Each year, there are hundreds of success stories within the walls of the Asper School of Business. Here are just a few of the stories of those graduating on October 21, 2025.

Jamie O’Neill, BComm (Hons.)

Jamie O’Neill completed her BComm (Hons.) degree in record time. Already equipped with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in psychology, she came to Asper in the Fall 2024 semester with a goal to become a post-secondary instructor. She wanted to expand the subjects she could teach.

Yes, you’re reading that right. While majoring in Marketing and Human Resource Management, and adding a minor in Labour Studies, O’Neill completed her BComm degree in a single year. All this while involving herself in the University of Manitoba Indigenous Commerce Students group, the Land and Water: Indigenous Land-Based Education Program, and attending many of Asper’s networking and extracurricular events.

Oh, yeah, and she runs her own business, Boligrafo Bonito, where she uses sustainably sourced wood to create handmade, beautiful and comfortable-to-use ballpoint pens. She also built a brand, and manages production and operations, for her family’s business, 15 Feathers.

It’s safe to say that O’Neill kept busy during her time at Asper. But, even with everything she had going on, you could almost always find her in the IBEP lounge hanging out with other students. She’s now a student of the MSc Management program, focusing on Organizational Behaviour.

“I am looking forward to completing my thesis and making my way onto the faculty at Asper so that I can help teach the next round of Bisons and keep giving back to this amazing community that welcomed me so completely,” she says.

To students, she offers the following advice: “You don’t have to go it alone. The best part about being at Asper was meeting other students, participating in events, and connecting with the staff and faculty. We’re all here waiting to cheer you on and we want to be able to help you succeed.”

Garrison Glatz, BComm (Hons.)

It’s kind of an accident that Garrison Glatz ended up where he did.

As many do when they’re starting University, Glatz wasn’t too sure what he wanted to do, and picked a subject semi-randomly. He thought he might enjoy Business and figured it would open doors for him, so he tried it.

Turns out, he liked it, so he kept going. While he initially majored in Marketing, and planned on going into sales without a second thought, his path took an unexpected turn during an impromptu hallway conversation with the professor Howard Harmatz (Garrison describes him as “legendary”). During their conversation, Harmatz casually remarked that Glatz should go into finance. So he did.

“It ended up working out very well!” He says.

Glatz takes special pride in the case competitions that he participated in at Asper. In March 2025, Glatz and his teammates Evan Adair and Kayla Odidison finished first in the Scotiabank International Case Competition, a massive international win for Asper.

“Case competitions were the most impactful thing for me. I made some of my best friends, got better at working with others, and opened up my career opportunities,” he says.

He emphasizes the value of experiential learning; case competitions gave him a drive that he couldn’t have found in a classroom.

Glatz has already capitalized on the opportunities that opened up to him, and has started working in commercial banking at TD. But he acknowledges that work and material success aren’t everything. All the goals you aim for in school and in work, should be in service of something in your character that can’t be bought.

“Money and impressive job titles are nice to have, but they’re only a small part of what really makes someone impressive,” he says.

With his education at Asper behind him, Glatz no longer feels like he’s throwing darts at a dartboard, trying to find the right career or life path. He feels certain and excited about the path he’s chosen.

Sam Paknia, Master of Finance (MFin)

After moving to Canada, Sam Paknia wanted a program that not only deepened his technical skills but also connected him to the Canadian financial community. The Asper MFin was just right.

Paknia was heavily involved during his time at Asper, participating in case competitions, and becoming a voice for his peers as Vice President (MFin) with the Asper Profession Graduate Students Association, as well as a Senator with the University of Manitoba Iranian Students Association.

“The biggest lessons I’ve taken away are the importance of collaboration, communication, and community-building,” says Paknia. “Altogether, these experiences showed me that professional growth is as much about people as it is about technical knowledge.”

He plans to continue his professional journey in wealth management and investment analysis while pursuing CFA Level II.

For future Asper students, he recommends taking full advantage of the opportunities outside the classroom, and to know that what will stay with you the longest are connections.

“Asper is a place that rewards curiosity, collaboration, and community spirit.”

Shivam Patel, Master of Supply Chain Management (MSCM)

Shivam Patel was working in a family textile business in India, when he started to notice that their company was losing lots of money because of poor transportation planning and a lack of infrastructure. That was when he started to become curious about the supply chain.

When he came to Canada, he decided to take an Asper MSCM, starting in 2023, to learn more about global supply chain practices and understand how international markets work.

Patel admits that when he first arrived, he was very shy: “I was very introverted and couldn’t even speak confidently in front of two people,” he says.

However, when he pushed himself out of his comfort zone and participated in extracurriculars, he found his world opening up: “I learned how to communicate better, think under pressure, and present my ideas with confidence. Meeting successful professionals and CEOs also inspired me to dream bigger.”

His highlight reel includes a 3rd place finish at the 2024-2025 MBA games in BC, a co-op placement at NFI Parts, and even involvement in UM intramural volleyball and racquetball.

He feels lucky to have all of these opportunities, as well as to have the chance to make new friends along the way.

“What made this journey special were the people, the friends who became like family, the professors who guided me, and the mentors who supported me at every step,” says Patel.

“This is just the beginning, and I’m excited to see where the next chapter takes me.”

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With more than 180 new graduates in the BComm degree and in Stu Clark Graduate School’s degree programs at Fall Convocation 2025, the Asper School of Business’ alumni community of 23,000 continues to grow. Stay connected as an alum no matter where your education and career take you.

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UM Bisons are at the centre of it all, making a difference here in Manitoba and around the world. 1395 degrees are being awarded at Fall Convocation, bringing the number of graduates in the class of 2025 to 5586. Many of these new alumni will stay in Manitoba, supplying high-demand skills to the labour market and contributing to UM’s $7.3 billion economic impact on our community.

University leaders, including Michael Benarroch (President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Manitoba) and Bruno Silvestre (Dean of the Asper School of Business) gathered with leaders from industry, the business community, international scholars, and students to celebrate the official opening of the facility.

Michael Benarroch and Stu Clark attended the opening ceremony. Photo by David Lipnowski.

Also in attendance was Stu Clark [BComm(Hons)/76, LLD/2011], one of the university’s most generous supporters, whose $5M gift was instrumental in establishing the lab.

Clark spoke at the opening ceremony, highlighting the vision that underlies that high-tech research space.

“This lab represents more than just a physical space—it’s a hub for curiosity, innovation, and collaboration,” he said.

“I’m excited to see this vision come to life at the Asper School of Business, and I am confident the ideas and discoveries that will emerge from this space can help us tackling real-world business challenges and make lasting academic and practical impact.”

Empowering research for established and emerging scholars

This research laboratory is open to Asper faculty and graduate research students, offering the resources they need to pursue innovative and collaborative research related to management and human behaviour.

The facility hosts two computer labs to support online data collection, one flex space for simulating retail, office, and other physical spaces, four connected breakout rooms for focus groups, interviews, and team-based simulations, eye tracking and other audio-visual capabilities, and lab management space.

Photo by David Lipnowski.

Advancing insights and improving management practice

Wei Wang (Assistant Professor, The Associates Fellow in Leadership and Ethics) and Namita Bhatnagar (Professor, Asper Behavioural Management Fellow) are co-directors of the Behavioural Management Institute and oversee the operations and vision of the lab.

Wang highlighted the importance of the David Dreman Behavioural Management Lab in advancing relevant and transformative research.

“This lab represents not only a space for innovation and collaboration, but also a shared commitment to generating new insights that can positively impact organizations and communities,” he wrote in a statement.

Co-directors of the Behavioural Management Lab, Namita Bhatnagar and Wei Wang. Photo by David Lipnowski.

Investing in the future of management research

The opening ceremony brought together Asper faculty, staff, students, and alumni, the business community, academics, and supporters who made the establishment of the space possible.

Bruno Silvestre (Dean of the Asper School of Business and CPA Manitoba Chair in Business Leadership) spoke at the event, emphasizing the inspiring support from the lab’s major donors, Stu Clark and David Dreman.

“At the Asper School, we take pride in leading relevant, impactful, and transformative research, and the David Dreman Behavioural Management Lab is a key part of that work. This facility, the best of its kind in Canada, supports interdisciplinary research, fostering collaboration among faculty, researchers, and industry professionals so we can tackle the complex challenges of a shifting business landscape.

“Thank you to our generous donors, for allowing us to turn this dream into reality. David Dreman [BComm/57, LLD/99], alum of the Asper School, provided the funds for the construction of the Lab. And obviously Stu Clark, who has generously supported the School with this transformative gift for the Lab to operate in perpetuity.”

Michael Benarroch, Stu Clark, Bruno Silvestre, and Suzanne Gagnon. Photo by David Lipnowski.

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Research from the Asper School of Business influences business and leadership in Canada and throughout the world. Explore our graduate research programs today, and learn more about pursuing in-depth management studies with access to top-tier mentorship, professional development, and funding opportunities.

His real first venture though was on eBay, purchasing and soon reselling sneakers on the early ecommerce site and slowly scaling up as more friends grew interested in the young man with the shoe connection.

“It started off of course with passion—passion for sneakers, passion for helping out friends—then I realized that if there was a market for something like this, if I can buy and sell shoes, what else is there?” he says.

Bammeke discovered a fascination for movement of goods, distribution, resale, and upcoming markets, a true supply chain enthusiast before he even knew what the field was all about.

It wasn’t until the second year of his Bachelor of Commerce degree (“after failing corporate finance once, and before I really learned how to study,” he laughs), that he took a supply chain course on inventory management.

Suddenly, Bammeke was finding inspiration, not just from products and markets, but from systems. He highlights the innovation and insight of Asper supply chain experts like Barry Prentice (Professor, Director of UM Transport Institute) and Srimantoorao Appadoo (Professor and Department Head, Supply Chain Management).

“I was so fortunate that I came into my degree at a time where supply chain as a major was very new, but Asper already had some of the best people working in that field,” he says.

“Supply chain management was really the genesis of what I would call a force multiplier, taking what I already had and then adding on system, structure, mathematics.”

He started to schedule all his classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, giving him a chance to immerse himself in academic knowledge while still finding time to pursue and dream up ventures.

Post-graduation, Bammeke worked in Manitoba, first at Gardewine and then at Manitoba Hydro, before relocating to Toronto to push his entrepreneurial goals forward with a series of online business models that spanned pharmacy services and digital transformation.

In both early roles, he appreciated the exposure to scope—organizations that were large enough to process significant contracts but small enough that he had direct contact with leadership and big stakeholders. At Gardewine in particular, his entrepreneurial spirit flourished as he saw opportunities to create tools that would make work more efficient, smooth out processes. Four or five years after entering the workforce, he decided to make the jump to entrepreneurship.

He credits his entrepreneurial success today to his ability to bring people together, his intuition for creating tools, and his refusal to see failure as an outcome.

“I don’t understand the term,” he says. “I think ‘failure’ is really something that I call ‘iteration.’ You iterate, you go, you find a wall, you pivot, you learn, and you adapt.”

Today, Bammeke’s primary business focus is Foreign Venture Group (FVG), of which he is Managing Director and Founder.

“I leverage my company’s vertically integrated services to help businesses improve, and in turn, I learn from them—allowing me to bring those insights back into my own company, test them, refine them, package them, and resell them. It’s a continuous adaptation process, like an organism that evolves based on its environment,” he says.

Beyond business, Bammeke says that he makes time every day for gratitude, faith, family, and giving back, remembering how his parents instilled this value in him even before online business and eBay and sneakers.

“It was really just seeing the example set by my parents and the community: passing it forward and asking as much as possible that those people also pass it forward, not caring to receive it back. That’s just the way to grow.”

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The Asper Bachelor of Commerce degree offers students the option to double major, allowing them to design a rigorous, academically sound degree rooted in their interests with plenty of opportunities to apply their learning through experience. Whether you’re an entrepreneur with a passion for supply chain, a marketing whiz that loves finance, or a future human resources professional interested in Indigenous business studies, there’s something for you and your future career here at the Asper School of Business. Learn more about our programs of study today.

“It’s the most rewarding experience not only to see the community rallying around our athletes, but also to see the participants’ athleticism, their camaraderie, and the respect that they have for each other,” says Wheatley [BComm (Hons)/09, MBA/14].

Wheatley, who holds a BComm and MBA from the Asper School of Business, has served as CEO of Special Olympics Manitoba for over two years. Her leadership journey began with a desire to make an impact, a drive that inspired both her volunteerism and her pursuit of a business degree.

She started volunteering as a softball coach for Special Olympics during her undergraduate studies and years before she would earn a top leadership role at the organization. As a volunteer, Wheatley witnessed what Special Olympics does for athletes, families, volunteers, and the entire community. “We’re about sport and about so much more than that,” she says.

“What has always struck me about Special Olympics is how it brings people together.”

Wheatley stayed with the organization as a volunteer throughout her career. In addition to volunteer coaching, she also served as Event Director and a National Board Member for Motionball Winnipeg (a nonprofit in support of Special Olympics), and Chair of the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee and Board Treasurer for Special Olympics Manitoba.

She explains how this decades-long progression with Special Olympics Manitoba has culminated in her role as CEO today.

“My role touches on all elements of the business management and organizational structure, of course, but what it really comes down to is understanding where we are and where we need to be—making sure that our team understands the vision of the organization and is continuously motivated and inspired to get us to that vision,” she says.

From her days as a softball coach, to her success in directing Motionball events and serving the board, Wheatley has been part of so many of the moments that contribute to this vision. She’s seen athletes and coaches take years of hard work into competition, showing up for the home crowd in Summer and Winter Games and excelling in national and international events; she’s seen families cheering on their loved ones and community members feeling the excitement of sport; and in 2023, she saw the organization recognized provincially, attending the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba to mark the 10-year anniversary of Special Olympics Awareness Week.

She is passionate about the impact the organization continues to have in Manitoba, and as CEO has seen how every win, every practice, every cheer, and every event contribute to the big picture.

“At Special Olympics Manitoba, our vision it to foster empowerment, inclusion, and achievement through sport,” she says. “It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of an organization where people are so dedicated to the mission and show up every day to make a difference in our community.”

Advancing leadership and impact, building community

Before becoming CEO and while working at Manitoba Hydro, Wheatley had a sense that she would return to school, ever an advocate for continuous learning and ever motivated by her own drive to show up and make a difference in the community.

The Asper MBA felt like the right fit, she explains, because of its ties to the Winnipeg business community, the flexibility it offered while she balanced full-time work, the network of diverse business professionals to study alongside, and the leadership education she could sense her career would soon need to leverage.

Today she recognizes fellow Asper alumni in leadership roles across the province, not just because she remembers them from classes, but because she can place that shared commitment to community, a hallmark of the Asper School of Business.

“We all feel this responsibility to make our province, our city, a better place and grow our organizations and make a big impact,” she says.

Confidence to lead and community connections define Wheatley’s leadership journey. What she has learned, through her Asper experience and her career so far, is that confidence is less a mindset and more a mode of action.

“You have to keep growing and learning and applying those lessons in order to build that confidence. The MBA gives you that opportunity,” she says.

Two years in, Wheatley herself is confident in Special Olympics Manitoba’s vision—for Manitoba, for athletes with disabilities, for an inclusive community—and her role in driving this vision forward.

It’s about sport; it’s also about the confidence and connections inclusive, informed leadership in action can cultivate for any community.

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Business leadership drives community forward especially in the not-for-profit sector. With one of the most flexible and adaptable programs in Canada, the Asper MBA program is designed to help students build their leadership skills in any field. Turn your passion into impact today and transform your career with an Asper MBA.

Manitoba’s signature cold doesn’t keep the birds or beasts away at FortWhyte Alive, and every morning, Wilson, President and CEO of this local winter favourite, looks forward to what a workplace run by weather, land, and living things will bring that day.

“No day is ever the same,” she says. “As much as I love to have a day planned, every day ends up different than the last.”

That morning, Wilson was at the construction site—steel-toes, parka, and hard hat—checking in on the construction of FortWhyte’s Buffalo Crossing, a new visitor centre and entry point on McGillivray Boulevard, designed in consultation with local Indigenous advisors. The building is set to use 90% less energy than most commercial buildings.

“It’s been in the works for nearly 10 years and was a dream of my predecessor [Bill Elliott, former President and CEO of FortWhyte Alive]. We’ve designed it as a 100-year building, and it will be the most sustainable building in the Province of Manitoba,” she explains.

As the second-ever President and CEO of FortWhyte Alive, Wilson works with the weight of legacy and the duty of sustainability, all while leading the day-to-day business operations of a place that brings together swathes of people—volunteers, members, visitors, and more—every day.

Family business, community, and being part of something bigger

Wilson’s formal study of business began right here at Asper, where she completed her Bachelor of Commerce. Reflecting on her time in the program, she highlights the community.

“I learned early on that in business, you will never know everything. There are going to be times when you need help and having a local network of Asper grads who share a mindset that we are there to help each other is incredible,” she says.

This first lesson—that she can’t know everything—was instilled long before sitting in university classrooms. Her real training in business began at the family dinner table, where she listened to her parents talk business each night.

Wilson’s father was the third-generation leader of their family business, Wilson Furniture Ltd., a mainstay of Downtown Winnipeg dating back to the 1880s. Conversations across the table about clientele, quality, budgets, and negotiations sparked a love of business for Wilson and a curiosity for what goes beyond business.

“I think what those conversations really instilled in me is the importance of community and customer service, but also being part of something bigger than yourself,” she says.

She served as President of Wilson Furniture for nine years, navigating market shifts and worsening business conditions. The organization closed in 2003, which Wilson cites as one of the hardest business decisions she’s ever made. Exhausting every option and refusing to compromise on the quality and service that defined the business for so long, Wilson knew what she had to do.

She recalls her father’s response when she told him of her decision: “well, it’s about time,” he’d said.

“I asked why he hadn’t told me sooner that he also saw the writing on the wall, and he told me that it had to be my decision to make. I had to come to this conclusion, because I was the one who was going to see it through, stand by it, and deliver,” she says.

The big picture, sustainability, and a vision for the future

At Wilson Furniture, there was something that went beyond business: the community served, the history that the organization represented. Today, at FortWhyte Alive, Wilson is still driven by history, community, and something more: seeking sustainability over longevity, stewardship over preservation.

Her career path shifted into the conservation and not-for-profit sectors, serving in various roles at Ducks Unlimited Canada before taking on her current role as President and CEO of FortWhyte Alive.

Once again, Wilson stepped into a role steeped in legacy, serving as the second-ever President and CEO in the organization’s history.

“The work is the same,” she explains, noting that from a business perspective, she still takes her insights in finance, entrepreneurship, marketing, and strategy to the role. “You’re just doing it for a different reason.”

“Every day, I think about what I can do to make sure that Fort Whyte is here for future generations,” she says. “That drives me, asking how I can steward this land in the best way possible.

“We are committed to growth, but we also want to be a leader for sustainability here in Manitoba, showcasing, for instance, that it’s possible to build climate-resilient architecture here,” she says, referring to Buffalo Crossing.

A vision beyond today, moments beyond business

For Wilson, leading the organization means making sound business decisions that contribute to this bigger picture and standing by this vision with integrity.

Every day, Wilson sees this vision come to life, in the management of capital campaigns, operations affected by windchills, budgets, marketing, volunteer coordination, and much more.

She also sees it each time she looks out a window: in her office, concluding an online meeting and seeing three deer trot past; in the boardroom, looking out onto Lake Devonian—remarkably quiet in the winter before the chirps, rushes, and honks of the spring season—in the Buffalo Stone Café, where she shares her career journey and points out flickers, nuthatches, and sparrows at the bird feeders.

As life outside the visitor centre stays busy, members file in, greeted with warm familiarity by volunteers. Children and parents zip down the toboggan slide across the frozen lake.

“FortWhyte is a special place,” she says. “The thing that I love most about it is that it means something different, something important, to everyone,” she says.

FortWhyte Alive: A local favourite

This year, the Asper School of Business is highlighting alumni leading at some of Manitoba’s local favourites in business, arts, culture, food, recreation, nature, and more. Connect to local excellence that makes an impact. Learn more about the Asper School of Business today.

We asked Liz Wilson to share some of her local favourites: summer performances at Rainbow Stage, the Oval Room at the Hotel Fort Garry, InFerno’s Bistro, McNally Robinson, and all our local sports teams.

Now in its 10th year, AACSB’s Influential Leaders member spotlight program highlights the value that business schools bring to business and society. All honorees from this year’s class have a degree from one of AACSB’s more than 1,000 accredited business schools worldwide.

Leaders in the 2025 class have used their entrepreneurial skills to not only realize their business dreams but foster economic growth in their communities, generate new value for existing organizations, and leverage innovative thinking to solve societal challenges.

“Kathleen is an incredible entrepreneur and visionary leader transforming the social and economic landscape here in Manitoba. As an alum, she has displayed generosity in her contributions to our students, speaking about MBA info sessions and supporting experiential learning here at Asper. This is a well-deserved honour, and we are proud to congratulate Kathleen,” said Bruno Silvestre, Dean of the Asper School of Business.

BlueSky is currently CEO at Treaty One Development Corporation, the organization leading the development of Naawi-Oodena, the largest urban reserve in Canada. She has worked with First Nations her entire career, serving in high-level positions at the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and Nisichawayashik Cree Nation. Today, in addition to her role at Treaty One Development Corporation, she is CEO of her own practice, Seven Feathers Consulting, and co-founder of Wiijii’idiwag Ikwewag, a First Nations birthing support service.

“Kathleen BlueSky’s work demonstrates how business schools can fuel solution-minded leaders to create new business ventures and solve complex challenges,” said Lily Bi, AACSB president and CEO. “Through entrepreneurial approaches and visionary thinking, Kathleen BlueSky is creating meaningful change in the world.”

Learn about the unique stories of each honoree at AACSB’s Influential Leaders page, and read more about Kathleen BlueSky’s MBA experience and entrepreneurial journey.

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The Asper School of Business has proudly been accredited by AACSB since 1999, the second-ever Canadian business school to earn this significant recognition.

AACSB International (AACSB) is the world’s largest business education association, connecting business schools, business, and lifelong learners to create the next generation of great leaders. With members in over 100 countries and territories, AACSB elevates the quality and impact of business schools globally.

Schaubroeck [MBA/17] was drawn to entrepreneurship during his time in the Asper MBA program, looking for a way to enact change. The unpredictable, always dynamic terrain of entrepreneurship has kept him solidly in this space as he moved from the launch and acquisition of his first venture, ioAirFlow, into his latest project.

Today, he is Principal and Founder of Leverage Point Consulting, where he works with start-ups and founders seeking to pursue business that has a positive impact on the world—fellow entrepreneurs with the drive not just to start a business but to do business differently. The role is a natural fit for Schaubroeck, a founder who thrives in the execution.

“I’m not necessarily the ideas person, but I can help turn other people’s ideas into reality because I can parse it through and ask the tough questions to figure out an execution plan,” he explains.

“I get to work with brilliant people—visionaries—who just might not know how to build a three-year financial projection, for instance. I also get the opportunity to ask them, what are we doing from an environmental or social lens? How are you considering your team and what company culture looks like for you? What values are you hoping to bring to this venture?”

While he emphasizes the brilliance of his clients and his current passion for enabling fellow entrepreneurs to succeed, Schaubroeck has logged some pretty impressive headlines himself.

Winnipeg Jets Whiteout Street Party media relations lead (for which he received the 2019 Canadian Public Relations Society Communicator of the Year award), a featured speaker at TEDxWinnipeg’s 2024 post-lockdown return, the youngest individual to run for provincial office in Manitoba, and the Co-Founder/CEO who launched and led ioAirFlow into a successful acquisition in 2022.

He describes the acquisition of the company as “a coda on a really exciting experience,” recounting how this software startup (focused on increasing energy efficiency in commercial buildings), all started in an MBA class.

Schaubroeck and classmates were instructed to come up with an idea and then take that idea to as many people as they could—high-level executives and decision-makers across sectors. Classmate Mandeep Saini [BSc/10, MBA/18] had an idea, a decentralized smart thermostat, that he and Schaubroeck started to shop around. Honouring the aforementioned NDAs, Schaubroeck can share one resounding piece of feedback they received: build it and come back to us.

Soon after, Schaubroeck and Saini were travelling to a conference in Hanover, Germany, with a prototype, which he refers to affectionately as a “just slightly more improved science project” at that stage. They pitched their prototype with the confidence befitting any successful entrepreneur (by necessity, as the device had blown a fuse in the hotel and was no longer functional).

“I think that’s one of the qualities of a good entrepreneur—that tenacity,” he quips.

But beyond learning more about different voltage requirements between North America and the EU, Schaubroeck felt again the pull of entrepreneurship in this pitch—what that tenacity can do and serve.

“You see something in the world that is not working the way it ought to be working, and you have the audacity to say, you know what, I’m going to fix this.”

And it’s the process of following that instinct, making the prototype, building something capable of making a change, that drives him today. The acquisition of ioAirFlow was big news, an impressive feather for an entrepreneur’s cap, but the years before that moment stand out to Schaubroeck.

“It was the journey to get there, to building something worth acquiring, that I think I’m most proud of,” he says.

The journey, the path of the entrepreneur, is not without its disappointments (blown fuses and the like), but it’s all part of having the audacity and tenacity to do something differently, to imagine business as regenerative, a way to leave things better than you found them.

“The path between that long-term vision and executing it is a long road filled with a lot of no’s and discouragement and late nights and all of those things,” says Schaubroeck.

“But if this is your path, and if you really are an entrepreneur, you’re going to love it all.”

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The Asper MBA program is designed to meet the market-driven needs of today’s industry professionals. With one of the most flexible and adaptable programs in Canada, the Asper MBA program is designed to help students build their leadership skills in any field. With functional and specializing concentrations in entrepreneurship and innovation, sustainability, and more, the Asper MBA program provides the opportunity for career transformation in any industry.

Interested in the tech? Check out Schaubroeck’s TEDxWinnipeg presentation on YouTube!

Good joined the Faculty of Management at the University of Manitoba in 1969, serving the yet-to-be-named Asper School of Business for 40 years before his retirement in 2009. He passed away in July of this year.

During his time in the Faculty of Management, Good served as the Associate Dean and Department Head of Marketing and continued as a Senior Scholar into 2024.

Former colleagues and students remember Good as a champion for entrepreneurship, someone who shared in the vision of the Faculty as a hub for entrepreneurial excellence, insight, experience, and expertise. A dedicated supporter of his home department as well, Good was proud of the teaching and researching productivity that flourished in the marketing department under his leadership and the marketing behavioral lab that blossomed with his support.

Good was a dedicated and prolific academic, authoring more than 40 Harvard-style case studies based on Manitoba and national firms, serving as acting director of the Centre for International Business Studies at UM, and writing five books about venture development including Building a Dream: A Canadian Guide to Starting Your Own Business, which is now in its 12^th edition.

Passionate about experiential learning, Good was an advocate for student competitions in both entrepreneurship and marketing. He was a strong supporter of the Manitoba International Marketing Competition, an annual event that ran for over 30 years and brought students to UM from around the world. He also worked closely with faculty to encourage student participation in entrepreneurship competitions at home and away.

Good was a force inside and outside of the classroom; he was recognized for his skill as a teacher, earning the first ever Golden Shovel Award from the Commerce Students’ Association in the 1973-74 academic year. Selected by the graduating class of the Asper School of Business, Golden Shovel recipients are recognized for their teaching impact. As the first-ever recipient, Good set a strong standard for the five-decade tradition that continues to this day.

Good’s impact continues to be felt at the Asper School of Business—today a hub for entrepreneurial excellence and a trailblazing institution in the will will Canadian landscape for fostering entrepreneurial spirit in business education.

In his obituary, a concluding note encourages loved ones to forego flowers and instead consider contributing a gift in his name to the Class of 1972 Scholarship in Management fund. This alumni-led initiative strives to support more students in pursuit of a business degree at the Asper School of Business.

Whether in entrepreneurship, marketing, or business, Walter Good was a champion of giving students what they need—the practical knowledge, unique hands-on learning opportunities, and the encouragement to think big—to build their dreams.

Linda Stewart [BComm(Hons)/72], Stu Breckon [BComm(Hons)/72], and Don Keatch [BComm(Hons)/72]—members of the Class of ’72 Scholarship Committee, shared their thoughts about Good’s impact and the intent of this incredible initiative that supports students in pursuit of their business dreams.

L-R: Larry Steciuk ’72 Fred Starke, Marie Elliott ‘72, Walter Good, Harry Finnigan ‘72, Stu Breckon ‘72, Wes Douglas ‘72, Don Keatch ‘72.
Image provided by Don Keatch.

From the Class of ’72 Scholarship Committee (Linda Stewart, Stu Breckon, Don Keatch)

“Our Class of ’72 scholarship initiative started in 1997 at our 25^th anniversary celebrations. Walter joined us together with Dean Emeriti Mundie and Gray and Professor Starke as part of what became a long-standing “support” group for our Class scholarship fund-raising project. It turned into a 25+ year commitment by our class to support Asper school students, continuing to this day, to which many of the Class of 72 grads have contributed.

“Not only that, our Scholarship group became great friends as the years went by, getting together for our annual awards luncheon and presentations. Together, we would mingle with the scholarship winners, hear of their accomplishments and aspirations and, most importantly, provide wisdom and encouragement for their future endeavours.

“Walter was an integral part of this group. As we all got to know one another better, Walter’s wonderful personality – knowledgeable, caring, and kind, tinged with an understated but delightful sense of humour, shone through.

“We will miss Walter’s presence as we continue without him, but will remember him fondly and recall the many good times we had together supporting the Asper School students.”

Sholeth Art and Seduta Art

Photo by @wdyd.series

When building on art collection, you can start small—or as our first gift guide star might say, tiny. An artist, entrepreneur, and Asper alum, Sholeth Choquette [BComm(Hons)/22] creates tiny art, capturing miny moments of calm and ambiance using a mix of oil, alcohol marker, and linocut prints, and presenting them in ornate vintage frames. These pieces and other stationary are available from Sholeth Art.

You can also find her work at Seduta Art, co-owned with fellow Asper alum and business partner Paul Sogeke [BComm(Hons)/19]. While Seduta is stocked online, Sholeth recommends a visit to the Exchange District location itself, where shoppers can peruse arts, crafts, and stationary supplies—testing the feel of sketchbooks and finding their next favourite fountain pen.

“My vision is to bring joy and creativity into people’s lives through unique and thoughtfully designed stationery, artwork, and art supplies,” she says.

Give the gift of making and art this year and follow along for market appearances and new products on Instagram (@sholeth.art) and (@seduta.art), the online storefronts Sholeth Art and Sholeth Art, or by visiting in-person at 91 Arthur Street.

Miranda Dawn Bakes

Precision and indulgence come to mind looking at a box of Miranda Dawn Bakes treats or one of her sculptural cakes. Offering cookies, macarons, cake pops and more, Miranda Harder whips up perfect personalized gifts for the sweet tooth on your shopping list this holiday season (and all year!).

An Asper marketing student, Harder didn’t initially plan to start a business, but since she began selling eight years ago, she slowly branched out to take on more custom orders and sell at local markets.

Shoppers who suddenly feel hungry after reading the phrase “double chocolate mocha drip cake,” can find Harder’s baking on Instagram (@mirandadawnbakeswpg) and Miranda Dawn Bakes.

Ethereal Stones

If you’re looking for something with a little more sparkle, look no further than Ethereal Stones. From polished rose quartz bracelets and romantic goldstone heart-shaped earrings to dramatic onix necklaces, creator and founder Paula Robles offers bold, expressive, and of course, ethereal handmade jewelry.

When Robles isn’t crafting unique and colourful pieces, she is keeping up with her studies in pursuit of a BComm at Asper. “My dream has always been to make my business grow and make is a recognized brand one day,” she says.

Get a little ethereal this holiday season and find Robles’ handcrafted work on Instagram (@ethereal_stones_) and at UM through the Students Organized Market Initiative (@uofm.somi).

Kingdom Cards

Why not give 52 pieces of art (and a couple of jokers) this holiday season? With Kingdom Cards, you can choose from over 350 different decks of unique and original playing cards—from your favourite franchises and cinematic universes to meticulously crafted illustrated sets.

Run by Asper BComm student Anthony Theriault, Kingdom Cards offers products that are beautiful to look at and perfect for your next game of cribbage, rummy, or even Go Fish. They’re also a favourite among magicians (Theriault would know as a practitioner himself), and sure to be a memorable gift for everyone on your shopping list.

Deck the halls with a deck of cards (and grab one for yourself) by shopping at Kingdom Cards and follow along on Instagram (@kingdomplayingcards) to keep up with new releases and upcoming pop-ups.

oxokat

Wear your personality on your wall, backpack, laptop, water bottle, favourite notebook, and more with oxokat’s adorable illustrated stickers, keychains, embroidery, and prints. A project from Asper BComm student Katherine Bardelas, oxokat specializes in the cute and cartoony.

Bardelas primarily sells at markets at the university, working with UM SOMI, and popping up with a pastel booth of tiny treasures. Living out her dream of selling her creations, Bardelas hopes to open an online storefront next year, all while she pursues her ambitions of becoming an actuary.

In the meantime, shoppers can find oxokat on Instagram (@oxokat) to see her latest illustrations, products, and market dates!

Boligrafo Bonito

For the writers and diligent notetakers in your life, check out Boligrafo Bonito’s handcrafted wood pens. You can find BComm student Jamie O’Neill [BA/24] dusting off oak, elm, and cherry wood chips as she works in the fabrication lab, turning wood and crafting unique ballpoint pens perfect for everything from your most pressing correspondence to your everyday writing needs.

Boligrafo Bonito uses sustainably sourced wood to create shapes that are comfortable in the hand and beautiful to look at, offering a spectrum of warm tones that show the organic wood grain.

Whether you need a gift for the difficult-to-buy-for friend or you need a pen to write down your shopping list, check out Boligrafo Bonito on Instagram (@boligrafobonito) and at the North Forge Makers Market (@northforgemb).

Asper School of Business students and alumni bring bold ideas to life every day, whether in the classroom or the marketplace. Be part of a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and emerging business leaders. Learn more about Asper programs of study today!

Browse the Asper Gift Guide archive for even more gift ideas!

Seeing her name on the piece of parchment that she worked for five years to attain, Par [BComm(Hons)/24] was reminded of a piece of advice that changed the course of her academic journey. She had applied to Asper upon entry to university and didn’t initially get in, which inspired two focused and determined years of study until she could reapply and then officially enter the program in her third year of post-secondary education.

Proud as she was of her hard work to get that acceptance, Par also couldn’t ignore a growing tension: her feeling of being behind, wanting to make up for lost time and secure a true four-year degree, compounded with her growing awareness of all that was available to her as an Asper student.

“I was actually very hesitant to join the Asper Co-op Program,” she says. “I was really worried about graduating ‘on time’ and feeling like everyone should finish the degree in four years.”

But this perceived timeframe couldn’t quite keep Par’s interest in co-op at bay. Conflicted, she reached out to a friend who had experience with the program and who reminded her of something deceptively simple:

“It’s your degree, isn’t it?” her friend pointed out.

This reminder was a lightbulb moment for Par.

“From that moment, one of my goals was to take as many opportunities as I could at Asper because the School offers so many things that students can take advantage of; it’s just a matter of being confident and brave enough to try those things,” says Par.

In pursuit of this new goal, Par started to craft her unique BComm journey—she joined the Asper Co-op Program and completed three work placements across as many sectors and industries.

At Deloitte, she supported quarterly reporting while brushing up on public accounting and auditing controls; at Transport Canada, she saw labour relations theory in practice as part of the PSAC strike of 2023; at Priceline Partner Solutions, she pitched a new influencer-led media campaign for a client, learning how to pivot and research in response to client feedback.

Par’s co-op experience was diverse, with her work placements shifting between accounting, human resources, and marketing. She shares how these experiences truly helped her learn both what she wanted and enjoyed in a career, and perhaps less comfortably, what she knew was not going to be a forever fit.

While Par greatly enjoyed the technical finesse of accounting and speaks highly of her time at Deloitte, she also realized that her soft skills, lifestyle, and interests did not quite fit the field.

“I felt lost for a bit, after realizing that, to be honest,” she says.

“I thought that I was going to be a CPA—it had been my be all and end all at that point. I had to sit down, reflect, and retrack.”

Par gave herself space to be uncertain, to rethink what she wanted, to allow herself enough grace to know that it wasn’t her job as a student to have every single thing figured out right away, but she did need to keep trying and pushing herself to learn.

Enjoyment of core human resources courses and a flair for marketing led her into her next two placements respectively, and then into her current role as House Brand Coordinator at Princess Auto.

“I really do think that from all the different industries and roles I tried through co-op, I’ve become a more well-rounded business professional. Those three experiences really did support my job search after finishing my courses,” she says.

Par notes the support of the Asper Career Development Centre, mentioning the resources, networking, and insights they offered throughout her journey.

“I think the Career Development Centre really did help me grow,” she says.

“I really didn’t know the things I could learn.”

Like so many Asper graduates, Par was proud to finally hold her Bachelor of Commerce degree in her hands—proud of the accomplishment it reflects, the years of focused study and dedication, and proud of the prestige, the excellence of an Asper School of Business education.

And, proud to see her name on that parchment, to have completed her BComm journey, to have changed, to have doubted, to have grown, and to have learned.

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Learn more about how to apply for co-op as an Asper student here.