Their destinations may differ, but they all began at the same place. A look at alumni stories of success that started at Ivey.
My name is Sharon Castelino. I was born in India and migrated to Canada as a preschooler with my family 50 years ago. In addition to receiving an EMBA degree from Ivey in 2012, I have completed my Master of Laws (Business) and hold the certifications of ICD.D (Institute of Corporate Directors Designation) and PDO (Partners, Directors & Officers).
My husband is an engineer, and we raised our three sons in the Leaside community in midtown Toronto, where we still reside. Two of our sons have graduated from university and are entering the job market. Our youngest son is currently at Western University and intends to pursue Ivey’s HBA program.
After three decades as a financial services executive, I now serve on public and private boards and as the Corporate Director in Residence at Women Get On Board. I have prioritized volunteerism throughout my life and am privileged to serve on the Ivey Alumni Network and as co-president of the Toronto Chapter (IANT).
What led you to your career, and how has it evolved?
I started working part time at financial institutions in high school, before automatic teller machines (ATMs) and photocopiers! It was an incredible real-world education, learning about people and products in a retail banking environment. For example, completing a mortgage loan application required meeting the clients, realtor, and appraiser in person and then typing the application in a quadruple carbon copy. It was old school and hands-on, and you had to learn every aspect of every product and process.
From there, I have been extremely fortunate to work with incredible teams, develop innovative strategies, transform businesses, and work in various sectors – from large institutional banks, a FinTech startup that went public, and scaling an attainable housing public-private partnership. All of it has been fun with some tough times and lessons learned – something we should normalize talking about more because challenges and failures are essential to every story.
Who inspired you?
Throughout my life, my parents. Their sacrifices, hard work, and even the weight of their expectations. Daily, I find inspiration everywhere – small moments, things I read and observe, and anyone with grit, determination, and resilience.
How did Ivey play a role?
My Ivey experience was invaluable and transformative. The average age in the EMBA program is 38-40, which is not exactly the time in one’s life to expect lifelong learning and lifetime friendships. I eventually overcame impostor syndrome and reveled in the shared learning experience with my classmates who were doctors, lawyers, engineers, and entrepreneurs. My Ivey experience improved my thinking and problem-solving and forged quiet confidence. It also solidified my belief in leadership as a vocation.
Why did you choose the EMBA program specifically?
I was more than 15 years into my career and wanted to address what I felt was missing in my work by learning who and what I did not know. At the time, some of my colleagues thought it was crazy and unnecessary for me to enter the EMBA program. I respectfully disagreed and knew I wanted to invest in the experience.
The EMBA was a significant undertaking in all aspects of my life and would not have been possible without my husband’s support, as our sons were all younger than 10. I was equally committed to not dropping any balls at home or work while pouring myself into learning. During the program, we were told, "We would get out of it what we put into it,” and I fully internalized this. I took that literally.
What personal or professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
My answer to both is the same – relationships. No one gets anywhere in isolation; I certainly have not. It means everything to have a network to learn from, exchange advice and ideas with, gain support and allyship, and tough love! To have friendships that have lasted decades is something I hold dear, equal to the bright and savvy people I inevitably encounter with new experiences. The single accomplishment I hope to be most proud of one day is still a work in progress, and that’s my kids. Like all parents, I hope they live fulfilling lives and achieve their dreams.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
My family and I love our time up north, whether spending time together on the hills, on the water, or hosting family and friends. Once in a while, I’m all about my PJs and binge-watching a gripping series.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I am a serious foodie, and my family and friends have told me I have some impressive cooking skills.
What is your favourite memory from your time at Ivey?
There are so many! Our class initiated some friendly rivalry with other EMBA cohorts to raise funds for charity, and we contributed $50,000 over three terms! We were also the first Ivey class to go to India, so returning to my birthplace felt like a full-circle moment. Sharing convocation with my entire family was incredibly special, too. My sons described the event as, “Mommy getting her big and fancy piece of paper!”
What is the most important takeaway from your Ivey experience?
There are three important takeaways I learned from my time at Ivey: to have a curious mindset, the importance of lifelong learning, and the power of connection.
Are you still connected to the School in any way?
During the program, I made a personal commitment to stay connected and find ways to give back to Ivey. Some of my experiences include speaking to EMBA classes and volunteering to be part of the 2019 Ivey LEADER Project, where four exceptional Ivey students and I spent a few weeks teaching professionals and business owners in Belgrade, Serbia. For the last few years, I have worked alongside the brilliant IANT (Ivey Alumni Network Toronto) team to drive engagement, learning, and networking opportunities for the Toronto alumni community.
