Jonathan Cavalier (BCom ‘04) is Senior Vice President, Audit, Risk & Controls at adidas, where he leads various teams through governance and risk assurance, including internal audits, risk management and internal controls at the company’s global headquarters in Germany.
While studying accounting at the Telfer School of Management, he made the most of his time through engaging co-op placements and his commitment to student leadership. He also served as head teaching assistant for Introduction to Business (ADM 1300), working with the late professor Peter Koppel, and as president of the Telfer Students' Association (AETSA).
Growing up in Ottawa, Jonathan developed a lifelong passion for sports and sneakers—often joking that he made “shoe contact before eye contact.” What once started as a small personal interest eventually became a defining part of Jonathan’s professional journey.
For most people, finding a career that aligns with both their skills and passions can feel out of reach, but he shows it's possible by taking risks.
Your career began in traditional accounting firms, including external auditing at Collins Barrow and KPMG, before eventually leading you to a global role at adidas. How did those early experiences help you in your role today?
I think what it provided was a foundation for understanding how things truly work in the real world. In my third year, I spent a semester at an accounting firm during its busiest season—learning and working. When I came back to school, the classroom made so much more sense because I had tangible work experience.
Another aspect I gained from these junior roles was a sense of professionalism. In a client service-oriented space, you need to show up well, with clear expectations, and demonstrate the intangible aspects of working hard to both your colleagues and your clients. The benefit of doing co-op work terms at a professional services firm was that they supported me and provided an established infrastructure for learning when preparing for the Chartered Professional Accountant designation. When the opportunity to work for adidas became available, I had acquired experience and expertise, my university degree, and a professional designation, and I channeled all of that towards my passion for sports.
“When the opportunity to work for adidas became available, I had acquired experience and expertise, my university degree, and a professional designation, and I channeled all of that towards my passion for sports.”
—Jonathan Cavalier, Senior Vice President, Audit, Risk & Controls, adidas
Alongside your professional experiences, you were deeply involved in student leadership at Telfer. How did those leadership roles contribute to your personal and professional development?
As a student, I found an environment where I could learn and grow, build meaningful connections, have fun, and set myself up for a successful career. It was a winning proposition for me.
It's something I can look back on and be super proud of and cherish, and I would encourage any other student to make the most of that experience and have fun while enriching the community you’re a part of. I built so many lifelong friendships out of those opportunities to give back. But also, it was life experience, a simulation of the real world. For example, being responsible for the student association's budget is experience that will help you when you work for a company or run your own business.
What motivated you to take the leap from Ottawa to Germany, and how has following your passion shaped the way you approach your career today?
Honestly, it was someone I met during my co-op work term who shared my passion for sports—we said to each other that if we ever found an opportunity to work in the sports business, we’d let the other person know. He found the role with adidas first and let me know they were looking for people. When the timing was right, I applied and got the job, even though I couldn’t really differentiate between what I was doing as an external auditor at KPMG and what being an internal auditor at adidas would entail. I thought I would move abroad for two years, and now it’s been 16 years. (People always say “two years” for a big move, because one year sounds non-committal and three years feels like forever.)
Ultimately, the biggest lessons that I have learned over the years—and wish that I had realized earlier—are these: first, you need to enjoy your day-to-day, and following your passion is a huge catalyst to enable this. Second, everyone can benefit greatly from the international-mindedness and diversity of thought that comes with taking your career abroad. Third, finding a role that allows you to travel for work is a tremendous way to see the world. I would especially encourage people to take up those opportunities while they are young and early in their careers.
What advice would you give to students who want to step out of traditional roles in their industry, but don’t know where to start?
I read a great article in the Harvard Business Review about why you should build a “career portfolio” instead of a “career path,” and I always reference this as the best advice. Look at what you’re doing and assess whether it is adds to your portfolio. Look at what is missing from your portfolio and find ways that you can add to it.
It’s so simple as a concept, but it gets you out of labels, titles, and promotions and will guide you more directly towards where you want to be and where you will enjoy being. Not every day will be perfect, and not every task enjoyable, but if a role adds to your portfolio in the aggregate, then it can be beneficial.
“Get exposure to new concepts in the classroom, get experience in the workplace, and always keeping adding to your portfolio.”
—Jonathan Cavalier, Senior Vice President, Audit, Risk & Controls, adidas
Looking back at my co-op experience, it taught me that experience and exposure are the best teachers. Get exposure to new concepts in the classroom, get experience in the workplace, and always keeping adding to your portfolio. This way, whenever you’re presented with a great opportunity, you’ll be closer to ready to take on that next challenge—and you’ll have a mindset of continuous learning and growth already embedded into who you are.
This article was written by Zain Ibrahim.
Zain Ibrahim is a third-year marketing student at the Telfer School of Management. As part of her co-op program, she serves as communications and special projects assistant with the Engagement and Development teams at Telfer.
