Adam Camenzuli (iBBA, ’10), Founder and CEO of Nyumba Housing, has been busy over the past few years focusing on affordable housing, agriculture and access to health in Africa.
In Malawi, Camenzuli and his team are working on providing access to the thousands of Malawians who do not currently have access to housing. Also, in Malawi he opened a well for his local community, which now provides everyone in the area with access to free high-quality clean water.
In addition, Camenzuli has been busy working as the CFO of Kasha, a last mile health technology and distribution company in East Africa – managing a team of around 20 people across several countries with sales and complexity growing month over month. Kasha recently raised $21 million to expand operations across the continent.
Adam Camenzuli (iBBA ’10)
“Providing healthcare products and other household goods to thousands of people in Rwanda and Kenya, Kasha is a way to buy high-quality and legitimate products at a fair and affordable price,” Camenzuli said.
Over the last year or so, Camenzuli says he has learned a lot about how to manage revenue growth from a financial process perspective and is looking forward to what’s in store for the future, as the company grows to more countries in Africa.
“We are investing in the long term and are very optimistic about the prospects for Africa,” said Camenzuli. “I’ve been here almost 15 years, since graduating from Schulich, and have both personally and professionally invested on the continent – the future is here.”
Carlos Rios (MMKG ‘19) and his agency Tabula have pivoted from traditional SEO services to a cohesive team that fuses their collective years of marketing experience with powerful new AI technology to deliver better, faster and more affordable solutions.
One of the reasons Carlos has been able to build his business is thanks to the powerful global network of Schulich alumni. “One of the most valuable takeaways from my Schulich experience has been the incredible alumni network from around the world,” said Carlos. “Both the Schulich faculty and alumni have been key success factors for our business.”
Carlos’ journey into entrepreneurship has been supported by multiple Schulich faculty such as Ashley Konson, Adjunct Professor of Marketing and Chris Carder, Schulich Executive Director of the Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship and his team.
“Schulich gave me the knowledge and the connections to be successful in the marketing world, and the hope I have is to give back by bringing even more attention to the School and thought leadership initiatives like Schulich’s own Future of Marketing Magazine,” said Carlos.
On June 28, 2023, the Schulich Real Property Alumni Association (SRPAA) hosted the 4th Annual Golf Classic in collaboration with Schulich’s Real Estate and Infrastructure (REI) program. The tournament was organized in support of Schulich’s REI students and raised over $53,000.
This year, over 100 golfers and guests including developers, investors, and managers of commercial real estate attended the event. Co-Chair, Michael Krasic (MREI ’18) shared, “It was incredible to bring an amazing and diverse group of industry leaders out for a day of fun and golf,” he continued, “We were proud to bring the community together to raise funds for Schulich Students.”
The other Co-Chair, Imran Mangalji (MREI ’18) added, “The event’s earnings will be allocated to the SRPAA and Partners Leadership Fund for Black and Indigenous Communities dedicated to offering undergraduate scholarships to Black and Indigenous students, along with a comprehensive mentoring and internship program. Its purpose is to provide support to young individuals from marginalized communities who may otherwise lack access to higher education. Through this initiative our goal is to nurture future leaders who will empower the upcoming generation in their communities.”
To see pictures and find out more information about the SRPAA Gold Classic, please visit https://schulich.yorku.ca/srpaa-golf-classic/.
Schulich extends thanks to the following Golf Classic organizers and sponsors:
Gold Lunch Sponsor:York University Development CorporationGold Golf Ball Sponsor:Dorsay Development CorporationGolf Towel Co-Sponsors: Coletara Development and Belmont Equity PartnersPremium Hole Sponsors:RYCOM, Valleymede, and McCarthy TetraultMarketing Partner: TREL: Toronto Real Estate LeadersHole in One Sponsor:Woodbine NissanHole Sponsors:Torys, Quality Allied Elevator, CanFirst Capital Management, Manulife Investment Management, Prombank, RealSage, Atena Building Group, Chartwell Retirement Residences, Select Hospitality Systems LtdOrganizing committee: Michael Krasic (MREI ‘18), Imran Mangalji (MREI ’18), Emily Martino (MMgt’ 21), Matt Miklas (MREI ’20), Adam Milklas (MREI ’21), Kyle Pinto (MBA ’18), Tracy Hui (MREI ’20) and Maxim Steiner (JD/MBA ’19)
Inspired by Schulich’s outstanding Health Industry Management programs, Dr. L. O. “Brad” Bradley’s family has chosen to honour their late father by creating the Dr. L. O. Bradley Leadership Entrance Award with a $250,000 legacy gift to support incoming students to Schulich’s Master of Health Industry Administration (MHIA program).
Over the next 10 years, two recipients who have shown outstanding leadership potential, innovative thinking and community involvement will be awarded $12,500. This prestigious award will attract top health industry students to Schulich, while helping to alleviate financial stress.
Dr. Bradley was recognized as a leader in health institution management and his career included many senior positions. He received several honours for his work including the George Findlay Stephens Memorial Award, the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Medical Alumni Association of the University of Alberta, and the Extendicare Award from the Canadian College of Health Service Executives. Dr. Bradley also strongly believed in lifelong learning and achieved a number of public administration designations and notably, received his final University Degree at the age of 86.
“He had a complete commitment to hospital administration and learning, and that commitment never waned,” said Dr. Bradley’s son, Tom Bradley. “Dad’s passion in life was his profession. I can’t think of a better way of honouring his memory than by helping the future generation pick up from where he left off.” Tom Bradley also shared Dr. Bradley’s favourite saying as a small piece of advice for future students: “Carry on Bravely!”
Schulich is thankful to Dr. Bradley’s family for committing to our students. The two inaugural recipients will be announced in Fall 2023. To learn more about a planned gift, please visit this link.
This past week, the Centre for Career Design (CCD) held the annual Recruitment Appreciation Awards, recognizing the vital role of employers in shaping the success of business students. The event celebrated the deepening connections between industry leaders, recruiters, faculty, and students at Schulich.
The evening commenced with a warm welcome from Hollis Sinker, Executive Director of the CCD. Then, Schulich Dean Detlev Zwick remarked on the significance of Schulich’s creative industry partnerships, highlighting a newly formed experiential-learning partnership with CI Financial. Afterwards, Professor Murat Kristal, Director of the MBA in Technology Leadership, delivered a keynote address.
During the award ceremony, multiple outstanding employers were honoured for their impactful engagement. Darren Lafreniere, a recruiter from Cognizant, received the Student Success Award for his exceptional mentorship and guidance. Sanofi, who has been working with Schulich to develop the next generation of healthcare leaders, received the Outstanding New Recruitment Partner award. Finally, RBC and Senior Recruiter Vikas Mehra were recognized for their ongoing commitment to recruiting Schulich students.
Close up photo of the Employer Appreciation Award Medal
“Employers are the lifeblood of our institution, providing invaluable opportunities for our students and contributing to the continuous growth and development of our programs,” said Professor Kristal. “Through their collaboration and support, employers not only enhance the learning experience for our students but also shape the future of business.”
View photos from the 2023 CCD Employer Appreciation Awards >
2023 marks a significant milestone for the partnership between Schulich and the Forté Foundation as they commemorate a decade of collaboration in fostering women’s leadership in business. Since its establishment in 2003, the Forté Foundation has been dedicated to empowering women to achieve their professional aspirations, and the partnership with Schulich has been instrumental in helping realize this mission.
By joining forces, Schulich and Forté have created a dynamic ecosystem that supports and uplifts aspiring women leaders, providing them with the necessary resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to excel in their careers.
One of the key initiatives offered by Forté Foundation is the Forté Fellowship, which aims to identify and support exceptional women pursuing their MBA at partner schools. Schulich students have greatly benefited from this fellowship, which not only provides financial assistance, but also offers a wide range of professional development opportunities.
Moreover, Forté Foundation organizes various events and conferences throughout the year, offering students valuable networking platforms and insights from industry experts. Recently, Schulich’s 2023 delegation had the privilege of attending the Summer Conference held in Dallas. Seven Schulich students participated, immersing themselves in a transformative experience that broadened their horizons and enhanced their leadership skills. Hao Yu, an MBA Candidate at Schulich said, “The Summer Conference was an incredible opportunity to connect with inspiring women leaders and learn from their experiences. I feel privileged to be part of the Schulich Forté partnership.”
Meenakshi Kukreja, a Schulich MBA’23 alumna, also credits the Schulich-Forté partnership for enabling her personal and professional development. As a past Forté Fellow, Forté Ambassador at Schulich, an active participant in the MBA Games, and a leader in her cohort, Meenakshi is a true supporter of the women community at Schulich.
Elissa Sangster, CEO of Forté, expresses her delight at the decade-long partnership, emphasizing the importance of enduring relationships in their mission. “As we celebrate 20 years of progress toward achieving parity and increasing opportunities for women in business leadership, it’s been an honour to partner with Schulich,” says Sangster.
Schulich Dean Detlev Zwick also highlights the significance of the partnership and the achievements of the Forté Fellows who have graduated from the School. “We are proud to be one of the first business schools in Canada to partner with the Forté Foundation, and we’re also proud of the many Forté Fellows who graduated from our School and have gone on to highly successful careers in the world of business,” states Dean Zwick.
As the partnership between Schulich and Forté Foundation enters its second decade, the shared vision of empowering women in business continues to inspire and drive meaningful change. Together, they are transforming the business landscape by fostering diversity, equality, and leadership among women, creating a better future for aspiring female professionals worldwide.
Schulich recently hosted the 3rd annual Supply Chain Research Forum, “Supply Chain Challenges: Practical Insights from Emerging Academic Research.” The two-day forum was attended by 50+ academic researchers and invited industry guests representing organizations across Canada. The annual forum highlights emerging research related to the design, optimization, and sustainability of supply chains.
“This year’s forum provided academic researchers with an intimate and interactive environment to discuss leading-edge research vital to the resiliency and long-term sustainability of supply chains,” said David Johnston, Research Chair and Director, George Weston Ltd. Centre for Sustainable Supply Chains.
This year’s event included a Welcome Address by Schulich Dean Detlev Zwick, a doctoral consortium, research presentations on emerging supply chain research, as well as facilitated workshops on academic research collaboration and career development. New for 2023, the event included an industry panel discussion on the topic of research collaboration between academia and industry. It featured high-profile industry speakers: Hope Bentley, Head of Supply Chain Canada, McDonald’s; John Corey, President, Freight Management Association of Canada (FMA); and Pina Melchionna, President and CEO, Canadian Institute of Traffic and Transportation (CITT).
The forum was presented by the George Weston Ltd. Centre for Sustainable Supply Chains and the Operations Management and Information Systems (OMIS) Area of Schulich, in partnership with Supply Chain Canada.
“If there was one lesson we learned during the pandemic, it was how vital supply chains are and what a critical role they play,” said Dean Zwick. “Our economic future will greatly depend on how well we manage international supply chains, including making sure that these supply chains are resilient enough to navigate the kind of blockages, bottlenecks, and turbulence we’ve seen in the past few years.”
For full event details, please see this page. For information related to Supply Chain Management education at Schulich, visit our Master of Supply Chain Management (MSCM) program page.
View photos from the 2023 Weston Centre Supply Chain Research Forum >
As the entrepreneurial spirit thrived within the halls of Schulich, an innovative initiative was set into motion: the launch of the Pitch Deck Advisory Council. The Council, comprised of 12 Schulich Alumni and Instructors, all active members within the venture capital community, was created out of a desire to further support founders in the Schulich Startups community.
“The Schulich Startups community is blessed to have so many Alumni leaders from the Venture Capital Sector ready to step-up and support our Founders of today and tomorrow,” said Chris Carder, Executive Director of the Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship. “This is another great example of how our Alumni and their incredible talents are our most powerful resource to achieve long-term scale and impact within the innovation ecosystem.”
In recent years, Schulich Startups Founders have raised a remarkable $44M. The Council is an investment in the future, providing guidance to up-and-coming Founders in perfecting their pitch decks and preparing for various stages of funding.
The inaugural 12-member Council includes:
Ujwal Arkalgud (MBA 2009), Executive Vice President at Lux Research
Snita Balsara (MBA 2012), Principal at BDC Capital
Leah Perry (MBA 2022), Senior Manager, Cleantech, Venture Services at MaRS Discovery District
Cherry Rose Tan, Schulich Startups Entrepreneur in Residence, led the recruitment and organization of this dynamic team. The Advisory Council is more than just a group; it is a testament to the power of community, a promise of continued growth, and an inspiration for Schulich Founders venturing into the world of entrepreneurship.
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.”
