Â鶹AV

A message from Dean Yolande E. Chan

Message from the Dean

Yolande E. Chan
Dean and James Â鶹AV Professor
Desautels Faculty of Management at Â鶹AV

IMPACT Report - 2020

The power of community

As I begin my mandate as the new Dean of the Desautels Faculty of Management,ÌýI warmly welcome you to our 2020-21 Impact Report, where we look back over theÌýpast year and reflect on the collective challenges we faced and the milestones we celebrated in our mission to shape leaders of impact.

Having spent the last decades in academic leadership roles at Smith School of Business at Queen’s University, I took it for granted that I could teach, mentor,Ìýconduct research, and lead face-to-face on campus. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge us to connect in new and unexpected ways, the power ofÌýcommunity has never been more evident, especially at Desautels—and this is one ofÌýthe initial attractions for me in coming to this Faculty.

I owe my deepest gratitude to my predecessors, Morty YalovskyÌýand Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou, for laying such a solid foundationÌýupon which we can build an even stronger future. TheirÌýpredecessor, Peter Todd, was once my Queen’s colleague.ÌýI thank him also. After the pandemic upended our world inÌýMarch 2020, the health and safety of the community was a topÌýDesautels priority. I know that nothing about that transitionÌýto remote teaching and working was easy, but our teams atÌýDesautels worked tirelessly to ensure that students receivedÌýthe high-quality instruction they have come to expect, includingÌýadditional support through:

Expanded course offerings during the summer semester;

  • Personalized health and wellness care, educationalÌýopportunities, and group activities;
  • A new equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) unit to ensureÌýthat every student feels affirmed and valued;
  • Opportunities for students to work on projects gearedÌýtoward helping local organizations navigate the pandemic; and
  • Virtual versions of networking and educational events,Ìýincluding the annual Desautels career fair.


We also revamped our Faculty’s strategic plan after considerableÌýconsultation with stakeholders. Going forward, we are committedÌýto three core priorities:

  • Students
  • Research excellence
  • Community impact


We have committed to making measurable progress on theseÌýthree priorities by activating new initiatives and enhancing existingÌýones that:

  • Harness the power of Â鶹AV;
  • Strengthen connections;
  • Champion sustainability; and
  • Advance equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).


While I am still new to the role, I am already so proud of the waysÌýin which our donors, alumni, students, faculty, staff, and industryÌýpartners have stepped up to lend support throughout this difficultÌýtime. In the pages that follow, you will get a sense of the pivotal roleÌýthis community of talented, dedicated people plays in so many lives.

With your continued support, the Desautels Faculty of ManagementÌýwill enter the post-pandemic era with renewed hope and confidenceÌýin our mission.
Ìý

Yolande E. Chan

Dean and James Â鶹AV Professor


Priority 1: Student-Focused >

Back to top