learning to lead

Whether you want to move up or up your game, we've got the advice and inspiration you need.

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Are you the leader you want to be?

Over the past year, leaders have had to step in and step up like never before — from managing remote teams to motivating employees through uniquely challenging circumstances. Whether you’re aspiring to enter a leadership role or need help navigating the changing demands of leadership, you’ll find both inspiration and direction in the success stories and expert advice curated here.

Meet Dr. Wanda Costen, new Dean of the Smith School of Business.

An academic leader who champions inclusive excellence, she brings a unique combination of experience in academia — as a Dean, senior administrator, researcher, and professor — as well as a private and public sector management career. Find out she's creating an environment where everyone feels welcome.

Sign up for Smith Business Insight—a free monthly newsletter on the issues facing leaders today—to be entered to WIN a Queen’s Executive Education course valued at $3,300.

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Sign up for Smith Business Insight—a free monthly newsletter on the issues facing leaders today—to be entered to WIN a Queen’s Executive Education course valued at $3,300.

ENTER TODAY

Katie Callery couldn’t find maternity clothes to wear — now she owns her own brand that constantly sells out.

From a corporate job to entrepreneur, she shares her journey.

“I had always wanted to see if I could do something on my own, so I decided to look into programs that would help support that dream.”

Jennifer Reynolds never feared a career jump — and it led to the role of her dreams.

The senior manager of equity, diversity & inclusion with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment shares her journey.

“It can seem scary to make these kinds of career jumps early on, but it’s important to keep your own best-interests and passions in mind.”

Jill Nykoliation left a corporate career for advertising — now she runs one of Canada’s best agencies.

Juniper Park\TBWA’s founding partner and CEO shares her journey.

“How come nobody says to a guy that he can be anything a girl can be?”

How a non-linear career path led to a role as a Deloitte consultant — with a ‘human-first’ approach.

Chloe O’Brien, senior consultant in Workforce Transformation, shares her story.

“We are looking at re-skilling, up-skilling, and re-evaluating the employee experience — in order to attract and retain top talent in a post-pandemic world.”

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Divya Tulapurkar mastered analytics — and it accelerated her corporate career.

She shares how translating data into business insights is a big field of opportunity.

“We are just scratching the surface with what’s possible in data analytics, and it’s going to grow in so many ways.”

Roots CEO Meghan Roach leaned into the challenges of the pandemic — and transformed the brand.

Her career journey and collaboration helped her guide the company through.

“Having gone through a pandemic and come out stronger, we know that muscle is in us and we have the capacity to deal with challenges.”

Gold medalist Erica Wiebe turned a postponed Olympics into an opportunity to get her MBA.

The reigning Olympic wrestling champion shares her journey.

"When I won the gold medal in Rio I knew that I was just scratching the surface of what I was capable of."

Four industry leaders weigh in on the future of work post-pandemic.

Get inspired to build back better.

Smith School of Business alumni leaders weigh in on four key areas: leadership, teamwork, diversity and inclusion, and technology and office.

Roxane Ducasse went from working in government to Walmart’s leadership program.

She shares how she used an MBA to pull off her pivot.

"Being so young, I didn’t want to stay in the public service forever. As much as I loved it, I didn’t want to be boxed in."

How Lulu Liang became CEO of Luxy Hair at 25 — and then started a side hustle.

She went from assistant to CEO in under three years.

"It’s important to have goals and work toward your dreams, but you also have to let go of expectations and focus on what you can control."

How Sarah Jordan has inspired her team to transform Mastermind Toys.

As an engineer that's under forty, she isn’t your typical retail CEO.

"Be unapologetically authentic; don’t feel the need to adopt a classic or traditional style of leadership."

How Kristi Soomer went from management consultant to fashion entrepreneur

What she lacked in fashion experience, she made up for with business acumen.

"I was in my thirties when I first began to realize that I wanted to feel more connected to the purpose of my work."

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Be leadership ready

Advance your career

Four unique ways to earn your MBA.

Find the program that’s right for you »

Transform your leadership style.

Discover what it is that wonderful leaders do that elevates us »

Harness the power of data and technology

Find opportunity in the numbers.

With three master’s degrees in analytics — discover which program is best for you »

Find success in modern finance.

Learn more about Smith’s new Master of Finance Innovation & Technology »

Innovate for the future

TEDx Talk with Shari Hughson.

Discover why the Director of Smith’s Master of Management Innovation & Entrepreneurship program says innovation is our greatest survival instinct »

A new perspective on entrepreneurs.

Does passion or sweat drive entrepreneurial success? Find out if you have what it takes »

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