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As part of the Dean’s Signature Lecture Series, Andrew Wu (MBA ’89), LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) Group Greater China President, recently presented, “An Update on China’s Fashion Transformation”. More than 330 students, alumni, faculty, and staff registered for the event in the Robert McEwen Auditorium at Schulich. Wu’s lecture was informative, with statistics and visuals, including entertaining Hollywood movie titles for his slides in the order of Speed, Forever Young, Catch Me If You Can, Risky Business and Tomorrow Never Dies. “Fashion is not just what fashion models represent,” said Wu. “Fashion has become everybody’s business and people in China, young people in particular, have become more and more fashionable.” Wu discussed behavioural shifts that impact how we market, for example, in e-commerce, highlighting the accessibility of international items through online shopping. Wu also mentioned China’s strong cross-border connections, active “daigou” activities, and progressive fashion influences from Hong Kong, Japan, North America, Europe, and K-pop over the last few decades. He also shared interesting facts about the rise in Chinese pet ownership, with a recent surge of registered pets creating a booming market for import pet products. During the Question-and-Answer period, Wu engaged with students, responding to questions on his Schulich experience as well as addressing his perspective on business development and consumer trends in China. Born and raised in Shanghai, Wu is a leading authority on Chinese consumer trends and a globally influential professional in the luxury goods industry for the region. After living in Canada from 1980-1993, he returned to head the Dior cosmetics operation in China for LVMH, pioneering local luxury marketing and retailing between 1993-2000. He then joined Sony Music Entertainment between 2000-2005 to help with the commercialization of Chinese artists in Greater China; and then re-joined LVMH in 2005 as Group Head of Greater China, overseeing the rapid business development of LVMH’s multi-brand portfolio in the Chinese marketplace over the past 19 years. Wu has also become a well-respected promoter of Chinese culture and heritage, gaining a high degree of social recognition in China. The Dean’s Signature Series Lecture was created to showcase and celebrate some of the School’s most accomplished alumni, members of Schulich’s Global Alumni Network with over 35,000 alumni strong in more than 90 countries.

In commemorating Black History Month, we are excited to welcome BBA candidates Ana Cassemiro and Naomi Nigusie this coming Fall, made possible through the support from the Wajeeha and Najeeb Family Award and Badrul and Ayesha Haque Family Award. The awards were established in 2022 by husband-and-wife Nidal Haque (BBA ’15) and Risham Najeeb (BBA ’18), in honour of their parents. They are given to incoming BBA domestic students with preference given to students who self-identify as Black or Indigenous or who have displayed exemplary efforts to elevate BIPOC communities. “Being immigrants to Canada and Schulich alumni, both of us know how meaningful of a difference financial assistance can make in a student’s life,” said Haque and Najeeb. “We always wanted to be able to pass on the support that we were once given and are grateful and humbled to be able to do so with the scholarships. It is also rewarding to be able to see the incredible profiles of the students that the scholarships are able to support.” “This scholarship not only assists my financial situation, but it also lessens the burden of financial stresses,” said Cassemiro, recipient of the Badrul and Ayesha Haque Family Award. “I have immense appreciation for the support your family has given the school, and the opportunities you are handing to students through this award”. “I would like to express my deep gratitude for your generosity in awarding me with the Wajeeha and Najeeb Award, which has allowed me to work less and focus more on my studies,” said Nigusie, recipient of the Wajeeha and Najeeb Family Award. “As someone who values community bonding, I am learning from extreme acts of kindness like yours. This experience is showing me what support really looks like, pushing me to learn how I can support those around me with the resources I have right now.”

To learn more about establishing a named award, please email Catherine Hardman, Director of Philanthropic Engagement chardman@schulich.yorku.ca.

 

Schulich recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen, China, and York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering. This joint educational collaboration, part of York’s “3+1+1 Program”, allows engineering students from SUSTech to complete their fourth year at Lassonde and then enroll in the Master of Management program at Schulich in Year Five. Dean Detlev Zwick and Christina Niederwanger, Executive Director of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, were able to share this news in person earlier this month when they visited with several Schulich alumni in China and Singapore during a business trip to Asia. This was the first time in five years that Schulich has been on an official visit to China and Southeast Asia. They engaged with Schulich alumni in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Singapore. “We would like to thank all of our alumni that we have been able to connect with,” said Niederwanger. “Our highly skilled and talented Schulich alumni community around the world is undeniably a community of movers and shakers, and the energy in each city is palpable.” Niederwanger said she was thrilled to re-connect with Schulich alumni in person after a lengthy interval, and to introduce them to Schulich Dean Zwick. School-wide updates were shared as well as involvement opportunities in support of current and future Schulich students. The visit strengthened ties, fostering a sense of unity and shared commitment. “We have over 400 alumni in China/Hong Kong and are well-connected by WeChat groups,” said Jonathan Cheung (MBA ’73), Chapter Head, China. “”COVID-19 paused our gatherings, but that is not forever. The recent visit of our Dean and his team brought us together again and we will renew our link with Schulich and contribute our knowledge of China to all Schuligans.” With over 35,000 alumni in more than 90 countries, Schulich boasts a substantial global presence. The Alumni Engagement Team at Schulich organizes a variety of activities, events, and programs worldwide, fostering a strong connection within the Global Alumni Network. “We leverage the power of the Schulich connections through our global alumni network,” said Kishore Moorjani (BBA ’94, MBA ’95), Founder & CEO, LXA, and former Senior Managing Director & Head of Tactical Opportunities, Asia, The Blackstone Group. “It’s a powerful tool at our disposal and I have made great personal and professional contacts through the network. Having Dean Zwick back in Singapore was an excellent catalyst to reconnect our alumni here.” The trip to Asia not only rekindled Schulich’s relationships with its alumni but also solidified a promising partnership that will shape the future of education and innovation. To connect with our Chapters in Asia Pacific and around the world, visit https://schulich.yorku.ca/alumni/global-alumni-chapters.

This past week, Schulich hosted three cutting-edge panels focusing on Generative AI and sustainability. “Innovating for a Sustainable Future with GenAI” took place at OneEleven, one of Canada’s most prominent tech accelerators, and brought together industry executives, academic leadership, students, and alumni. The three panels focused on championing AI communities, developing AI marketing strategies, and bridging the gap between technology and sustainability. Companies represented include DotsLive, Microsoft Reactor, Harvard Business Analytics Program (HBAP), Loblaws, Manulife, the Western Technology Alliance, and the Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard. The opening session, titled “Inspiring AI Journey and Community Support”, was presented by DotsLive. Panelists from DotsLive, Microsoft Reactor, and HBAP Startups detailed their personal journey starting and growing a business in the context of artificial intelligence. The discussion also addressed the challenges of adapting to the decreasing cost of cognition and creativity and the implications for job roles. The second session was titled “Exploring AI and Marketing Strategies” and was presented by Advance powered by Loblaw. Panelists from Loblaw Agency, Advance, and Loblaw Digital discussed the application of Generative AI in marketing, spanning from product packaging to comprehensive campaign strategies. The discussion emphasizes tailoring customer experiences, experimenting with AI to customize messaging, and finding practical challenges in implementing AI in marketing strategies. The discussion also featured insights from the Digital, Data and Design Institute at Harvard. The closing session, titled “Bridging AI and Sustainability”, was presented by Manulife. Representatives from Western Technology Alliance, Schulich, Manulife, and Scotiabank showcased the Generative AI tools they use to improve sustainability in finance. The discussion touched upon the impact of AI on traditional accounting systems and the role of predictive analytics tools in monitoring and forecasting greenhouse gas emissions. “Innovating for a Sustainable Future with GenAI” was organized by Professor Julian Scott Yeomans, Director of Schulich’s Master of Management in Artificial Intelligence and Master of Business Analytics programs, and Anferny Chen (MBA ‘12), CEO of DotsLive. “Our goal was to showcase Schulich’s AI/analytics identity by focusing on the future of generative AI (GenAI) on sustainability in business contexts,” said Professor Yeomans. “We were able to assemble three excellent panels of incredibly dynamic speakers who could forcefully provide a strong cross-section of viewpoints on the potential impacts, caveats, and contributions of GenAI. Clearly if GenAI is the future pathway for implementing corporate sustainability, that future is already well on its way!” View all photos from the evening >  

Schulich’s Tech MBA owes much of its success to our dedicated alumni community, including top tech leaders who actively shape the curriculum, take part on the Tech MBA Advisory Council, offer mentorship, speak in the classroom, support scholarships, and facilitate internships. Schulich’s influential alumni play a crucial role in advocating to further strengthen the program’s reputation and growth. Schulich is thrilled to announce three newly established awards thanks to the support of our alumni’s involvement and leadership. These awards will be given to equity-deserving students who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, or Female. Recipients of these awards demonstrate community leadership and academic achievement. Thank you to the alumni who are making a difference in the lives of our students:

• Ramanpreet Boporai (iMBA ’05), Director, Financial Planning, CN Railway Company for his help in championing the CN Railway Tech MBA Diversity and Inclusion Award valued at $10,000.
• Mary Ann Yule (EMBA ’11), President & CEO, HP Canada for her endorsement through the HP Canada Excellence Award valued at $10,000.
• Anna Maria Ewing, (MBA ’88), for her commitment to women in tech through the Anna Maria Ewing, MBA ’88 Tech Leadership Award valued at $5,000.

Establishing scholarships enables a diverse and inclusive program as well as benefits the industry with access to top-tier talent, fostering innovation and leadership in this ever-evolving sector. For more information on establishing a named award, please contact Catherine Hardman, Director, Philanthropic Engagement at chardman@schulich.yorku.ca.

This semester, Schulich sent several case competition teams to universities across North America. Each student team received coaching from alumni and faculty as part of Schulich’s highly regarded case competition program, which serves as a platform to develop essential skills in strategic thinking and presentation. Team Schulich clinched the $10,000 top prize at Duke University’s 2023 Energy in Emerging Markets Case Competition. Ian Chang (JD/MBA ’24), Disha Mittal (JD/MBA ’24), and Abilash Sathyakumar (JD/MBA ’25), competed against 60 teams from over seven countries, including finalists from the Kellogg School of Management and Judget Business School at the University of Cambridge. Their winning proposal offered a practical business model addressing the electrification challenges in Nigeria’s rural areas. The team’s achievement, with support from Neda Riazi (BBA ’14), reflects Schulich’s commitment to developing solutions with positive social and environmental impact. DeGroote Innovative Solutions Competition (DISC), which took place virtually earlier this month saw two, new, Schulich case teams secure second and third place. Students Mikayla Wronko, Sophie MacLellan, Sophia Katzell, Joanne Estephan, Jack Goodwin, Omer Rahim, Kian Rastegar, and Siddharth Dave tackled two real-life business cases sponsored by industry leaders. The competition tested their ability to quickly devise business strategies, including a one-week preparation for the first case and a three-hour timeframe for the second. The DISC competition teams received guidance from alumni coaches Michael Chan (MBA ’19), Santoshi Tadanki (MMAI ’23), Kristen Ferkranus (MBA ’20), Adam Wexler (MBA ’11), and Ollie Adegbulu (MF ’23). All student teams were coached by Professor Joe Fayt, who is responsible for training the graduate level case teams at Schulich. Professor Fayt brings over a decade of experience to the program and has earned over 60 international competition victories coaching Schulich teams. Professor Fayt also teaches several marketing courses at Schulich. “Congratulations to the Schulich teams on their top-tier placements at recent national and international case competitions,” said Schulich Dean Detlev Zwick. “Kudos as well to the case competition coaches, alumni advisors and supporting faculty who did an outstanding job preparing our students to compete at the very highest levels.”