As Ivey graduates crossed the stage at Western’s fall convocation, they carried more than degrees –they carried stories of perseverance, purpose, and shared growth that define an Ivey education.
Across six programs – HBA, MBA, Master of Science in Management (MSc), Master of Management in Analytics (MM-A), Executive MBA (EMBA), and PhD – 283 graduates celebrated a shared goal: to lead with character and impact.
Dream big, act boldly
Delivering the keynote address, Eric Morse, professor of entrepreneurship and executive director of the Western Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship Powered by Ivey, urged the graduates to carry forward the entrepreneurial mindset that defines the Ivey experience.
“You’re entering a world that is evolving at breakneck speed,” he said. “The skills you’ve honed here – critical thinking, adaptability, innovation – these aren’t just buzzwords; they’re your superpowers. They’ll help you create value, solve problems, and shape industries we haven’t even imagined yet.”
Drawing on his experience with entrepreneurs and students, he also encouraged them to embrace the unexpected.
“It’s not always the person with the perfect plan who succeeds – it’s the one who adapts, learns from failure, and keeps pushing forward,” he said. “Relationships and networks are crucial, character is sacrosanct, and mentors are like a cheat code for success.”
He reminded the graduates that they now join thousands of Western and Ivey alumni whose impact spans industries and continents, citing examples such as Pierre Morrissette, MBA ’72, LLD ’10, whose entrepreneurial vision transformed how Canadians consume weather information.
“Embrace uncertainty as opportunity, build networks, create value, find mentors, and always, always keep learning,” he said. “The world needs your skills, your passion, and your unique perspectives.”
(Photo above) Eric Morse delivering the keynote address
Building community through challenge
For EMBA valedictorian Kim Randall, convocation marked the culmination of a transformative 18-month journey that began as a puzzle.
“It wasn’t just a program. It was a thousand scattered pieces waiting to become something whole,” she told classmates at the EMBA Awards Ceremony at The Clubhouse (Hard Rock Hotel) following the afternoon ceremony at Canada Life Place.
Randall reflected on the power of community – classmates who became cornerstones, friendships forged through late-night study sessions, and shared experiences that shaped both learning and life.
“Every one of us was a critical piece. Together, we built something none of us could have completed alone,” she said.
She also highlighted a milestone: her EMBA cohort was the first in Ivey’s history with more women than men, setting a new benchmark for gender representation.
“You didn’t just make space; you built it with us,” she said, thanking her male classmates for fostering collaboration and respect.
(Photo above) Kim Randall speaking at the EMBA Awards Ceremony
Shared lessons in leadership and resilience
That sense of shared growth extended across programs. MSc valedictorian Fariha Hasan and MM-A valedictorian Yong Yu (Winnie) Meng both spoke about resilience, connection, and purpose.
“We leave here not just with a degree forged through resilience and sacrifice, but with something far greater: a shared understanding of what it means to grow, persevere, and lead with heart,” said Hasan.
Meng reminded her classmates that analytics is ultimately about people and possibility.
“We built more than analytical skills,” she said. “We built memories, connections, and friendships … The program didn’t just shape us into future leaders, it gave us lifelong friendships that couldn’t be found anywhere else.”
She reflected on how Ivey’s case method changed how they think about data and decision-making.
“Analytics isn’t just about numbers – it’s about thinking critically, asking why it matters, and engaging with ambiguity. Data may tell a story, but it’s up to us to interpret it with purpose,” she said. “The world doesn’t need more data; it needs people who can find meaning in it, question it, and use it responsibly.”
Together, the valedictorians captured what it means to be part of the Ivey experience – learning through challenge, leading with integrity, and finding strength in community.
(Photo above) A group of Ivey graduates
Celebrating leadership and learning
Those same values carried through to Ivey’s Pledge and award ceremonies, where graduates celebrated accomplishment and accountability. At the Pledge Ceremony, they reaffirmed their promise to act with integrity and purpose, while the award ceremonies recognized excellence in leadership and learning.
Teaching Awards
- EMBA: Christian Dippel; and,
- MM-A: Glenn Rowe.
*Program Awards
- EMBA Gold Medal: Claire Smith;
- EMBA Ivey Scholars: Jennifer Day, Natasha Kostyuk, Anjana Moitra-Ohri, Amanda Pfeffer, Claire Smith, Jeff Steven, Arima Vasudeva;
- MSc Gold Medal (International Business): Angelina Sainas;
- MM-A Gold Medal: Yong Yu (Winnie) Meng; and,
- MM-A Ivey Scholars: Ivey Scholars: Yong Yu (Winnie) Meng, Yi Ming Zhao, Chi Ching Mak, Man Kit Choi, Aimaan Shergill.
*HBA, MBA, and additional MSc student and teaching awards were presented at spring convocation.
(Photo above) Ivey graduates taking The Ivey Pledge
Global-ready graduates
This fall also marked a milestone in global learning, with a record 45 Ivey graduates earning Western University’s Global and Intercultural Engagement Honour (GIEH) – recognizing exceptional intercultural competence and global readiness. Their achievements reflect Ivey’s commitment to developing leaders who can navigate complexity and lead across cultures.
HBA graduate Kaamil Quidwai, who went on exchange at Esade Business School in Spain, said the experience reshaped his understanding of culture and connection.
“Having travelled to 13 countries, I really saw how different each culture is,” he said. “That’s what defines people – not just where they’re from, but how they think and work. Being able to recognize and connect with those differences is something that will help me a lot, personally and professionally.”
Fall 2025 Global and Intercultural Engagement Honour (GIEH) Recipients
Alexia Ahani, Hamna Ahmed, Jacob Ban, Aalyan Bhanji, Joseph (Joey) Bruccoleri, Heewon Chae, Rajah Chari, Xiaoyu (Euxia) Chen, Alan Cheung, Inayah Dharsi, Michaela Domingues, Olivia Dunstan, Carol Elkhoury, Tim Haluk, Anda Hou, Michael Howe, Alicia (Alex) Hu, Anqi (Judie) Yu, Keerat Juneja, Shajan Kamalanathan, Krish Khurana, Emily Kong, Mia Kramer, Kelly Le, Kai Lin, Roujia (Reddington) Liu, Chengyu (Linda) Liu, Hannalee Liu, Hannah Mahr, Karissa Mak, Julia Monte, Sahana Muhundhan, Murad Noormohamed, Jordan Pin, Kaamil Quidwai, Myah Rawji, Noha Shaalan, Amira Shousha, Harrison Sprung, Nicholas Tibollo, Lauren Van Vliet, Vanessa Wensink, Kayla Whitnell, Tessa Wismer, Renee Wu.
(Photo above) Ivey's GIEH recipients
