Whether it was the return to in-person learning and events, creating a more inclusive environment, or the launch of a new strategy to chart Ivey’s future, 2022 was a year to move forward. Over the last 12 months, Ivey made tremendous progress in advancing thought leadership and societal change while continuing to provide the best classroom experience. Here are some highlights.
Innovating for impact through Ivey Next
Ivey launched its new strategic plan, Ivey Next, which showcases the many ways it will build on its legacy of real-world leadership and inspire future leaders to address the critical issues facing business and society. One of its most important aspects is Ivey’s new purpose, “Inspiring leaders for a sustainable and prosperous world,” which reflects the School’s strong legacy of preparing leaders with an evolving view of responsible prosperity. Ivey Next also identifies three critical issues – the evolution of work; global citizenship, competitiveness and innovation; and sustainability – that will be brought to the forefront through meaningful dialogue in Ivey’s thought leadership and the classroom. To inspire lifelong learning, Ivey Next will further usher in the launch of new programming for alumni and other learners at different stages of their careers.
Demonstrating global citizenship through support for Ukraine
Nine outstanding graduate students fleeing the war in Ukraine were welcomed into the Ivey MBA program on exchange so they could continue their studies in safety. It was part of a larger School initiative through the new Academic Shelter Fund to provide aid to Ukrainian students this year as well as financial support for other students and scholars fleeing conflict in the future. Ivey is also proud of the fundraising initiatives spearheaded by Sergii Nevmerzhytskyi, PhD ’22, and Victor Lal, HBA ’19.
New program addresses the gender gap in asset management
Ivey Dean Sharon Hodgson opened the Toronto Stock Exchange last summer to celebrate the School’s new Women in Asset Management (WAM) program, which launched in March and aims to bring more women into this underrepresented career path. The inaugural 14-week program prepared 33 women for careers in asset management through a mix of in-class training and a paid summer internship.
Ivey's largest program gets even bigger
Ivey welcomed its largest HBA cohort in history thanks to the program expanding from eight to 10 sections to accommodate an extra 150 additional students. The expansion came in response to high demand for the program and has several benefits. In addition to increasing the diversity and high-quality students in the program, the expansion brings the potential for curriculum changes, collaborations, and more combined-degree offerings.
Ivey represented at prestigious conference on global challenges
Ivey had a strong showing at the 2022 Estoril Conferences in Cascais, Portugal. Professor Tima Bansal was among the prominent guest speakers at the conference and addressed the need for sustainable development. In addition, the work of some students in Ivey’s MSc Global Citizenship Seminar was featured at the event.
Ivey was also one of four CEMS schools that provided programming for students and alumni in conjunction with the global conference. A portion of its event in Toronto, Rethinking our Thinking for a Sustainable Future, was patched in via remote feed to the Portugal event.
Ivey research and programming advances societal change
Ivey built on its leadership in sustainability teaching and research in a big way this past year. Along with its Southern Ontario partners, the School won the international Finance for the Future Climate Leader award for its work on the Deshkan Ziibi Conservation Impact Bond. Ivey’s research on solutions for a sustainable future also contributed to Western University being named first in Canada and third globally in the Times Higher Education ranking for sustainable universities.
In addition, Ivey’s Centre for Building Sustainable Value released a landmark study on how to advance a climate-smart economy and launched a new leadership program that will help organizations explore and develop new circular products, services, and processes.
Progress on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
Ivey has taken important steps this past year to create a safe, equitable, and inclusive environment and there are many great examples of the progress made. The School’s annual EDI update showcased the new systems, programs, tools, and activities that have been implemented to support equity practices.
Additionally, Indigenous learners across Ivey’s HBA, MSc, and EMBA programs received financial support through the recently created awards for equity-deserving students. The Ivey Academy launched a new course to help executives put EDI into practice. And we were particularly proud when 97 Ivey students marching in the Toronto Pride Parade carried a banner emblazoned with the message: The Future is Inclusive.
Inaugural Master of Management in Analytics program deemed success
The 34 graduates of Ivey’s inaugural Master of Management (MM) in Analytics class are well-equipped for the new data-driven approach to business that will help organizations to thrive in an increasingly digital world. The new 12-month, while-you-work program was launched to meet the demand for professionals who can interpret vast amounts of data to solve business problems. Feedback from participants and corporate sponsors was positive and the first year of the program was full of highlights and memorable moments.
Faculty, alumni, and student success
Ivey’s faculty members, alumni, and students continued to make their mark and their accomplishments were recognized in many ways. Among the highlights, five Ivey professors were deemed Canada's top business and management scientists, seven Ivey alumnae were among Canada’s most powerful women, and three Ivey entrepreneurs were recognized as young trailblazers. Additionally, two Ivey alumni were named members of the Order of Canada and an alumna was named a companion of the Order of Canada, which is the highest honour recognizing Canadians’ contributions.
Whether it was developing entrepreneurial leaders in frontier markets, empowering sustainable leaders, or unlocking Canada’s competitive advantage, Ivey celebrated its impact over the years in a variety of areas.
The LEADER Project, a student-led international economic development program, commemorated its 30th anniversary. Over the last three decades, it has sent more than 850 HBA, MBA, PhD, and MSc students to 22 countries around the world to coach 9,000 entrepreneurs and students.
The impact of the HBA Sustainability Certificate from the Centre for Building Sustainable Value also came to light as it celebrated a decade of providing students with a strong grounding in sustainability principles and best practices. More than 2,800 HBA students have taken at least one elective course in the program during its tenure.
And the Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management marked its 20th anniversary with a policy summit in Ottawa featuring many of Canada’s brightest policy and corporate leaders discussing how Canada can stimulate socio-economic development. The event, featuring former Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz, was covered by major news outlets.
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