Stephanie Shaw on leading global HR at Eldorado Gold
McGill MBA alumna Stephanie Shaw (MBA’10) is vice-president of human resources at Eldorado Gold, where she leads a global team supporting 5,000 employees. Based in Vancouver, Shaw is driving a new people strategy focused on inclusive leadership, employee experience and digital transformation.
MBA graduate learned the art of networking at McGill
For Renaud Thomassin, being a francophone at McGill unlocked a new way of being Quebecois--one in which you can navigate easily between cultures.
“Beyond the knowledge and skills that I gained, I also discovered the art of networking--and it’s already opened doors for me,” says Thomassin, a MBA graduate. He encourages others who have only studied at francophone schools to consider McGill. “The university offered me an incredible experience and unique opportunities.”
MBA students gain global business insights on international study trip
In April 2025, MBA students from McGill's Desautels Faculty of Management embarked on a ten-day international study trip to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Istanbul. The experience blended corporate visits with cultural immersion, offering insights into real-world business challenges in diverse contexts. Students engaged with global firms like Strategy&, Majid Al Futtaim, and Digiturk, while also exploring local heritage sites and community initiatives.
Nearly half of most recent MBA cohort are Quebec residents - but the program retains its international outlook
Desautels has one of the country’s top MBA programs, and its students come from all over the world. But nearly half of this year’s cohort are Quebec residents. “This allows us to offer an experience tailored to the Quebec market, all while keeping the program’s international perspective,” says Prof. Demetrios Vakratsas, the program’s academic director.
How one MBA student finds time for healthy living
For Liela Touré, an MBA student at McGill juggling a marketing role at a consultant firm, grocery shopping is more than a necessity—it’s a form of self-care. With long days and limited time to cook, she meal-preps in bulk, freezes balanced meals, and prioritizes high-quality pantry staples. Making intentional choices has helped her stay energized and avoid burnout. She has cut out alcohol for the semester, limits caffeine, and swaps restaurant outings for home-cooked meals.

Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2025
We are proud to share our McGill Desautels MBA placed 94th globally in the prestigious 2025 Financial Times Global MBA rankings! FT has recognized our MBA in several international criteria: 1st in Canada and 1st in North America for international faculty; 1st in Canada and 1st in North America for international mobility in careers of our alumni; 1st in Canada and 2nd in North America for international course experience.
For international students, advance preparation can smooth move to new country
Canada has some of the world’s leading business schools and attracts MBA students from around the world. However, moving to a new country is a major change, and Nitin Bishnoi (MBA’25) recommends taking care of as much as you can before you make the move. “There are certain things which students are generally stressed about when they arrive in a new country,” said Bishnoi in an interview with the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Business Schools.
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.
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.
MBA alumna to lead Ottawa International Airport Authority
Susan Margles (BA’88, MBA’91) has been appointed President and CEO of the Ottawa International Airport Authority. Like other airports, Ottawa’s suffered during the pandemic, but it’s bouncing back with major infrastructure projects, like a new hotel and a connection to the city’s light rail transit system.

McGill Desautels MBA ranked #26 globally most sustainable by Corporate Knights
The McGill Desautels Faculty of Management MBA is ranked 26th globally by the prestigious Corporate Knights Better World MBA ranking, proving again to be a leader in sustainability development and corporate social responsibility through teaching and learning methodologies.

Two McGill Desautels graduates named to 2024 MBAs to Watch by Poets & Quants
Poets & Quants has named its MBAs to Watch list for 2024, and two Desautels graduates have made the cut! The magazine and website asks business schools to nominate some of their top students for consideration for the list, and from those nominations, 126 students have been selected as MBAs to Watch. They represent many of the world’s top universities, and MBAs to Watch have often gone on to careers at top consulting firms.
Kanuk adapts jackets to milder winters, eyes international markets
Kanuk jackets are made for Quebec winters—but Quebec winters aren’t as cold as they used to be. Bertrand Cesvet (BA’86, MBA’88) wants to make Kanuk jackets more versatile. Cesvet led a group of investors who recently bought the Montreal winter wear company from Champlain Financial, a private equity group.
Saloua Benkhouya to lead Women in Finance Association in Quebec (AFFQ)
Saloua Benkhouya (BSc’04, MBA’11) has been elected as President of the Board of Directors of the Women in Finance Association in Quebec (AFFQ), an organization dedicated to women in the financial services sector. Benkhouya has been an active member of AFFQ since 2016, previously serving as secretary and a member of the audit and risk management committee.
Meet MBA Camila Sabogal one of Poets and Quants' 2024 Best & Brightest
Camila Sabogal Cuadros (MBA '24) has been recognized as one of Poets and Quants' 2024 Best & Brightest MBAs. Hailing from Lima, Peru, Sabogal has demonstrated exceptional leadership as the 2023 President of the Desautels Graduate Women’s Association (DGWA) and as a Senior Strategy Consultant at Monitor Deloitte post-graduation.