Introducing the Lewtas Experiential Learning Office
Thanks to the generosity of Don Lewtas (BCom’75), students will soon benefit from the Lewtas Experiential Learning Office.
In collaboration with Desautels Career Management, the new Office will help students connect with companies and campus departments that can provide on-the-job experience in their respective fields of study.
Supporting Desautels student leadership aspirations
While leading a pharmaceutical company, Samira Sakhia (BCom’90, DPA’94, MBA’01) is also volunteering her expertise in the broader Â鶹AV community and supporting students in realizing their leadership potential through the Samira Sakhia MBA Leadership Award.
Embracing the journey
Samer Saab (BEng'93, MBA'96) fled a civil war in Lebanon to pursue a degree in engineering at Â鶹AV in 1990. He realized early in his career that he was best suited to launching his own company. Since returning to his alma mater for an MBA, he has leveraged his business school experience to launch what has become one of Canada’s most desirable employers.Â
Desautels alumna becomes President & CEO of Knight Therapeutics Inc. Â
Congratulations to Samira Sakhia (BCom’90, DPA’94, MBA’01), who will take on a new challenge as President and Chief Executive Officer of Knight Therapeutics Inc., a Montreal-based company focused on acquiring or in-licensing and commercializing innovative pharmaceutical products for Canada and Latin America.
Global banking executive gives back to her alma mater
Alberta Cefis (BA’75, MBA’79) was one of only a dozen women in her MBA class at Â鶹AV, but she never felt discriminated against because of her gender. The male-dominated banking industry, on the other hand, was a different story. Fortunately, Cefis was able to land a managerial role at the Royal Bank of Canada through a recommendation from a professor.
Desautels alumni featured in Â鶹AV podcast
Four former Desautels students were recently featured in new episodes of Alma Matters, a podcast presented by Â鶹AV Athletics and Recreation.
Mathieu Darche (BCom’00) won a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020, while Richard Pound (BCom’62) is a former Olympic swimmer who currently serves as an International Olympic Committee Member.
MBA alumnus becomes president-international of Delta Air Lines at historic time for aviation industry
Following a five-year term as Chief Executive Officer of Bombardier Inc., Alain Bellemare (MBA’93) was recently named the president-international of Delta Air Lines. With a successful track record of leadership in the aerospace industry, Bellemare will work to improve the global reputation and financial stability of Delta, the world’s top airline in revenue, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prof. Elliot Lifson appointed to Order of Canada
The Desautels Faculty of Management congratulates Elliot Lifson, C.M., Professor of Practice in the Strategy and Organization area, on his appointment to the prestigious Order of Canada for his extraordinary contributions to the Canadian apparel industry and service to the greater community. Prof. Lifson, who joined the Desautels Faculty in 2005, serves as the Vice-Chairman of Vêtements Peerless Clothing Inc.
$1-million gift accelerates student mental health effort at Desautels
A generous donation from Gisèle and Neil Murdoch (BCom’81) has accelerated student mental health efforts at Desautels, creating a new Local Wellness Advisor position in the Faculty.
Segal Centre names Professor Elliott Lifson as Board of Directors’ president
The Segal Centre for Performing Arts has welcomed Elliot Lifson, Desautels International Advisory Board member and Professor of Practice, as president of their Board of Directors. After serving 12 years as a board member, Professor Lifson looks forward to continuing to strengthen the centre’s standing as a leader in Canadian theatre.
Teaching excellence celebrated at Desautels convocation
Congratulations to Amanda Abrams, Faculty Lecturer, and Elliot Lifson, Professor of Practice and Desautels Faculty Advisory Board member, who were honored at Â鶹AV’s Management Convocation ceremony for their excellence in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels respectively.
Announcing the 2019 Order of Manitoba recipients
Congratulations to preeminent philanthropist and member of our International Faculty Advisory Board Marcel Desautels (C.M., LLD’07) for being named to Order of Manitoba.
Shoe design courses are a first for Quebec
Beginning in August 2019, Lasalle College students will be able to learn about designing a shoe collection thanks to a new partnership with ALDO Group – an initiative that is close to the heart of the Bensadoun family.
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New board appointments for FinDev
Elliott Lifson, Desautels International Advisory Board member and professor of practice, is one among 11 appointments to the newly-formed FinDev Canada Board of Directors.
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Nine retail predictions that might surprise you
With 2019 on the horizon, Forbes has compiled a list of nine emerging retail trends to look out for; one of which will include the rise of the circular economy across operations, according to Aldo Bensadoun (BCom’64), Executive Chairman and Founder of The Aldo Group Inc.