Odette School of Business

One day, big impact: Job shadow experience turns into job offer

portrait of Afreen Raj Dharani sitting in landscaped area of campusAfreen Raj Dharani, a first-year Master of Management student at the University of Windsor, completed a job shadow at ElringKlinger Canada in Leamington, Ont., on Feb. 18, 2026, an experience that led to a summer job offer in logistics. (VICTOR ROMAO/University of Windsor)

 

By Victor Romao

Afreen Raj Dharani had spent months studying supply chain theory in a Windsor classroom.

On Feb. 18, she spent eight hours watching it move.

The first-year Master of Management student specializes in logistics and supply chain and brings a globally shaped perspective to her studies and career goals.

Born in Mumbai, Dharani moved to Uganda as an infant, where she completed her early education. She later pursued business studies in Malaysia, earning a dual degree in international business.

Odette alumna and AI leader finds success in the unexpected

Photo of Andrea YzieriAndrea Yzeiri serves on the board of WEtech Alliance and chairs the McGill MMA Advisory Board, drawing on her more than a decade of experience as a data specialist across sectors. (PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREA YZIERI / University of Windsor)

By John-Paul Bonadonna

Andrea Yzeiri was supposed to become a lawyer.

As an undergraduate at the University of Windsor, she was pursuing two degrees with an eventual career in intellectual property or commercial law in mind. Then, somewhere along the way, she discovered statistics, optimization and research — and found herself increasingly drawn away from the career she had imagined.

“I kind of stumbled on it,” Yzeiri says of the path that eventually led her into artificial intelligence.

“I really fell in love with data.”

Odette MBA students explore AI leadership and build connections

group photo of event attendeesMBA students, Odette faculty, corporate partners, alumni and community leaders gather during MBA Connect at the Odette School of Business on July 30. The event featured discussions on AI governance and networking opportunities for students and industry professionals. (CLEMENTA STAN/University of Windsor)

By Victor Romao

MBA students at the University of Windsor's Odette School of Business gained insights into artificial intelligence governance and built professional connections at MBA Connect in July.

The annual experiential learning event in July brought together MBA students, Odette faculty, corporate partners, alumniand community leaders to discuss emerging business issues and create networking opportunities.

Betting on bold ideas: Michael Ruffolo’s path from Odette to Shopify

head and shoulders portrait of Michael RuffoloUniversity of Windsor alumnus Michael Ruffolo, head of creator and influencer partnerships at Shopify, credits his experience on the Odette Debate Team with shaping the partnership-focused approach that has guided his career. (SUZIE REECER/Tiger's Eye/University of Windsor)

 

By Victor Romao

Some of life's most valuable lessons happen outside the classroom.

For University of Windsor alumnus Michael Ruffolo, travelling across North America as a member of the Odette Debate Team offered more than an opportunity to compete.

It provided a foundation in collaboration, persuasion and critical thinking that would shape his career at the forefront of the creator economy.

From co-op student to HR professional Ashley Deslippe builds a career through curiosity and risk-taking

portrait of Ashley Deslippe in her office workspaceAshley Deslippe, a University of Windsor Odette School of Business alumna and human resources coordinator at AAR, says co-op placements, international learning experiences and campus leadership opportunities helped prepare her for a career in human resources. (SUBMITTED BY ASHLEY DESLIPPE/University of Windsor)

 

By Victor Romao 

A co-op placement is often viewed as a bridge between the classroom and the workplace.  

For some students, it can also become the first step toward a long-term career. 

The opportunity to gain practical experience, build professional relationships and apply classroom knowledge can open doors well beyond graduation. 

That was the case for Ashley Deslippe (BComm ’25).  

Winning Barbie case competition gives Odette MBA students insider look at Mattel Canada

photo of MBA students standing beside Mattel Corporation signFrom left, Clementa Stan, career and employer relations advisor at the Odette School of Business, and MBA students Andrea Rivait, Hagen Nelson, Meghan Rae and Fatima Rizvi pose during a visit to Mattel Canada's headquarters in Mississauga. The students earned the visit after winning a Barbie case competition. (SUBMITTED BY CLEMENTA STAN/University of Windsor)

 

By Victor Romao

Winning a Barbie case competition earned four Odette School of Business MBA students a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world's most recognizable brands.

Andrea Rivait, Hagen Nelson, Meghan Rae and Fatima Rizvi, members of the MBA Class of 2026, recently visited Mattel Canada's headquarters in Mississauga after taking top honours in a competition that challenged students to develop strategic and marketing recommendations for Barbie.

She was hired to learn. She ended up helping win new business.

photo of Abigail seated near a windowOdette School of Business student Abigail McLeod received a Rising Star Award for her contributions during a co-op placement with PromoShop. During her work term, she helped improve the company's email marketing performance and supported business development efforts that led to new client acquisitions. (SUBMITTED BY ABIGAIL MCLEOD/University of Windsor)

 

By Victor Romao

For Abigail McLeod, a co-op placement at PromoShop became an opportunity to make a measurable impact while discovering where she wants her career to go.

The third-year Odette School of Business student contributed to marketing and business development initiatives that helped strengthen client relationships, improve campaign performance and support company growth.

From supply chains to icewine: how a winery visit brought Master of Management concepts to life

Master of Management program students with Jean Qian in vineyardMaster of Management program students listen as Vivace Estate Winery owner and winemaker Jean Qian (left) explains the winery’s operations, grape production and quality practices during a tour that connected classroom learning with real-world business operations. (LAURA DUCHARME/University of Windsor)

 

By Victor Romao

A visit to Vivace Estate Winery gave University of Windsor Master of Management students an opportunity to see how business concepts taught in the classroom are applied in a real-world setting.

Twelve graduate students from the University’s Master of Management program toured the Amherstburg-area winery, gaining firsthand insight into operations, quality management and customer experience in the hospitality and agricultural sectors.

Supply Chain Canada reaccredits UWindsor Master of Management program

Students in Odette LabThe renewed accreditation by Supply Chain Canada confirms that the Master of Management program continues to meet national standards. (PHOTO BY CHERRY THERESANATHAN/UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR)

By John-Paul Bonadonna

Students in the University of Windsor's Master of Management program will continue to benefit from a nationally recognized pathway to one of Canada's leading supply chain credentials following the renewal of the Odette School of Business's accreditation agreement with Supply Chain Canada.

From Windsor rinks to the Memorial Cup, this Odette student officiated hockey’s biggest junior game

Photo portrait of Luke PyeOdette School of Business student Luke Pye has worked his way through the ranks of hockey officiating, earning assignments in the OHL, AHL and ECHL while completing his bachelor of commerce degree at the University of Windsor. (PETER MARVAL/University of Windsor)

 

By Victor Romao

With the crowd buzzing inside the arena, Luke Pye glides into position for a faceoff deep in the home team’s defensive zone, directing players to set their sticks before lowering his gaze to the puck.

He steadies himself, drops it cleanly and quickly backs away as the players battle for possession.

For Pye, moments like this are the result of years of work that has taken him from local rinks to some of hockey’s biggest stages.