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Jason Young: Sharing of Ideas to Generate Different Perspectives

“During my studies I started to understand why some of my efforts failed and why some of my efforts succeeded.”

Jason Young, MBA(L), Class of 2021

Jason Young, MBA(L), Class of 2021
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Jason Young is the General Manager for Standard Machine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Like many others who have joined the Dalhousie CEGE MBA program, Jason sought higher education to build on his existing skills and knowledge.

Jason has fond memories of the connections made, lessons learnt and new perspectives gained. He shares how the program has developed his leadership skills and given him new ideas.

 

 

 

Jason Young

I have been the general manager of a 100-employee organization for some time now. I felt there were many ideas and skills that I already possessed to do my job well, however wanted to see what else I could be doing. I felt this program was so beneficial to the development of myself as a leader. During my studies I started to understand why some of my efforts failed and why some of my efforts succeeded. Above all I was able to understand the “why”. I could see the recognition of understanding around my fellow students as well.

One of my biggest surprises was the sharing of ideas with my fellow students. I was reluctant to share ideas at first but once I realized this was a great way to generate different perspectives, I changed my mind. I enjoyed hearing other points of views on leadership and was surprised that others wanted to hear my opinions as well.

I will look back fondly at my studies and at the connections I made at Dal. I look forward to sharing more ideas with this group, someday perhaps back in Halifax over a pint on the lower deck.

 

CEGE Reflections – Emily Speight

“The past three years have been an incredible experience! I learned so much from my professors and classmates. I was fortunate to be surrounded by people who encouraged me and am grateful for the support of my husband Brett and my sister Serena. For my next adventure I’ll be joining the Privacy team at Deloitte”.

-Emily Speight, MIM, Class of 2021-

Emily Speight, MIM, Class of 2021
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Jagdesh Singh: To Serve, Inspire and Be.

“…organizations are the people who work for them and the people they serve”.

Jagdesh Singh, MPA(M), Class of 2021

 

Jagdesh Singh, MPA(M), Class of 2021

Jagdesh Singh is a recent graduate of Dalhousie’s Master of Public Administration (Management) program. He currently works at the Ontario Canada Revenue Agency as a Senior International Auditor and shares how his time at Dalhousie has helped him be more aware of the intrinsic value of public service.

For Jagdesh what has resonated the most in his MPA(M) program is that the courses all share a common theme of ‘compassion in service to others’. As a result he feels that he has become a better person both in his professional and personal life.

 

 

 

Jagdesh Singh

For me, completion of the MPA(M) program has been a necessary confirmation of the understanding that people are the centre of groups, organizations and governments. We often take up graduate courses with the intention of making organizations that we work for, better at achieving their objectives. We tend to think that it is the organizations that do all of the heavy lifting, but for me, the true value of my time at Dalhousie has been the peeling back of that illusion and that the grounding of those organizations are the people who work for them and the people they serve.

For many of us in the not-for-profit and government sectors, we are keenly aware of the intrinsic value of public service, expanding our efforts beyond ourselves to a larger group in order to meet more complex needs such as climate change, pandemics and hardening political positions are undoubtedly on our plates but the course has taught me that the outcome of any organizational objective requires the people who work towards those organizational objectives to attach themselves to a higher ideal. Each course identified its own ideal such as professional, communication or accounting ethics but the one that was common to all is that of compassion in service to others. The pursuit of that ideal in any arena, at home, in the community or at work, makes us better humans and tunes us in to the needs of others even if the people we serve hold views that are different from our own.

Completing this program during a pandemic has been undoubtedly a challenge for many of us, I particularly missed meeting up at the Intensives with like minded colleagues and faculty. Those sessions built a community that reinforced the people—first inclination of many public servants. The collaborative environment is a natural extension what we do in our personal professional lives and the coursework and learned experiences from faculty and peers has enabled me to be a better person whether I am parenting, volunteering in my community or contributing to some aspect of my organizations’ goal. I am indeed thankful to my family for the support and encouragement during these years of study and wish new and continuing students the best in their programs.

CEGE Reflections – Caleb MacDonald

“When I began this program I was recently married and enjoying a new career. In the intervening five years, we moved, had two children, switched careers, and briefly retired. I am ill-suited to leisure time and have since begun law school. Best of luck to everyone in your future endeavours!”

-Caleb MacDonald, MBA(L), Class of 2021-

Caleb MacDonald, MBA(L), Class of 2021
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Dr. Bertrum MacDonald receives Faculty of Management Research Impact Award

Republished from Faculty of Management, News & Events

School of Information Management – December 1, 2021

Dr. Bertrum MacDonald receives Faculty of Management Research Impact Award

Posted by SIM on December 1, 2021 in Research, News

 

SIM Professor, Dr. Bertrum MacDonald, has received the Faculty of Management Research Impact Award. The Impact Award is given to a FoM researcher in recognition of their overall lifetime achievement to date. This decision is guided by traditional research metrics, such as impact factors and citations and additional considerations of the nature of the impact.

Dr. MacDonald was nominated by Acting SIM Director, Dr. Vivian Howard. From the nomination:

As a senior faculty member in the School of Information Management, Bertrum has had a distinguished career as a researcher and has been recognized with the Marie Tremaine Medal (the highest honour awarded by the Canadian Bibliographical Society) and a Dibner Resident Scholar Fellowship at the Smithsonian Institute, in addition to SSHRC and CFREF research grants totalling nearly $1 million.  Throughout his career with SIM, he has been instrumental in creating and sustaining an enriching, supportive, and productive research culture.

Bertrum has been involved in many distinguished research initiatives during his career with SIM, but his leadership of EIUI: Environmental Information/Research and Impact research group over the past decade is one of the most significant and far-reaching.  This research group focuses on the complex interface of scientific information and policy decisions, using marine environmental and fisheries information as case studies.  The output of this research group is truly impressive: EIUI has produced 45 journal articles, 11 book chapters, one book, 76 national and international conference presentations, and 16 Masters and Doctoral theses.  Bertrum has successfully created a dynamic, collaborative, and interdisciplinary environment within his research group, and he and his team members are tackling some of the key environmental questions of our time, including strategies to mobilize scientific research in the public sphere, understanding information flows in coastal and marine decision making and in the recovery process for endangered marine species.  The impact of EIUI’s output continues to grow as does the importance and overall significance of their findings.

One of Bertrum’s most outstanding (and less visible) contributions is his encouragement of students as emerging scholars. He helps students see they have the potential for scholarship, then ensures they have the assistance, tools, support, and guidance to succeed. Bertrum is known for his rigor and his attention to detail, but also for his incredible curiosity and joy in the research process. He genuinely treats each student and their project as unique and important, and ensures they have the support to think critically and to exceed their own expectations in their development as independent researchers.  The positive impact of his mentorship of scores of students in a diversity of programs over the years really is incalculable.

Congrats Bertrum!

CEGE Reflections – Robert Taylor

“An amazing personal journey, a great university, wonderful program with incredible professors. I graduate with a revitalized self-confidence, new friends, and lasting relationships. I am excited for the next chapter after graduation and thank you to my wife and family for their support. To all my fellow graduates I wish you much success in the future.”

-Robert Taylor, MBA(FS), Class of 2021-

Robert Taylor, MBA(FS), Class of 2021
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Javier Ojeda: Helping Businesses Become More Energy Efficient

“Making this world more sustainable, one kilowatt at a time”.

Javier Ojeda, MBA(L) Candidate, (Class of 2022)

Javier Ojeda, MBA(L) Candidate, (Class of 2022)
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Javier Ojeda’s shares his experience in starting a new business in sustainable engineering and becoming self-employed after sixteen years of work experience in the industry.

Javier is currently in his final year of Dalhousie’s MBA, Leadership program through CEGE.  With experience in Engineering, Project Management and Business Administration, Javier will have plenty to offer for his business and in growing his network.

 

 

Javier Ojeda

“Start where you are with what you have, knowing that what you have is plenty enough” – Booker T. Washington

After sixteen years working in the industry in different roles, I’m starting a company focused around sustainable engineering. I have plenty on hand which include an office in my basement here in Halifax, my old laptop and a PC that I assembled myself.  Of course included are my experience and knowledge of 16 years on renewables (especially in hydroelectric power plants), energy efficiency, and the support of a growing network. Factor in my learnings from the MBA program here at Dalhousie, and the many people that support me and help me in making this world more sustainable, one kilowatt at a time.  What I know are engineering and project management, what I hope to gain is a business that can make a difference.

Earlier this year I have been very excitingly putting my MBA skills and experience to the test by signing a collaboration agreement with a fellow local consulting firm, and several independent consultants, locally and abroad.  I’ve been having meetings with potential clients, old school coffees, virtual ones with old and new friends, attending several virtual events, reading several RFPs, starting to prepare proposals, building teams for those proposals, reaching people here and outside here. There will be plans to grow the team as I recognize that by no means is this a solo job. As I balance out my MBA learnings this year while taking on the challenges of starting a new business, I’m reminded how great the CEGE program is with its flexible/blended delivery. In the meanwhile I’ve been renewing my safety certificates, purchasing PPE, preparing the budget for the year for tools, equipment and software, preparing the budget, revising the budget…and revising the budget 3 more times!

With my confidence to pursue this entrepreneurial venture, I’m really excited for what is coming.  I trust in the support of my network, the community and my experiences to thrive as another small business.

CEGE Reflections – Joe Collura

Today, a Jedi am I…

“Earning an MBA is in of itself, a humbling experience. While the knowledge earned is invaluable, it is more so the support and inspiration gained along the way, I am most grateful for. Be it the unconditional strength from family, or how friends always help keep you grounded, or how inspiring leaders I have been fortunate to work alongside with, graciously lent their support to this journey (#JeffBoyd, #MaurizioBevilacqua, #AsifKhan, #DavidMoore, #BradAmato, #GeorgeMonize), or the great teams I have been and continue be a part of, or the relationships built through the program itself, all of it will remain cherished.”

-Joe Collura, MBA(FS), Class of 2021-

Joe Collura, MBA(FS), Class of 2021
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“p.s. I say Jedi, not Master, as…more to learn, there will always be“.

Research Profile: Kent Williams

Republished from Faculty of Management, Research, Research Profiles

 FoM Researcher of the Week, December 13, 2021

Kent Williams, Rowe School of Business

Enabling hope for emerging leaders in the 21st century

My present qualitative research is exploring emerging leader (EL) attitudes and perspectives on the complexities of our rapidly changing world that is full of uncertainty and turbulence. ELs are defined as students engaged in or completing their education at institutions of higher education (IHE). Living in today’s suggested epoch of the Anthropocene, which is defined by the omnipresence of humans as a geophysical force on the planet, we only need to sense the emerging human narrative of hopelessness and helplessness––and the negative impacts of our actions on the biosphere and humankind’s wellbeing. With the grand challenge of climate change and the present pandemic, literature suggests that Els are left with visions of a dystopian world, feeling they cannot make a difference in society. However, in the IHE setting, when ELs are introduced to nascent knowledge frameworks (Indigenous, sustainable development goals, planetary boundary and relational turn frameworks) that present interdependence, reciprocity and relational elements to interconnecting in the biosphere, it can be suggested that it changes their perspectives and can position them as a positive force for change. The presupposition held going into the study is that enabling social-ecological systems thinking and relationality in EL builds capacity and capability that can promote their overall wellbeing (hopefulness) and effectiveness to lead (helpfulness). These findings will contribute to overall epistemology and ontology for developing climate change leadership, enabling pathways for EL to embrace complexity and employ strategies of adaptation and resilience to emerging challenges like the climate crisis.

CEGE Reflections – Davina Reid

“Completing a part-time MBA is no easy task but we all made it and it’s an accomplishment we can all be very proud of!  Congratulations to all of the Graduates! Thank you to everyone who made this experience great…the Professors, administrative staff and my classmates. I take with me many fond memories. I look forward to being engaged in any future Alumni activities and keeping in touch.”

-Davina Reid, MBA(L), Class of 2021-

Davina Reid, MBA(L), Class of 2021
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