Telferimpact

Category: Telferimpact

Published: 07 January 2022

Place à la jeunesse is an outstanding experiential learning opportunity for Franco-Ontarian high school students organized by the Telfer School of Management each year.

It is a program for young students with an interest in business that consists of an in-class component focused on key business topics followed by, as central component, a case competition. The Jeux du Commerce inspired competition has been bringing together Franco-Ontarian youth since its first edition in 2004. The competition hosts over 90 students from French-language high schools across Ontario, aged 15 and 19.

The program also serves as an opportunity to promote the pursuit of post-secondary education in French and at the same time enriches the students' business knowledge through an immersive and extraordinary hands-on experience.

The students learn a lot in class, but the opportunity to practise theoretical skills in an environment that encourages creativity, innovation and critical thinking is the main value-add in their academic development.

Participating students are also given the opportunity to compete for scholarships they can earn for their future studies at the University of Ottawa.

The Competition

The Place à la jeunesse (PALJ) competition creates an environment that encourages participants to grow and share their ideas, contextualize real issues, and solve them.

Traditionally, the competition is divided into the following academic sections:

• Marketing
• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Debate

Students are given three hours to analyze a case study, find the primary and secondary problems, come up with solutions, prepare their answers and present them to a panel of judges.

Their presentations are evaluated by judges from the community, the Telfer School, and/ other local professionals. Judges provide critical feedback to each team so that members can improve and develop their skills beyond the competition.

“It feels good to see our students engaged, full of energy and finally having experiences,” says Shelley Ryan, a business teacher at E.J. Lajeunesse High School, who saw her students take part in the 2021 edition.

Linked with Experiential Learning Goals at Telfer

At the Telfer School of Management experiential learning is an important component of any student’s journey. Experiential learning is deeply integrated in our programs through our active learning courses, learning lab and co-op program amongst other opportunities. Students benefit greatly from these learning experiences and can use them to develop and explore new subjects, valuable at any learning level.

For Franco-Ontarian students, Place à la jeunesse is a great early experiential learning opportunity to participate in that offers a taste of what to expect during their university studies. It also has the advantage of being offered in Canada’s capital, the heart of bilingual Ontario. It’s one of the few experiential learning opportunities of its kind.

Moreover, an Ontario government curriculum document on experiential learning states that this approach allows students to develop transferable skills such as oral expression, critical thinking and the ability to summarize large amounts of information.

During the Place à la jeunesse competition, students can display their theoretical knowledge and apply it to real situations as well as gain peer recognition and possible scholarships.

How to Get Involved

If you or someone you know attends a French-language high school in Ontario, this unforgettable experiential learning experience is a chance to prepare for university life and develop a network of contacts with students and community members throughout French Ontario.

Participating students can win university scholarships. This fall, winners of each section received University of Ottawa scholarships worth a total of $58,500.

If you are interested in getting involved with the organizing committee, there are opportunities for this too. “We’re always looking for people who passionately care about education, entrepreneurship and French to help us organize the event,” says Catherine Gingras, Telfer BCom student and chair of the organizing committee for the 2021 edition.

Learn more about Place à la jeunesse and get involved in the next edition.

Category: Telferimpact

Published: 24 September 2021

Moving in a big city can often seem logical upon choosing to pursue post-secondary education, but it remains a big decision especially when if we grew up in a small town. Studying in Ottawa often comes with many opportunities, notably given its political and economic opportunities amidst a vibrant culture fuelled by its own people coming from around the world. However, Ottawa’s portrait would be quite different without its large French community.

In the spirit of this day of celebration for Franco-Ontarians, we met with two students, Émilie Lebel and Alex Dalcourt, born and raised in French communities in Northern Ontario. Their experiences at the Telfer School of Management will shed light on why they chose Telfer for their post-secondary education and haven’t had any second thoughts about this decision since.

French at the centre of the decision-making process

Raised in a bilingual household in the predominantly francophone community of Hearst, Ontario, Alex attended French school all his life and had access to services and activities in French without even having to think about it. “The presence of a French community at uOttawa was crucial in my decision to attend my post-secondary studies here, in Ottawa,” shares Alex. After living on Vancouver Island for a year he came to realize how ‘lucky’ he had been to be able to speak and live in French: “When it came time to apply to universities, it didn’t feel right to apply anywhere other than uOttawa,” added the Commerce / Juris Doctor student who is in his final year of his program.

Émilie had a similar academic path throughout elementary and high school where French was predominant: “Kapuskasing, ON is a small town where most of the population is bilingual, but in the community, French was always the main language spoken,” shares the fourth-year marketing student who is also enrolled in the French co-op program.

It was, thus, an easy decision for her to pursue her post-secondary studies in French, but she also wanted to stay in Ontario to be as close as possible to her family: “The ability to complete my program in French and participate in activities in my mother tongue at Telfer made choosing a university easy,” recalled Émilie. She added: “Not only is Telfer a great school that provides me with professional opportunities beyond the classroom, but it’s also a place where I can freely express myself in the language that I feel most comfortable in.”

Living in a Francophone Environment

In addition to studying, universities are also place of growth, both on a personal and intrapersonal level.

Therefore, it was important for Émilie to be able to express herself in French both in-class and upon participating in extra-curricular activities; the Telfer community has always offered her that chance: “I have almost never participated in an activity where there wasn’t other francophone students,” she explains. “Throughout my studies, I have never been in a situation where I couldn’t express myself in my language. I have participated in many case competitions, including the Telfer Internal Case Competition, Pitch Your Brand with the Telfer Marketing Association, Happening Marketing and Jeux du Commerce, and I have always been able to do oral presentation and pitch in French.” Émilie also had the chance to increase French presence within the CASCO team along with other francophone students, improving communication with the community as a result.

Alex also values the ability to rely on his own French heritage and culture throughout his student experience at Telfer. He met like-minded peers in the process: “I have found a community with whom I can communicate in French freely,” he explains. For example, Alex was a volunteer, a member, then the co-president, of the Place à la jeunesse executive committee over the course of three years. “This French academic case competition is a perfect example of how I am able to work with colleagues, the faculty, and people and organizations outside of the University, all in French, toward a common goal,” he reflects.

Thriving in French

Moving out of one’s hometown for the big city always comes with difficult reasoning and challenges, but both Émilie and Alex agree on one thing: you’ll never be alone in this adventure.

“Don’t be afraid to speak your language!” exclaimed Émilie. “You’ll be surprised at how large the francophone community is, and how open and supportive non-French-speaking students are. You will never not be able to express yourself in French, in clubs, and activities at Telfer,” she concluded.

Alex wanted to leave a word of advice to students coming from remote French communities: “Cherish your language to use it to your benefit, be it to take part in different opportunities or to meet new people. You already know how precious your language and culture are. You now get to thrive in both your personal and professional lives in Ottawa and around the world.”

Category: Telferimpact

Published: 18 March 2021

The Telfer PhD in Management program opened its doors to welcome the first cohort of PhD candidates in the fall of 2016. Eight exceptional candidates among 28 applicants were admitted into the brand-new program. They committed themselves to tackling the journey that is PhD training, surely not fully aware of the erratic ride of challenges and victories ahead of them. Four years and one semester later, Vusal Babashov was the first student to successfully defend his thesis on January 18, 2021, and he is the first graduate from the Telfer PhD in Management program. Considering the hurdles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this is a remarkable achievement.

Choosing the right PhD program

Any student considering a PhD must first decide to dedicate the next 4 to 6 years of their life to PhD training. Choosing which field of study to join is also a major decision, as this will tie into their thesis topic, who their supervisors could be, and it could ultimately impact future career choices.

This is a big decision for all PhD candidates, but how does a student take the leap in applying to their field of choice?

Marwa Soliman joined the program in 2016. She felt that her decision to pursue a PhD at Telfer was obvious considering the diverse expertise of the school: “I worked in academia my whole life and pursuing a PhD in accounting was one of my dreams. Before joining Telfer, I lived for two years in upstate NY and during this time I was a frequent visitor to Ottawa. I started reading more about Telfer and the PhD program and I really liked what Telfer has to offer as a new PhD program. I contacted Dr. Walid Ben Amar and he was kind enough to provide all necessary information about the program. I enjoyed our conversation so much and I decided to join Telfer. Given the diverse expertise in the accounting and finance disciplines and the outstanding research output in the last few years, I felt I can prosper in this vibrant and encouraging research environment.”

Vusal Babashov did not give his program selection a second thought: “I chose Telfer's PhD program primarily based on the supervisors I was going to work with for the next 4 to 5 years. I did a fair bit of homework researching my supervisor. First, Professor Jonathan Patrick was quite visible and well regarded in the Healthcare Operations Research community. Second, he was actively engaged in research and publishing. Finally, after having an introductory meeting with him it was evident to me that we could work together. Professor Antoine Sauré joined the program shortly after I started my PhD. It was a natural fit for me to have him as my co-supervisor given our shared research interests. Also, he was just starting his tenure-track journey, and his engagement and motivation created more synergy and boost to my doctoral research commitment.”

Three Major Steps of PhD Training

After officially starting the program and completing four semesters of required course work, PhD students must complete the Comprehensive Examination, also known as the “PhD comps.” This consists of a two-part examination (written and oral) that is overseen by the Comprehensive Examination Committee . Passing these exams proves that they have acquired the relevant knowledge needed, and that they are ready to tackle a thesis project.

Before the end of their 3rd year in the program students must choose their thesis topic, prepare a thesis proposal and defend it orally. While most students at this stage are quite excited about starting their data collection, this is a big hurdle and a key rite of passage. Failure to successfully defend their proposal leads to withdrawal from the program – talk about stressful! We asked Andrea Ghazzawi how she felt about this challenge. “I knew what to expect, as I had defended my proposal for my Master as well. I absolutely love my research topic – social pediatrics – and had invested a lot of time into developing my research study with the support of my supervisor Dr. Craig Kuziemsky and the clinical director at the social pediatric centre Dr. Anne Marie Bureau. As such, I felt very prepared for my defense.”

We asked Marwa how she felt about this challenge. She adds that the support and guidance from her professors helped her achieve these milestones: “I was one of the first students in the first Telfer PhD cohort to join the program. It was both a challenge and an opportunity. Although, we did not have the history of previous students to guide us and provide some tips and tricks to manage our PhD journey, I was fortunate to always find the support and guidance from my professors in all the stages of my doctoral program including my comprehensive exam, choosing my dissertation topic and even during my proposal defense.”

After these steps, PhD candidates are well on their way to becoming independent researchers. This is after having spent countless hours of reading, planning, and designing the right research approach, making sure to ask the right research questions, and defining a methodology, a data collecting process, and analysis. Their major triumph is succeeding to publish their research, hoping to make an impact and help shape the future of their field. At this stage, PhD candidates are ready to write and defend their thesis and celebrate this immense achievement.

Support from Telfer

PhD training is an intense journey of academic and professional growth. The thesis supervisors play a major role in this process, but many other faculty members, support staff, and peers have a major influence on this training. For Marwa, Associate Professor Dr Qiu Chen has really made a lasting impression during her PhD: “I have enjoyed working with Dr. Qiu Chen. She is always supportive inside and outside of our seminar classes. I remember the first day of her class when she said that one of the great things about teaching PhD students is that you are working with your colleagues, not your students. I have recently asked her for a letter of support, and I was two days away from the deadline and she was very kind to provide her support and help. She came back asking for more information to provide her best recommendation letter even within this short period of time.”

Joining the student community

The Telfer Graduate Research Programs Student Association (TGRPSA) plays a major role in enhancing the PhD student experience at Telfer, sharing opinion or thoughts from the students, and ensuring their needs are met. Among the first PhD cohort, Alexander Chung was the first PhD student representative in the association and served as President until 2019. Alex offers a unique perspective about the Telfer PhD student experience: “Since the inception of the PhD program, the association has been instrumental in organizing activities to unite the students and promote our research. Two examples include “skills-sharing” activities and writing bootcamps. The skills-sharing activities allowed students to share their skills and hobbies with others while providing a social environment to help alleviate the stress of graduate studies, while the writing bootcamps were weekly sessions that provided a motivating environment for students to come together and write productively. Furthermore, we helped in organizing and delivering the thesis competition for graduate students.”

The Telfer PhD program now hosts five cohorts of ambitious PhD candidates, driven by a quest for knowledge and a desire to develop the research expertise and skills needed to conquer the world. Congratulations to them all for committing to the challenge. We wish all our students much success in their respective adventures and look forward to celebrating with each of them as they complete their candidacy.

Category: Telferimpact

Published: 06 November 2019

Young DONOR OF THE YEAR

Sarah Parr

My time at Telfer taught me how to work hard and push beyond my limits. Not long after graduating, I earned my Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation. To me, this was an accomplishment worth celebrating. It has continued to pay dividends over the years, providing me with a number of professional opportunities. I strongly value continuous growth and learning, which is why giving back to Telfer means so much to me, and why I am honoured to be receiving this award. It demonstrates that you do not have to wait to make a difference. When you give from your own abundance, you can contribute time or money at any age and regardless of the resources at your disposal.

Volunteer Donor of the Year

Jodie Harrison

I am an extrovert by nature, I love working with people and having a chance to impact their lives. It is something of a recurring theme in my life. It is what I liked about Telfer: the opportunity to meet other professionals, to be mentored. That connection is important. That is why I volunteer. The Executive Mentorship Program allows you to take a student under your wing and help them with career counselling and networking. It is very rewarding. As was chairing Telfer’s 24th Annual Golf Tournament: We set up a family scholarship for a student from Northern Ontario, where I am from. I am honoured and humbled by this award, and thankful for opportunity to be able to give back and help the next generation.

Loyal donor of the year

Marie Fortier

I started in Commerce, but in 1969, I discovered a new program existed – Masters in Health Administration – and I never looked back. I got a lot of satisfaction in my first 10 years at the old Ottawa General Hospital and when I became CEO of what was then the Hull Hospital. However, my impact was limited to one city, so I took a low-level government job in Indigenous Health. It stimulated me into thinking about the country as a whole. This eventually served me well as Associate Deputy Minister and Deputy Minister in my work with minority language communities, resulting in organizations that continue to make a big difference today. I am very proud of that. It was the main reason I was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2016. I feel partly humbled and partly grateful for this recognition. 

Category: Telferimpact

Published: 06 November 2019

Five notable alumni will be recognized by the Telfer School of Management by receiving Trudeau medals, the Young Achiever's Award and the Dean's Philos Award for their outstanding contributions to the world of business, healthcare, community and their alma mater at the 2019 Gala of Excellence. The Gala will be held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, October 19, 2019 and this event also serves as an opportunity to collectively celebrate the Telfer School and highlight the graduation anniversary of the classes of 1969, 1979, 1994 and 2009.

Trudeau Medals

Luc Fortin, BCom 1990

Although going to the University of Ottawa for Business was an eleventh hour decision for me, it was one I will never regret. The Telfer School of Management gave me the fundamental skillset I needed. More importantly, it peaked my curiosity and completely opened my eyes to this horizon that was Finance. For me, the best way to achieve success is by being collaborative, being eternally optimistic and most importantly helping to unleash people’s potential. When you start leveraging the strengths and complementary skillsets of the whole team, it can be a very, very powerful thing!

Marc Y. Tassé, MBA 1997

My Telfer journey started in 1986 as an undergrad. It’s 2019, 33 years later, I’m still there — and I’m very happy to still be there. I have spent my professional life working in forensic accounting, fraud detection, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering. There is a lot of negativity that comes out of my day to day but I find optimism in my academic life, especially when I see that the new generation of students actually rejects unethical behaviors. The core values that we need in the business world right now are integrity, ethics, and transparency. At Telfer, we promote those values. I am confident that what I am sharing my students will be remembered and applied. This, to me, is certainly a major cause for celebration. 

Mari Teitelbaum, MHA 2010

As I am an electrical engineer by training, I had 15 fun years in the high-tech field. I enjoyed the work, but needed something more meaningful. A friend recommended the Telfer MHA program. It was perfect, and I luckily landed at CHEO for my residency. What drives me is that there is an endless amount of work to do to become a truly patient-focussed system of care. I believe innovation and technology are fundamental in that transformation. To get there, I celebrate people that move beyond their comfort zone to reach their potential. It is magical when committed, smart, hard-working group of people find that rhythm, and that is what I am in this for.

The Young Achiever's Award

Derek d. Ricci, BCom 2002

For me, there is no real secret to success. No shortcut. It is just hard work and taking everything one day or one task at a time. Telfer most importantly taught me about working in teams and the importance of presenting your ideas clearly and succinctly. This has helped me in everything since, be it graduating Law School, making full equity partner in six years, negotiating settlement of a $500 million mining dispute, or joining an elite global network of fraud and asset recovery specialists. I have the privilege of working with a group of truly gifted and amazing colleagues who share my passion for the law, so I share this award with them. At our firm, the work comes before any individual accomplishment.

The Dean's Philos Award

Bernard Raymond, BCom 1981

I am a native of a small village in Abitibi Témiscamingue, where the words "community" and "solidarity" were important. Education has always been one of my priorities; I have been a member of the Board of Trustees of Aylmer Montessori School and Joan of Arc Academy in Ottawa, president of major donations for the University of Québec, made a donation towards admission scholarships at Telfer, and participated in their mentoring program. Inspired by my son, Alexandre, who lives with an intellectual disability, I am proud to have created my own foundation to help people living with intellectual disabilities and their families. Through this foundation, my wish is to ensure the perpetuity of a tradition of giving and sharing.

Category: Telferimpact

Published: 21 May 2019

The Toronto Telfer Alumni Network (TTAN) is a group of alumni whose goal is to connect Telfer alumni and current Telfer students in the Toronto area. The TTAN believes that the experiences and sense of community formed as Telfer students are potent tools that can propel one forward in their career, enriching professional relationships, networks, development opportunities, and career opportunities.  “We have noticed that there is a need to support and guide young Toronto alumni as many of them can lose touch after university, despite having a desire to stay connected”, explains Alex Dettman, President of the TTAN. Therefore, the TTAN works to connect Telfer alumni and students in Toronto to foster a continued sense of community, professional development, and support in navigating career opportunities. Run by a group of passionate alumni volunteers, TTAN also works to build an even stronger bond between the Telfer School of Management’s alumni associations and their alumni.

The TTAN held their launching party on May 2, 2019 at the EY Tower in Toronto, ON, where members of the Telfer community were invited to meet the network’s council members and learn more about their mission to connect Toronto alumni.

If you are looking to build your network, connect with alumni, find a mentor or mentee, and have an unforgettable experience along the way, then the TTAN is for you!

Here is an overview of the team:

President: Alex Dettman 
VP Operations: Christopher Weatherhead 
VP Strategic Partnerships: Aziz Garuba 
VP Communications and Marketing: George Khalife
VP Events: Nick Detmer
VP Student Engagement: Aryan Habib 
VP Alumni Engagement: Daniel Shannon 
VP Mentorship: Laura Denham 
Executives: Aurélien Leftick, Ellen Dalicandro, Sarah Nancoo and Aamer Siddiqui.

You can connect with TTAN through their group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13650317/

For any questions relating to the TTAN, please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Category: Telferimpact

Published: 21 May 2019

On May 13 2019, the Telfer School welcomed Helen Angus, Deputy Minister of Health and Long-term care for our CEO-In-Residence Lecture Series.

Helen Angus was appointed Deputy Minister of Health and Long-Term Care in June 2018, after having most recently served as the Deputy Minister of Treasury Board Secretariat and the Secretary of Treasury Board and Management Board of Cabinet. 

During the CEO-In-Residence lecture series, Ms. Angus spoke to a class of MHA students about her career path and the lessons learned along the way. She also gave a presentation on “Health Transformation in Ontario”. It was especially timely as the government of Ontario rolls out its plans for Health Care reform. In her presentation, she focused on the challenges facing the ministry, and explained her vision for Connected Care.  The aim is to offer better caregiver experience, patient and health outcomes, value and efficiency, and provider experience. 

Ms. Angus’s long career in leading innovation and change, as well as her exceptional leadership skills and long history of experience in health planning and policy are all elements that contributed to the success of this event.
 

Category: Telferimpact

Published: 11 December 2018

With your support, The Telfer School of Management was able to have a succesful Giving Tuesday Campaign.

With over 100 donors who contributed, more than $40,000 was raised to support our students, who participate in various activities. Along with the matching contribution from uOttawa, this overwhelming generosity will have a huge impact on our Telfer student experience.

On behalf of all of us here at the Telfer School of Management, Thank you!

Category: Telferimpact

Published: 20 November 2018

Telfer Student Activity Fund

Beginning as a model on the runaway at her first CASCO event, Chelsea has worked her way up to her position now as the President of the CASCO Charity Organization. Chelsea Parker is a fourth year BCom student with a specialization in accounting with co-op. Chelsea has been actively involved in the Telfer community, participating in extracurricular activities such as JDC, JDCC, the Telfer Accounting Club and CASCO. Chelsea started her first co-op with Welch in January 2017 and hopes to get her CPA once she graduates in December 2019. With the help of your donations, Chelsea has been empowered and has flourished professionally and personally. 

Born and raised in Ottawa, Chelsea chose to study at Telfer for the many student opportunities Telfer provides. When asked about her involvement with Telfer and why she loves the school she responded, “The courses and academics are great but what really enhanced my experience within Telfer were the extracurricular activities”. CASCO is a student run charity organization that has raised more than $560,000 over the past 19 years for the CHEO Foundation.Chelsea says, “Most families in Ottawa have used the CHEO facilities, so being a part of CASCO was a unique and fulfilling opportunity.

CASCO is composed of all students doing what we love and it has been an incredible opportunity to be a part of the team. We are more than a club, we learn through our roles more than school can teach through courses, and it has been an all-around great opportunity.” Chelsea also spoke about her gratitude and appreciation for JDC. She said, “JDC allows you to apply and enhance your academic skills by utilizing what you learned in class in case competitions. Being involved in CASCO and JDC allowed me the opportunity to be in a leadership role which is highly transferable for when I graduate and enter the working world.” Chelsea is one of many dedicated hard working young students who have tremendously benefited from donations.

Chelsea demonstrates her ambition through her commitment to CASCO, JDC, co-op at a top end accounting firm all while balancing her classes. Her tenacity and motivation stems from her family who inspire her in different ways. Chelsea said, “My mom inspires me with her kindness and selflessness. My dad for his drive and tenacity. We tell people who make donations to CASCO that every penny counts, even if you feel it is small, it adds to the total amount that we donate to CHEO.” Chelsea acknowledges and appreciates the impact of your donations as any amount of generosity goes a long way. Chelsea can speak on behalf of many Telfer students of her gratitude for donors like yourself who allowed Chelsea the opportunity to become philanthropic leader at Telfer.
 

Category: Telferimpact

Published: 19 November 2018

FINANCE COMPETITION FUND

Thank you for being a part of the 2018 Giving Tuesday movement at the Telfer School of Management. With the help of generous donors like yourself, the Telfer School is able to host, and have students compete in a variety of different f inance competitions on a yearly basis.

The huge impact of donations is not possible to articulate without the help of students. Bithanya Lemma is one of many students who can speak to the extraordinary opportunities that would not be possible without the immense support the school receives. Bithanya has been involved with the Telfer Finance Society for the past three years, holding the positions of VP Academic, VP Events and President. Bithanya is a prime example of how integral case competitions are for students.

"Finance competitions have changed my undergraduate experience because they provide opportunities for students that we other wise wouldn't be getting in lectures. These competitions allow students to not only apply what they're learning, but get feedback and networking opportunities with professionals well recognized in this industry. The opportunity to learn from them is extremely valuable and appreciated."

Bithanya can speak to the need and appreciation for donations to the Finance Competition fund, as she has been heavily involved in planning and leading finance competitions. "Donations are important to the students that compete in finance competitions because they enable us to continue to grow these competitions, allowing more students to participate, provide more incentives to attract students, and supply the Telfer Finance Society with the recourses and materials necessary to execute successful competitions. Without donors, the competitions would not operate at the caliber they currently do."

"The opportunities that case competitions provide are like non-other. In 2016, I served as VP Academic for the Telfer Finance Society which meant I was responsible for working with the title sponsor Jean R. Desgagne (at the time President and CEO, Global Enterprise Services at TMX Group) to plan the competition. Having the opportunity to work with and host Mr. Desgagne, a donor who continuously makes a difference as a Telfer alum and is an esteemed professional in the f inance field, was an amazing opportunity and something that Icould not have experienced without case competitions."

Once again, thank you for helping students like Bithanya experience and learn as much as possible during their time at Telfer!
 

Category: Telferimpact

Published: 19 November 2018

TELFER MERIT ADMISSION SCHOLARSHIP FOR QUEBEC STUDENTS

Thank you for your participation in the 2018 Giving Tuesday movement at the Telfer School of Management. Your donation towards the Telfer Merit Admission Scholarship for Quebec Students was greatly appreciated. With the help of generous donors like yourself, students from Quebec are able to excel in their studies at the Telfer School, be involved in clubs and organizations, and make the most of their time at university.

Steve Rutikara is a Quebecois student scholarship recipient who exemplifies the important impacts of donations like yours. When asked why he chose to study outside of Quebec and specifically at the Telfer School, Steve answered, "I chose the Telfer School of Management because I've always had an interest in entrepreneurship and I knew that picking a good institution and building a strong network would allow me to thrive in the business field. As well, unlike universities in Quebec, the University of Ottawa did not require first going to CEGEP."

However, for Steve, choosing to study outside of Quebec means having to cope with tuition that is more expensive. "Admission scholarships mean being able to see all a school has to offer its students; like clubs, renowned professors, sports, opportunities, rather than just the financial burden side of things. I have been able to participate in the Management Information Systems Association, the Finance Society, AfriqCan and Hillel Ottawa during my undergrad, all made possible by generous donors who continue to support these scholarships."

Steve hopes to use all that Telfer has to offer in his future to create his own business. Thank you for investing in current and future students from Quebec attending or who will be attending the Telfer School!
 

Category: Telferimpact

Published: 07 November 2018

What do Nicholas Tesla and Elon Musk have in common? Both are inventors who have demonstrated that hard work and a passion for making the world a better place can lead to great success. To Mark Fraser, a first year student pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce with a specialization in International Management, these people are his inspiration. Mark sees himself as a leader, role model and communicator, and hopes that Telfer will allow him to reach his full potential and develop the skills needed to dominate in the business world. With donations like yours, Mark was given the opportunity to learn more about the business world and develop his personal strengths so that one day, he may become the new Elon Musk or Nicholas Tesla.

Since High School, Mark has had an interest in starting his own company and says, “I like to find things I can tinker with and make better.” He enjoys working on small start-ups, and has recently launched his own line of clothing. When he is not working on these small initiatives, he enjoys reading in his spare time. Mark is passionate about doing new things and is eager to start learning more about the business world. Mark believes that the most important part of every business is the people and states that; “every person has a story and has something you can learn from them.”

Mark is one of many eager young Telfer students who have benefitted from donations like yours. Mark said that the scholarship “made me feel inspired to do my best and succeed when I knew I had people on my side and backing me. It motivated me to choose the Telfer School of Management and had a large impact on my life here in Ottawa.” Mark speaks on behalf of the many scholarship recipients as he expresses his appreciation for donations such as yours.

Once again, thank you for supporting students like Mark, who, because of your donations, was given the opportunity to develop his personal goals and further his career plan.
 

Category: Telferimpact

Published: 07 November 2018

"My ultimate goal is to become a financial planner and be able to open my own financial planning firm in my hometown where I could make a difference in the community that raised me.” From a small town with a high school of 300 people, Julia Despres has recently joined the Telfer School of Management where she has been given the opportunity to develop her personal and professional life. Julia was initially attracted to the Telfer School of Management due to the location, bilingualism, reputation among peers and the strong reputation Telfer has on a global scale. Julia is a student with many passions including an immense affection for flying. Julia has been a part of the Air Cadets for six years and “will do anything to get in the air.” After spending a summer in Ottawa staffing the Advanced Aviation Course at the Connaught Cadet Training Centre, she fell in love with Ottawa and continues to walk around and explore Ottawa’s many wonders. Through Telfer, Julia has been able to share her passion of movies with other students, spending many nights in residence watching films and bonding with what are now close friends. 

With a dream of becoming a financial planner on the horizon, Julia additionally expressed her ambition to become a leader in her community. “I would like to be able to be successful enough to donate funds… specifically to Cadets Canada, my high school and local sports teams in my community.  Air Cadets was such a big part of my life and I would like to be able to give back to a program that (greatly) benefitted me. The reason I would like to donate to my high school is to spark the interest of young people in my community about the world of business. Because the school is so small, (it has limited resources therefore,) it is very difficult to offer any type of business classes, and I want to change that. My aspirations are essentially to influence younger generations in a positive way and be able to support those who are struggling.” For Julia, your donations reinforced the importance of giving back to the community.

When asked about who inspires her Julia stated, “People like you who have donated their hard earned money to students like me. You are the ones who inspire us to be better people, the ones who enable us to become better people. I will ALWAYS aspire to be in the position to give back to this world.  The amount of bursaries available to students is unbelievable and I will always strive to be like the numerous donors who have envisioned a brighter future for others.” Your donations inspired Julia and enabled her to fulfill her full potential while making the most of her experience at the Telfer School of Management.

Julia can speak on behalf of many scholarship recipients of her immense gratitude for donors like yourself. Once again thank you for your donations, which drove Julia’s passion to become a philanthropist in her community and allowed her the opportunity to attend and thrive at the Telfer School of Management.

Category: Telferimpact

Published: 26 October 2018

Thank you to all of those who attended the 2019 Gala of Excellence on October 19.  With over 330 guests in attendance, we celebrated the achievements and outstanding contributions that our alumni make to the world of business, health-care, the community and their alma mater. It was also a chance for us to celebrate the milestone anniversaries of the graduates of 1969, 1979, 1994 and 2009.

You can find photos from the evening on our Flickr page. Feel free to download and share with your friends!

Click here to read more about the five remarkable alumni who were recognized at the Gala »

Click here to read more about the Telfer Donor of the Year who were recognized at the Gala »

Did you graduate in 1970, 1980, 1995 or 2010? We are looking for class champions for the 2020 Gala of Excellence that will be held on October 17, 2020. Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested in being a class champion and helping your classmates reconnect after all these years!



 

Category: Telferimpact

Published: 23 October 2018

“People always use the expression that travel changes you, but travelling didn’t change who I am, it made me grow and understand who I am.” Rachel Champagne is a fourth year student pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce with a specialization in International Management at the Telfer School of Management. Having had few opportunities for traveling while growing up, Rachel was attracted to the international aspect of the International Management stream and in the fall of 2017, completed one semester of her studies in Aarhus, Denmark.  After visiting 11 countries throughout Europe, Rachel not only learned a lot about herself, but also was able to understand the cultures of others. Donations such as yours allowed Rachel the opportunity to develop herself and further advance her career aspirations.

When asked where she sees herself in five years Rachel stated that: “I cannot tell you exactly what position I will have in five years, but what I can tell you is that I intend on pursuing a career that will make a difference in the lives of others. Whether it be in trade, diplomacy or international affairs, I aspire to obtain a job where I am challenged and where I can learn about and help others. My experience abroad changed my perspective, gave me a global mindset while understanding the importance of multiculturalism.” With the help of your donations, Rachel was given the opportunity to learn both inside and outside the classroom and to better understand what type of career she wants.

“The experience I had was a dream come true, and staying in a shared housing facility with eight other people was one of the best decision I ever made. These friends became family creating a home away from home feeling, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to meet such knowledgeable and inspiring individuals. From Brazil to France, Australia to Germany, I met people from around the globe and I learned something unique and special from each person. I learned to be resilient and resourceful during my travels and also I learned that knowledge is powerful and a privilege.

“I never thought that I would experience something so profound and incredible. Your donations empowered me and enabled me to fulfill my dream of traveling, learning and meeting new people.” For Rachel, this scholarship enabled her to experience what a global career may look like and provided her with friendships that will last a lifetime.

Once again thank you for helping students like Rachel aspire for greatness, and reach for more and her personal and professional life.

https://telfer.uottawa.ca/en/alumni/donate/giving-tuesday

Category: Telferimpact

Published: 13 June 2018

From left to right: Sarah E Downey, Debbie Fischer, Deanna Monaghan, Gabriel Bouchard-Phillips & Michelle Savoy

Five notable alumni will be recognized by the Telfer School of Management by receiving Trudeau medals, the Young Achiever's Award and the Dean's Philos Award for their outstanding contributions to the world of business, healthcare, community and their alma mater at the 2018 Gala of Excellence. The Gala will be held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, October 20, 2018 and this event also serves as an opportunity to collectively celebrate the Telfer School and highlight the graduation anniversary of the classes of 1968, 1978, 1993 and 2008.

Trudeau Medals

Sarah E Downey, MHA 1992 

Sarah Downey joined Michael Garron Hospital (formerly Toronto East General Hospital) as President and CEO in 2015. Prior to joining MGH, Sarah held senior leadership positions at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and at University Health Network’s Princess Margaret Hospital. She has worked in hospitals for 25 years since graduating with a Masters in Health Administration from The Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa. Sarah has been fortunate to lead clinical programs, support service operations, and major redevelopment projects in her career. Sarah is also the President of the uOttawa Toronto Regional Alumni Council.

Debbie Fischer, MHA 1979

Debbie Fischer has held senior leadership positions in professional consulting services, in health care and government. She is currently an Executive Associate with KPMG where she consults on organizational change and large-scale system transformation in health care and public sectors. Debbie serves on several boards including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Ontario Education Collaborative Marketplace, North York General Hospital, the Health Care Advisory Council of GS1, Prodemnity as well as Joule, a Canadian Medical Association subsidiary.

Deanna Monaghan, BCom 1983

Deanna Monaghan was admitted to EY’s partnership in 1994 and has served as Ottawa’s Managing Partner for over eleven years. She is also the firm’s National Leader for Government & Public Sector Assurance Services and the Market Leader for the Ottawa Assurance practice. Deanna is highly active in the volunteer community and serves as a member of the Board of Governors of the University of Ottawa and is Chair of the Audit Committee and as a member of the Board of Governors for the University of Ottawa. She is also the Chair of the Audit Committee for the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health.

The Young Achiever's Award

Gabriel Bouchard-Phillips, BCom 2005

Gabriel Bouchard-Phillips is a Partner and Portfolio Manager at Van Berkom and Associates, a Montreal-based investment firm focused exclusively on managing portfolios of small-capitalization (“small cap”) equities on behalf of large North American pension funds, corporations, foundations and endowment funds. As Portfolio Manager for the Canadian Small-Cap Equities Team he is responsible for conducting fundamental research on a broad spectrum of the Canadian small-cap market. Prior to joining Van Berkom and Associates in 2011, Gabriel was an Analyst, Canadian Equities for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (“CMHC”) Investments and Pension Fund Division (2008-2011)

The Dean's Philos Award

Michelle Savoy, BAdm 1982

Michelle Savoy is President of Quill Ridge Capital.  She is an active philanthropist and has served on the Big Brother Big Sisters Council of Champions and on the Board of the Invest in Kids Foundation; she has also co-chaired several events raising money for teen mental health.  Michelle is currently supporting Women’s Rights within Human Rights Watch (HRW) and is very active with United Way supporting 'Women United'.  Michelle is a SheEO activator and is the founder of GROW (Giving Ring of Women), a group of women dedicated to learning about philanthropy, helping women across Canada gain economic self-sufficiency, and creating a community of givers.