Mariya Tsybulnyk

Why did you decide to do an MBA?

It is a wonderful program to meet smart people from all over the world, who already have valuable experience and knowledge that they can share. I wanted to master my communication skills and learn how to work effectively in a team. Having a diverse background, I was looking for an opportunity of a new career pass.

What is the most significant thing you've learned at Ivey?

I’ve learned how to step out of my boundaries and perform in public, and how to work collaboratively on creative projects under time pressure. I have also learned a lot about different cultures and met great people in my class, who became my close friends.

What's been the most surprising aspect of the Ivey MBA journey to date?

It surprised me how in the middle of the program everything that we’ve learned came together as a puzzle, and we started to analyze the cases with more holistic approach.

Describe the role you play professionally:

I’ve been working as an assistant to an owner of private businesses in hospitality and transportation. I was involved in a variety of administrative and strategy related tasks. I came to the company from healthcare background, previously working as a resident physician in a city children hospital.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

My work was always fast-paced with different types of tasks prioritized every day. The most difficult was to overcome legal and regulatory challenges that put pressure on operations and to look for new strategies and revenue streams during COVID-19 pandemic.

What is your biggest professional accomplishment?

My biggest professional accomplishment was to grow as a leader, learning on every step of my professional journey. I quickly adapted to a new professional environment after saying no to someone I wanted to be (a doctor) and I had enough courage to challenge myself, diving into completely different scope of work. Throughout the years of my experience I understood how important it is to build deep and meaningful connections within your team. I realized that the work culture matters for me more, than the name or size of the company. Having that in mind, I believe that the biggest impact comes from collaboration and respectful environment - that is where the best ideas grow.

What books are on your bedside table AND/OR what podcast are you listing to right now?

• Art of war, Sun Tzu
• Difficult conversations, Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton & Sheila Heen
• Sapiens: a Brief History of Humankind, Yuval Noah Harari
• The Road of Unfreedom, Timothy Snyder

How do you manage stress (i.e. sports, exercise, meditation etc)?

• I manage stress by spending time with myself in nature, having short trips to the cities nearby and doing sport - volleyball, cycling, swimming, running.
• I like birdwatching and stargazing, it helps to sort the things out and relax.