Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping philanthropy, changing both how organizations operate and how they engage with the communities around them. For the new CEMS MIM cohort at Ivey, that shift became part of an early conversation about responsible leadership.
The cohort explored the issue during this year’s CEMS Block Seminar, Leading Responsibly in an AI Age, which brought together 26 visiting CEMS students and 11 Ivey MSc students at the start of the academic year.
Learning leadership in an AI age
As part of the seminar, the students worked on a case competition with United Way Elgin Middlesex (UWEM), considering how the organization could respond to AI’s growing role in philanthropy without losing the human relationships at the centre of its work.
Before presenting their recommendations, the students toured United Way-funded agencies to learn more about the organization and the community it serves. The seminar also included visits to organizations in Toronto, such as Salesforce and Telus, and a talk by a guest speaker from London Economic Development Corporation.
“They aren’t just going on exchange. They’re going on a journey,” said Kanina Blanchard, Faculty Director of the CEMS MIM program at Ivey. “It’s a curated program where we work with 33 other schools to create experiences where students come, live, and work with classmates from around the world.”
Students in the cohort will spend the semester at Ivey before moving on to another CEMS member school. Ivey home students also have the opportunity to later go on exchange at a CEMS partner school. Along the way, they study with classmates from different countries and academic backgrounds, seeing firsthand how business is taught and practised in different parts of the world.
“It’s like a program that is business without borders,” Blanchard said.
Usman Sahibzada, an MSc ’27 candidate, said that international experience was a major draw.
“I wanted to get a global experience and be in a classroom with people from all over the world and get different perspectives,” he said.
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What stands out in the Ivey classroom
For visiting students, Ivey’s classroom environment has been one of the most immediate differences in their experience.
Sara Francesca Di Bella, visiting from Bocconi University in Italy, said Ivey’s emphasis on discussion and participation stood out right away.
“I really love the learning way (case method) that they use to teach students,” she said. “I love the fact that you get the chance to participate a lot during class.”
The case competition offered another way to experience the case method, with students applying their classroom learning to a real organization and community.
“It was not just like reading through the case,” Di Bella said. “It was also experiencing it.”
Sára Tichá, visiting from Prague University of Economics in the Czech Republic, said the cohort has been an important part of her experience at Ivey.
“What truly makes this feel like home is the community, especially our CEMS cohort,” Tichá said.
Building connections beyond the classroom
The Block Seminar also gave students an opportunity to connect with London and learn more about the community they were working with.
Giona Ramelli, visiting from Esade Barcelona in Spain, said the United Way tour was one of the most memorable parts of the seminar.
“Our community walk was definitely eye-opening, and it helped all of the students involved feel actually part of the London community,” he said.
Those connections are part of what Blanchard hopes students take with them when they leave Ivey and continue their CEMS experience elsewhere.
“I often make this joke: you go to London, England, because the world is at your doorstep, but when you come to London, Ontario, you have your doorstep, and you are going to make friends and relationships you’re never going to forget,” she said.
Meet some members of the 2026 CEMS cohort (click arrows to view more)
Usman Sahibzada
Ivey MSc ’27 candidate | CEMS Club President
Usman Sahibzada joined CEMS for the opportunity to gain international exposure within a Canadian education setting and learn from peers from around the world.
“I wanted to get a global experience, be in a classroom with people from all over the world, and get different perspectives from all over the world.”
He plans to continue his CEMS experience at Prague School of Economics.
Timothy Wang
Ivey MSc ’27 candidate
Timothy Wang is interested in consulting and sees CEMS as an opportunity to build experience working across cultures.
“By the end of the semester, I think a good goal of mine is to be able to work cross-culturally in a better manner than I've been able to in the past.”
He’ll spend his next exchange term at HKUST in Hong Kong.
Sara Francesca Di Bella
Visiting CEMS student (Bocconi University, Italy)
Sara Francesca Di Bella chose Ivey for the opportunity to experience Canada and study in a small, international cohort.
“I love the people, I love the school. The campus is amazing. Canadians are super nice. I really also like my cohort.”
She’s also looking forward to travelling beyond London and seeing more of Canada.
Aleksandra Khakhaleva
Visiting CEMS student (WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Austria)
Aleksandra Khakhaleva has enjoyed getting to know Canada and has been struck by the warmth of the people she has met.
“I think the kindness of people in Canada is just something special.”
She’s hoping to explore more of the country, including Vancouver.
Wiktor Kulpa
Visiting CEMS student (Rotterdam School of Management, the Netherlands)
Wiktor Kulpa has enjoyed the corporate visits that were part of the Block Seminar, including a visit to TELUS in Toronto.
“I have never considered working at a telecom company, but learning that you can also do some internal consulting or go into different directions that are more tech-related was very insightful for me.”
He’s also hoping to become a more confident public speaker in English.
Giona Ramelli
Visiting CEMS student (Esade Barcelona, Spain)
Giona Ramelli was already familiar with North America before arriving at Ivey, having spent time here during his bachelor’s degree. He enjoyed the experience and was excited to return for his CEMS exchange.
Now, he’s looking forward to exploring more of Canada, such as Calgary, Banff, and Lake Louise. He also hopes to become more confident speaking in front of others during his time at Ivey.
“In the past years, I’ve refined my English language knowledge; however, I'm still not fully comfortable. I’d like to improve it by giving presentations and participating since that’s such a big part of Ivey’s programs.”
Fabian Schlömer
Visiting CEMS student (Nova School of Business and Economics, Portugal)
Fabian Schlömer came to Ivey for a North American study experience and looks forward to learning from faculty with real-world business experience.
“What I appreciate most is the sense that I can learn from people who have actually been active in business themselves.”
He’s also hoping to make friends for life.
Sára Tichá
Visiting CEMS student (Prague University of Economics, Czech Republic)
Sára Tichá has quickly settled into case-method learning at Ivey and is enjoying the different approach to classroom discussion.
“They push you to actually think critically and engage, rather than just absorb information passively.”
By the end of the semester, she hopes to “not want to go back home!”
