Dr. Pat Bradshaw appointed Professor Emerita

Dr. Pat Bradshaw (center) with President Robert Summerby-Murray and Dr. Jeff Power at Spring Convocation

Dr. Patricia (Pat) Bradshaw was appointed Professor Emerita at the Spring 2023 convocation ceremonies. This distinction is an honorary rank awarded to members of the university who have served with excellence, upon or following retirement from full-time academic duties.

Dr. Bradshaw completed her term as Dean of the Sobey School of Business in May of 2018, celebrating with a special event with alumni and colleagues. She taught as a Professor of Management, retiring in September 2022. She received the Associate Alumni of the Year award in 2017 for her dedication and support to the university.

As Dean, she was responsible for building consensus around a compelling mission for the school and establishing strategic priorities to ensure 80 full-time faculty, 3200 students, key donors, community leaders and more than 20,000 alumni felt aligned with the School’s direction.

With an annual economic contribution to the province of Nova Scotia of over $329 million by this AACSB accredited School, her position was focused on creating an impact with purpose and ensuring that resources of the School were mobilized to help build prosperity in the province.

Previously, Bradshaw was an Organizational Behaviour Professor at the Schulich School of Business, York University and held roles such as the Chair of the University Senate, Treasurer of the faculty union and Chair of the Organization Studies Area. Her research interests include governance of non-profit organizations, change management and organizational power and politics from an intersectional feminist and social justice lens.

Bradshaw is currently on the board of Feed Nova Scotia and has been on the Board of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council as well as being Chair of the Board of the Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia. She was one of the founding co-chairs of the Nova Scotia Nonprofit COVID-19 Coalition, and is currently active as a consultant and facilitator in the areas of strategic planning and non-profit governance.

Watch a recording of the Spring 2023 Bachelor of Commerce convocation ceremony here.

Meet your Valedictorian: Oratile Mogae BComm'23

Oratile Mogae BComm’23
photo: Ashley Brown

As Oratile Mogae prepares to walk across the stage on convocation day to receive her Bachelor of Commerce degree and deliver her valedictorian address, she’s humbled by the honour of representing her graduating class. 

“It’s a surreal feeling,” she says with a smile. “We’ve all had our own journeys to get here, and I recognize graduating will mean something different to everyone—it’s going to be a special day.”     

Looking back at her own journey, growing up in Bedford, Nova Scotia, the decision to attend Saint Mary’s was easy.  

“The Sobey School of Business is one of the top business schools in Canada,” she says. “The university also has a reputation for smaller class sizes and having a close sense of community on campus—much like a family.”

Family is important to Mogae, and she’s quick to share that her parents have always been her biggest cheerleaders every step of the way. As an African Nova Scotian woman, creating an inclusive family-like atmosphere for Black students is something she is passionate about.

A journey of inclusion

Saint Mary’s strives to create an academic environment that is inclusive, equitable and dedicated to embracing global perspectives, something she values deeply about the university. Her passion for inclusion sparked her to create the university’s first Black Student Society.

Previously, there had been African and Caribbean Student Societies, but Mogae wanted to create a hub where all Black students on campus could come together and have a safe space to connect. “Some Black people don’t identify with a specific background,” she says. “For example, they don’t only identify as African or Caribbean—they identify as Black.”

To get the ball rolling, Mogae and her friend Aba Owusu-Biney applied to create the society with the Saint Mary’s University Students’ Association (SMUSA). Once approved, she became the society’s president and they set up a governance structure. The Black Student Society officially began in the fall of 2022 and the team hit the ground running, planning activities and events.  

“We hosted a paint and sip, open mic, a skate night and a workshop for Black professionals in the workplace,” she says. “Black History Month/African Heritage Month was our biggest month, and that went really well.” 

Members of the Black Student Society at an event

She’s proud of the inclusive environment she helped create for current and future Black students, and she’s honoured by the lasting impact the society will have for the university. 

“For Black students, especially international students, to have a source of family on campus is so important,” says Mogae. “To be able to create a home environment is quite special.” 

She encourages everyone to continue to ask questions, learn about and support Black culture. She says the struggles Black students face are different, and not everyone might understand, but allowing people to feel heard and supported goes a long way.

As she writes the next chapter of her own post-university journey, Mogae hopes to start her own business, continue to learn in a World without limits and keep creating safe spaces for Black students to thrive.

Spring Convocation takes place May 17-19, 2023. Watch the ceremonies live at smu.ca/graduation or on our Facebook page.

Meet your Valedictorian: Emperor Ben Robertson MTEI'23

Emperor Ben Roberston MTEI’23

When Emperor Ben Robertson was selecting a school to obtain his Master of Technology Entrepreneurship & Innovation degree, he knew Saint Mary’s University was the right choice.

The university's commitment to providing high-quality education, unique experiential learning opportunities, a vibrant location and extensive student support services contributed to his decision.

His education has provided him with a strong foundation in the principles and practices of technology entrepreneurship and equipped him with the knowledge to help businesses thrive in the digital age.

Q&A with Emperor Ben Robertson

Where is your hometown?: Accra, Ghana.

What was your favourite class?: Out of all the classes I took in my MTEI program, my favourite courses were Technology Entrepreneurship and Tech Strategy and Productivity.

What was the best piece of advice you received?: The most profound piece of advice that has had a significant impact on my life did not come from anybody I know personally. It was a quote that I stumbled upon while walking down Barrington Street that read, "Think and act like failure is impossible for you." This simple yet powerful quote has transformed my perspective on how I approach my goals.

Which instructor had the biggest impact on you?: Throughout my academic journey, I was fortunate to have had many exceptional professors who delivered transformative lectures. However, one professor in particular, Dr. Ramesh Venkat, had an enormous impact on me. Thanks to Dr. Venkat's exceptional teaching, I gained a deeper understanding of marketing and developed valuable skills that have been essential to my career. His influence on me has been invaluable, and I am grateful for the impact he has had on my personal and professional growth.

What was your thesis research?: I collected data on the challenges that businesses faced and explored ways to create opportunities for them to succeed in their respective locations. One of the most intriguing aspects of this research was its timing, as it was conducted during the post-COVID period when businesses were transitioning to new ways of operating. By talking to business owners, I gained valuable insights into their challenges and how they were adapting to the changing business environment.

Overall, this experience gave me a unique opportunity to explore the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses in the Halifax-Dartmouth area. It also allowed me to develop key skills that are essential in any business environment, including communication, research and problem-solving skills.

What advice would you give to your younger self?: If I could go back and speak to my younger self, I would tell them to try new things and challenge themselves as much as possible. I would encourage them to embrace failure as a natural part of the learning process and to adopt a mindset of "failing fast and failing often."

The reason is simple: by trying new things and taking risks, we are more likely to stumble and fail along the way. However, each failure provides an opportunity to learn and grow; the more we fail the faster we can learn and adapt. This can lead to faster progress and success in the long run.

Do you volunteer in the community?: As a passionate individual interested in promoting economic growth and prosperity, I volunteer as a member of the African Nova Scotian Road to Economic Prosperity Youth Council (REPYC). This council is an initiative aimed at promoting economic growth and prosperity among African Nova Scotian communities in Nova Scotia.

What are your future goals?: I am excited about the future and the opportunities that lie ahead. I am confident that with my skills, knowledge and experience, I will be able to make a meaningful contribution to a multinational company while also pursuing my passion for entrepreneurship and innovation.

Spring Convocation takes place May 17-19, 2023. Watch the ceremonies live at smu.ca/graduation or on our Facebook page.

Meet your Valedictorian: Laura Eamon BComm'23

Laura Eamon BComm’23

At 17, Laura Eamon jumped at the chance to attend university halfway across the country from where her family lived. After experiencing personal challenges with alcoholism, she struggled to complete the first year of her studies. 

In 2012, she returned to Nova Scotia. After getting sober, completing a diploma at NSCC and working at Nova Scotia Health, she decided to attend university while staying close to her incredible and supportive family.

After hearing about a close friend’s experiences at Saint Mary’s University, she decided to apply, and the rest is history.

During her Bachelor of Commerce journey at the Sobey School of Business, Laura received many awards and recognitions, including the Elaine Leventhal Bursary, the SSHRC Explore Undergraduate Summer Research Award, the Daughters of the Vote Delegate, the Handyside Ethical and Social Responsibility Award, the Canadian Conservation Corps Participant and the Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies. Laura is also a member of the Sobey Scholars Network, a network that includes all current and past scholarship recipients, alumni, chair holders, named professors and post-doctoral fellows who have been the recipients of philanthropic financial support from the Sobey family, The Sobey Foundation, Sobeys Inc. and Empire Company Limited.

Q&A with Laura Eamon

Where is your hometown?: Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia.

What’s your major?: I’m graduating with a major in Economics with a Co-op Distinction.

What activities were you involved with at Saint Mary’s?: I was Treasurer with Saint Mary’s University Environmental Society for one year.

What was your favourite class?: I enjoyed all the math classes I took because working through long problems with multiple steps and a correct answer at the end is very satisfying. I found it interesting learning about Atlantic Canada’s recent history, and I loved learning how economics can be used in any industry and in any country to explore why things happen the way they do.

What’s your favourite space on campus?: Probably everyone’s favourite space on campus is the Atrium with the living wall and the library with the incredible floor-to-ceiling windows. That’s where it feels most like the traditional university experience.

Which instructor had the biggest impact on you?: Professor Tiffany Vu was always an incredibly thoughtful, engaging teacher throughout my time at Saint Mary’s. She is kind, strong, and making waves in her field. She believed in me, let me explore my thoughts in class, asked me to come on as a teaching assistant and worked with me to get the SSHRC Explore Undergraduate Summer Research award and Frank H. Sobey Excellence in Business Studies award.

What advice would you give to your younger self?: You’re never too old or too invested to start over, be a beginner, and change your mind. Stay organized, and always ask for help.

Who inspires you?: The main reason I’m walking across the stage to get my degree is my family: my husband, my two stepdaughters, and my mum. I couldn’t have done any of this without their support and sacrifices. I wish my dad was here to see me as the first in our family to graduate from university. I speak publicly about my experiences and alcohol use because of him.

Do you volunteer in the community?: I volunteer with the Sackville Rivers Association as the social media coordinator.

What are your future goals?: I hope for a bright future filled with local adventures and happy experiences with my family. I hope for slow days of joy and quick days of pain. I want to work with a team of open-minded, caring individuals for an organization making a positive impact on the planet and its people. I hope I respect my values of variety, well-being, and sustainability.

Spring Convocation takes place May 17-19, 2023. Watch the ceremonies live at smu.ca/graduation or on our Facebook page.

Sustainability and technology solutions lead sixth annual National Retail Innovation Awards

L-R: Austin Castellanos (DSC), Josh Domingues (Flashfood), Virgile Ollivier (Livescale), Donny Ouyang (Blackcart), Dr. Ramesh Venkat (DSC)

Three Canadian retailers were recognized for sector leadership at the 2023 David Sobey Centre National Retail Innovation Awards.

“For a robust, competitive and successful Canadian retail sector, it's important for the industry to continue to innovate,” said David Sobey Centre (DSC) Director, Dr. Ramesh Venkat. “As a multidisciplinary research institute, we take pride in leading the way in supporting and championing innovation and new technologies to make further advancements in the sector.”

The winners used creative means to find solutions to advance technology, improve customer experiences and address sustainability.   

Meet the winners

Retail Sustainability Innovation Award: Flashfood

Josh Domingues

Flashfood is an innovative waste reduction solution that has successfully diverted over 40 million pounds of food from landfills while continuing to provide affordable access to food for consumers through an easy-to-use app. 

“This is great recognition for Flashfood, but we are nothing without our grocery partners who have given us an opportunity to make this incredible impact together.” - Josh Domingues BComm’13, Flashfood Founder.

Retail Technology Innovation Award: Livescale

Virgile Ollivier

Livescale is unique in the global market thanks to its integrated checkout, immersive client resources and outstanding customer service. It is changing how brands interact with communities by increasing customer engagement and sales.

“As a Canadian company, we were thrilled to receive the award as a recognition of our efforts in supporting Canadian retailers to adopt and succeed in social commerce. It rewards our mission as a company and motivates us to continue to achieve our vision for the retail space, and to continue empowering retailers, merchants and brands” – Virgile Ollivier, Livescale Founder.

Retail Customer Experience Innovation Award: Blackcart

Donny Ouyang

Blackcart is changing the future of e-commerce. Its innovative try-before-you-buy approach and proprietary fraud artificial intelligence provides a safe customer experience while increasing sales and merchants’ average order value.

"No one sets out on the chaotic ride of building a startup just for the sake of winning awards, so this recognition means the world to us. It's a fantastic reminder of all the hard work our team has invested in crafting impactful solutions for the retail industry." – Donny Ouyang, Blackcart Founder.

Keynote address

Tech entrepreneur and keynote speaker Lane Merrifield delivers his address to the crowd.

Tech entrepreneur and former “dragon” on CBC’s Dragons’ Den, Lane Merrifield, provided an impassioned keynote address to the crowded room of 200 people. Guests included members of the Sobey family and Sobeys Incorporated, retail business leaders, members of government, the local business community, students, faculty and staff. 

His keynote address challenged people in the room to not be afraid to take risks in their professional and personal lives. “Courage is a muscle that needs to be exercised,” Mr. Merrifield shared with the crowd. “What do we do with complex challenges and fears? We have to break them down into small, manageable bites—action cures fear.”

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Industry impact

President and CEO of the Retail Council of Canada Diane Briseboise and David Sobey Centre Director Dr. Ramesh Venkat stand for a photo.   

Disruptive forces have dramatically shifted the global retail landscape. Consumers have been looking to retailers to provide solutions to address sustainability, product accessibility and affordability to improve technology and customer experience. 

“By recognizing outstanding organizations for their unique contributions to retail, the David Sobey Centre continues to ensure that businesses can succeed, prosper and provide benchmarks for others to learn from and emulate,” said Diane Brisebois, David Sobey Advisory Council member and President & CEO of Retail Council of Canada. “The Retail Council of Canada is honoured and proud to support the Centre and these important awards.”

About the Awards

The awards were created in 2017 to recognize retailers and companies supporting the retail sector for their innovation and unique contributions to Canadian retailing each year. They specifically recognize the most innovative up-and-coming companies and change-makers in the retail industry.

About the David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retailing & Services

The DSC is on the cusp of the most innovative, ground-breaking and cutting-edge changes in the retail industry. The Centre is the leading source of expertise in retailing and service management and prepares students to become industry leaders within Canada and globally. Every day the Centre is building a stronger and more vibrant national retail sector through research, innovation and education.

See photos from the National Retail Innovation Awards event on March 30, 2023

Two Saint Mary’s University students receive Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies

Hallie Wedge and Sandy Hiltz
Clothesline Media

Ambitious, community-minded and studious are some of the many ways to describe two award-winning Sobey School of Business Bachelor of Commerce students—third-year finance and economics major Hallie Wedge and second-year finance and accounting major Sandy Hiltz. They are two of only eight undergraduate students from across Atlantic Canada to win this year’s Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies.

All full-time business students attending Atlantic Canadian universities are eligible for consideration for the award. Deans at each university nominate candidates based on their experience with entrepreneurship, supporting the communities in which they live and work and their employment. Each award winner receives $45,000 in recognition of their achievements and gains access to mentorship support from members of the business community across the Atlantic region.

“We are very proud of Hallie and Sandy for being recognized for their excellence and earning this award,” says Dr. Harjeet Bhabra, Dean of the Sobey School of Business. “Our business school is fostering the next generation of leaders who are taking their education forward to lead entrepreneurial and sustainable businesses and communities. Hallie and Sandy’s award recognition highlights the dedication our students demonstrate to their studies and communities.”  

Since 1989, the Frank H. Sobey Awards have been awarded to 215 emerging business leaders from Atlantic Canada. These award recipients are selected by the Frank H. Sobey Awards Board of Trustees comprised of Atlantic Canadian business and academic leaders.

Meet the winners

Hallie Wedge

Clothesline Media

Hallie Wedge is a highly motivated young woman. When she’s not in the classroom, you can find her captaining Saint Mary’s women’s field hockey team or volunteering with one of three organizations close to her heart: Kaleidoscope Social Impact, the National Collective for Women in Business and Square Roots Bundle. She credits her late father, who passed away three years ago, with instilling a strong sense of community and drive to succeed. More than being her father, he was her best friend.

“He was my biggest supporter and always encouraged me to go after whatever I wanted and to do my best,” says Hallie. “He’s still my biggest motivator, and I still feel him with me.”

In high school, Hallie knew having an education in finance would help open doors to more opportunities. At Saint Mary’s, she quickly learned she could combine her passion for the environment, activism, and social concerns with her education and have an impact.

“This summer I’m starting my own regenerative food and flower farm,” says Hallie. “After I graduate, I would like to expand the business and turn it into a social enterprise where I’m growing food for people who are underprivileged or wouldn’t otherwise have access to good quality food.”

In addition to growing her business, she is interested in sustainability consulting and teaching financial literacy. In 2020, Hallie was a recipient of the Sobey National Innovator Award. Winning the Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies is something for which she is equally grateful.

“It’s incredible to be a part of such an amazing group of accomplished people,” she says. “I am very honoured to be a part of this community.”

In her free time, Hallie enjoys being outside with her dogs and boyfriend, gardening and spending time with friends.

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Sandy Hiltz

Clothesline Media

Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, Sandy Hiltz could not help but feel motivated by his parents. His mother owns a film catering company, and his father has been working in various retail involvements over the years. Being surrounded by antiques as a young boy, Sandy was inspired. At the tender age of eight, he used his innovative ambition and started his own business by selling antiques at shows and later getting involved in estate sales.

“I am inspired by great entrepreneurs like Frank Sobey,” says Sandy. “I’m passionate about small business, Atlantic Canada and history, and it was great to merge these interests.”   

On Sundays, he operates A. H. MacMillan & Family Antiques and Fine Furniture in East Chezzetcook–a 3000-foot store that sells a mixture of art, silver and furniture. Additionally, he is involved with a local production company working on a show called “The Past and the Curious” similar to “The Antiques Roadshow.”

Sandy understands the importance of giving back to his community and volunteers with the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Dartmouth at St. Peter’s Church and sits on a committee: the Parish and Pastoral Council. One of their projects involves amalgamating some churches.

Previously, Sandy had received the Sobey National Innovator Scholarship, something he considers a great source of pride. He is equally appreciative for being recognized with a Frank. H Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies.

“It’s a great honour to receive this award and meet the other recipients who are passionate about improving Atlantic Canada,” he says. “I think this place is the greatest in the world, and the other recipients have shown a great passion for it as well–I’m excited about that.”

In his free time, Sandy enjoys being in the great outdoors, spending time with his dogs and being in the countryside.  

Research Expo 2023

Each year in March, talented Saint Mary’s researchers in the faculties of Science, Arts and the Sobey School of Business gather to share their academic achievements and projects. The Research Expo showcases work from students, faculty members and researchers.  

The event is hosted by the Office of Innovation and Community Engagement (OICE), which facilitates research relationships between faculty members, government departments and the SMU Community. The OICE supports joint research initiatives, assists faculty in research contract development, intellectual property protection and private sector sponsorship The Office works to establish collaborations between researchers and external partners and license technologies to industry. 

Events like Research Expo are key to building partnerships across university departments and with external organizations. presenters at the 2023 Research Expo included: 

Dr. Steven Smith, Psychology 
Dr. Diane Crocker, Criminology 
Dr. Joniada Milla, Economics 
Dr. Yasushi Akiyama, Mathematics and Computer Science 
Dr. Karly Kehoe, History 
Dr. Danielle Tokarz, Chemistry 
Dr. Erin Adlakha, Geology 

To learn more about the research at Saint Mary’s University, click here.  

Winemaking and place-making? Nova Scotia’s craft wine industry is revitalizing rural areas

SMU researchers meet with NS winemaker

PhD student Fariba Seyedjafarrangraz (left) with Dr. Claudia De Fuentes (center) and John Mclarty standing in Planters Ridge vineyard (Photos: Lisa Neily)

Sign outside of Planters Ridge winery in Port Williams, NS

Dr. De Fuentes stands inside the winery

De Fuentes and Seyedjafarrangraz stand inside the winery

De Fuentes and Seyedjafarrangraz seated at the winery bar with Mclarty standing behind

De Fuentes, Seyedjafarrangraz and Mclarty stand with Planters Ridge vineyard behind them

De Fuentes standing with a selection of NS wines

Dr. Claudia De Fuentes

Nova Scotia’s thriving craft wine industry is playing a key role in transforming rural areas of the province into vibrant communities. In interviews with winery owners, winemakers and experts from a variety of supporting organizations, Dr. Claudia De Fuentes, a professor in the Sobey School of Business, is exploring how industry specialists from different parts of the world are collaborating with Nova Scotia’s wineries to create and accumulate skills for continuously innovating their processes and products. The result of this collaboration is a one-of-a-kind craft wine industry in Nova Scotia.

The first two wineries in Nova Scotia—Jost Vineyards and Domaine de Grand Pre—began with their trailblazing founders’ vision. They saw the region’s potential, back when it was only a blank canvas. Their vision, and that of those who followed, unleashed Nova Scotia’s potential for wine production.

Today, the region has a truly inclusive innovation ecosystem which has led to the development of new products and services and constitutes a crucial socio-economic engine for rural Nova Scotia. Results of this innovation include the ‘Tidal Bay’ appellation, which is one of the few Canadian products to have a denomination of origin. Wineries continuously experiment with ways to improve their wines and contribute to place-making through the growth of the industry in rural Nova Scotia while connecting with local communities and providing visitors with a relaxing environment.   

“Thanks to the evolution of the local industry, we are enjoying the ‘transfer and creation of knowledge’, where practices developed in other wine-producing countries are embraced and transformed to fit the very specific characteristics of the province’s terroir,” says De Fuentes. “The momentum of these efforts has contributed to place-making via the attraction and retention of talent, by contributing to the diversity of industry in rural Nova Scotia, and to the relevance of the wine industry in particular.”

Dr. De Fuentes and Sobey School of Business PhD student Fariba Seyedjafarrangraz, along with colleagues from HEC Montréal and the University of Waterloo, will soon release an SSHRC-funded research publication outlining the impact of Nova Scotia’s thriving craft wine industry on rural revitalization.

Empathy, Love and Compassion: Sobey Innovator Speaker Series with Peace by Chocolate Founder and CEO, Mr. Tareq Hadhad

Organizers and special guests

Left to right: Jacqueline McPherson, Mr. Dave Sobey EMBA’21, Dr. Mohammad Rahaman, Dr. Saja Al Zoubi, Hallie Wedge, Mr. Tareq Hadhad

Tareq Hadhad

Mr. Dave Sobey EMBA’21

Dr. Saja Al Zoubi

Mr. Hadhad speaking with an attendee after his talk.

On the evening of Tuesday, January 31, the Sobey School of Business held its inaugural Sobey Innovator Speaker Series event, featuring Founder and CEO of Peace by Chocolate, Mr. Taraq Hadhad. Mr. Hadhad and his family immigrated to Canada from Syria during the Syrian War, and founded Peace by Chocolate in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Mr. Hadhad spoke to the audience about his story, instilling a message of tenacity, compassion and championing the skills of immigrants coming to Canada.

“Breaking barriers requires you to dream big,” Mr. Hadhad shared with the room full of staff, faculty, students and guests of Saint Mary’s University. “If you don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel, you need to turn it on yourself.”

The Sobey Innovator Speaker Series was developed with the help of a transformational gift, the largest in the history of Saint Mary’s University, to the School by the Sobey Family, Sobey Foundation, and Sobeys Inc. to support innovative research, experiential learning, and

meaningful connection with practice. The Speaker Series is intended to connect rising stars, disruptors, and innovators in the world of Canadian business to Sobey students, faculty and alumni.

The event comprised of Mr. Hadhad’s talk, a Q&A, and an opportunity to network. Emceeing the night was Hallie Wedge, a current Sobey School student and recipient of a Sobey National Innovator Scholarship. Mr. Hadhad was introduced by the President & Vice-Chancellor of the University, Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, Mr. Dave Sobey EMBA’21 of the Sobey family, and Dr. Saja Al Zoubi, a lecturer in Global Development Studies at Saint Mary’s University. Dr. Al Zoubi spoke about how refugees can contribute to the economy of their host country, if the country provides them with support.

Mr. Hadhad and his business, Peace by Chocolate, are the perfect example of what happens when refugees are given the support and incubation that they need to thrive. Mr. Hadhad spoke candidly to the room, his warmth and charisma taking attendees through his family’s story, from his father starting his chocolate business in Damascus, Syria, to losing everything during the war, to being refused entry by fifteen countries before being accepted by Canada and moving to Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Attendees were moved by Mr. Hadhad’s family’s story of hardship and unending perseverance. However, Mr. Hadhad’s talk wasn’t just his story, or advice for entrepreneurs – although he had many thoughtful pieces of advice.

“Kindness begets kindness, love begets love. Supporting immigrants and refugees is the right thing to do,” Mr. Hadhad shared with the room. The overwhelming message of his talk was of love, compassion and above all else, empathy, and we are so thankful to Mr. Hadhad for sharing both his story and his wisdom.

Thank you to all attendees of the inaugural Sobey Innovator Speaker Series!

Meet your Valedictorians: Bernadine Inah Baual BComm’23 and Kapil Sahni MTEI’23, Sobey School of Business

Graduates from the Sobey School of Business leave with not only a degree, but with untold memories, skills and dreams for the future. Our winter valedictorians, Bernadine Inah Baual and Kapil Sahni, both exemplify the spirit of the Sobey School. Before they both cross the stage and accept their degrees, we sat down with them to ask a few questions.

Bernadine Inah Baual

Bernadine Inah Baual

Bernadine, originally from the Philippines, moved to Canada in 2017 and calls New Glasgow home. She is graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting.

During her time as a student, Bernadine was a Teaching Assistant for Spirituality and Work, supporting the professor in the overall teaching and learning experience of the students in the course. She was also the student representative and a member of the Service-Learning Advisory Committee (SLAC), which discusses Service Learning and its approaches in the university, student engagement and community partnerships to encourage students and support them in attaining additional learning outside of the classroom.

Preferred name: Bernadine
Graduation date: January 28, 2023
Program: Bachelor of Commerce, Major in Accounting

What has been your favourite class?

I’ve loved my Financial Accounting courses, specifically Introductory Financial Accounting and Intermediate Financial Accounting. Introductory Financial Accounting was the course that made me confirm that I really want to take Accounting as a major, and I loved the challenge of Intermediate Financial Accounting – it was hard, but fulfilling!

Are there any awards you’ve won or achievements you’d like to share?
I’ve been a consistent Dean’s Lister through my entire degree.

What are your future educational plans?
I plan to get my CPA designation. After that, I’m not sure yet!

What is your favourite spot at SMU?

The second floor of the library. I love how quiet it is there, it is the place where I really finished a lot of schoolwork and studies!

Do you have any advice for students starting at SMU?

Do not be afraid to explore new things. Unforeseen circumstances contain the lessons that we need in life. Going into university and getting your degree will be a hard and challenging journey, but I want you to know that it will all be worth it in the end just trust yourself and never give up on those dreams.

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 Kapil Sahni

 Kapil Sahni

 Kapil Sahni moved to Canada from New Delhi, India, and is confident, curious, self-driven and kind-hearted. During his two years at Saint Mary’s pursuing his Master of Technology Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Kapil was actively involved in campus life, volunteered for the International Student Career & Employability program, as well as co-founding the Working Women Network to enhance the employability of women professionals across Canada, aiming to bridge the gender diversity gaps in the corporate world. He has also held the roles of a teaching assistant and research technician at SMU.

Preferred Name: Kapil
Graduation Date: January 27, 2023
Program: Master of Technology Entrepreneurship & Innovation (MTEI)
Previous Degrees: MBA, BBS

 Why did the MTEI program appeal to you?

MTEI helps individuals become independent and channel their creativity into creating something of their own in this competitive world. My long-term career goal of establishing myself as an entrepreneur in today’s digital world could only be fulfilled by a comprehensive program curriculum of MTEI.

What, in your mind, are the most valuable skills/experiences that the MTEI program provided you with?

The program’s curriculum of entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation enhanced my analytical and problem-solving skills, which has enabled me to solve daily life problems. Diving deep into technology and modern-age digital practices helped create a robust foundation for my entrepreneurial journey.

Do you have successes you’d like to share or difficulties you were able to overcome?

Prior to joining the MTEI program, I did not have the entrepreneurial tools and techniques I needed, which was a bottleneck to my long-term career growth. With the right amalgamation of technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation-oriented curriculum along with industry-led training, I feel I can now make headway into the start-up arena. In fact, the support provided by the MTEI professors and the SMUEC officials helped me to scale my start-up quicker than expected in a short time span.

What are your future plans?

My future plan is to establish my entrepreneurial venture in the North American market commercially. As I seeded Canada’s first women-focused, AI-powered talent management platform – Working Women Network – during the MTEI program, getting early recognition with the prestigious VOLTA and Mitacs scholarship now propels me to take it to the market in the coming years.

Do you have any advice for incoming students?

The MTEI program instructs students about the multifarious business models one can pick from and customize them to suit their business idea most appropriately. The program’s holistic learning approach ranges from learning the theoretical concepts about the fundamentals of business to growing as an individual from all perspectives. It teaches real-world skills and prepares its undertakers to use their imagination to ward off any challenge that the future might throw at them as aspiring entrepreneurs.

Graduate Profile: Souvik Sinha MFin’22, Sobey School of Business

Souvik Sinha

This past September was supposed to be a time of celebration for Souvik Sinha. He had completed the Master of Finance (MFin) program at the Sobey School of Business and was set to convocate. However, Hurricane Fiona’s province-wide destruction cancelled those plans – until now. Before he walks across the stage in this special-edition Fall convocation, Souvik sat down with us and reflected on his journey through the MFin program.

Preferred Name: Souvik

Home Country: India

Graduation Date: Fall 2022 (Convocation January 2023)

Previous Degrees: Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), specialized in Finance, from International School of Business and Media, Pune, India

Why did the MFin program appeal to you?

The MFin program of Sobey School of Business is an accelerated, one-year program which comprises of multiple in-depth Finance courses, a corporate tour to Toronto and assistance for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) examination. The school is in the prime location of Halifax, which is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada while being easier to live in than other major centers, such as Toronto and Vancouver. The school ranking in Canada is impressive and the class cohort is small, which enables us to interact with Professor seamlessly. For these reasons, I chose to study at the Sobey School.

What, in your mind, are the most valuable skills/experiences that the MFin program provided you with?

The MFIN program at Saint Mary’s University provided a unique opportunity to navigate the financial markets of Canada. It created a platform to interact with employers, associates and alumni, and attend career fairs. The intense coursework helped us to enrich our finance knowledge, and graduate career services and the writing center provided professional development.

Do you have successes you’d like to share, or difficulties you were able to overcome, during your time in the program?

The program was fast-paced and I experienced significant successes which would not have been possible if I had not enrolled in the program. Some highlights for me were:

• Participation in Ethics Challenge conducted by CFA Society Atlantic Canada

• Participation in Halifax Innovation Challenge conducted by RBC and IBM

• Executives roles in different student societies:

  • President of the Saint Mary’s Investment Society

  • Vice President Public Relations, Toastmaster’s Club at SMU

  • Co-chair, Graduate Advisory Committee by SMUSA

In regards to difficulties, I experienced a few health setbacks including being sick with covid and breaking my elbow in an accident. These were tough times, however SMU supported me taking a short time off for recovery.

What have you been doing since graduating back in September?

After graduating, I started working as a Business Analyst at RBC Capital Markets, Halifax.

I am working on Portfolio and Change Management team of RBC Capital Markets.

What are your future plans?

I would like to continue working with RBC Capital Markets, learning and growing within the organisation. In addition, I would also continue my CFA education.

I also love to travel, and I would like to visit most of the Canadian provinces in coming years.

Do you have any advice for incoming students?

Saint Mary’s University has lot of resources, utilizing those will be highly rewarding for future.

Interact, learn, and share with all your professors and classmates. Communicate with other students in your program. Join a student society and participate. Attend employers-driven online or offline programs. Be curious! Enjoy the lovely people and beautiful city of Halifax.

Thank you Souvik for your time, and we hope you have an incredible convocation!

Graduate Profile: Shubhra Singh MTEI’23, Sobey School of Business

Shubhra Singh

Shubhra Singh came to the Master of Technology Entrepreneurship & Innovation (MTEI) program with a business idea: a network that addresses the challenges of women in the workforce. With the guidance and support of MTEI professors and SMUEC, Shubhra’s start-up idea became a prestigiously-funded reality called WWN Technologies. Before she walks across the stage during convocation, Shubhra sat down and answered some questions about both her journey through MTEI and her business.

Preferred Name: Shubhra

Hometown: New Delhi, India

Graduation Date: 27 of January, 2023

Why did the MTEI program appeal to you?

As a woman in tech with lots of experience in building start-ups from the ground up, I always wanted to start my own tech business. I was accepted into various entrepreneurship programs across Canada, however the MTEI program from Saint Mary’s university had a very practical approach. I decided that the tools and resourceful ecosystem of the program would be very helpful to me as a budding entrepreneur.

What, in your mind, are the most valuable skills/experiences that the MTEI program provided you with?

MTEI provided me with resources and an ecosystem that kept the fire burning in my belly to embark my entrepreneurial journey. The entire program curriculum is well structured, which helps you to learn practical applicability of everything that a start-up needs. The best part is all the professors and even the dean, Dr. Harjeet Bhabra, are more than willing to help you. The SMU Entrepreneurship center also has wonderful mentors that keep pushing you to achieve.

Do you have successes you’d like to share, or difficulties you were able to overcome?

During my stint at MTEI I founded my company WWN Technologies, which is Canada’s first AI based SAAS platform for women job seekers that will help companies to achieve their diversity targets. With the ecosystem MTEI provided me and mentors like Dr. Ellen Farrel, Dr. Claudia de Fuentes, Michael and Jason, the company is a VOLTA resident company, which is the biggest accelerator in Atlantic Canada. The company is able to get decent pre-seed funding.

What are your future plans?

As a woman entrepreneur, I want to grow my company and make it the biggest SAAS platform for diversity hiring in North America. I want to give back to society.

Do you have any advice for incoming students?

As a student myself, I understand we deviate from our goals and the journey of an entrepreneur is tough. However, you are at the right place – all you need to do is ask for help from your professors and SMUEC, and keep your network intact. Be proactive and believe in your idea!

Thank you Shubhra, we wish you and WWN Technologies all the success – happy convocation!