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Ivey Headlines: Top stories of 2020

Dec 16, 2020

Making headlines 2020

Without a doubt, 2020 has been an unforgettable year. COVID-19 has presented many challenges and changed the way we work and live. Despite that, Ivey has many accomplishments to celebrate. Here’s a look back at the events that defined the last 12 months.

January
Ivey’s MBA named top in Canada
The Financial Times also listed Ivey as the only Canadian school to improve its position in the annual ranking.

February
Conference advocates for courageous leadership
Ivey's Leadership Institute brought in Tarana Burke, founder of the #MeToo movement, and The Honourable Jane Philpott, former federal health minister, for the annual Character and Candour Conference for HBA students.

March
Ivey's faculty provide expert insights on the pandemic
Faculty members weighed in on a variety of topics, including societal rituals, economic and business forecasts, and new entrepreneurial activities.

The Ivey Academy launches new livestream webinars
The complimentary webinars began to help organizations survive the pandemic and feature insights and advice from industry experts and Ivey faculty on the business issues surrounding COVID-19.

April
Bringing MBA students real-time case experience
The MBA Teachable Moments Virtual Speaker Series gave students unprecedented access to accomplished leaders who shared the challenges faced and insights gained as they navigated the global pandemic. 

Ivey volunteers rose to the challenge of COVID-19
For National Volunteer Week 2020, we showcased some of the innovative ways in which Ivey Community members are making a difference.

May
Introducing The Leaders by Ivey podcast series
Aimed at unlocking the key learnings to success as a leader, the series has featured some of Canada’s best leaders on topics ranging from managing during COVID-19 to the future of work. The first episode featured Dean Sharon Hodgson discussing how Ivey pivoted during the pandemic and transformed the immersive, world-class programming into a virtual experience.

Ivey Pledge Ceremony goes digital
Ivey welcomed the 30,000th member into the Ivey Alumni Network as the MSc, MBA, EMBA, and PhD graduates celebrated their accomplishments virtually. 

June
Stephen Poloz named Chair of Lawrence Centre’s Advisory Council
The former Governor of the Bank of Canada is joined by The Honourable Perrin Beatty and Paul Wells in guiding evidence-based policy development with Ivey’s public policy centre.

Ivey and Mitacs announce new internship program
Under the supervision of faculty, students were provided opportunities to work on recovery-based projects for small and medium businesses disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.   

July

Celebrating 10 years of Ivey’s 39 Country Initiative
Since July 1, 2010, the 39 Country Initiative has advanced and improved access to management education by making Ivey’s case studies available for free to business schools in 39 of the poorest countries.

August
Ivey launches Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion action plan
The new Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion action plan aligns with Ivey’s renewed commitment to making a meaningful difference in addressing discrimination, sexism, racism, and inequality.

Meet Ivey's "Comeback Cohort" MBA Class
Leading business education publication Poets & Quants profiled the MBA Class Of 2021.

September
Safe return to the Richard Ivey Building
Ivey resumed mixed-mode programming with new protocols in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Discussion with The Honourable Chrystia Freeland
In a virtual fireside chat, Dean Sharon Hodgson and Canada's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance discussed leadership and leader character amid these extraordinary times.

New COVID-19 research study
Ivey faculty worked on important research projects throughout the year, including research specific to COVID-19.

October
Ivey introduces new Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Council
The Council – led by Chair Rashid Wasti, EMBA ’03, EVP & Chief Talent Officer, Weston Group of Companies – will advise the School on strategic equity, diversity, and inclusion goals and effect meaningful change. 

November
Leadership lessons from Ibram X. Kendi
The acclaimed author, professor, and anti-racist activist spoke to the Ivey community on a number of important Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion themes. 

Ivey makes Highly Cited Researchers list
Clarivate’s annual list included Ivey research among the most cited and influential for 2020. 

December
AMBAs reflect on first year of the program
Four students from the first cohort of Ivey’s Accelerated MBA for Business Graduates program share highlights from the program and how it has prepared them for the next stage of their careers.