Transitioning from a technical engineering background into business leadership requires more than just learning financial terms – it demands a fundamental shift in how you think, communicate, and solve high-stakes problems.
For Sanjoy Pinto, a mechatronics engineering graduate who built his early career in tech sales in Dubai before moving to Canada to work for TP Infinity, enrolling in the Graduate Diploma in Management (GDM) at Ivey was the key stepping stone toward pursuing his MBA.
Now preparing to enter Ivey's while-you-work Accelerated MBA (AMBA) program, Pinto reflects on how the four-month while-you-work GDM foundation gave him the confidence, strategic framework, and real-time executive capabilities to thrive both in the classroom and in his career.
Q&A with Sanjoy Pinto
You have a technical background in mechatronics engineering and worked in Dubai before moving to Canada for work. Shortly after starting the GDM program, you took on expanded responsibilities at TP Infinity, leading client accounts on an external client program team. How did navigating the GDM alongside this new role impact your professional confidence?
It was intense, to say the least! Moving into a new role with more responsibility at work while starting the GDM meant my past four months were a whirlwind. But looking back, it happened very organically and was simply fantastic.
Coming from engineering, I’ve always understood the technical side of things, which makes client conversations easier. But the GDM gave me a unique, top-down business view. Suddenly, I wasn't just executing sales – I was reading financial statements, understanding client investments, analyzing strategy, and seeing the operational picture from a C-suite perspective.
Having my own real-world "case studies" at work while doing actual Ivey case studies for class allowed me to apply my learning immediately. It gave me the confidence to step into executive discussions, articulate complex strategic ideas clearly, and understand why leadership makes specific decisions. Without those four months, I wouldn't have the same level of strategic authority at work.
You mentioned applying classroom learnings to your job in real time. Can you share a specific moment where what you learned directly influenced a high-level client meeting?
It happened right after our Capstone project! During Capstone, we had an incredible session focused on artificial intelligence (AI) with a VP of AI at Scotiabank. Literally the very next week, I was on a call with C-suite executives at a client company in the U.S., discussing AI integration and strategic implications for their business.
Because of what we had just analyzed at Ivey, my entire pitch transformed. I was speaking their language, connecting technology directly to corporate strategy and value creation, and they completely understood and resonated with it. To take high-level insights from class and tie them into high-stakes executive client meetings days later was so gratifying. That's when I knew the learning wasn't just theoretical – it was immediately actionable.
The Capstone project is a hallmark of the GDM experience and is led by Romel Mostafa, Assistant Professor of International Business. How was that experience for you, and what stood out about working with faculty members like Romel?
The Capstone was phenomenal. Heading into it while balancing work deadlines was high stress, and the faculty really, really tested us. There was no time given to ease in – we were thrown straight into rapid research, synthesis, and decision-making under pressure, mimicking real executive environments.
But at the end of it, I told Romel, "This was awesome." Romel has a truly unique teaching style. Even when we were exhausted and stressed, he managed to take away the pressure of presenting while pushing us to think deeply. He kept us completely engaged and seamlessly tied every exercise back to strategic core principles. It was challenging, fast-paced, and easily one of the most fun academic experiences I’ve ever had.
As someone who moved to Canada from Dubai fairly recently, adapting to a new culture and academic environment can be a big shift. How did the program culture and interactions with faculty help smooth that transition?
Being relatively new to Canada, the culture, and the business environment, it was a major change for me. What made a huge difference was how approachable and human the faculty are.
During lunch breaks, getting to sit down and chat casually with faculty members like David Wood , HBA ’97, MBA ’12, Faculty Director of the GDM program, was invaluable. Learning that David is a huge car enthusiast and connecting over track racing back in Dubai made the whole environment feel welcoming. It breaks down the traditional wall between student and professor.
Beyond faculty, learning alongside such a diverse cohort – people from non-technical backgrounds, different industries, and varying roles – gave me perspectives I wouldn't have encountered in my daily work bubble. Being able to discuss business challenges in a supportive, relaxed setting was immensely valuable.
Looking ahead to November when you transition into the Accelerated MBA alongside both business and non-business graduates, how prepared do you feel for the journey ahead?
I feel 100-per-cent confident. If I hadn’t done these past four months in the GDM heading into the AMBA, I would be lost. There’s no way I would have been able to cope with the speed and rigour without understanding the Ivey case method and foundational business principles first.
The GDM completely rewired my mindset. Now, I have the confidence to show up, adapt on the fly, analyze the situation, and lead.
As we step into the AMBA, I’m excited to bring what we learned in group dynamics and accountability to our new learning teams. The GDM didn't just give me business knowledge – it built the confidence to know I belong at this level.
Key takeaways for future applicants
- Immediate workplace impact: The Ivey case method allows students to test strategic and financial concepts in real time within their current roles.
- Bridge for non-business graduates: All academic backgrounds are eligible for Ivey's 18-month Accelerated MBA, a while-you-work program that lets you keep your job and career track progression while gaining the foundational business knowledge needed to speak to drive decision-making from the highest levels of your organization.
- Immersive experiential learning and executive preparation: High-intensity milestones like the Capstone project build resilience, executive presentation skills, and decision-making under pressure.
- Accessible leadership: World-class faculty at Ivey foster a collaborative, approachable environment that eases cultural and professional transitions.
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