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Success Stories
Our Recent Graduate Success Stories reflect a range of people, at a variety of levels within their organizations, who entered the program with their own unique career goals.
Greg Major - Customer Marketing Manager, Unilever Canada Inc.
Greg was promoted to the position of Customer Marketing Manager at Unilever upon completion of Queen’s MBA for Business Graduates. In his new role, Greg has customer marketing responsibility for a significant portion of Unilever’s food business. He leads the development of several brands’ go-to-market strategies with Canada’s major retailers, optimizing trade investment strategies,while developing innovative merchandising programs to drive profitable share growth for the organization.
"The outstanding faculty and peer group provided a rich and comprehensive learning environment. My strategic skill set was significantly enhanced, giving me the competencies to take on greater leadership responsibilities at Unilever."
Kate Dinham - Brand Manager, Molson Canada
While in the Queen’s MBA for Business Graduates program, Kate was recruited by Molson Canada to the role of Brand Manager, with responsibility for a regional brand. Upon completion of her MBA, Kate was moved to an aggressive investment brand within the Molson portfolio. Her responsibilities include developing innovative strategies, brand planning, and leading multi-functional teams for new business opportunities and program development. She also leads the implementation of consumer programs including advertising, packaging, and promotional activities. Kate credits the Queen’s program with helping her develop the strategic and leadership skills that led to her new position.
“My Queen’s MBA has equipped me with the confidence and skills that will be invaluable as I build my career. I now work in an area that I am passionate about and have the ability to chart my own course and make a difference. The program prepared me for greater leadership responsibilities now and in the future.”
Charlie Yan - Associate, Debt Capital Markets, CIBC World Markets
When Charlie applied for the Queen’s MBA for Business Graduates program he had a goal of working in a prestigious financial institution. During the program he interviewed with all of the major Canadian banks and succeeded in securing a position with RBC Capital Markets.About a year after graduation, Charlie moved into his current position on the trading floor at CIBCWorld Markets. Before he applied to the Queen’s program, Charlie had researched all the MBA programs in Canada, seeking a well-recognized degree from a prestigious school that would allow him to work while studying.
"The Queen’s MBA experience was definitely worthwhile. It opened the doors to the world of capital markets and a job that I enjoy very much.”
Janet Vanderlaan - Manager, Small Business Banking Credit Products, TD Canada Trust
Janet was promoted during the school year from Financial Advisor to Manager of Small Business Banking Credit Products atTD CanadaTrust. Prior to starting the Queen’s MBA for Business Graduates program, Janet worked in a sales capacity as a Financial Advisor for five years.Towards the completion of the second term of her studies, she began looking for internal career opportunities and learned of a manager position within the Small Business Banking (SBB) Product Group. Having worked as the SBB sales champion at the branch for the past several years, this was an area of great interest to Janet.After facing a series of challenging interviews, she was offered the position.
“Today, I work in an area that I am very passionate about and have the ability to make a difference. The Queen’s MBA for Business Graduates program has been paramount in building my skill set in strategic thinking, leadership, and project management.”
VP & Regional Financial Officer, Mastercard Canada
While in the Queen’s MBA for Business Graduates program, Daniel took advantage of Queen’s partnership with CMA Canada and began working toward adding the Certified Management Accountant designation to his US CPA designation. Upon completion of the MBA program, he joined MasterCard Canada as Director of Finance, responsible for leading all aspects of financial accounting, planning, analysis, reporting, and taxation. He has subsequently been promoted to Vice President and Regional Financial Officer. Daniel chose Queen’s MBA for Business Graduates because the curriculum leveraged his undergraduate degree by focusing on advanced management topics that had immediate impact on his knowledge and skill set.
“Queen’s MBA for Business Graduates was an exceptional opportunity for me to add strategic management to my finance background. The program’s challenging course work and outstanding peer networking opportunities have made me a well-rounded individual. The benefits of the program continue to accrue and seem to ramp up as the years go by.”
Tamara Kushnir - Brand Manager, Mobil & Esso Lubricants, Imperial Oil Esso
Soon after completing her studies in the Queen’s MBA for Business Graduates program,Tamara was asked to join the Lubricants and Specialties Department at Imperial Oil Esso, taking on the role of Brand Manager for all Mobil and Esso Passenger Vehicle Lubricants. Her job responsibilities include strategic marketing planning for all product lines, working with the advertising agency to execute strategic marketing plans, and working with the leadership, supply, sales, legal, and operations teams to determine areas of opportunity to promote passenger vehicle lubricants. Prior to joining Imperial Oil Esso,Tamara held the position of Zone Marketing Manager for General Motors of Canada inWestern Canada.
“Queen’s MBA for Business Graduates program allowed my strategic thinking to rise to a new level. I believe that this contributed significantly to my promotability.”