Graduations – Page 3

Stephen J. Boyd: Taking the Challenge of The Big Swim

May 7, 2019 rbudd Leave a Comment

Big Swim

Have you ever considered swimming across the Northumberland Strait? Most haven’t. But for those who have there is the BIG SWIM, your chance to do something truly epic. The BIG SWIM is a supported event held in August each year that combines an epic feat of endurance with the opportunity to raise funds for an awesome charity. The BIG SWIM is not a race and supports swimmers of all abilities to get out into the Northumberland Strait and achieve the unimaginable.” The Big Swim

Stephen Boyd is taking on the challenge of the Big Swim to be held August 18, 2019. In the coming months, Stephen will be focused on training for this “epic” swim. CEGE Connection is pleased to advise that we will be covering this event over the months, following Stephen on his journey. This is the first in the series of The Big Swim – A Give to Live Project.

Big Swim

Stephen J. Boyd (Class of 2018):

Life has so many wonderful opportunities to offer

As mentioned in a previous post, I am recovering from an injury that will prevent me from competing this summer in my first 100-mile ultramarathon. During my period of self-pity, Sarah (my best support and spouse), suggested I consider the BIG SWIM event, where athletes of all abilities swim from New Brunswick to Prince-Edward-Island. For normal people who cross the Northumberland Strait by bridge or ferry, the distance is roughly 13 Kms. Due to currents, and other unknowns, I am told that the average swimmer will cover 15+ Kms.

The Big Swim – Give to Live gives participants the opportunity to accomplish a feat that few have, while raising funds for a charity that supports children. It is a great opportunity to give back to my community. Without any hesitation, or putting any thought into logistics, I registered the moment the portal opened.

For the last month or so, I have been swimming at Dalhousie’s recreation and athletic center, where I log miles in the pool. Since there are not too many of us who show up for 5:45 am (other than the varsity teams), I have had the opportunity to speak with one of the “regulars”. One on occasion, he asked me if I was training for anything in particular; I went on to explain that I was intending on swimming across the Northumberland Strait. As is the case with most people, his question to me was: “why?”

My immediate response was: “why not?” I further elaborated on the importance of my two kids embracing that life is about going beyond the ordinary, and welcoming the unknown.

Recently, during an exchange of correspondence, Rebecca Budd (CEGE Editor) reminded me that on occasion we have re-evaluate our priorities, and that success in life goes further beyond our careers. Don’t misunderstand me; I appreciate my professional career, but it is only a small part of who I am. Later in the spring, Sarah will be competing with her synchronized swimming team in Quebec City. Despite working full-time and being an exemplary mother of two, she has the tenacity to train hard during the week; that is success I admire.

Some years ago, I had the opportunity to speak with someone that had reached the summit of the world’s highest mountains. His advice to me was to never forget that we really only compete against ourselves, and to keep winning; perhaps, that was some of the best advice I’ve ever received. Besides, ordinary is exactly as it sounds. As Mark Twain once wrote:

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”

I look forward to sharing my thoughts as I embark on the exciting journey.

John Waldron: Collateral Damage of a Fragmented Securities Industry, Part I: Financial Literacy

April 30, 2019 rbudd Leave a Comment

John Waldron, MBA (FS) Class of ‘08

Unlike most countries, Canada’s securities industry is provincially and territorially regulated – not federally regulated. This means that instead of having one national regulator governed by one Securities Act, there are 13 regulators governed by 13 Securities Acts. This might have made sense many years ago, before the steam engine, but in an age of information there are no benefits for maintaining such a fragmented system.

Having 13 securities regulatory authorities is not only archaic and extremely inefficient, but it actually conflicts with their common mandate of protecting investors.

Take financial literacy, for example. Many Canadians feel there is a lack of financial literacy resources available to them. And yet, all 13 regulators offer their own version of a financial literacy resource. Imagine how much better a financial resource would be if they all collaborated together, pooling their resources and created one definitive financial literacy resource instead.

To be clear, Canada does not lack financial literacy resources. There are a lot of available resources. So many, in fact, that a Canadian Financial Literacy Database was created, which currently lists 1,362 available resources for Canadians. And there is the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC), which is the closest we have to a national financial literacy resource. So why then do we have so many competing resources? If the goal is to protect investors, the better option is for all Canadian securities regulators to work together and maintain one definitive financial literacy resource for all Canadians.

Discussions to create a national securities regulator have been going on for years decades. We may not see a national regulator in our lifetime, but that does not mean they cannot work together to create a unified approach to financial literacy. It not only supports their mandate to protect investors, it is also the right thing to do.

Having 13 financial literacy resource from each of Canada’s securities regulators is not nearly as good for investors as having one resource supported by all 13 regulators. This is how we can make meaningful change for Canadian investors, even if we cannot agree on modernizing the securities industry.

John Waldron MBA (FS) Class of 2008
Founder of Learnedly and purveyor of accessible education for financial professionals

John is a repeat contributor on CEGE Connection. We invite you to read John’s posts on CEGE Connection.

Carrie Morrison: Exploring the Limits of Potential

February 12, 2019 rbudd Leave a Comment

“The sweetest successes come from adventures which push us past our limits, challenge our strength and test our will. Ultimately, learning to embrace change, thriving within ambiguity, stretching and releasing myself of personal constraints, and having the determination to persevere no matter the challenge were my greatest lessons.

Carrie Morrison MBA(FS) Class of 2018

With the completion of my MBA(FS), I rewarded myself by taking the trip of a lifetime, cage diving with Great White Sharks off the coast of Guadeloupe. What a thrilling adventure, taking risks and diving into an experience filled with uncertainty! Believe it or not, I leveraged many of the skills I learned to enjoy and embrace throughout my MBA candidacy.

In 2014, I resolved to take ownership over my own success and explore opportunities that would push me outside of my comfort zone. As a mother of two and a dedicated Branch Manager in the financial services sector, my decision to engage in a challenging academic journey was an affirmation and commitment to myself. I recognized that life is measured by our choices and the risks we take to realize our potential. I wanted a life filled with experiences marked by courage and purpose, rather than defined by risks avoided or sidestepped.

My MBA journey provided me with lessons far beyond my expectations. Fast forward four years of balancing multiple priorities and a lot of hard work, graduation became one of the proudest moments of my life. I experienced indescribable feelings of accomplishment, confidence and assuredness, which can only be summarized as personal success!

Upon reflection, the most significant and impactful lessons were not illustrated within the program outline or a course syllabus; rather, it was the unwritten lessons which have left a lasting imprint:

Having the courage to take risks, accepting that failure is plausible but having the resilience to continue;
Embracing uncertainty; the sweetest and most rewarding accomplishments come from those which we have pushed ourselves beyond our comfort zone;
Increased awareness and understanding of personal capacity with limitless boundaries or guardrails restricting my potential;
Welcoming change and fostering the determination and discipline to take responsibility for personal growth.

Surprisingly, and in some ways not surprisingly at all, the ultimate learning I have experienced from achieving a MBA is that the sweetest successes come from adventures which push us past our limits, challenge our strength and test our will. Ultimately, learning to embrace change, thriving within ambiguity, stretching and releasing myself of personal constraints, and having the determination to persevere no matter the challenge were my greatest lessons.

Today, and as I move forward in my career with aspirations of becoming an executive of the bank within the year and a senior executive within the next seven years (I always put a time frame on my goals), the textbook learnings, care of Dalhousie University, will guide my judgement and decisioning. Whereas the unwritten, unpublished and unmarketed soft-skill learnings will continue to drive me forward toward my dreams and full potential.

My advice is to have courage to accept a challenge and reach outside of your comfort zone, for within challenge is where personal growth blooms!

Carrie Morrison MBA(FS) Class of 2018

Carrie Morrison MBA(FS) leads an amazing group of colleagues who represent the North American Contact Centre in initiatives, campaigns and projects across the TD enterprise in a business leadership capacity. CEGE Connection is pleased to advise that Carrie has graciously agreed to be a repeat contributor on CEGE Connection.

Mary Parker Follett: Final Thoughts for the Year 2018

December 27, 2018 rbudd Leave a Comment

“More than one hundred years after the publication of her first book in 1896, Mary P. Follett (1868–1933) remains one of our preeminent thinkers about democracy and social organization. Without the benefit of modern research methods, Follett developed such original, penetrating analyses of leadership, power and authority, conflict, and group behavior that her ideas form the basis of much of our modern discourse about organizations and management.”

Tonn, P. J. C. (2003). Mary P. Follett: Creating Democracy, Transforming Management [Kindle iOS version Location 113].

The New State by Mary Parker Follett

The New State by Mary Parker Follett is not an easy read. The concepts presented within the pages of a book published 100 years ago, continues to inspire us to think deeply and consider individual responsibility within a group dynamic.

Mary Parker Follett’s greatest gift was her ability to listen intently to everyone, irrespective of their “position” in society – factory workers, shop girls, or presidents of large corporations. She believed that every voice counted – and it was not lip service. She was above all a determined pragmatist with a philosophy that we can organize our lives and institutions so that everyone can contribute. While we may consider this rather optimistic, I have seen glimpses of this possibility. We live in a world that thrives on complexity, but I believe that resilience comes when individuals participate in a greater, more inclusive, conversation.

As we prepare to welcome a New Year, the last word belongs to a woman who passionately believed in the reality of integrating the diversity of cultures for the greater good. Mary Parker Follett valued differences, maintaining that together we gain strength and renewal, as individuals, as groups, as a society.

To complete our series on Mary Parker Follett, I am joined by Annie Giraudou, MBS(FS)Class of 2007 and Yvonne Thevenot MBA(FS) Class of 2001, who have been following Dr. McLarney’s series on Mary Parker Follett.

Rebecca Budd
Editor & Blog Coordinator
CEGE Connection

Annie Giraudou:

I have enjoyed reading “The New State” by Mary Parker Follett. I find I must take time to reflect on the ideas brought forth. One phrase stands out for me “There is a need for competent leaders and a need for competent group members”. We are seeing more research and novels focusing on the need for “followers”; emphasis being that we cannot all be leaders and that someone must effectively do the work. This is directly related to the obligation as a member to take that position seriously and contribute to the success of the team; not just the leader, but the entire team. I am seeing similar views on the extrovert versus introvert position. Could there be something to more Eastern cultures who favour “introversion” and team member contribution? Unbelievably, this question of requiring both types to make an efficient team and society was put to paper 100 years ago by Mary Parker Follett! Maybe it is about time we looked at all types to create a more balanced society.

Yvonne Thevenot:

It is fascinating in business to see the emergence of “Agile” implementation framed as a new concept for organizing structures. Or in change management the idea of “listening posts” or “Ask Me Anything” sessions… This discussion and highlighting key aspects of the work from such a prominent thinker as Mary Parker Follett through the practical today’s language of Dr. McLarney truly demonstrates to me how long it takes for societal change to truly evolve. Thank you for sharing!

Mary Parker Follett 1868 – 1933

“The most successful leader of all is the one who sees another picture not yet actualized. He sees the things which are not yet there… Above all, he should make his co-workers see that it is not his purpose which is to be achieved, but a common purpose, born of the desires and the activities of the group.”

Mary Parker Follett

Chris Donnelly: The Right to be Forgotten – Can this work in Canada?

December 13, 2018 rbudd 1 Comment

“The right to be forgotten, also known as the erasure law, has undoubtedly been met with some controversy. There are those who fully support the right of an individual to safeguard anything that is written and searchable about them. If the information no longer fits the person’s lifestyle, beliefs, or is not criminal in nature, does this removal of data and information impact anyone? On the other hand, there are those who believe that once something is written, or made available in the public domain, that this should exist forever, regardless of a person’s current situation.” The Right to be Forgotten – Can this work in Canada?

Chris Donnelly, MIM Class of 2018

In celebration of the 10^th anniversary of the Master of Information Management, Dr. Sandra Toze arranged a virtual interview with Chris Donnelly, Senior Functional Analyst, Business Intelligence at RCMP and the 2018 recipient of the prestigious SIM Director’s Award, given to the MIM grad with the highest overall GPA. Chris focused his research on a question that has significant implications on how individuals, indeed our society, will manage privacy and the right to be forgotten.

Chris has been a student of Dalhousie University for nine of the past 18 years, first graduating from the Faculty of Management’s Bachelor of Commerce Co-op program in 2005, with a major in Finance, which led him to a brief stint in banking, followed by a fulfilling career with the Government of Canada. Since 2008, Chris has been working as a functional systems analyst, specifically with enterprise resource planning and data analytics-based applications. Realizing a gap in his knowledge base, and wanting to enhance his current role, he re-applied to Dalhousie, and was accepted into the MIM program in 2014. He offered this thought to students who feel that their journey may never end, “there really is light at the end of the tunnel. A robust academic program is rewarding and worth the effort. In my experience, the MIM provided insight into strategic and knowledge-based thinking and the opportunity to connect with remarkable peers and mentors.”

CEGE Connection is thrilled that Chris has generously agreed to share his research that provides invaluable insight and a Canadian perspective on the issues surrounding the complex right to be forgotten. We invite you to join the conversation.

Chris Donnelly:

In 2014, the European Union (EU) enacted the concept of the right to be forgotten into law when a ruling against Google was handed down, granting a Spanish citizen’s request to have any links to his financial hardship that occurred 15 years prior. This citizen was successful in de-linking any articles relating to him from a Google search. While the articles may still be available, any direct links via Google were removed. Fast-forward four years later. Since this landmark case, Google has since received requests to remove more than 2.43 million URLs for sites alone since this ruling and has since removed about 43 percent (or 1.05 million) of these URLs (Doubek, 2018).

Google has since received requests to remove more than 2.43 million URLs for sites alone since this ruling and has since removed about 43 percent (or 1.05 million) of these URLs (Doubek, 2018).

So, who is ensuring that companies such as Google are in compliance, and are responsible for processing these requests?

Enter the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The GDPR covers requirements and guidelines regarding the gathering and processing of ‘people data,’ personally identifiable information of individuals and citizens within the EU (Wikipedia, 2018). This regulation is enforced, and applies to all organizations, regardless of location, that has dealings with the EU. Implemented on May 25th, 2018, this regulation aims to further protect citizens by ensuring that their data and information are stored securely, describe how the data is stored and protected, providing greater clarity and transparency on privacy, and how these citizens may be able to access their own data.

Should an individual be able to seek protection from themselves? Meaning, is it important that an individual have the right to have their data erased no matter the circumstances? This ongoing debate may take years to resolve in the EU. Which begs another question, how may Canadians be impacted?

Furthermore, in conjunction with the right to be forgotten legislation, citizens have the right to request their data be erased, based on lawfulness, relevance, or other factors. This legislation protects private citizens when dealing with businesses. Should an individual be able to seek protection from themselves? Meaning, is it important that an individual have the right to have their data erased no matter the circumstances? This ongoing debate may take years to resolve in the EU. Which begs another question, how may Canadians be impacted?

Close to home, no legislation exists within Canada that offers an individual the right to be forgotten, neither through business nor social media. Why is this?

Canadians spend hours a day online, using social media and blogging. Thoughts are shared, and opinions are formed. Debates and dialogues ensue. Many online public forums, including social media are open for everyone to see, despite privacy settings. Should the Canadian government protect us as citizens against ourselves? Or should we be personally accountable for our online content, no matter the age, mental state or background? This may be hard to tell. Indeed, adults should be aware of taking precautions and be mindful as to the perks and pitfalls of the Internet. A general rule of thumb is that if you post or share something online, it will be there forever. Nevertheless, not everyone knows these perks and pitfalls; nor do some even care of the detriment they may be causing themselves.

Should the Canadian government protect us as citizens against ourselves? Or should we be personally accountable for our online content, no matter the age, mental state or background? This may be hard to tell. Indeed, adults should be aware of taking precautions and be mindful as to the perks and pitfalls of the Internet. A general rule of thumb is that if you post or share something online, it will be there forever.

Adults may have to atone for their actions, but what about children and adolescents?

Children and adolescents are undoubtedly impressionable. In many cases, does being naïve or poorly informed the right to request to have links to something that may have been published on social media erased? Or deleted altogether? California has enacted legislation protecting adolescents and children by allowing the ability to wipe the online content that they have posted. A website must disclose what data is being collected and used by the site on behalf of the minor. Based on the information provided, parents then have the right to prohibit the website’s operator from collecting data and information and can request to have this deleted.

All this to say, there may be a disconnect between the right to be forgotten, the right to the freedom of expression, and privacy. In Canada, we are taught at a very young age to express ourselves, and that we are fortunate enough to live in a country where we have the freedom to do so. On the other hand, we also have the right to privacy and protection. Expression vs. privacy, who wins? There may be more at play here, such as what is the limit of expression, but more importantly, the redefinition of what privacy truly means. If someone expresses an opinion that is not directly harmful to the reputation of an individual, nor criminal in nature, is there indeed any undue harm?

All this to say, there may be a disconnect between the right to be forgotten, the right to the freedom of expression, and privacy. In Canada, we are taught at a very young age to express ourselves, and that we are fortunate enough to live in a country where we have the freedom to do so. On the other hand, we also have the right to privacy and protection. Expression vs. privacy, who wins?

Which leads to the redefinition of privacy in the digital age. Almost all millennials grew up as digital natives, and many have had an online presence since they were in grade school. As a result, their social media presence has been years in the making. Therefore, their data and information have not been private in the traditional sense for most of their lives. How does this impact Canadians in the future? A redefinition as to what is considered private versus what may be made available publicly is essential. Granted, specific personal information such as name, gender, beliefs, should be safeguarded and only released by the individual who owns this information. Other information posted in a public setting may be readily available if the information is not detrimental to the individual. Ultimately, we as a society, have to determine how we proceed in handling this.

Almost all millennials grew up as digital natives, and many have had an online presence since they were in grade school. As a result, their social media presence has been years in the making. Therefore, their data and information have not been private in the traditional sense for most of their lives. How does this impact Canadians in the future?

Where the right to be forgotten could become a problem in Canada is if there is a difference in opinion between the private citizen and the online source of information. If the information is factual, and provides protection for other Canadians, specifically in criminal matters, the right to be forgotten is not a vehicle that may be available to those who wish to re-write history. A recent poll suggests that Canadians are not ready for an erasure law within Canada as 58% of respondents feel that links and information about an individual should not be erased (Watson, 2018). Greater sample size may change these results; however, this may indicate that while Canadians are aware of the right to be forgotten, they may not be fully ready to embrace this concept within their borders. Despite these statistics, in nations where democracy is prevalent, more and more citizens are stepping up and voicing their concern over the type of data and information that is being captured. Citizens are becoming increasingly aware of their rights and the type of data retention policies that companies are enacting. It may be only a matter of time before similar legislation is enacted within our borders.

If the information is factual, and provides protection for other Canadians, specifically in criminal matters, the right to be forgotten is not a vehicle that may be available to those who wish to re-write history. A recent poll suggests that Canadians are not ready for an erasure law within Canada as 58% of respondents feel that links and information about an individual should not be erased (Watson, 2018).

The concept of the right to be forgotten and erasure laws are undoubtedly controversial. As Canadians become increasingly more educated as to how our data is used, captured, and what is written about us, we will inevitably become more concerned as to the intended use of our information. As privacy definitions change, and as Canadians become prudent as to what is shared, a demand will surface that will leave Canadian law makers with little choice but to consider similar legislation to the right to be forgotten and the GDPR within our borders.

Whether Canadians fully embrace this remains to be seen. Stay tuned.

Chris Donnelly, 2018

References

Doubek, J. (2018, February 28). Google Has Received 650,000 ‘Right To Be Forgotten’ Requests Since 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2018, from The Two Way: NPR: https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/28/589411543/google-received-650-000-right-to-be-forgotten-requests-since-2014

Watson, H. (2018, April 12). Do Canadians Want the Right to be Forgotten? Retrieved June 23, 2018, from J Source – The Canadian Journalism Project: http://j-source.ca/article/do-canadians-want-the-right-to-be-forgotten/

Wikipedia. (2018, July 21). General Data Protection Regulation. Retrieved July 21, 2018, from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Data_Protection_Regulation

John-David Etter: Graduations, Reflections and New Beginnings

November 5, 2018 rbudd 1 Comment

Ann Etter, Class of 2001
John-David Etter, Class of 2018

As the Class of 2018 graduation approached, I had the opportunity to reflect on the MBA (FS) program, a three-year journey which offered rigorous challenges while achieving personal success. Throughout my MBA(FS) years, I met professors and classmates who left a lasting impression in my life and provided an endless amount of camaraderie as we travelled our journey together.

What sparked my interest to pursue the MBA (FS) degree was somewhat unconventional. As many colleagues, mentors, leaders, and friends have taken their path through the program, it was a family legacy that truly guided me to DAL. Seventeen years ago, my mother, Ann Etter, graduated from the MBA (FS) program. As a high school student at the time, we could be found doing our homework collectively at the dining room table. Her discipline in managing work, school, a home, and an emotional teenager seemed effortless. Looking back, I recognize the many challenges she faced in completing her MBA(FS). During those formative years, my identity was created, including my belief in life-long learning. I have a huge respect and appreciation for my mother’s mentorship. It is a privilege to be able to complete this program and walk in the footprints of such an accomplished woman.

Ann Etter, Class of 2001

Applying for a graduate program was intimidating, particularly since I had been out of school and in the workforce for over a decade. Studies were stimulating and difficult but worth every second. The MBA(FS) gave me the skill-sets to recognize opportunities and participate within a complex, evolving environment.

Since moving to Ontario, my journey is slightly different. I have started my own family. My wife’s enthusiastic encouragement was truly remarkable, especially given the amount of time and financial resources that were devoted to achieving my goal. I look forward to moving forward, as a family, to the next steps in life.

I am proud to have Dalhousie University as my alma mater. My heritage is the East Coast of Canada; there are many in my family who are graduates of Dalhousie. As for the future, I am excited to see what it brings. With no immediate plans, health and well-being are important.

As I collected my degree, the Chancellor of Dalhousie, The Honourable A. Anne McLellan asked a profound question: if health and well-being would be for me, or for the world? I responded with an unequivocal – BOTH. I believe that question will be a guiding thought as I move forward.

I will continue to dream big, read more, and always attempt to be a better derivative of myself. While the future is wide open, I can always look back, with gratitude, at the path I have travelled to help define my future.

John-David Etter, Class of 2018

CEGE Connection is delighted to advise that John-David Etter has graciously agreed to be a repeat contributor on CEGE Connection.

Celebrating Milestones: The 10th Anniversary of the MBA(FS) Class of 2008

November 4, 2018 rbudd 7 Comments

“I have very fond memories of the class of 2008; so much spirit, engagement and a wonderful camaraderie.” Michelle Hunter

MBA(FS) Class of 2008

Class of 2008 BMO

CEGE Connection would like to recognize the contribution of the MBA(FS) Class of 2008 as they celebrate their tenth-year anniversary. All our best goes out to the Class of 2008 on this very special milestone year. Thank you for your commitment to excellence, life-long learning and the communities in which you live and work.

Michelle Hunter & Rebecca Budd

MBA(FS) Class of 2008

John Waldron: Want a Workplace Learning Culture? Create Frictionless Learning

October 23, 2018 rbudd Leave a Comment

John Waldron, MBA (FS) Class of ‘08

Within four years, 42% of your core workplace skills will be obsolete, according to the Future of Jobs Report 2018, recently published by the World Economic Forum. One way to close the skills gap is to retrain existing employees, but among the 313 organizations surveyed worldwide, that solution ranked only third behind automating work tasks and hiring new permanent staff already possessing the relevant skills. This is a wakeup call to all employees for more skills training.

It is no longer necessary to make a case for learning in the workplace. But to be certain, the report estimates that an extra 101 days of training will be required in order for employees to close the skills gap by 2022. Unless organizations begin aggressively replacing staff or fully automating workflows, employers need to support a culture of learning in the workplace. The best way to do that is to make learning frictionless.

Learning in the workplace needs to be a lot of things: relevant, contextual and purposeful; but what often gets neglected is the learning experience, which is every bit as important as the content itself.

Frictionless learning means having learning that is on-demand and available for when employees need it; having content that is quick and easy to access. A learner shouldn’t have to go through extraneous steps or spend excessive amounts of time just to reach the content. This creates an unnecessary cognitive load, which only encourages the individual to look elsewhere for a solution, or not bothering to even look.

People are busy. And there is only so much mental energy to expend on work and life demands each and every day. How can someone embrace learning that creates so much extra friction and unnecessary cognitive demand?

If, instead, workplace learning is more accessible, then it becomes more immersive. Not in the “virtual reality” sense – immersive in that employees will engage more frequently with the content. When you have an immersive learning experience, education is pulled by the employee rather than pushed onto the employee. They will learn because the want to and not because they have to. Create a culture of learning in your workplace. Make it frictionless.

John Waldron, MBA (FS) Class of 2008
Founder of Learnedly and purveyor of accessible education for financial professionals.

CEGE Connection is delighted to advise that John Waldron has graciously agreed to be a repeat contributor on CEGE Connection.

Ann C. Etter: Class of 2018 Welcomes A Second Generation

October 9, 2018 rbudd Leave a Comment

Ann C Etter, Class of 2001
John-David Etter, Class of 2018

Photo Credit: Centre for Executive and Graduate Education

October 2, 2018, the Dalhousie University MBA(FS) Class of 2018 celebrated the culmination of their academic journey in the graduation ceremonies held at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium.

In the audience, Ann Etter watched as her son, John-David Etter crossed the stage to receive his well-earned degree. This was the same stage she crossed in 2001 when she was awarded the identical MBA(FS) degree. Seventeen years have passed between the two graduations, a confirmation that the pursuit of academic excellence continues and evolves within a world of dynamic change.

CEGE Connection reached out to Ann for her thoughts as she celebrates her son’s achievement and remembers her personal journey to acquire knowledge.

Ann C. Etter

September 28, 2018

The Old and the New

I’ve always been interested in learning new things, however, as I reflect on the topic of lifelong learning, it’s words that my Dad said to me in 1972 that have resonated with me for the past 46 years. As background, I was working with BMO in the summer of ’72 and found I enjoyed banking so much that I decided not to return to university to complete my undergrad degree. My Dad took me aside and shared some very important words of wisdom …he said, “I want you to remember that you are never too old to go back to school”. And there it is – 46 years ago – my foundation to lifelong learning!

Women in banking was a lot different a half century ago than it is today. Women were not actively promoted to management jobs in any bank nor were they highly educated. It didn’t take me long to realize that I would have to equip myself with more education if I was to compete for higher level jobs. So while working full time, I went back to school and obtained my undergrad degree. But I couldn’t stop there. I had a thirst for knowledge and continued through the years with bank courses, too many to count, and went on to obtain numerous designations which eventually brought me to the realization I wanted to obtain an MBA. Hence, enter Dalhousie University which had the foresight to introduce the MBA in Financial Services.

I applied, was accepted and started on the journey to obtain and expand my knowledge of the business environment. Dalhousie provided the opportunity to learn via distance as well as providing a supportive network, which is important, especially if one has a demanding job. The courses, tailored to the Financial Services industry, are challenging and thought-provoking. The profs are top notch and available if needed. The networking opportunities with other students was invaluable.

One of my objectives on this journey was to show my son by example that hard work and commitment to a goal pays off. JD, who was a teenager at the time, knew that obtaining an MBA was important to me. He was extremely supportive at home, allowing me the time I needed to study and complete assignments. JD learned the importance of lifelong learning and went on to set goals for himself to achieve educational success. I’m very proud of JD’s accomplishments. I know that with JD’s outgoing personality and commitment to doing the best job possible, he will be successful no matter where in life his path leads.

As for me, you may be seeing more of me around campus. Lifelong learning will always be a part of my life. As I get closer to retirement, I find myself thinking about what courses I’d like to take in my spare time. Dalhousie is doing a stellar job of keeping the MBA (FS) alumni informed of talks that we can attend. And there are a plethora of courses available.

It will be exciting to attend fall convocation ceremonies knowing that JD and I are the first mother-son duo to obtain the MBA Financial Services.

Dal200a

From the Archives: MBA(FS)Graduation 2000

October 2, 2018 rbudd Leave a Comment

MBA(FS) Class of 2000

Fall Convocation has arrived.

Over the next two days, The Class of 2018 will walk across the stage to accept their degrees, marking the culmination of a rigorous academic journey. This year, students will have the honour of graduating during DAL200, a milestone year that celebrates Dalhousie’s 200^th anniversary.

Eighteen years ago, the MBA(FS) Class of 2000 crossed the same stage, moving on to join a dynamic alumni community during the year known as Y2K. Year 2000 was the 1000^th and last year of the second millennium, the 2000^th year of the Common Era and Anno Domini designation. Year 2000 heralded the beginning of a new century and millennium. Amid the Y2K concern that computers would be unable to transition from 1999 to 2000 without significant and disastrous glitches, there was great optimism.

Year 2000 was designated by United Nations General Assembly, with UNESCO, as the International Year for the Culture of Peace.

“The result of the International Year for the Culture of Peace was the emergence of a global movement involving thousands of national and local organizations and more than 75 million individuals, along with the National Commissions for UNESCO, UNESCO’s Field Offices and some 200 international NGOs.” (UNESCO – Mainstream the culture of peace)

Year 2000 was also named as the World Mathematical Year by The International Mathematical Union, an organization established by Kenneth O. May (University of Toronto) in 1969.

“The first aim of WMY 2,000 is to consider the great challenges of the 21^st century. In conjunction with the International Congress of Mathematicians held in Zurich in 1994, the Commission organized an historical symposium which surveyed the history of International Congresses from Zürich to Zürich, looking ahead to the first century of the next millennium.” (The International Mathematical Union)

The Class of 2000 continues to contribute within a world that has seen transformational changes in the way we connect across the world, from smartphones to social media, GPS apps to streaming. As new generations of graduates fulfill their academic goals, the Class of 2000 has moved forward to embrace mentoring, generously sharing and transferring knowledge and experience to an emerging workforce eager to accept the opportunities and challenges of their time.

“We are celebrating our past even as we prepare for the opportunities and challenges of our ever-changing world. Our legacy lives in the spirit and ingenuity of our people, our contributions to the community and the impact we make around the world. The dawn of our new century is our time to rise — and shine.” DAL200

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Category: MBA (FS)