Fabian Alvarez

Overseeing the Latin American retail portfolio for Canadian banking giant Scotiabank, particularly for Mexico and Caribbean countries, sounds like a dream stop on his career journey.

But Fabian Alvarez had hit a wall on his career path.

Born in Bogota, Colombia, Alvarez’s pre-Ivey world included a Bachelor Of Business Administration from the Pontificia Javeriana University, followed by experiences at Citibank and Scotiabank in its retail products division, with a heavy reliance on data management.

When his wife, Diana Cardenas, earned a scholarship at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia to do a master’s program in international studies, Alvarez left Scotiabank to join his wife in Vancouver, B.C., taking the opportunity to do a diploma in business communication and improve his English skills. Soon after, a former leader in Bogota invited him back to Scotiabank – on one condition.

“I had to move to Toronto,” said Alvarez.

Limited by informal data management experience and few appealing job prospects, Alvarez had hit a “data management wall” in Colombia. But in Canada, he quickly recognized the growing importance of data analytics, the vast career opportunities, and the significant investments in the field.

“I had a strong background in data management, and I wanted to explore it more, but with all of my experience, I didn’t have that technical ability in coding,” he said. “I needed to certify my knowledge and also gain a broader perspective on opportunities in the industry.”

Motivated by the recommendation of a banking colleague, Alvarez investigated Ivey Business School’s Master of Management: Analytics (MM-A), a 12-month, blended delivery of online and classroom experiences in downtown Toronto built on the School’s Case-Method Learning – a perfect fit for his career goals.

His research dovetailed nicely with his friend’s recommendation: Ivey was a great experience, supported by relevant subjects, exceptional professors and high-quality course content.

“I visited the Ivey campus, and it was amazing!”

Now Alvarez is half-way through the program’s second term, and it is certainly living up to his expectations.

“To be honest, the first term was somewhat overwhelming. It has been almost 10 years since I was in a classroom, so it was hard to start again. But at the same time, I have experienced the quality of the classes and the professors, and the cases get you involved so quickly,” said Alvarez. It’s been great!”

The program’s impact was immediate, bridging classroom learning and real-world application.

“The case method is amazing,” he said. “That was one of my criticisms from my bachelor program – it was more lecture and theoretical concepts. Now, not only am I getting solutions from the companies in the cases, but I am also hearing opinions and ideas from classmates in other industries. It’s the best way to teach because I can apply my knowledge learned in the classroom to real-time situations.”

Faculty further enrich the experience, fostering participation and exploration of ideas, creating a dynamic learning environment.

Now, Alvarez faces a different challenge—balancing studies with fatherhood. He and Diana welcomed their first child, Lorenzo, last April. Managing coursework alongside parenting isn’t easy, but Alvarez stays ahead by dedicating evenings to readings and casework, thanks to Diana’s support.

“It’s definitely helping me grow,” he said. “I’m a manager now, but I’m on the path to becoming a senior manager, and this program is giving me the boost I need. It provides both the soft and technical skills to advance my career, and I’ve already experienced its impact.”