Odette School of Business students Izzy Kekelj (left) and Nabiha Mahboob celebrate their first-place finish in the BMO Private Wealth Case Competition, held at the University of Windsor on Sept. 25. Their proposal focused on helping social media influencers and content creators manage their finances and build long-term financial security. (SUBMITTED BY IZZY KEKELJ/University of Windsor)
By Victor Romao
How can financial institutions help social media influencers turn unpredictable earnings into long-term financial security?
Two University of Windsor business students tackled that question in a BMO Private Wealth case competition, earning first place with a strategy tailored to the needs of content creators.
Odette School of Business students Izzy Kekelj and Nabiha Mahboob earned the top prize at the Sept. 25 competition, hosted at the University of Windsor.
— Published on Nov 2nd, 2026
Josianne Marsan, dean of the Odette School of Business, brings expertise in digital transformation, innovation and governance to her role on the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce board of directors. (Photo by University of Windsor)
By Victor Romao
Odette School of Business dean Josianne Marsan has been elected to the board of directors of the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce, where she will bring expertise in digital transformation, innovation and governance.
Marsan said serving on the board presents an opportunity to strengthen connections between the business community, the University of Windsor and regional partners while supporting economic growth across Windsor-Essex.
— Published on Oct 20th, 2026
Afreen 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.
— Published on Oct 8th, 2026
Andrea 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.”
— Published on Oct 1st, 2026
MBA 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.
— Published on Sep 14th, 2026
University 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.
— Published on Sep 4th, 2026
Ashley 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).
— Published on Aug 21st, 2026
From 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.
— Published on Jul 29th, 2026
Odette 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.
— Published on Jul 27th, 2026
Master 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.
— Published on Jul 27th, 2026
Odette School of Business students Izzy Kekelj (left) and Nabiha Mahboob celebrate their first-place finish in the BMO Private Wealth Case Competition, held at the University of Windsor on Sept. 25. Their proposal focused on helping social media influencers and content creators manage their finances and build long-term financial security. (SUBMITTED BY IZZY KEKELJ/University of Windsor)
