The 1,208 Ivey graduates who crossed the stage today at Western University’s spring 2025 convocation left with more than new credentials – they carried forward a shared journey defined by challenge, resilience, and a relentless drive to find purpose.
Degrees were conferred across Ivey’s HBA, MSc, MBA, EMBA, AMBA, and PhD programs during two ceremonies at Canada Life Place – graduate programs in the morning and HBA in the afternoon – where graduates were encouraged to draw upon their transformational Ivey experiences as they navigate the road ahead.
The power of resilience: Turning setbacks into strengths
In his first convocation address to Ivey graduates, Dean Julian Birkinshaw, MBA ’91, PhD ’95, spoke powerfully about the importance of resilience in facing life’s uncertainties. He delivered the keynote at the morning ceremony for Ivey’s graduate programs alongside graduates from Western’s School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and Huron University College.
“Resilience is the capacity to function in the face of adversity,” he said, noting that the graduates had already demonstrated resilience in adapting to disruptions such as COVID-19, geopolitical uncertainty, technological innovation, and a changing job market. “I want to push you a bit harder today – to get you thinking about what you can do to achieve even greater heights of achievement as you embark on your professional career.”
Drawing from his own career – including an unplanned pivot to academia after facing a tough job market following his MBA – Birkinshaw emphasized that detours often lead to meaningful destinations.
“I began exploring other options and got excited about studying for a PhD at Ivey. I haven’t looked back since. That one setback actually shaped my life for the better, as it forced me to think about what I wanted to do, not just to follow what everyone else was doing,” he said, referencing Robert Frost’s famous poem, The Road Not Taken. “‘I took the path less travelled – and that has made all the difference.’”
Grow stronger through adversity
He also cited the concept of antifragility introduced by author Nassim Taleb, not only to withstand stress, but to benefit from it. He encouraged the graduates to see setbacks as opportunities for growth.
“When you face a setback – you miss out on your dream job, you get hit with a health crisis, a relationship breaks down – don’t just brush it off. Think about how you can get something valuable out of it. And how it might actually make you stronger,” he said. “Resilience isn’t about never falling – it’s about rising stronger each time you do.”
Leading with character and compassion
Birkinshaw also called upon the graduates to lead with character and purpose.
“The character of the leader is what really matters – a combination of integrity, courage, humility, and compassion. And in the spirit of today’s address, I would add personal resilience as a defining feature of a good leader,” he said. “You are entering a world that needs your leadership, your creativity, your compassion … The work ahead is not just about success – it’s about significance.”
He closed by encouraging the graduates to stay grounded and connected.
“Hold fast to your values, stay curious, embrace the unknown, and above all, be kind to yourselves and others,” he said.
The afternoon HBA ceremony featured a keynote from award-winning Cree journalist Connie Walker, LLD, who echoed Birkinshaw’s theme of resilience by sharing her own journey of personal setbacks and discovery, and underscoring the power of knowing one’s story to fuel purpose, truth, and reconciliation.
A group of graduates at the morning ceremony (Rachel Lincoln Photography)
Honouring Ivey’s award winners and valedictorians
In addition to the convocations, Ivey held separate pledge ceremonies for each program at the Richard Ivey Building, along with awards celebrations featuring addresses from class valedictorians:
• Josiah Dueck (MBA);
• Tyler Weatherill (AMBA);
• Alyssa Choi (HBA);
• Hiba Shahbar (MSc in Management: International Business); and,
• Lena Marks (MSc in Management: Digital Management and Business Analytics).
The EMBA class hosted its awards ceremony on June 10, featuring a moving address from valedictorian Dr. Raymond Kao. Reflecting on his 40 years of military service and numerous overseas deployments as a physician, Kao – the program’s oldest participant – delivered an inspiring speech full of hard-earned wisdom and gratitude that deeply resonated with classmates and guests.
Congratulations to all of Ivey’s graduates who are now part of the Ivey Alumni Network. And a special congratulations to the award winners below.
MBA Program
- Robert Johnson Gold Medal: Talon Vanslack;
- MBA Direct Gold Medal: Nico Mendoza; and,
- Seijts Leader Character Award: Christina Gucciardi.
MSc Program
- Gold Medalists: Nicolette Dmytryshyn (Business Analytics), Laura Madill (Digital Management), and Angelina Sainas (International Business).
- Teaching Awards: Vanessa Hasse, PhD ’16 (International Business and Elective Teaching Excellence); Kersi Antia (Digital Management Teaching Excellence); Mehmet Begen (Business Analytics Teaching Excellence); and, Kanina Blanchard (Elective Teaching Excellence).
HBA Program
- HBA Gold Medal: Joey Lisser;
- HBA Combined Degree Gold Medal: Kayla Sapir; and,
- David G. Burgoyne Teaching Award: Rod Duclos.
Additional awards
- A.R. Wood HBA Award and Michael & Stefanie Block HBA Award: Joey Lisser;
- Bob Britney HBA Prize: David Hickey;
- Fred Jones Prize in Finance: Harrison Waddell;
- Adam Wiseman Memorial Award: Arun Vora; and,
- Seijts HBA Leader Character Award: Ireland Catherwood.
View photos from the Ivey Pledge Ceremony below
A group of graduates at the Ivey Pledge Ceremony
Reciting the Pledge
Signing the Pledge
Showing off the Ivey Ring