BCom alum trades in a career in marketing to become a firefighter

Lesly Yao (BCom’18) isn’t your stereotypical small-town Quebec firefighter. Born in Tahiti, the Bachelor of Commerce grad was growing disillusioned with her work at a marketing firm when a Canadian Forces recruitment advertisement caught her eye—and her imagination. But because Yao was not a citizen at the time and a job with the Forces was not in the cards. “I’d always had it in the back of my mind to become a firefighter,” she says.

BCom alum credits networking with helping Sports Illustrated app off the ground

In Canada, ice time is at a premium and the nearest rink might not be able to accommodate your beer league team. But in large cities, there’s often ice available somewhere, and Jonathan Azouri (BCom’16) spotted an opportunity. The co-founder and CEO of CatchCorner by Sports Illustrated, an app that allows users to book sports facilities, launched it in Toronto in 2019 and is now making it available in markets like New York, Los Angeles, and Boston.

C. Douglas Mellor Prize for academic excellence awarded to two GCPA students

Alyssa Abruzzese (BCom‘23, GCPA’24) and Vivian Ly (BCom‘22, GCPA’24), students of the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting (GCPA) program, have been selected among their graduating class as this year’s recipients of the C. Douglas Mellor Prize for academic excellence.

Two McGill Desautels students named McCall MacBain International Fellows

McCall MacBain Fellowships offer students at select universities an opportunity to spend a year abroad. Valued at up to $30,000 and awarded by the McCall MacBain Foundation, Fellows spend one term studying a language, one term pursuing academic studies, and one term in a job placement or internship. This year, McGill students earned the honour. Mayra Baca El Hachemi, who is majoring in marketing at McGill Desautels and will be travelling to Japan.

BCom graduate and swimmer wins bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Swimmer Clément Secchi (BCom’22) has become the first McGill University graduate to reach the podium at the Summer Olympics since 2008. The 24-year-old management graduate from Aix-en-Provence, France, earned bronze for his native country on Sunday as part of the men's 4x100 medley relay. A four-time All-Canadian at McGill, the 5-foot-11, 157-pound butterfly specialist was a three-time recipient of the Forbes Trophy as the University's male athlete of the year.

Frédéric Perron leads internet service provider Cogeco during time of potential growth

Frédéric Perron (BCom’97) was serving as the Chief Commercial Officer for Vodafone Poland when he was asked to return to Canada to become the new president and CEO of Cogeco, an internet service provider. Although Cogeco’s corporate offices are in Montreal, Perron’s position is based in Burlington, Ontario. That puts him closer to the company’s US customers, some of which are in nearby Ohio.

Two McGill Desautels students named McCall MacBain International Fellows

Jordan Cowie (BCom‘24) reflects on journey as McGill Desautels valedictorian

Jordan Cowie, McGill Desautels Faculty of Management’s 2024 valedictorian, spoke with the McGill Reporter about her student experience and shared her insights upon completing her degree. Graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce in Labour-Management Relations and Human Resources, Jordan chose McGill University for its affordability and proximity to her family in Westchester, N.Y., and for her strong affinity to Montreal’s urban and natural beauty.

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.

ESG investing helped prepare Gillian Stein to become CEO of Henry’s

Gillian Stein (BCom’00)’s great-grandfather founded the Toronto-headquartered electronics business Henry’s in 1909, but she never envisioned becoming the company’s CEO. Growing up, she had seen how stressful running the company could be for her father Andrew, who had a heart attack at the age of 47. “I always had a ton of respect and passion and admiration for the business but it wasn’t something I wanted for myself,” says Stein. “I changed and the business changed.

McGill Desautels grad to compete in Paris Olympic Games

2024 is shaping up to be a big year for François Cauchon (BCom’22). Cauchon will be representing Canada at the summer Olympic Games in Paris. "It is a surreal feeling," Cauchon, who battled through knee, back and ankle injuries before being named to Canada’s 14-member fencing team, tells CBC. "For every amateur and professional athlete, The Olympics is the holy grail of sports."

BCom students selected for CEOx1Day program

The CEOx1Day program offers some of Canada’s top students the opportunity to learn directly from executives at some of the country’s most prominent companies. Hosted by the Odgers Berndtson Canada consultancy, candidates undergo a rigorous selection process and shadow the CEOs of organizations like Bombardier, Canadian Blood Services and the Royal Canadian Mint. This year, two McGill Desautels Bachelor of Commerce students made the cut.

MMR student shares how L'Oréal Brandstorm led to internship

Last year, after months of hard work and 'brandstorming', two McGill Desautels teams took the podium at the 31st annual L'Oréal Brandstorm competition, competing against top teams from across Canada! Madison Laxer and her fellow Master of Management in Retailing (MMR) teammates, Aditi Bali and Supreet Kaur, took third place.