Navarro told Forbes Espanol. One example is the brand’s famous Christmas branding.
Return to office won’t necessarily increase productivity
After a sudden shift to remote work in 2020, federal public servants have been required to be on site for 60 per cent of their working days since September 2024. Productivity was among its reasons for introducing the requirement, but that’s misguided, according to Jean-Nicolas Reyt, Associate Professor of Management at McGill Desautels.
BSRM collaborates with Mamie Clafoutis to redefine bakery experience
In partnership with McGill’s Bensadoun School of Retail Management (BSRM) and Master of Management in Retailing (MMR) program, Quebec bakery Mamie Clafoutis transformed its St. Denis location into a cutting-edge bakery.
Making strategic assets available to pension funds would encourage more domestic investment
Canadian pension funds have a mandate to deliver steady pension payments to millions of plan members, writes Professor Sebastien Betermier in Benefits Canada. But that’s easier said than done, and the most cost-efficient way to deliver is by investing in a globally diversified portfolio tilted toward strategic assets.
US expansion plans head south for Quebec’s Autobus Lion
In 2023, the Quebec electric vehicle maker Autobus Lion opened a $150 million truck manufacturing facility in Illinois, but its expansion into the United States has not gone according to plan. Much of its 900,000 square foot facility sits empty, and the company is sub-leasing the space. Now, the company is on the brink of bankruptcy and working with investors to determine if it can be salvaged.
‘Welcome tax’ helps Quebec cities generate their own revenue
In 2022, Quebec’s so-called ‘welcome tax’ generated more than $1.4 billion for municipalities, with Montreal alone pulling in more than $410 million. Though it sounds like a penalty for new arrivals, its name is actually derived from former Quebec cabinet member Jean Bienvenue, who tabled the bill proposing the tax; Bienvenue’s surname translates into English as ‘welcome’.