Dear members of the Â鶹AV Desautels community,
As we near the end of this academic year, I want to express my gratitude to our community for your display of strength in the face of ongoing challenges. Our community has remained resilient and dedicated, steadfast in our commitment to excellence in teaching and research, and in driving initiatives that focus on sustainability, ethics and EDI, entrepreneurship and innovation, and managing disruption.
Here are some highlights of the Faculty’s recent progress and achievements.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
EDI remains a high priority for our Faculty. I recently had the honour of speaking at the 6th annual Â鶹AV Black Grad Gala, hosted by the Black Students’ Network, where we celebrated the achievements of 50 exceptional graduating students at Â鶹AV. Additionally, I was invited to address entrepreneurial leaders at the Black Entrepreneurs in South Eastern Ontario (BEESEO) Celebration and Awards Night earlier this month. I was grateful to participate in these events that highlight Black excellence and to reaffirm our commitment to inclusivity within our Faculty and beyond.
On June 4, the Desautels EDI Team will host a featuring ongoing EDI research projects and an interactive discussion to enhance collaboration around EDI initiatives connected to Â鶹AV's EDI Strategic Plan.
In August, our Faculty will be welcoming Professor HeeJung Jung, our new EDI Director, whose expertise in management, diversity, and inclusion will be instrumental in furthering our EDI initiatives.
I encourage you to explore our updated EDI webpage which includes helpful resources and tools to support our faculty, staff, and students.
Laidley Centre for Business Ethics & Equity (LCBEE)
In April, the LCBEE proudly announced the establishment of a new , made possible by a generous gift from alumnus Lester J. Fernandes (MBA’82). This endowed chair significantly expands the LCBEE's capacity to drive research and discussions on ethics and equity in business, furthering our commitment to positive change in business practices.
The Centre recently hosted its first international case competition, the Ethics Bowl Canada Quebec Edition, and a series of fireside chats in partnership with the managing disruption initiative that examined ethical aspects of AI, and fostered critical discussions on ethical decision-making and the impact of technology in business environments.
Sustainable Growth Initiative (SGI)
The Sustainable Growth Initiative (SGI) held in April its inaugural Sustainable Transportation Roundtable on the Future of Urban Mobility, sparking insightful discussions on sustainable transportation strategies. This event brought together researchers, industry experts, and policymakers to explore innovative solutions for sustainable urban mobility, aligning with our mission to promote environmentally conscious practices in business and management.
This month, SGI hosted its inaugural CIREQ-SGI Lecture on the Economics of the Environment, bringing together researchers, professors, and students from multiple universities for an insightful lecture on transformative climate policies. Additionally, SGI hosted a panel on decarbonizing Canada by 2050, featuring prominent academics, policymakers, and industry leaders in collaboration with the Canadian Sustainable Finance Network (CSFN).
Marcel Desautels Institute for Integrated Management (MDIIM)
Last month, we concluded the 2023-24 Integrated Management Student Fellowship (IMSF) program with its annual Showcase Day hosted by MDIIM. This year, a record 65 students participated in research and social impact projects related to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Whether the focus is tackling food insecurity or dealing with data transparency, the IMSF not only provides a great experiential learning environment, it offers opportunities to engage in creative solutions to complex problems that are achieved when students, researchers, and organizations come together.
Community achievements
In recent community achievements, Nikki Tye (BCom’24) won the 2024 McCAIS Undergraduate Research Award. Additionally, Camila Sabogal (MBA’24) was selected as one of Poets and Quants' 2024 Best & Brightest MBAs further highlighting the calibre of talent within our graduating cohorts.
As we celebrate our achievements and milestones, I extend warm congratulations to our graduating class of 2024. Your perseverance and dedication have been remarkable, and I encourage you to stay connected with us as you embark on new endeavours. To our entire community, I express my heartfelt gratitude for your commitment to our shared vision and goals. Every milestone, challenge, and triumph has played a role in shaping us into a more inventive, strong, and resilient community.
I wish you all a safe and rejuvenating summer.
Sincerely,
Yolande Chan
