Student Success Stories
Rob Bennett, CPA, CGA, MBA
Chief Financial Officer
SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of Canada)
Toronto, ON
When Rob entered the program, he was Head, Finance Advisory Services at RBC Dexia Investor Services. After graduation, he joined BMO Financial Group as the Lead Financial Officer, Capital Markets Technology and Operations, before taking on his current position with SOCAN, the leading intellectual property rights management company in Canada. Rob also supports Smiths' EMBA and MBA programs as a project (thesis) advisor.
“I chose Smith's Executive MBA program because of its outstanding reputation, and it surpassed my expectations. It brought together professionals from various disciplines and forged us into effective teams that were able to learn together, problem-solve together, and achieve success. The program helped me strengthen my confidence in being able to advise and support business partners in tackling various problems and developing and implementing solutions.”
Rose Bhura, MBA
Co-founder and Producer
Parvati Creative Inc.
Vancouver, BC
When Rose entered the program, she had already co-founded Parvati Creative Inc. She wanted to develop and implement a new business model and she used the program’s Individual Management Consulting Project to do exactly that.
“As a wife, mom and business owner, I did not think I would ever have the opportunity to go back to school and complete my MBA. The Smith Executive MBA experience not only made it possible, it has given me much more than a degree. I have come out of the program with a fuller sense of my abilities, learned to be a stronger leader, and gained a depth of understanding in areas that were not as clear before. I am now better able to contribute to my company and industry. The added bonus was the opportunity to work and learn with some of the most talented people across the country.”
Jeremy Chan, B.B.A., LL.B., MBA
Senior Counsel
Methanex Corporation
Vancouver, BC
When Jeremy started the Smith’s Executive MBA program, he was practising law in the Vancouver office of a large national law firm. While in the program, he was offered the position of Corporate Counsel at Vancouver-based Methanex Corporation. He now manages the company’s legal affairs in the Americas and Asia Pacific regions, particularly in the areas of marketing, logistics and business development.
“The integration and utility of the business skills I learned in Queen’s Executive MBA have been tremendous in my new role. I have used what I learned in courses such as Global Business Strategy, Financial Management, Negotiations & Conflict Management, and Creating High-Performance Teams on an almost daily basis. The program definitely exceeded my expectations.”
Adam Cooney, MBA
Executive Vice President, Cooney Transportation Group
President, Cooney Logistics
Belleville, ON
Prior to joining the Smith Executive MBA program, Adam was Operations Manager for Cooney Transport Group, a family-owned business. The program represented a key element in succession planning for the organization. After graduation, he became Executive Vice President of the Group and President of Cooney Logistics, a new business that he started within the Group.
“Prior to joining the Smith Executive MBA program, Adam was Operations Manager for Cooney Transport Group, a family-owned business. The program represented a key element in succession planning for the organization. After graduation, he became Executive Vice President of the Group and President of Cooney Logistics, a new business that he started within the Group.”
Gianni (John) de Francesco, MBA
Federal Lead, Indigenous Languages Legislation
Aboriginal Affairs & Northern Development Canada
Ottawa, ON
Prior to entering the program, John was the Senior Director, Professional and Institutional Development with Aboriginal Affairs & Northern Development Canada. After completing the program, he was appointed to Regional Director General, Manitoba. He is now Federal Lead, Indigenous Languages Legislation, in Ottawa.
“I chose Smith because I wanted to be part of a business school that had a history of excellence. The program literally changed the way I approach issues and look for solutions and significantly increased my self-confidence. As well, my world view and how I articulate it has become much clearer. The support from the faculty and staff was incredible - responsive, caring and extremely helpful.”
Elfreda Pitt Hetherington, MBA
Senior Director, Innovation Strategy & Operations
RBC
Toronto, ON
When Elfreda entered the program, she was Manager, Workplace Innovation, Corporate Real Estate at RBC. During the program, she was promoted to Director, Applied Innovation & Development and, upon graduation, she was promoted again to Senior Director, Innovation Strategy & Operations.
“Enrolling in the Smith Executive MBA program was definitely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It allowed me to stretch my strategic and leadership capabilities. I don’t think my career progression would have occurred at the same pace without the Queen’s experience and skills I was able to hone while in the program.”
Bernard Leduc, MD, MBA
President and CEO
Hôpital Montfort
Ottawa, ON
When Bernard entered the Smith’s Executive MBA program, he was working both as a family physician, and as Chief of Staff, the most senior medical administrative position at Hôpital Montfort. During the program he applied for the position of President and CEO of the hospital, a position he assumed upon graduation.
“Smith’s Executive MBA provided me with the knowledge, management tools and frameworks that are so important at this executive level. It gave me confidence and a clear sense of direction in order to address the complexity of hospital administration. It also provided me with a systematic approach for addressing issues on a more strategic level.”
Dawn de Lima, MBA
Chief Administration Officer
TransAlta
Calgary, AB
When she started the Smith Executive MBA program, Dawn was Vice President, Corporate Human Resources with TransAlta. During the program, she was appointed Vice President, Supply Chain Management. After graduating, she was named Chief Human Resources Officer, and subsequently Chief Human Resources and Communications Officer. She is now the Chief Administrative Officer.
“I decided to earn an MBA to broaden my business knowledge and advance my career. I chose Smith because, in my opinion, it is the best executive MBA program in Canada. The team-based format and the quality of my classmates really provided an amazing opportunity for peer-to-peer learning. The program equipped me with the ability to take an integrated approach to management. I would have no hesitation recommending this program.”
Frank Lin, MBA
Chief Technology Officer/Chief Operating Officer
DMD Marketing Corp.
Chicago, IL
When Frank started the program he was the Vice President of Technology for Indegene, a Montreal-based supplier to global healthcare organizations. Upon completing the program he was promoted to Vice President of Global Business Development, and then to Vice President of Product & Technology. He has since relocated to Chicago with DMD Marketing.
“Before the program, I was mainly focused on technology management.Through the MBA curriculum and the credibility of the Smith program, I was able to shift my career successfully, first to a global business development role, and now to a general management role for a fast growing technology start-up in Chicago. The program provided a great experience and a network that spans the country and I would absolutely recommend it.”
Nick Nanos, MBA
Chairman
Nanos Research
Ottawa, ON
When Nick entered the program in 2008, he had already founded Nanos Research, a flourishing business that was conducting polling services for top media organizations such as CTV, CBC and The Globe and Mail. Since completing the program, Nanos Research has continued to grow and increase its prominence in the Canadian polling arena.
“When you’re the head of an organization everyone looks to you to lead and it can be lonely. I was looking for an environment that was peer-oriented, where I would be with other people who were going through the same kind of learning process.”
Martha Bennett, MBA
Chief Marketing Officer & EVP
nVent
Minneapolis, Minnesota
When Martha joined the program, she was the Corporate Marketing and Commercialization Manager at 3M Canada. During the program, she was promoted to lead marketing for the Commercial Graphics Division. Shortly after graduation, she was promoted again to Executive Director – Consumer Business Group. She then transferred to the U.S. headquarters as Global Business Manager for Post-it™ Brand, and was soon promoted to Global Business Director for the Consumer Health Care Division.
“The Global Business Director role at 3M requires leadership across functions, geographies and complex competitive market realities. Far beyond my core expertise in global brand and portfolio management, the program gave me exposure to all management functions and taught me to think from a truly global perspective. The team format Smith uses developed skills in collaboration and project management far beyond what I would have gleaned in the workplace alone. The personalized and pragmatic approach makes this program very special, and I would recommend it without hesitation.”
Bernard Perron, MBA
Senior Vice President, Projects and Operations Services
Inter Pipeline
Calgary, AB
Shortly after Bernard started the program, he was promoted from Project Director, Corridor Expansion to General Manager Project Development at Inter Pipeline, overseeing a project portfolio of approximately $2 billion. After that he was promoted again to Vice President, Project Development, overseeing all corporate expansion projects, a project portfolio of close to $3.5 billion. Recently he was promoted again to Senior Vice President, Projects and Operations Services.
“The Smith EMBA program is a superior education experience. Its reputation, professionalism and faculty are absolutely first rate. The team-based approach was a good reflection of a real work environment and allowed me to strengthen my team leadership skills. I now see myself as a well-rounded leader.”