In 2024, the Asper Exchange Program signed 12 new partnerships, continuing to expand options for students with over 60 business school partners in over 30 countries around the world.

For the first time, Asper students can study in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and have not one but two options in Scotland (Edinburgh and Glasgow). They also have access to new partner schools in France, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Slovakia, and Spain.

The language of home

Helin Emre may be one of the first Asper students to attend Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey, but for her, it was a return home.

Emre moved to Canada from Turkey as a child and wanted to experience living there as an adult while advancing her studies.

She describes her wonder at the famous Cappadocia hot air balloons, the liveliness of Istanbul, and the gravity of the Blue Mosque. She wandered Mardin, marveling at the architecture against the backdrop of conversations in Kurdish (her native tongue).

Emre explains how the enriching cultural exchange impacted her studies in actuarial mathematics as well. “In terms of academics, the biggest opportunity was learning about my field of study in a different light and cultural lens, allowing me to access new perspectives and a global knowledge,” she says.

“I would definitely recommend doing an exchange to other Asper students. Not only do you learn tons about yourself, but you meet incredible people and are put in an environment where it’s necessary to learn and grow as both a student and individual,” she adds.

From the islands to the city

As the first Asper student to study at Taylor’s University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sophia Ali was nervous but excited.

“It felt scary at first because I didn’t know what to expect,” she recalls.

But Ali had done her research, selecting Taylor’s in part because of cost-effectiveness and because she had a loftier goal in mind for her exchange trip.

“I saw it as an opportunity to broaden my perspective on different cultures and to gain the knowledge of what it’s like to live in another country,” she says.

Once she arrived, Ali felt her apprehension dissipate as she connected with exchange students from other countries and explored the country. She navigated the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur and found ease amid the country’s many islands and beaches.

Having returned from her exchange, Ali looks forward to sharing her experience—the nerves of the first few days and the subsequent exploration and enjoyment—with her peers.

“It honestly was exciting to be the first student to go to Taylor’s as I am now able to help future students who someday want to study in Malaysia,” she says.

Places shaped by time

Moving between the Kenting coastline, the peaks of the Alishan Range, the serenity of Sun Moon Lake, and the urban centre of Taipei, Shiloh Liu spent her exchange familiarizing herself with both the natural and cultural landscapes of Taiwan.

Studying at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Tainan, Taiwan, Liu hoped to expand her understanding of Taiwan’s political and cultural history.

With aspirations of pursuing her CPA designation, Liu also wanted to bolster her knowledge from a global point of view. She recounts courses that brought in high-level professionals from industry, academia, and government.

“This allowed us to understand how theoretical knowledge is applied in the real world, particularly in the field of accounting and data management,” she says.

She shares how she wasn’t just the first Asper student to study at NCKU, but also the only Canadian student there that term.

“I felt honoured to be part of such a diverse exchange program. While most exchange students were from France and Germany, only three of us were from North America—two from the US and me, representing Canada.

“It was a unique and enriching experience to interact with students from different parts of the world,” she says.

—

With new partner schools and more relationships built each year, the Asper Exchange Program brings the best in experiential learning around the world, giving students the chance to deepen their business knowledge, test out their independence, and make incredible global connections.

Applications for Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Winter 2026 are now open until January 31, 2025. Visit the Asper Exchange Program page to learn more about applying today.

Last year, the college was proud to present $200,000 worth of scholarships to students from faculties including, Science, Arts, Engineering, Asper School of Business, Nursing, Health Sciences, Graduate Studies, Law, Indigenous engagement, and University 1 students.

Our recipients go through their own academic journeys to receive these awards every year. Today we are proud to highlight two student stories about what these scholarships mean to them. 

Doris Goubran, who joined the college from high school, is studying in the Faculty of Health Sciences. She is working towards her bachelor’s, hoping to get into the College of Nursing. In a competitive field like Health Sciences, Doris not only received gratification from her scholarship this year but also proved to her that she has what it takes to follow her nursing dreams.   

“It encouraged me to keep doing and to pursue my medicine dreams that I hope to accomplish one day. Being in a competitive faculty is super nerve-racking and intimidating, but my hard work has paid off, and this scholarship proves that to me.”

Like Doris, Catherine van Reenan, a Ph.D. student in the religion department, received not only gratification from her scholarship recognition but also the opportunity to travel abroad. After hearing the news of her scholarship, Catherine can now attend one of her bucket list conferences in Copenhagen, Denmark, where she will have the opportunity to meet professionals whom she has looked up to since beginning her post-secondary education. 

“People who have written for me for this scholarship gave me validation that I’m meant to be pursuing my Ph.D. and will now help me in attending a conference that I’ve always dreamed of attending. It’s a niche to my field, and I’m excited to learn from inspiring people.”

The college would like to thank its generous donors for their continued support towards these scholarships and bursaries.   

Apply for our final round of scholarships closing July 31. 

UM students must be a college member to apply.   

“That did not stop me,” says Alnaser, intent on pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce focused on international business. He immediately started working on the problem with an academic advisor.

He describes himself as optimistic, accepting hardships but opting to see them as challenges he can overcome. “No matter the problem, I aim to understand it with an open mind and think of ways to work around it.”

The next year, Alnaser successfully reapplied to and enrolled at Asper. Already a graduate of the prestigious President’s Student Leadership program, he was a student leader driven by this optimism and his passion for international business.

Finding passion in giving back

His studies at UM began in 2020, pursuing a Bachelor of Science with hopes of going into healthcare. The hopes, it turns out, were not entirely his own. “My dad owned a dairy store in Syria. My parents knew from experience that business is not always perfect; they wanted me to have a stable job and a good life, so they encouraged me to pursue sciences.

“I tried that path. It wasn’t for me.”

He found a path that was for him through the World University Service of Canada (WUSC), a non-profit organization that helps resettle refugees in Canada through education. Alnaser himself was sponsored by the program when he was forced to leave Syria and eventually relocate to Canada as a refugee in 2018.

As president of the WUSC local committee at UM (2019-2022), Alnaser managed communications, operations and finances, all to ensure that displaced youth could access education and resettlement as he had. The enjoyment he felt volunteering had been absent from his academic efforts studying science.

For Alnaser, the Asper BComm program offered an opportunity to engage his knack for business, open more doors for his future and give back. “I want to work in international development using the skills I’m gaining at Asper to help people and give back to the community that hosted me here in Canada.”

International opportunities

In 2023, Alnaser explored business overseas on an international exchange term at the Manchester Metropolitan University in England. 

“One major reason I pursued an international exchange was to challenge myself and prove, especially as someone lives with a disability, that I am fully capable of embarking on incredible journeys,” he says.

“As I met new people, I shared my story of living in a refugee camp in Jordan with no hope of getting out, and now, here I am, travelling the world. I started to recognize my own sense of achievement and perseverance.”

Alnaser journeyed to 11 countries across Europe and the Middle East, indulging his love for travel, connecting with locals and even finding opportunities to reunite with family he hadn’t seen in years.

After his exchange, he traveled with WUSC to Ghana for an international research seminar focused on business and sustainability. He consulted with local organizations pursuing sustainability, learning about their current challenges and offering potential solutions. He also learned about Ghana, going on experiential learning outings to national parks and historical sites. Understanding a context through these local, national and international scopes is what draws him to international business.

Reinforcing resilience

Alnaser’s story is international, already spanning an impressive portion of the globe, and it is by engaging with diverse perspectives, cultures and people that he continues to discover and cultivate self-acceptance.

“I’m a bilateral amputee, having lost both my legs in a fire at a very young age. My family reinforced that I was different in a good way—I’ve never looked at myself as lesser than. As a teenager, I had a cosmetic part of my prosthesis, which would mean that most people wouldn’t be able to see that I’m an amputee. After a couple of years in Canada, observing and understanding the culture, I decided to remove this cosmetic part, embracing my unique journey and proudly showcasing my prosthetic limbs as a testament to resilience and strength and a challenge to societal perceptions of disability.

“All my experiences have shaped my personality, making me more open-minded and accepting of myself. I’ve found that I’m very happy with who I am.”

The student whose Asper application was initially rejected eventually found himself this year choosing between co-op opportunities, international exchange terms, summer job offers and international research seminars, creating a path and following hopes all his own.

During our recent conversation, Raihanah (currently a fourth-year psychology student) spoke of finding a home in the residence community both as she’s worked towards her academic degree and during her three years as a Don. As she’s found her voice and become part of the community, she’s experienced the residence as a place where she could try new things and build life-long friendships. 

“The college residence has allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and build leadership and community skills. I was nervous yet excited about what it offered when I walked into the college. From the benefits students receive at the residence, like the delicious Daily Bread Café food, accessibility to events and academic help, it’s an accessible accommodation for all students.” 

Living at St John’s college residence offers students more than just a place to live. Students are welcomed into the community through events, connections with staff, and the following benefits that come with your stay:   

• Weekly meal plan from the Daily Bread Café, including snacks on Sunday night and during exam periods 
• Affordable laundry services   
• Student council opportunities to build professional development   
• Access to monthly events planned by the student residence council   
• Access to St John’s college services, including St John’s library, Daily Bread Café, lockers, college classrooms, and Chapel and Chaplaincy services.   
• Dedicated lounge 
• Housekeeping services include cleaning, vacuuming, dusting, and garbage removal.   

Whether you’re an international or domestic student, everyone is welcome to St John’s college residence. In hosting students from all over the world, we are a diverse community that looks to bring people together to build community.   

For residence rates and information, click here to visit our website.   

To submit your application and join our residence, click here to apply!   

For more information about our residence, contact Matthew Bowman, Dean of Residence.   

Allison Balasko, Hiwot Jonk, Jesse Shen, Joao Fidencio da Silva, Samuel Akinola chose Siloam Mission after visiting the shelter. They were struck by the staff and volunteers’ unwavering commitment to people experiencing homelessness. The group wanted to raise awareness about the shelter but also address the critical shortage of undergarments and socks.

The Underwearness Project was born. They have received approximately 250 pairs of underwear, 500 pairs of socks, and $365 in monetary donations. They are gearing up for a second donation drive.

When: Sunday, August 27th from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Where: Superstore (3193 Portage Ave.)

Additionally, the group will have drop-off spot at the UMSU Service Centre (1st Floor University Centre) starting on Monday, Aug. 28-Sept. 15, 2023.

Siloam Mission will also gladly accept donations every weekday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at 300 Princess St. 

Even if they reach their goal, the group says the project is intended to be a long-lasting campaign that will continue to address this need for several years.

There is also a plan to create a newsletter that Winnipeggers can subscribe to so they can receive a yearly reminder about the campaign.

The five participants — Allison Balasko, Hiwot Jonk, Jesse Shen, Joao Fidencio da Silva and Samuel Akinola — in the university’s President’s Student Leadership Program launched the Underwearness Project this week.

“We had to select a community need and try to address that need and work together to start a project,” Jonk said. “We noticed that there were a lot of unaddressed needs within homeless shelters, so we wanted to help out.

Read here

Amber Pohl, Asper School of Business ATSEP Lead, explains how the exchange allows student to learn more about themselves through the lens of a new culture. “As a cultural exchange program, ATSEP encourages students to explore their knowledge beyond the classroom. They are immersed in a new culture and have the opportunity to reflect on where their own ideas, values and beliefs come from, all while they develop crucial skills applicable to business at home and abroad.”

The program kicks off with students from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) in Beersheva, Israel visiting Winnipeg, where they attend classes and tour various local businesses. Then, joined by Asper students, the group visits national-scale businesses in Toronto before continuing in Israel.

In Winnipeg, students observe local histories and global futures, visiting the Forks and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. While in Israel, students experience the salinity of the Dead Sea and the history of the Old City of Jerusalem.

For ATSEP alumni, the program has been hugely influential in their professional and personal development.

Chris Greenhalgh [BComm(Hons)/09], Director, PWM Brand & Practice Marketing at IG Wealth Management is an ATSEP alumnus. “My experience with this program was nothing short of lifechanging. The experiences and conversations I had while in Israel provided clarity both personally and professionally on many different levels. Getting to experience and be immersed in a different culture daily gave me a great appreciation and perspective that I carry with me today,” said Greenhalgh.

Gili Malinovitch, Demand Ad Ops at Odeeo in Tel Aviv, Israel came to Winnipeg in 2019, and notes the program’s profound impact “My experience was filled with new friendships and cultural discoveries. I experienced the warmth and openness of the Canadian people while showcasing the diversity and resilience of Israeli heritage, which was truly unforgettable.

“I had the privilege of introducing Asper students to the vibrant and rich Israeli culture, sharing the nuances of Israeli traditions, customs, and cuisine. ATSEP not only broadened my knowledge of strategic management, but also allowed me to create lifelong connections, and networks for my business future, and promote cross-cultural understanding,” said Malinovitch.

The 2023 program returned after a two-year pause and saw students from the Asper School of Business and Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management participate in a variety of academic and cultural experiences over a four-week period. This included visiting conglomerates such as Palliser Furniture and Price Industries, as well as meeting with Canadian entrepreneur and beverage pioneer Anthony von Mandl.

The program gives Asper students an in-dept look at the significant strides Israel has made in developing high-technology infrastructure. In 2022, students toured SpacePharma, a company that builds miniaturized microgravity pharma labs for space.

In 2023, the program saw students delve into the economic development sector of Israel. With tours with MATI Jerusalem, an NGO that works primarily to provide economic development opportunities for Palestinian women, and a visit with Trade Commissioner Jonathan Ruta at the Canadian Embassy in Tel Aviv, they honed their understanding of impact-driven programs.

While the program itself is four weeks of lifechanging learning experiences, alumni new and old recall the connections they made and keep to this day.

Asper marketing and supply chain undergrad Maisy Do was a part of the 2023 cohort. “If someone asked me what the best part of ATSEP 2023 was, I’d say friendships! Learning from friends and real-life experiences made a huge contribution to my self-development,” she said.

Do adds that the exchange program creates space for students to develop empathy and social skills and grow professional intercultural leadership competencies.

On May 6, 2023, ATSEP hosted a celebration for current and past ATSEP participants at Fort Gibraltar. Arni Thorsteinson, in whose honour this program is named, along with local program stakeholders joined Asper faculty and staff to commemorate this milestone and look ahead to continued success.

Wang, who is also a practitioner of Chinese calligraphy and director of the Association of Chinese Calligraphers in Manitoba, understands the value of expressing her individuality and recognizing her strengths to create more productive collaborations.

She is now working as a transportation coordinator at Richardson International. She credits the MSCM’s course material, mentorship program and built-in co-op placement for her success in the role.

“The courses in the MSCM program provided industry knowledge that helped me adapt quickly to the job. The mentorship program is also super valuable! I’ve learned so much and built my soft skills thanks to my first mentor, Alexander Zlatin, and my current mentor, Brad Fulham,” she says.

In her current role, she works closely with her team while making many moving parts work together effectively and efficiently.

“In the rail department, my responsibilities include coordinating rail cars, inbound and outbound, forecasting and analyzing the inbounds across the long- and short-term while managing yard space and new crops especially during harvest,” she says.

Fortunately, Wang’s time at the Asper School of Business has prepared her for the fast-paced, multi-tasking and team-driven work of coordination.

“The MSCM Program also advocates teamwork and cultivates our cooperation skills. This has been one of the most impressive parts of my Asper experience and has helped me integrate into my current team seamlessly,” she explains. “The courses are purposefully designed around teamwork, so they also worked as a strong base to prepare us for case competitions.”

Wang signed up for a competition after a classmate suggested it and gave her only one night to apply. The decision paid off, as Wang and her team became gold medalists at the 2023 APICS London and District Case Competition and have experienced continued success since.

In teams across Asper, Wang learned how these group efforts really work.

“Teamwork is not simply about co-operation, but also about identifying what each of us brings to the project. It is about contributing your strengths to the group and finding the best way to make those strengths work together,” she says.

At Asper, Wang worked with Narendra Malalgoda, assistant professor of supply chain management at Asper, as a research assistant and case participant. Malalgoda comments on how her approach to teamwork always elevated her team.

“I must say that Yikun truly stood out as an exceptional student. Her ability to work effectively within a team was remarkable, as she not only contributed her own insights and expertise but also went above and beyond to support her teammates and help them excel,” he says.

Wang’s approach to teamwork embraces but also goes above and beyond the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and her definition of teamwork explains why collaboration is more than effective, it’s necessary.

Chinese calligraphy by Yikun Wang

As Wang describes it, teamwork creates conditions for optimizing our own capabilities by requiring that we support and be supported in turn, improving on weaknesses and continuously learning through collaboration.

In all her work, Wang understands how every team member brings something new to what is familiar. “A calligrapher’s handwriting expresses their personality,” she says.

Today at Richardson, Wang is leveraging her personality, her strengths and the support of her team to see current supply chain challenges as opportunities, rather than problems.

“These challenges are a bit like a double-edged sword,” she says. “It depends on how companies approach and control them. The COVID-19 pandemic affected the whole global supply chain, and we felt how vulnerable it is. This realization prompted supply chain professionals to rethink sourcing and planning strategies, as well as how we adopt technology and approach sustainability.”

As an emerging supply chain expert, Wang is ready to rethink previous systems, confront new challenges and leave her unique mark in a dynamic and crucial field.

1. GENERAL ELIGIBILITY

The “Drake Centre café naming contest” (the “Contest”) is open only for individuals 18 years or older who post a comment on the on the Asper School of Business designated contest post, follow @asperschool on Instagram, are a current Asper student and are located in Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and mainland North America, excluding residents of the Province of Quebec. Participants who are 17 years or older at the time of entry (“Eligible Participants”). Eligible Participants who are under 18 (“Minor”) must have their parent or legal guardian’s consent to participate in the Contest and, if selected as a Tentative Prize Winner, must have their parent or legal guardian sign the declaration, waiver and release required by these Official Rules & Regulations as a pre-condition to being declared a Winner.

2. AGREEMENT TO RULES

By participating, the Contestant (“You”) agree to be fully unconditionally bound by these Rules, and You represent and warrant that You meet the eligibility requirements. In addition, You agree to accept the decisions of the Asper School of Business as final and binding as it relates to the content of this Contest.

3. CAMPAIGN PERIOD

Entries will be accepted online starting June 14, 2023, 10:00 a.m. Central Standard Time (CT) and ending June 18, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. CT. All online entries must be received by June 18, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. CT.

On Instagram:

• Like our @asperschool “Drake Centre café naming contest” post
• Follow @asperschool
• Comment on the Asper School of Business “Drake Centre café naming contest” post with your suggested name for the café

The entry must fulfill all Campaign requirements, as specified, to be eligible to win a prize. Entries that are incomplete or do not adhere to the rules or specifications may be disqualified at the sole discretion of the Asper School of Business Marketing and Communications Team.

Entries are unlimited. You must provide the information requested. You may not enter more times than indicated by using multiple email addresses, identities, or devices in an attempt to circumvent the rules. If You use fraudulent methods or otherwise attempt to circumvent the rules, your submission may be removed from eligibility at the sole discretion of the Asper School of Business Marketing and Communications Team.

4. WINNER SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION

The Winner will be selected by the Asper School of Business Marketing and Communications Team in collaboration with Aramark. The Winner will be notified by Instagram messenger in June 2023, following selection of Winner. The Asper School of Business Marketing and Communications Team shall have no liability for Winner’s failure to receive notices due to spam, junk e-mail or other security settings or for Winner’s provision of incorrect or otherwise non-functioning contact information.

If Winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim the prize within 30 days from the time award notification was sent, or fails to timely return a completed and executed declaration and release as required, the prize may be forfeited. Receipt by Winner of the prize offered in this Campaign is conditioned upon compliance with any and all federal, provincial, and local laws and regulations.

If there are similar entries by multiple users, the individual who posted first will be under consideration for their submission. 

Each Tentative Prize Winner (or, if such Tentative Prize Winner is a Minor, such Minor’s parent or legal guardian) must sign a declaration, waiver and release, affirming he or she has read, understood and agreed to be bound by these Rules, grants all consents required and as contemplated by these Rules, authorizes the Asper School of Business to broadcast, publish and disseminate his or her name, likeness, voice, performance, city of residence and biographical information in connection with any promotion, publicity, or news, entertainment and/or information purposes, without further consent and without compensation, and releasing the Asper School of Business, its affiliates, representatives, employees and agents from any and all liability of any kind whatsoever arising out of the Tentative Prize Winner’s participation in the Contest and/or receipt and execution of any prize awarded.

5. PRIZES

The one Winner of the Campaign will receive the following prize package:

• One $100 gift card to be sent to an Asper School of Business student.

Actual/appraised value may differ at the time of prize award. The specifics of the prize shall be solely determined by the Asper School of Business Marketing and Communications Team. No cash or other prize substitution shall be permitted except at Asper School of Business Marketing and Communications Team’s discretion. The prize is non-transferable.

All expenses related to mailing or shipping to prize Winner will be the sole responsibility of the Asper School of Business Marketing and Communications Team. Any and all other prize-related expenses, including without limitation any and all federal, provincial, and/or local taxes, shall be the sole responsibility of Winner.

If the Winner is located outside of Canada, an equivalent substitution of prize shall be determined by the Asper School of Business Marketing Team. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for the Asper School of Business Marketing and Communications Team to use the Winner’s Faculty for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation, unless prohibited by law.

6. ODDS

The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received, and the quality of the submission.

7. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

The Asper School of Business, its affiliates, representatives, employees and agents, shall not be in any manner whatsoever be liable or responsible for theft, loss, technical malfunctions, computer and/or telephone network malfunctions, software problems, online traffic congestion, any human or computer-generated error, which may in any manner affect the receipt of Contest entries, the notification of winners, the awarding or distribution of any prize under the Contest.

All Instagram logos and trademarks displayed on this Contest are property of Meta Platforms.

8. PRIVACY

The Asper School of Business will not be collecting any personal information of any kind during the Contest, other than to notify prizewinners and showcase winning images. This information will not be kept past the Contest finish.

9. RELEASE OF INSTAGRAM

The Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram or Meta Platforms. Instagram and Meta Platforms is completely released by each Eligible Participant in this Contest, from all liability arising in connection with the Contest. Any comments, questions or complaints regarding the Contest must be directed to the Asper School of Business Marketing and Communications Team.

10. GENERAL

If for any reason the online portion of this Contest is not capable of being completed as planned including, but not limited to computer virus, bugs, tampering, technical failures or other causes beyond the control of the Asper School of Business, the Asper School of Business reserves the right to cancel, suspend or modify the Contest.

The Asper School of Business, its affiliates, representatives, employees and agents assume no liability whatsoever for damage to any person, or to their computer or other property, arising from their actual or attempted participation in the Contest in any manner whatsoever, or in the awarding of any prize.

On May 4, 2023, Anthony von Mandl O.C., O.B.C., the 2023 IDEA Award recipient, will share his entrepreneurial journey, followed by a Q&A facilitated by the 2023/2024 CSA President Betty Mae Ferrer.

“Anthony von Mandl represents the impact of entrepreneurship. He is a leader who didn’t just thrive in, but actively changed the wine and beverage industry and we are honoured to welcome him to the Drake Centre for this event,” says Dr. Bruno Silvestre, Dean of the Asper School of Business. “We thank The Associates for giving students the opportunity to connect with such an influential entrepreneur.”

von Mandl is the proprietor of a collection of family-owned luxury wineries in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. As he worked to produce the best wines in Canada, von Mandl created many groundbreaking beverage brands, including Mike’s Hard Lemonade and White Claw.

Ferrer, who recently started her term as CSA President, is excited that students have this opportunity to learn more about von Mandl’s journey.

CSA President, Betty Mae Ferrer

“As students, we often know, or think we know, our destination, but there is so much opportunity, especially here at Asper, that it can be hard to map our journey. As an innovator, Anthony von Mandl embraced that opportunity and built his own path to achieve his dream.”

von Mandl began pursuing his dream to become a wine importer at only 22 years old. Starting in a 100 square-foot office in Vancouver, he began looking for opportunities to bring the best wines from across the world into Canada and make this dream a reality.

In 1981, he purchased a near-bankrupt winery in BC’s then unknown Okanagan Valley. Early on, he faced many struggles and a constant fear that the next setback would put him out of business for good.

With each challenge, however, von Mandl adapted—from supplying to airlines when the liquor board wouldn’t invest in a 22-year-old wine merchant, to cultivating a wine selection that later won over that same liquor board with what mattered most: taste.

These setbacks and successes stand out to Ferrer. “I think his pursuit of a nonlinear path to success will really resonate with students. He had a distinct goal in mind, but he had to constantly adapt to get there,” she says.

von Mandl’s true goal—the destination winery, Mission Hill—would take time. He knew that to make a small fortune in the wine business, you need to have a large one, something he did not have.

To generate revenue, he turned to other markets, developing the world’s first flavoured ciders, creating Mike’s Hard Lemonade, and eventually defining the hard seltzer market with White Claw. Each new product shook up the industry, creating new beverage categories altogether, as von Mandl built a $5 billion international drinks company.

Today, Mission Hill Winery is a true landmark of the Okanagan. Five-time winner of Winery of the Year, it is a symbol celebrating the valley and represents von Mandl’s unfailing pursuit of entrepreneurship.

“He saw potential in the BC vineyard rather than going somewhere already established,” says Ferrer. “It’s an important reminder that you can innovate in your own environment.”

Redefining the beverage industry in Canada not once, but multiple times might be considered an impressive life’s work for any entrepreneur. For von Mandl, these achievements are only part of his journey and enduring legacy.

“There’s no such thing as perfection, no absolute. It’s a journey.” –Anthony von Mandl

___

Student Presentation – Event information

May 4, 2023 | 10:15 am – 11:15 am

Room 343, Drake Centre, 181 Freedman Crescent, Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba

• Please RSVP to asper.communications@umanitoba.ca
• Complimentary refreshments will be served.

___

Since 1984, The Associates of the Asper School of Business have presented the International Distinguished Entrepreneur Award to illustrious business leaders who have achieved international stature, outstanding entrepreneurial success and have made an exemplary global contribution. IDEA is internationally recognized as prestigious honour and provides notoriety to the University of Manitoba, the Asper School of Business, and the Associates of the Asper School of Business.

Anthony von Mandl will be presented with the award at the 39th IDEA dinner on May 4, 2023, in Winnipeg at the RBC Convention Centre.

Read more about von Mandl’s remarkable achievements in the official IDEA announcement here.