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.
Two students join McGill Desautels as 2024 McCall MacBain Scholars
McGill University's McCall MacBain Scholarships has announced its fourth cohort of recipients, beneficiaries of a landmark $200 million gift made in 2019 by McGill’s 20th Chancellor John McCall MacBain and his wife Marcy. This year’s scholarships will enable 30 students to pursue a funded master’s or professional degree at McGill while participating in mentorship, coaching, and a leadership development program.
Desautels MBA grad named one of 100 people who transformed Africa in 2023
After completing his studies at McGill, Jeremy Awori (MBA’90) worked briefly in the financial services sector in Canada before becoming head of retail banking for the Standard Chartered Bank of Kenya at just 28 years old. Today, he is director general of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, a pan-African banking conglomerate with operations in 33 countries. This year, Financial Afrik named Awori one of 100 people who are transforming Africa.
MBA students should try and avoid FOMO, recent graduate advises
For high-achieving MBA students, the allure of pursuing multiple paths can be strong. However, Kriti Pradhan (MBA’23), now a senior consultant at KPMG Canada, cautions against succumbing to the temptation of trying to do it all. Pradhan advises her peers to steer clear of developing a fear of missing out. "Many students initially enter with a singular vision, such as a career in finance," Pradhan notes in an interview with FT MBA Magazine.
