The Ivey MBA Program is a whirlwind, with projects, coursework, club events, and extracurriculars on the go in any given week. Primed with new knowledge and a growing business skill-set, the program is transforming the Class of 2018 into the leaders of tomorrow. With everything going on within the program, it’s great to get the opportunity to occasionally stretch your leadership capabilities in a new environment while giving back in support of others — a new initiative developed by the Ivey MBA Class of 2018’s MBA Association is helping us do just that!
#IveyConnects is a completely student-run initiative that seeks to strengthen the relationship and impact of the Ivey MBA class within the greater London community. Each month, we look to work with a new organization or support a particular cause that is important to our class and the London area.
Building off the success of Ivey’s annual Impact Day, #IveyConnects launched in September with a back-to-school supply drive benefiting family shelters in London. This was closely followed by two fantastic events organized by the MBA Association in support of Ronald McDonald House London, who provide affordable lodging and home-away-from-home comfort to families with children receiving long-term hospital care in London, and Anova London, who work to provide education and support services to those affected by domestic and gender violence in the London area.
It was a Sunday well spent for 18 volunteers who worked to provide breakfast and baked treats for approximately 150 guests at Ronald McDonald House London. With the smell of bacon and freshly cooked pancakes and muffins in the air, our team worked diligently to ensure everyone at the home felt even the smallest comfort as they prepared to start a new week. It was amazing to see the many smiling faces and receive such heartfelt thanks from a number of families residing at the home. I can’t help but think it left my classmates and me feeling optimistic and focused for the week ahead as well.
A few weekends later, our Ivey MBA team of 22 participants, including our Program Director David Wood and Vaughan Radcliffe, one of Ivey’s most regarded professors, set out to “Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk” in support of the global Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, organized in London by Anova. As part of the event, nine of our male classmates donned two-inch red high heels for a walk around Victoria Park with hundreds of others in an effort to raise awareness and support education surrounding domestic and gender violence in our community. Together, our team raised over $2,400 in support of this important cause and finished among the top fundraising teams for the event. Participating in this event was a first for Ivey, but its meaning and impact is so integral as we prepare to re-enter the workforce as future business leaders. Given that nearly one of every two professional women in Canada have reported experiencing some level of sexual harassment in the workplace [1], it was great to see so many of our male classmates join us in taking action.
Looking back at our first month of #IveyConnects initiatives, it’s incredible to see the enthusiasm and commitment that our classmates have brought to each of our events thus far. Although many would say we’re already a very tight-knit community, I believe the opportunity to give back as a group is only making us stronger as the time draws closer for us to enter the workforce as esteemed and lifelong members of the Ivey Alumni Network.
Want to keep up to date with our class and the work we’re doing as part of #IveyConnects? Follow us on Instagram at: @iveymbastudents.
[1] Canadian Public Opinion Poll on Sexual Harassment at Work, Angus Reid Institute, 2014, Available at: http://angusreid.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/2014.12.05-Sexual-Harassment-at-work.pdf
