Class of 2020 – Page 2

Sam Wilson on the T.A. Experience: Navigating a More Complex Learning Schedule

August 17, 2021 rbudd Leave a Comment

“I am excited to be taking on another TA assignment for the summer term. I look forward to dialoguing with the students and working with them to achieve their academic success. The course, Leading Change, with completely new content is timely, given our need to adapt to an ever-changing work and study environment. I am keen to assess how responsible leadership will impact my field of academic administration during this period of disruption, as well as discovering how policies will change in response to the evolving circumstances.”

Sam Wilson MBA, Leadership Class of 2020

Sam Wilson, Administrative Manager at Dalhousie’s School of Health & Human Performance

Sam Wilson is an Administrative Manager at Dalhousie’s School of Health & Human Performance situated in the Faculty of Health. She is currently one of two Teaching Assistants in Dr. Heidi Weigand’s MBA class, Leading Change. Sam’s commitment to supporting students and professors is stellar. CEGE Connection reached out to Sam in a virtual interview for her thought on her TA experience during the past year.

Sam Wilson

When I realized that the Centre for Executive and Graduate Education was looking for Teaching Assistants (TA) to help with Winter MBA classes, I was quick to apply. Like many other students, after completing my MBA in Leadership at the end of Summer 2020, I did not get the ending I anticipated. I remember feeling burnt out from having my last two courses fully online. While my MBA buddies were ecstatic about working on their last assignments, I was skulking around listening to Taylor Swift’s Folklore, thinking; “Yes Taylor, you know, I think my house is haunted too. It is this powerful presence of work, study and family-life balance”.

Haunting, right? Not really, but looking back, the Covid19 pandemic changed things dramatically. Having internal conversations with Taylor Swift was also a big indicator that study had taken a toll.

While I did not get a TA position with the MBA program, I was fortunate to be offered one in the Commerce undergraduate program with Dr. Heidi Weigand’s Reflections on Leadership class. In the beginning weeks, I believed that being a good Teaching Assistant was knowing a lot of stuff. I soon realized that helping students learn online was not only based on how well I knew a subject. It was critical to know how to provide students with valuable, timely feedback and facilitate the optimum learning environment. I focused on helping students choose the learning path that was right for them.

Initially, I found feedback difficult. Dr. Weigand’s mentorship was invaluable. She recommended the language to use which would help students highlight both improvements and strengths. When providing feedback, I never forgot my experiences of studying during a pandemic. Offering support to students as they navigated a more complex learning schedule has been rewarding.

I am excited to be taking on another TA assignment for the summer term. I look forward to dialoguing with the students and working with them to achieve their academic success. The course, Leading Change, with completely new content is timely, given our need to adapt to an ever-changing work and study environment. I am keen to assess how responsible leadership will impact my field of academic administration during this period of disruption, as well as discovering how policies will change in response to the evolving circumstances.

Having a TA experience has increased my gratitude for my MBA journey. Or rather, using inspiration from my summer 2020 bestie, that unanticipated MBA ending, I have finally been able to “shake it off”.

“Without the cohort of talented and dedicated TAs, the experience would have been so much harder for students and faculty members. We know that we put you through the paces this year and we are grateful for your energy and commitment.” Dean Kim Brooks

Denise Hinds on the T.A. Experience – Staying Connected with Students

June 29, 2021 rbudd 2 Comments

Denise Hinds MBA(L) Class of 2020
Photos Provided

As a student in the MBA FS/L program, intensives were always my favourite. During this time, the course material came together so perfectly, and I had the opportunity to work with the best bunch of people in the program. For those who I did not work with, I am sure you would challenge me on this, because you would say the same about your groups. That is just the nature of the program. You are bound to be inspired by such amazing peers, staff, and faculty. How does one leave this behind when they graduate?

You don’t! I remember many DAL alumni who guided and supported my journey, and I knew I wanted to stay involved in this community and give back. The honour to serve as an ambassador for the MBA class of 2020 was just the beginning. I am DAL proud to share my testimonial at MBA FS/L information events and orientation sessions. Since graduating, I contribute regularly to the DAL Insight Circle (by sharing my thoughts, perspectives and opinions on important university initiatives and decisions).

When the opportunity presented itself to be a Teaching Assistant (TA) with Professor Heidi Weigand for the MBA’s Leading in Complexity course, I was thrilled. This allowed me to experience the best part of my academic endeavours all over again, while being mentored in the process. As I strive to make a positive impact, I am learning the art of facilitation, balanced feedback, and have been given the freedoms to create tutorials. I am happy that these lessons will continue as I work with Professor Weigand again as TA for the MBA Sustainable Leadership course during the summer.

As we work in a virtual setting, our ability to connect with students is a critical factor. From the onset of the course, Professor Weigand made sure that the TAs and the students were fully supported. We had several collaborative tools at our disposal. These tools included email, live events, course content videos, Brightspace discussion threads, live and recorded TA tutorials, as well as an MS Teams channel, chats, and meetings. Also, Professor Weigand and the TAs were available to provide one-on-ones on a regular basis. All these interactions and methods contributed to our goal of staying connected with students.

One moment that stands out, was during the on-line intensive when Professor Weigand facilitated an open dialogue and students shared their appreciation of fellow cohorts. Professor Weigand thanked her TAs, and we expressed our gratitude as well. As I begin a new chapter, I am reminded that intensives are still my favourite time. The focus is less about the course material, while still impressive, but more about this network of DAL students, staff, and faculty, as we come together. Now a DAL alumna and TA, I am inspired to guide students and support them in their journey, with my renewed perspective.

Denise Hinds MBA(L) Class of 2020

Denise Hinds finds new perspectives and gives back to her community

April 27, 2021 rbudd Leave a Comment

Denise Hinds MBA(L) Class of 2020
Photos Provided

Posted by Erin Elaine Casey on October 21, 2020

Republished from Rowe School of Busines News October 21, 2020

Denise Hinds has big plans for her Dalhousie University Class of 2020 T-shirt. After she wears it to her online convocation on October 21, she’ll make it into a throw pillow for her couch. “That way I see it every day and it’s a perfect memory!” she says.

Hinds graduates this fall with an MBA focused on leadership. She completed her degree through Dal’s Centre for Executive and Graduate Education (CEGE), which offers blended online/in-person programs designed for working professionals.

After 29 years in the banking industry, Hinds was ready to take on a new challenge. She started at the bank while in high school, worked her way up and first applied to Dal while she was still a financial advisor in the branch. “I didn’t have the credentials to get in. I let 10 more years go by, and was now working in the head office of Scotiabank. I had my Personal Financial Planner (PFP) designation and project management designation.”

This time, Hinds was ready. She started attending Dal alumni events in Toronto. “Talking to Dal alumni made it seem possible to have a career, a family and do it all.” She applied again, was accepted and enrolled in 2015 with the intention of doing all her coursework remotely from home in Toronto. “But I did end up coming to Halifax five times,” she laughs, “which was wonderful for me. I got to experience Halifax in both summer and winter.”

“This particular program offered the best work-life balance for me, being a brand new mom with a full-time job with crazy hours,” Hinds explains. “The other selling feature was the AACSB accreditation and QS Global MBA ranking. For 2021, we’re in the top 10 for Canadian universities—Dal proud!”

“Life-changing” courses

Hinds has standout memories from every course she attended, but four in particular stand out. Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility with Dr. Kent Williams “brought out that self-awareness and really connected us to the social-ecological perspective and the UN sustainable development goals.” Leading in Complexity and Management Skills Development with Dr. James Barker were “self-reflective, deep courses that helped broaden my perspective and allowed me to grow as an individual. These courses were life-changing.”

Finally, International Business with Dr. Carolan McLarney allowed Hinds to put some of her newfound knowledge to work. “A new virtual simulation was introduced, where we could form teams and compete with one another as companies in a global market, applying real-world knowledge in operations, marketing and financials.” Among the 10 companies in the class, Hinds’s team won the in-class competition and was invited to the GLO-BUS Best-Strategy Invitational to compete against other business schools around the world. Hinds and her classmate Patrick Law represented Dalhousie in 2018 and became grand champions.

Broadening her perspective

Denise Hinds MBA(L) Class of 2020
Photos Provided

Hinds was excited to speak at the first-ever online orientation session for CEGE in August, and shared a message of resilience with the incoming graduate students: “My advice as you embark on this journey is be open to the topics, absorb as much as you can, and embrace the connections. You will discover that it is this amazing network of people that will inspire you to do more, learn more and become more.”

Today, in addition to teaching her 8-year-old son at home, Hinds volunteers for Working Skills Centre (WSC). This Toronto not-for-profit organization offers programs to help individuals overcome barriers to employment and move towards economic self-sufficiency, particularly immigrant women. She was recently elected president of the board and looks forward to growing the organization over the next few years.

“I’m probably going to seek some entrepreneurial pursuits as well,” muses Hinds. “I have a passion for facilitation, training, and teaching. My husband and I have been thinking about starting or purchasing an education-related business in the private sector.”

“The MBA program has really broadened my perspective and gotten me out of my bubble. It’s about being a global citizen and taking on that altruistic lifestyle.”

Ayşe Dai-Gammon: MBA 2020 Graduate Opportunity in Online Connection

March 22, 2021 rbudd Leave a Comment

Ayşe Dai-Gammon MBA(L) Class of 2020
Photo Credit: Danny Abriel

Erin Elaine Casey – October 15, 2020

Republished from Dal News October 15, 2020

This article is part of a series focusing on the fall grads of the Dalhousie Class of 2020. Visit our Class of 2020 virtual space to share in the excitement with our newest graduates.

For Ayşe Dai-Gammon, finishing her last three MBA courses entirely online during the pandemic lockdown offered an opportunity to build special connections. “COVID-19 made students and instructors more aware of each other’s life challenges,” she says. “Doing an MBA is a brave undertaking for working professionals at the best of times. COVID-19 took it to another level.”

“Many of my classmates had to support their kids’ homeschooling while trying to balance their work and MBA courses. I have deep respect and appreciation for my classmates and instructors for their resilience, adaptability and resourcefulness.”

It also highlighted what Dai-Gammon calls “bringing those sweet moments of life to our online coursework and video calls: newborn babies, family members, pets. It’s a very intimate experience and you establish deep relationships with classmates.”

Dai-Gammon graduates in October; in 2015 she was one of the first students to enroll in Dalhousie’s blended in-person/online MBA program with leadership specialization offered through the Centre for Executive & Graduate Education (CEGE).

“This program leverages the co-creative learning model, combining theory, award-winning professors’ expertise, and the diverse professional backgrounds of the students—all accomplished mid-career professionals. It really enriches and maximizes the learning experience.”

Helping employers and students connect

Since 2011, Dai-Gammon has been the employer development manager with Management Career Services in Dal’s Faculty of Management. She supports employers’ campus recruitment strategies and recent grad and co-op student recruitment needs. She is also the force behind the Dalhousie MBA Network on LinkedIn, created recently to help current students and alumni connect with and support each other. The private group already has more than 60 participants.

Dai-Gammon was born and raised in Turkey, graduated from Istanbul University School of Law, and had established a career as a corporate lawyer specializing in foreign investments before immigrating to Canada. She leverages her corporate experience to help businesses and organizations connect with Dalhousie’s impressive pool of talent.

Although she had always wanted to pursue a master’s degree, “I was really waiting for this degree, especially the leadership stream,” explains Dai-Gammon. “It goes beyond the traditional MBA course curriculum, challenging people’s paradigms and introducing complexity theory into strategic management. The program provides a solid foundation for personal and organizational boundary spanning, value creation and growth.”

“The program also challenges conventional ideas of leadership that glorify heroic and charismatic leaders. We had a lot of heated discussions because there are as many leadership styles as personalities! I believe there’s a leader in each of us, and you can evoke and motivate that leader that lives in every employee and citizen to make a difference.”

Flexible learning a plus

Although being a Dal employee was an important consideration in choosing the program, it wasn’t the only reason Dai-Gammon chose Dalhousie. The high academic standards, as well as the flexible learning model, were key. “Who has the luxury of taking two years off if you’re a mid-career professional with family responsibilities? The program is designed for busy working professionals so you can ‘earn as you learn and pay as you go.’ One of the advantages is not having a big tuition payment up front. You pay for the courses you’re taking and don’t need to quit your job to get an MBA.”

Wrapping up her degree as COVID-19 hit also gave Dai-Gammon a deep appreciation for Dal’s two decades of established expertise in online and blended learning. “The program was well positioned to make the necessary adjustments quickly without sacrificing educational quality. It didn’t have to happen overnight because the pieces were already in place.”

Dai-Gammon credits her MBA experience with giving her a new appreciation for quiet leadership. “We all have the opportunity to make a difference as who we are, where we are, right now. We don’t need to fit into a popularized leadership mould. In our quiet ways, we can initiate ripples for incremental change and progress that can lead to significant waves of transformation. This is a refreshing and powerful approach to leadership that energizes people to become progress-makers for organizational and social transformation.”

Erin Morgan Donnelly: Demonstrating the Value of Forward-Thinking Business Minded Employees

February 16, 2021 rbudd Leave a Comment

Erin Morgan Donnelly MBA (Leadership) Class of 2020

Erin Morgan Donnelly is a physiotherapist with a background within both the public and private sector. Her knowledge and experience provide a foundation upon which to explore the healthcare industry from all angles. Her track record for improving the overall patient experience, improving workflows, and creating a successful EVENTS through strategic marketing are her key strengths. Erin enjoys implementing technology driven solutions to facilitate safe and effective patient centered healthcare delivery.

In October 2020, Erin crossed the virtual stage to receive her MBA(Leadership) in October 2020. In a recent virtual interview with CEGE Connection, Erin spoke about how her passion for healthcare, leadership, and innovation, prompted her to take on the challenge of a robust academic journey.

Erin Morgan Donnelly

My decision to enroll in an MBA program was based on my pursuit of knowledge. I always knew I wanted to explore options within the field of academia. My involvement within the healthcare sector focused my choice between a Masters in Health Administration and the MBA(L). I selected the MBA(L) because of its versatility in opening more doors and opportunities.

Dalhousie was a “no brainer” for any excuse to get back to Halifax more often to see my family was a serendipitous bonus. Being a proud Haligonian, Dalhouisie was my university of choice. Working in Ottawa, I have always enjoyed spreading the word within my network about all the amazing sites Halifax has to offer. Now, I have the added benefit of being able to share the Dalhousie experience of learning and connecting with students, graduates, and professors. My husband was also enrolled in a master program so there was a friendly competitive element in my planning.

Keeping work, study and life balance was achieved through a strong support system. My husband, who graduated from the MIM program in 2019, was an outstanding encouragement to me throughout the entire MBA(L) program. My extended family was also a huge support as were my amazing work colleagues. My patients were fully aware of my goals and school commitments. They cheered me on every step of my journey.

In the final stages of my degree, I was able to leverage my freshly acquired knowledge with a move into an administrative role in a hospital setting. Without question, the MBA(L) courses gave me a strategic foundation and relevant skills required for my heightened responsibilities. But it was the knowledge gained from interactions with my classmates that added depth and breadth to my understanding. The classroom discussions and stories from other industries added perspective on opportunities and threats (SWOT, how many of these did we do!) and how they aligned with and mirrored healthcare institutions. Navigating group work and the variety of personalities and backgrounds helped me establish stronger relationships within my team.

My next step is to take the healthcare world by storm and demonstrate the value of forward-thinking business minded employees. But seriously, I hope to apply the business knowledge to a sector that many do not view as a business. I will wait patiently for Dalhousie to add a healthcare designation to its MBA program. My 2021 goal is to complete my Project Management Professional (PMP) designation which will add valuable tools to my toolbox. Finally, I will enjoy the extra time I have with my incredibly supportive husband and my amazing kids who no longer have to say, “mommy, you have to study again.”

Erin Morgan Donnelly
Registered Physiotherapist
MBA (Leadership) Class of 2020

www.linkedin.com/in/erin-morgan-donnelly
https://erinmorgandonnelly.wordpress.com

Katie Haigh: Leading and Leaning on Others

February 2, 2021 rbudd Leave a Comment

Katie Haigh MPA(M) Class of 2020
(Photo Credit: Danny Abriel )

Posted by Kim Humes on October 26, 2020

Republished from School of Public Administration

When Katie Haigh graduated from the Commerce program in 2006, it was a big deal for her entire family.

“I am a first-generation university graduate in my immediate family. I owe my love of learning to my parents. They wanted me to go to university to have opportunities they did not.” Now she’s earned her second degree—a Master of Public Administration (Management).

Katie wasn’t sure she had what it took to get one degree, let alone two. “My marks were not the best when I finished my undergraduate degree,” she explains. “I never considered myself master’s program material, but I wanted to move up in my career. A few terms of upgrading later, I was accepted, and here we are today!”

She was challenged from the first assignment of her very first class, MGMT 5135 (Managerial Economics). She was nervous, having failed her first attempt at economics during her undergraduate studies and “scraped through the second time.” She found herself in tears over a question that was worth one point. Confiding in her professor and leaning on her classmates led her to a final mark of A+. “Knowing that my classmates were also struggling was so reaffirming. It really is the people that make this program and I am so proud to share this moment with them.”

Katie credits the encouragement and guidance of colleagues in the Faculty of Management for her decision to pursue the MPA(M), and their much-needed support throughout her studies. She completed her degree while working full-time as an academic advisor in the Management Undergraduate Advising Office where she helps Bachelor of Commerce (Co-op) and Bachelor of Management students choose courses and navigate other academic matters. At peak times, advisors can communicate with hundreds of students in a day, but Katie is up for the challenge. As Margie Muise (BMgmt program administrator) explains, “Katie’s students are always her top priority. Her commitment to them is unwavering and an example for others to follow.”

Not only did Katie complete graduate school as a full-time employee, she did it while raising children. She gave birth to her second daughter two years ago, in the middle of her studies. Around the same time, her father-in-law became ill and moved in with her household so that they could help with his rehabilitation. Sometimes staying focused on graduating was a challenge. As with her first class, she found strength in her connections. “Start by assembling your support team. For me it was my husband, daughter and parents. They are the reason I had the time to complete assignments, and they acted as sounding boards.” Her husband completed his Bachelor of Education in May, so evenings and weekends were often spent in joint homework sessions.

Florence Tarrant (director of undergraduate programs in the Faculty of Management) says, “As a student, Katie demonstrated that grad school is not only a learning opportunity, but a path to personal growth and change.” Katie wanted to be a guidance counsellor or teacher growing up, and finds her current position is pretty close. “I’m just missing the summers off!” she jokes. For her next challenge, she hopes to move into senior administration and become a lecturer. She wants to share her love of learning and knowledge and hopes her enthusiasm for education translates to teaching.

Her advice for parents who wish to pursue higher education: “Just start it. Don’t wait for a ‘perfect’ moment or when you will have more time because that does not exist. The time you spend away from your kids will show them how important education is. It also shows them that hard work pays off.”

Krista Phillips: Making a Positive Impact in the Climate Change and Clean Energy Sectors

January 12, 2021 rbudd Leave a Comment

Krista Phillips MBA(Leadership) Class of 2020

Krista Phillips, Clean Energy and Transportation Strategist, Government of Nova Scotia, is passionate about the development of vibrant communities. She believes that by supporting our entrepreneurs and promoting new and innovative development, our communities can be energized, dynamic, and culturally exciting places to live! A civil engineer and project management professional with over 20 years experience, Krista has worked in the environmental remediation sector across Canada. She is currently working to develop policy and programs to modernize the transportation systems in Nova Scotia, including electric and alternative fuels in both land and marine transportation.

Krista crossed the virtual state to receive her MBA(Leadership) in October 2020. CEGE Connection reached out to Krista for her thoughts on her MBA journey and how life-long learning has opened her to new opportunities.

Krista Phillips

I enrolled in the MBA program to change the direction of my career. I am an engineer and worked in the environmental consulting industry for many years. My main role was as a project, team, and client manager. I found that once I moved into a government position, I was largely seen as an exclusively technical person, which can limit opportunities for advancement and continued career growth, certainly in the direction I wanted to pursue.

Also, working in consulting had given me a background in some aspects of business management, but I found I had many questions related to senior decision making and corporate strategy. For those reasons, I decided an MBA would give me strengths in areas where I was lacking, as well as a different perspective and way of looking at both problems and opportunities.

Keeping the balance between work, study, and life required focus and a flexible mindset. When I initially considered doing an MBA, my consulting job required a lot of evenings and weekend work, and last-minute travel. With my current position I was fortunate that I had available time, which allowed me to schedule my schoolwork in such a way that I could work full time and study three or so evenings each week, working on weekends as needed. Typically, I would do all my reading and study work during the week and complete my assignments on weekends, when there were more periods of uninterrupted time.

The distance learning model used by Centre for Executive and Graduate Education for their MBA programs made it easy to schedule my own time, without having to attend a series of regular classes. I was able to study when I wanted, and still maintain a personal life.

Many people have said to me that they would have difficulty combining a full-time career with a robust academic course load. It certainly does require discipline to sidestep the temptation of procrastination, but once I became accustomed to the routine it became a part of my daily activities.

My work for the government is focused on addressing climate change through innovation, renewable energy, and clean transportation. These are all new and emerging sectors which need support to be adopted and integrated into our daily lives. The MBA(Leadership) positioned me to identify and employ strategic thinking and planning, skillsets necessary to evaluate and explore solutions for complex situations.

I now look at problems from various points of view and understand how senior leadership manages the decision-making processes. This MBA(Leadership) program helped me to change how I see each situation, to allow more room for differing opinions, and to remain flexible in my approach.

The program has a heavy focus on presentations to professors and classmates. Having delivered at least a dozen presentations has increased my confidence in public speaking events at conferences and seminars. This confidence is evident when I deliver briefings to senior executives and present my ideas to colleagues.

I chose the leadership stream of the MBA program, the direction in which my career is taking me. Whether it is in a senior executive leadership position, or simply applying my learnings while mentoring junior staff, these skills will be valuable throughout the rest of my career.

What are my next steps? Now that I have completed my MBA, this is the question I am currently exploring. I have a few ideas and avenues I am pursuing that will allow me to keep growing within an industry that I love. My goal is to make a positive impact in the climate change and clean energy sectors.

Tom Connell: Think Forward, Plan and Keep Momentum

December 1, 2020 rbudd 1 Comment

Tom Connell, Senior Institutional Analyst and Team Lead at Dalhousie University Analytics

Tom Connell, Senior Institutional Analyst and Team Lead at Dalhousie University Analytics, crossed the virtual stage to receive his MBA(Leadership) in October 2020. In a recent virtual interview with CEGE Connection, Tom spoke about how his life experiences positioned him to take on the challenge of a robust academic journey.

Tom Connell

Many years ago, I had a manager who challenged our team to construct and share ‘bucket lists’ of both professional and personal goals. I really appreciated this exercise because it made me think deeply about where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do. The timing was opportune. I was in my late twenties, in the early stage of my career, a pivotal moment to think forward and plan. Through this activity I came up with a number of things I wanted to do such as hang gliding (check),work in the field of robotics, and get a master’s degree. (I really did not know which degree I would go for, but it was a seed planted). I highly recommend this activity of thinking of all the things you want to do before the clock runs out and, more importantly, to share it with loved ones so they can help you spot opportunities and have some interesting conversations.

In the subsequent years, I acquired an interest in business and finance. Meeting up with others who had achieved an MBA allowed me to explore avenues in which I could expand my knowledge in these areas. I was consistently stuck by the breadth and depth of business, finance and economic knowledge expressed in conversations about the future of companies such as BlackBerry and Tesla or how cryptocurrencies and blockchains might evolve. Working within the analytics team at Dalhousie University, I soon recognized the opportunity to work and learn at the same time. With my technical expertise and considerable experience as a data analyst, I realized that an MBA in Leadership would augment my skills and present me with an excellent opportunity to grow as an individual and give back to the greater community.

How did I keep balance between work, study, and life? Honestly, I am not sure that I did! There were certainly times when I had to take a day to work on a project or paper. Sometimes, an entire weekend was devoted to studying just to keep up with the pace of the program. I learned a lot about myself and how I dealt with the intense pressures of balancing a young family (with one child born after course #5), work and a deluge of reading, writing and participation as required. Probably the most important lesson was to find the balance – to find the sweet spot between achieving acceptable grades, managing expectations and deliverables at work, and making sure my family was smiling and learning. During these years of study, I came to value and seek balance and calm. I learned that I am more extrinsically motivated than I first thought. As a data guy, I am intimately familiar with the idea that knowing is the first step to fixing.

My studies have given me a heightened awareness of influence and leadership, the personal characteristics that make people who they are, and how these complex factors can be managed. I am able to identify applications for the case method and situational analysis, especially as it relates to data analysis and how we can extract meaning and inspire action from data. I look at strategic planning with fresh eyes and I understand now how planning forward truly helps teams keep momentum on a focused target.

I am looking forward to my next steps. I have recently accepted an 18-month secondment, which starts December 1^st as Manager of Tech services in the Faculty of Computer Science. This will provide a great opportunity for me to learn and grow with one of the most impressive faculties on campus. It feels like returning to my roots in tech and it will be wonderful to stretch myself and offer my experience to help achieve the research and academic goals of the faculty.

With a new year fast approaching, I am also looking for ways in which to give back to my community. The MBA(L) has opened new possibilities for participating with others in seeking positive outcomes for our society.

Tom Connell
December 2020

Ada Choy: Competing Differently – Her Blue Ocean Strategy

November 17, 2020 rbudd Leave a Comment

Ada Choy MBA(FS) Class of 2020 (Photo Provided)

Ada Choy, Head of Asia Wealth Business Implementation at HSBC, crossed the virtual state to receive her MBA(FS) in October 2020. CEGE Connection reached out to Ada to discuss her thoughts as she takes on new challenges and opportunities.

Ada Choy

Thinking back in 2014, with the aim to compete with others in my organization, I enrolled in the Dalhousie MBA FS program.

Throughout my MBA journey, there were many surprises that added depth and breadth to my learning experience. I discovered new knowledge that I could apply at work immediately. Insights from my professors as well as the interactions and different perspectives of my classmates, contributed to adding dimensions in my outlook and personal goals. I thought differently, more strategically in the ways of working and collaborating. In addition to that, my academic journey helped me to compete differently in my organization, moving to more advanced roles, year after year.

However, I must admit there were tough times, jiggling between work, time zone differences, and family life. To exacerbate the situation, I had to take a year off due to a health problem. There were times when I really wanted to give up. Despite all the challenges, the warmest care from the remarkable CEGE staff, professors, classmates, the online capability, and the flexibility of the Dalhousie MBA(FS) program provided the best fit to my situation, all of which inspired me to complete my graduate degree.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all the CEGE staff, especially Sarah, Michelle, Rebecca, and Professor McLarney for all your care and support during the toughest time of my life! Also, to all my lovely classmates, it has been wonderful meeting all of you. Thank you for accommodating my time zone in all the group works. My deepest and sincere thanks to all!

What’s Next?

My Next Blue Ocean Strategy is to discover more about wine. There is a saying that the essential guide to wine is “Think, Taste, Drink & Feel, how we explore undiscovered treasures, enjoy great food and wine, and experience the wine lifestyle.” Wine and the MBA are two separate things, but to me, it is a perfect match that will open my mind even more!

I wish all of you every success in your future endeavours. Please keep in touch! Congratulations again to all the 2020 Dal Graduates!

Ada Choy
November 2020

Editor’s Note: CEGE Connection is thrilled that Ada Choy has agreed to be a repeat contributor on CEGE Connection.

Congratulations to the Class of 2020

October 21, 2020 rbudd Leave a Comment

Congratulations to the Class of 2020

CEGE Connection sends our warmest congratulations to the Class of 2020 as you cross the virtual stage to receive your diplomas today.

We are proud of your achievements and wish you the very best as you continue your journey.

We thank you for your commitment to excellence, life-long learning and the communities in which you live and work.

The CEGE Team

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