Developers’ Den, presented by Altus Group, and co-hosted by Schulich School of Business and the Schulich Real Property Alumni Association (SRPAA) is Schulich’s longest running and most esteemed real estate case competition. In its 13th edition, Schulich welcomed eight teams from Schulich’s MBA and Master of Real Estate and Infrastructure programs. Judges from the semi-final and final rounds included top leaders in the real estate community.
The annual competition offers students a platform to showcase their technical and creative thinking skills, while gaining feedback and insights from professionals in the industry. This year’s case sponsor was from the Canadian Student Communities Inc (CSCI) and involved a vacant site situated in the Garden District neighbourhood in Toronto.
Schulich offers its sincerest congratulations to this year’s winning team who were awarded the coveted Developers’ Den Cup. The team presented a solution for student housing while providing a positive impact to the surrounding community.
Special thanks to Presenting sponsor Altus Group; Lead Sponsors Parkbridge, QuadReal Property Group, HOEM; Supporting Sponsors Campus Suites LP | Suite Life Inc; Lead Sponsors AMICA Senior Lifestyles, Harbour Equity, Triovest, Podium Developments, SmartCentres, JLL; and Associate Sponsors Manulife Investment Management, NYX Capital Corp, BA Consulting Group, Canderel, Crestpoint Real Estate Investments, PCL Constructors Canada.
The Developers’ Den Alumni Organizing Committee included Anthony Yu (MBA ’16), Anubhav Sharma (MREI ’20), Christian Petersen (MBA ’13), Jinny Tran (MBA ’20), Nick DiCastri (MREI ’20), and Severina Lutaj (MBA ’22).
Co-Chair of the Organizing Committee, Anubhav Sharma said, “It was wonderful to see the competitors impress the real estate community with their creativity and professionalism.”
View the event photos here >
A special thank you to this year’s panel of judges, for actively participating in and contributing to our co-curricular learning ecosystem. Click here to see list of judges.
Schulich has announced the launch of a new MBA in Technology Leadership (Tech MBA), the first of its kind in Canada.
The Tech MBA program will launch in Fall 2023 and will help develop the next generation of leaders for a business world that is increasingly tech driven. The 16-month, highly experiential professional program will integrate leadership development with a focus on strategic thinking, systems design, digital transformation, value creation, and technology management and integration.
The program is designed to equip students with the leadership and management skills needed to succeed in a business world facing major transformational changes, including the rapid application of artificial intelligence and other technological advances. Key program features include a guaranteed one-term workplace internship, direct exposure to industry leaders as part of a small selective class, and career support though the Tech MBA’s Professional Development Hive, two professional development courses focusing on employability skills and career readiness.
“Schulich’s new Tech MBA will produce graduates who bring cutting-edge managerial knowledge to help companies deal with technological disruption and the ongoing digital transformation reshaping the world of business,” says Dean Detlev Zwick.
Murat Kristal, Associate Professor of Operations Management and Special Advisor, AI & Analytics, has been appointed as the inaugural Director of the Tech MBA Program. An expert in analytics and digital transformation, Murat brings over ten years of experience in technology teaching and research to his role as Director.
“The MBA in Technology Leadership Program offers a truly unique and innovative approach to business education, combining a comprehensive understanding of technology with the critical business skills needed to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving marketplace,” says Professor Kristal. “Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned professional looking to take your career to the next level, the Tech MBA Program provides the tools and expertise you need to thrive in the digital age.”
Schulich’s recent Alumni Forum, CONNECT ’23, was a huge success, bringing together alumni from all industries to share knowledge, ideas, and experiences. The event featured a range of inspirational speakers, interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and career coaching.
“CONNECT is the largest, most significant annual event produced by our Alumni Engagement Office,” said Schulich Dean Detlev Zwick. “We were excited to welcome more than 250 alumni, students and faculty who brought together an incredible mix of leading minds, providing an invaluable opportunity to learn from industry experts and reconnect with our alumni.”
The event started with a kick-off conversation featuring Dean Zwick and Sasha Krstic (IMBA ’03), Moren Lévesque, Saleem Janmohamed (BBA ’89, MBA ’90) and Christian Haub, who shared insights and advice on how to succeed in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world. The conversation set the tone for the day for the participants who came to “reset, reignite, and reunite”.
Throughout the day, participants had the opportunity to attend a variety of sessions led by industry experts. The sessions were designed to be interactive and engaging, with plenty of opportunities for attendees to ask questions, share their own experiences, and learn from others. Topics ranged from entrepreneurship and innovation to artificial intelligence, sustainability and healthcare.
“All of the speakers were truly inspiring,” said Christina Niederwanger, Executive Director of Advancement and Alumni Engagement. “They shared their personal stories of success and discussed the challenges they faced along the way. Their stories were not only motivating, but also provided attendees with valuable insights and advice that they could use in their own lives and careers.”
One of the most valuable aspects of the event was the networking opportunities. Attendees had the chance to connect with fellow alumni, as well as with industry leaders and experts. Everyone who attended left the event feeling motivated and empowered to take their careers and lives to the next level.
The event was generously supported by TD Insurance.
[Left to right] Executive Director Christina Niederwanger, CONNECT ’23 Co-Chairs Keith Loo and Pamela Laycock, Dean Detlev Zwick
Tareq Latayfeh (MBA ’20) was recently recognized as part of the 2023 Business Elite’s 40 Under 40. A ceremony took place at the Ritz Carlton in Toronto to celebrate all the honorees.
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank Business Elite for continuing to recognize young business leaders and entrepreneurs,” said Latayfeh. “I had the chance to reflect on my journey and everyone who supported me, including my family, friends, and colleagues. It felt uplifting to sense all the incredible energy in the room, while it was inspiring to listen to the rest of the “40 Under 40″ cohort and their similar extraordinary stories, making new connections with like-minded individuals.”
Latayfeh, who currently holds the position of Vice President, Director of Operations at AECOM in New York City, credits his MBA for sharpening his skills in leadership, accelerating effective networking, and validating practical managerial experience.
“The MBA program at Schulich improved and expanded my technical expertise in finance, strategy, infrastructure, and real estate,” Latayfeh said. “It unlocked tremendous networking opportunities with business leaders in North America. I also accessed a strong alumni network in Canada and internationally.”
Business Elite’s “40 Under 40” is a prestigious award program that identifies outstanding young Executives and Entrepreneurs in the world’s business and creates networking opportunities for the up-and-comers, aspiring young business leaders and industry disruptors with the undoubted attitude, quality, potential, desire, determination, and ambition to shape the world of business over the coming decades.
Jonathan Lee (MBA/JD ’13) recently opened his own law firm A.G. Truett Law that specializes in Securities, Corporate and Employment Law. The firm delivers legal services under an innovative organizational structure which affords reduced cost to clients. Jonathan credits Schulich for being instrumental in helping him understand business operations and strategy.
“Using what I learned from my MBA, I was able to identify my target market, develop a business plan and implement a marketing strategy,” Lee said. “The MBA also exposed me to a wide variety of business disciplines that are critical components to the daily operations of my firm – such as accounting, finance, and information systems.”
After a decade on Bay Street acquiring regulatory and transactional experience, Lee did a personality inventory and identified his core values, with ‘autonomy’ standing out. “Starting my own firm has allowed me to: one – do the work I want; two – have a greater degree of control over my schedule; and three – directly and tangibly benefit from my own efforts,” he said.
For current students who aspire to open their own firms, Lee says they should gain experience, seek mentors, and remember who they are.
“If you want to start your own firm, that usually means you have entrepreneurial qualities that need to be engaged,” he said. “After you’ve gained the requisite skills and built out your network, never forget who you are, and go for it!”
A startup founded by Schulich alums has recently closed CAD 2.1 million in pre-seed funding to fuel its North American expansion and product development plans.
Launched in 2019, RealSage was founded by Arunabh Dastidar (MBA ’19), Gaurav Madani (MBA ’19), and Zain Nathoo (BBA ’14). The company currently tackles the modern-day challenges of rental managers by enabling them to leverage their data and systems uniquely.
“As RealSage continues to refine its AI models within the multi-family housing sector, we foresee a natural progression into the commercial real estate space,” said Dastidar. “By adapting our AI and data intelligence solutions to address the unique challenges in multi-family Real estate, we can assist asset managers in optimizing portfolios, enhancing tenant experiences, and improving overall operational efficiency in the sector. In addition, this expansion will enable RealSage to bring its innovative technology to a bigger market across North America and a wider range of scenarios, further revolutionizing the industry.”
Dastidar says his experience at Schulich influences his daily approach to business. “One key takeaway I use daily is the importance of fostering a growth mindset and embracing continuous learning. This mindset helps me stay agile, adapt to new challenges, and encourage innovation within the team.”
Representing every faculty at York University, the 2023 Top 30 Alumni Under 30 are applying the education, skills and experiences they received at York to meaningful careers and community service endeavours, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to the public good, at home and abroad.
Five Schulich alumni are included in this inspiring group of leaders who are creating positive change in varied and significant ways.
The Schulich Alumni recognized are:
Sahil Kesar (IBBA ’15)
Lawyer, mentor and volunteer
Faridah Yagboyaju (IBBA ’22)
Entrepreneur and mentor
Iris Yusupov (MBA ’22)
Clinical researcher and mental health advocate
“This recognition means many things to me, but most importantly it provides validation that my journey has and continues to do good for the communities around me, and more personally, validation that the values passed on to me by my parents are worthy of recognition,” said recipient Sahil Kesar.
MBA alum Alyssa Segula added, “I’m grateful for the many mentors along the way who I’ve had the privilege to learn from – personally, professionally, and through the Schulich community – that truly anything is possible when people come together with persistence, passion, and patience.”
MMgt graduates who completed much of their studies online throughout the COVID-19 pandemic met in-person at Schulich last week. Over 70 attendees gathered for a keynote presentation and networking reception in Schulich’s Executive Dining Room. The event was organized by Schulich’s Department of Alumni Engagement.
Professor and MMgt Program Director Luke Zhu welcomed the guests and introduced Dean Detlev Zwick, who delivered opening remarks on new initiatives in the MMgt program and opportunities for Schulich alumni.
The keynote presentation, titled “Post-Covid World”, was presented by Schulich Sustainability Professor Mike Valente. Valente’s presentation examined the interaction between business strategy and society throughout the pandemic, with a focus on the typology of organizational responses to social, ecological, and economic issues.
An open mic session was held after the keynote presentation. The attendees had many impressive personal updates – including meeting their significant other at Schulich and volunteering for the Special Olympics – and career updates to share. The event concluded with a networking reception where attendees enjoyed food stations and a host bar.
“The alumni event surpassed our expectations and was a tremendous success. I was thrilled to connect with our alumni, many of whom were unable to experience campus life due to the pandemic,” said Professor Zhu. “It was truly inspiring to witness the remarkable progress our alumni are making in their respective fields.”
View all photos from the event >
The Schulich School of Business held its exclusive MMKG Alumni2Student Mixer this past week. The event brought together 27 alumni and 81 marketing students for an evening of networking and conversation.
Schulich Dean Detlev Zwick, himself a Professor of Marketing, opened the event with a brief speech about the importance of alumni engagement in the marketing industry.
The mixer featured a speed networking session providing students a glimpse into the marketing careers offered by companies such as PepsiCo, KraftHeinz, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and CIBC. A bell was rung every ten minutes, signalling the end of each rotation, and prompting the students to move on to the next table.
The night ended with closing remarks from MMKG Program Director Grant Packard, thanking everyone for attending and reminding them of the importance of forging new connections. Attendees were invited to stay for light refreshments and further networking opportunities.
“Events like our networking mixer are an important part of the Schulich experience. They help serve as an introduction to Toronto’s marketing community– many students develop long-term relationships and even job leads through their new contacts,” said Professor Packard.
View photos from the MMKG Alumni2StudentMixer >
Senior executives from CI Financial and Deloitte visited Schulich to discuss opportunities in the Wealth Management industry this past week. The event, which featured a panel discussion and networking reception, is the second instalment of a partnership with CI Financial titled “Investing in the Future”, which aims to create exclusive experiential learning opportunities for students.
During the panel discussion, titled “Building Wealth: A Range of Options for a Range of Clients,” panelists shared their insights on building wealth at different life stages and discussed the future of the wealth management industry. Speakers included Christopher Enright, Executive Vice President and Co-Head Wealth Canada at CI Financial, Kambiz Vatan-Abadi, President and UDP of CI Direct Investing, Richard Pooran, CTO of Canadian Wealth at CI Financial, Vithal Ketkar (MBA ’12), Senior Management of Digital Transformation at Deloitte, and Peyman Pardis, Head of Operations of Financial Services at Deloitte.
Each panelist also provided unique perspectives on how changing demographics and new technologies are shaping the industry in Canada.
“Kambiz [Chief Innovation Officer at CI Financial] is very supportive of Schulich’s emphasis on experiential education,” said Finance Professor Pauline Shum Nolan, who moderated the panel discussion and kickstarted the CI Financial partnership. “It was a pleasure to work with him and Minerva Cernea [Head of Schulich’s Office of Professional Development and Experiential Education] to create this win-win three-year partnership.”
“We look forward to continuing to develop this partnership by co-creating innovative experiential education opportunities,” added Cernea.
Over 100 participants attended the panel discussion. Afterwards, attendees were invited to Schulich’s CIBC Marketplace to connect with the panelists while enjoying refreshments. Students were also able to explore opportunities at the CI Financial station, which was staffed by CI Financials’ HR team.
View photos from “Building Wealth: A Range of Options for a Range of Clients” >
![[Left to right] Executive Director Christina Niederwanger, CONNECT '23 Co-Chairs Keith Loo and Pamela Laycock, Dean Detlev Zwick](https://schulich.yorku.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DSC06794_Edited.jpg)
