Success stories

Omar Ba mashmos, MBA’24

Strategy Consultant, Bain & Company  

 Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Building knowledge, networks, and opportunity

I chose Desautels MBA program for four reasons. First, the MBA curriculum at Desautels equips students with the practical business knowledge that they need to have a successful career. It teaches core skills and provides various courses to specialize in a specific domain.

Second, Desautels MBA offers an exceptional career coaching program which ensures that students have the professional skills to thrive in the competitive business world.

Third, Desautels Alumni body and professional network are so vast and diverse. It, therefore, offers tremendous opportunities to join any industry in any region around the world.

Fourth, Desautels students’ body is comprised of some of the most talented successful people in the world which I looked forward to being part of. Overall, the MBA program at Desautels is not only an academic degree but a life-transforming journey. I don’t believe there is a limit to what I can achieve.

Ricardo Restrepo Betancur, MBA’24

General Manager, Iberotech SAS  

 Colombia

Global ambitions, personal connections

I had wanted to become a lawyer for many years. After working as an office administrator and paralegal at a top-rated boutique law firm, I saw the importance of understanding business in running a successful firm, where business development, financial, and team management skills are all required.

McGill uniquely allowed students to combine the MBA with both the BCL and JD law degrees. The business training and career development opportunities offered by the Desautels MBA program, combined with McGill’s transsystemic law program, encompassing Common, Civil, and Indigenous legal traditions, provided the comprehensive foundation I was seeking.

I also recognized that my fellow students would shape my MBA experience. The structure and culture of the Desautels program, its international student body, its location in Montreal, the integrated International Study Trip, and its reputation as a leading business and law school made McGill my top choice.

David Bossa, MBA’24

Business Development Executive, Sensequake

 Colombia

Choosing a world-class MBA experience

An MBA is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I wanted to take the most out of it. I wanted to study in a prestigious school, with global recognition and a network, that could open doors in a wide variety of countries. I got to talk to many Canadian professionals that knew Desautels as one of the best Business Schools in Canada, and one with a great network around the globe.

Also, the experiential learning experiences were a decisive factor for me, and Desautels offers MBA students a wide variety, that can leverage the knowledge acquired in the classroom. This, alongside to the career advising services that are accompanying the students during the program, made me choose Desautels for my MBA.

Mariapaz Pajares Burns, MBA’24

Co-Founder & CFO of UMA Peru,
Asset Management Analyst at Kruger Energy

 Peru

Finding connection in a close-knit MBA community

I chose Desautels for my MBA because of three reasons. First, the size of the cohort makes it possible to have meaningful connections with all my peers. By having a small cohort, everyone has a sense of community, and we are always helping each other to be successful.

Second, the strength of the alumni network helps me discover new career opportunities and enter the corporate world in Canada. As an international student, this is highly valuable when looking for internships and jobs. Since all the alumni have a community feeling towards Desautels, they are open to connecting and helping you in your professional career.

Finally, the program offers a variety of courses and experiential experiences to further develop your knowledge and skills. By being able to take courses from different specializations, you can create your career path. These three reasons made Desautels my first choice for my MBA.

Salvatore (Sal) Iacono, MBA’89

President and CEO of Cadillac Fairview

 Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The best MBA in Canada

Before joining the McGill MBA, I was working as a voice and data network designer at Bell Canada after completing my degree in electrical engineering. While I enjoyed the technical challenges of engineering, I wanted greater opportunities for management, career advancement, and professional growth.

McGill stood out among the programs I was considering because of its strong reputation, excellent value, and flexibility. One of the highlights of the program was the diversity of my classmates, whose varied backgrounds broadened my perspective on business and teamwork.

After graduating, I joined Trizec as a construction project manager and went on to build a nearly 40-year career across multiple facets of the real estate industry. Looking back, I would describe the McGill MBA as offering the best combination of reputation, learning, recognition, experience, and value for money in the country. Simply put, it was the best Canadian MBA.

George Manske, MBA’16

Founder & General Manager, Sigma-Y Soluções de Produtos

 Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil

From engineer to global entrepreneur

Before joining the McGill MBA, I worked in China as a supplier development engineer, leading product development, quality control, and operations improvement initiatives with suppliers.

As an engineer, I recognized that I needed stronger management and finance skills to complement my technical expertise and gain a broader business perspective. Less than a year after graduating, I founded a consultancy in Brazil that connects international suppliers, primarily Chinese manufacturers, with Brazilian distributors.

The MBA equipped me with the leadership, financial, and operational tools needed to build and grow the business, while strengthening my ability to work across cultures and global markets. Today, I apply lessons from the program every day as I lead a company operating between Asia and Latin America.

Pierre Martin, MBA’24

Business Development Manager, Acquire Technology Solutions

 Calgary, Alberta, Canada

A transformative MBA experience in Montreal

Desautels’ reputation for outstanding teaching and innovative research initially drew me to the program. Its flexible, globally focused curriculum, hands-on learning opportunities, and personalized career coaching helped me develop my expertise in consulting, corporate strategy, and business management.

Beyond the classroom, I benefited greatly from the vibrant student community and the many clubs and associations that foster collaboration and leadership. Serving as the MBA Representative for the Desautels Graduate Entrepreneurship Club (DGEC) was one of the highlights of my experience.

Montreal also played an important role in my journey. As a thriving hub for technology, AI, and entrepreneurship, the city offered exceptional professional opportunities while providing an outstanding quality of life.

Looking back, the Desautels MBA transformed both my personal and professional growth. The relationships I built, the experiences I gained, and the global perspective I developed continue to shape my career today.

Megan Norland, MBA/Law’24

Associate at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Why McGill was my top choice

I had wanted to become a lawyer for many years. After working as an office administrator and paralegal at a top-rated boutique law firm, I saw the importance of understanding business in running a successful firm, where business development, financial, and team management skills are all required.

McGill uniquely allowed students to combine the MBA with both the BCL and JD law degrees. The business training and career development opportunities offered by the Desautels MBA program, combined with McGill’s transsystemic law program, encompassing Common, Civil, and Indigenous legal traditions, provided the comprehensive foundation I was seeking.

I also recognized that my fellow students would shape my MBA experience. The structure and culture of the Desautels program, its international student body, its location in Montreal, the integrated International Study Trip, and its reputation as a leading business and law school made McGill my top choice.

Building a global career through reinvention

Prior to joining the MBA program at Desautels, I practiced law for three years before transitioning into management roles in touring show operations with Cirque du Soleil across the Asia-Pacific region. When the pandemic brought global operations to a halt, I seized the opportunity to pursue an MBA at McGill and broaden my business expertise.

After graduating in 2021, I returned to Cirque du Soleil as the company relaunched its activities, overseeing deal-making and relationship management with promoters and strategic partners around the world. I subsequently led the business strategy for Cirque du Soleil’s holiday show portfolio, helping scale the segment threefold. Since 2024, I have been responsible for business development for new resident shows globally, cultivating relationships with real estate developers, gaming companies, sports organizations, and entertainment partners to drive new growth opportunities.

The Desautels MBA equipped me with essential business skills, including financial analysis, business case development, and strategic decision-making. Beyond the classroom, consulting mandates with companies across diverse industries and participation in international case competitions provided invaluable hands-on experience and broadened my perspective. Ultimately, my time at Desautels strengthened my strategic thinking and gave me the tools to approach complex business challenges with a well-rounded, 360-degree perspective.

Kriti Pradhan, MBA’23

Senior Management Consultant, EY

 Toronto, Ontario, Canada

A community that lasts a lifetime

As my MBA journey was filled with great learning, personal growth and networking. I particularly enjoyed the strong sense of community we fostered, the small but tight-knit class that enhanced collaborative learning, and the extensive support from career services and faculty.

These elements have not only contributed to my academic and professional achievements but have also created a network of friends and colleagues that I cherish and know will continue to be part of my life.

Finding the right fit at McGill

While preparing for my MBA journey, there were several key factors that were essential in my school selection. First and foremost was the variety of course offerings that would provide me with a strong theoretical and practical management foundation and help me become a future leader. Along with this, there was the flexibility to pace and tailor my coursework according to my needs and interests.

Secondly, the small size of the cohort would enable me to build deeper bonds with my classmates and foster a collaborative learning environment. This would also help me make lifelong connections.

Last but not least was the impact that my interview experience had on me. The interview was truly one of a kind, and it made me realize the emphasis McGill places on getting to know the real me, rather than focusing solely on scores, which are often the primary screening criterion at many other schools.

A combination of these major factors, along with several smaller ones, made me choose McGill over other schools.

A transformative MBA journey

My experience pursuing an MBA at Desautels was nothing short of transformative. The intensity of the program was matched by the invaluable lessons and unforgettable moments I encountered along the way. The faculty members were not only exceptional educators but also remarkable individuals who genuinely cared about their students’ growth and success.

What sets Desautels apart is its unparalleled flexibility, allowing students to tailor their MBA journey according to their interests and goals. From internships to curriculum choices, from extracurricular activities to personal and professional development opportunities, I had the freedom to shape my experience in alignment with my academic and career aspirations.

As an introverted international student, I faced the challenge of stepping out of my comfort zone and developing essential social and networking skills in a culture where it wasn’t deeply ingrained. Fortunately, the MBA program, faculty, and career coaches were there every step of the way, offering unwavering support and guidance. They helped me overcome my reservations and learning the art of networking, an ongoing learning process that continues to enrich my professional journey.

Why choose a McGill MBA?

"I feel like I'm not just having a program and just studying courses, it's also like a two-year experience to better emerge into the Canadian environment and to better equip myself with a future career", says Bingquan Roger Wu, BBA, MBA.

What is the best part of a McGill MBA?

"The people come from all kinds of backgrounds professionally and culturally speaking. And that has inspired me a lot. They're all like minded and they're driven, and not only that, but I also see myself working with them and building professional relationships as well after the MBA", says Christos Lycos, MBA.

What advice would you give someone considering a McGill MBA?

"Immerse yourself in the experience because it really is one of those things where the more of yourself you put into it the more you get out", says Megan Norland, JD, BCL and MBA

What are some of the benefits of the McGill Desautels student clubs?

"These clubs have been doing a lot for us, they have been conducting networking sessions, they've been conducting events, competitions, and all of this has given us an opportunity to network with people", says Vritti Munjal, MBA.

What are some of the resources available in the McGill MBA?

"Career management services was the most valuable resource during the McGill MBA. We had a lot of career management services, a lot of events, we had workshops and we got to meet other people from the industry. That was beneficial to connect us and at the same time, give us an overview of what the industry is like", says Husham Hajhamid, MBA.

How inclusive is the McGill MBA community?

"I think the MBA program enables me to acquire more soft skills such as communication and project management skills which could benefit me a lot in my long-term career. As a gay man, I really appreciate the inclusivity of McGill and the whole Canadian environment. I think going for MBA really helped me get an idea about Canada and made me more equipped to tackle down issues and have a better career", says Bingquan Roger Wu, BBA, MBA.

How does a McGill MBA benefit a lawyer?

"In running a firm, you need business development skills, client management skills, all that sort of business acumen that we develop here in the MBA. Also, from the law perspective, if you're serving a business client, you're going to be able to be a much better lawyer if you can understand what the client's business is as well", says Megan Norland, JD, BCL and MBA.

Why a McGill MBA can benefit someone from an engineering background?

"The benefit of the MBA program, especially for someone like me, who's an engineer with a nonbusiness background, is getting familiarized with business concepts through the high intensity and diversity of the information that we had to process", says Husham Hajhamid, M. Sc., MBA.