In my time in the MSc program I have had the pleasure of serving as the MSc Association (MScA) Class of 2021 VP External. As a member of the team, I’d like to introduce to you my teammates who all represent and oversee different facets of the executive. Our purpose is to secure and promote the interests of all streams of students in the MSc program by advocating on behalf of them, facilitating the club system, organizing events (yes- even virtually!) and more! The MScA strives to ensure that students feel supported and engaged during their time at the Ivey Business School and beyond. With everything we do, we operate on four core principles which are: collaboration, accountability, inclusivity, and results. Outside of the program, we have other interests – let’s get to know the MSc Association Executive Class of 2021.
MSc Association Executive Profiles and Q&A
Ryan McCuaig, President
Program stream:
International Business
Undergrad degree:
Honors Specialization in Political Science
Why did you join the MScA?
I want to work with our MScA Executive team and our student leaders to leave a lasting legacy for future MSc students.
What is your favourite quote?
"Your attitude towards anything is your attitude towards everything" - Anonymous
What are you currently reading?
The MScA Constitution to complete our revision process.
If you could have one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
Chicken fried rice with a vegetable blend.
If you could switch lives with one TV/Movie character who would it be and why?
Jon Snow from Game of Thrones before the final season so I could change the ending of the show.
Caroline Sun, CEMS Club Canada President
Program stream:
International Business with CEMS
Undergrad degree:
Business French
Why did you join the MScA?
Happier master experience for everyone.
What is your favourite quote?
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks into you.
What are you currently reading?
1587, A Year of No Significance: The Ming Dynasty in Decline.
If you could have one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
EGGS.
If you could switch lives with one TV/Movie character who would it be and why?
Batman, because he's handsome and strong.
Archan Shah, VP Finance
Program stream:
Business Analytics
Undergrad degree:
BSc Honours Specialization in Biology
Why did you join the MScA?
I wanted to enhance the MSc student experience.
What is your favourite quote?
Hard work beats talent.
What are you currently reading?
I'm currently reading 'The Last Lecture' by Randy Pausch - it's about a lecturer with a terminal illness & he imparts his wisdom as a form of a lecture.
If you could have one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
Chai (Indian tea). It's made of half milk/half water, lots of sugar and spices - turning it into a golden-brown hot beverage.
If you could switch lives with one TV/Movie character who would it be and why?
Tony Stark. He's genius, confident, and he cares about people even though he might not show it. He has his priorities set straight and always looks out for the best in others - even if others try to bring him down. Tony never wants credit for the things he does and that's what makes him the best superhero.
Echo Kexin Zhang, VP Internal
Program stream:
International Business
Undergrad degree:
Supply Chain Management
Why did you join the MScA?
I would like to help put more fantastic event ideas into reality and have more MScA members involved to strengthen the bond of friendship and also promote professional relationships.
What is your favourite quote?
"Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston S. Churchill
What are you currently reading?
How I Built This: The Unexpected Paths to Success from the World's Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs.
If you could have one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
Any kind of Congee! It's my top favourite comfort food, the recipe is very easy to follow for me, an average entry-level cook who is not a fan of doing dishes (you only need to wash one bowl and one pot, very time-saving), and I love how the cuisine integrates the concepts of grains, meat/seafood, and soup together that allows me to enjoy three courses of the meal at a time!
If you could switch lives with one TV/Movie character who would it be and why?
Sherlock Holmes (in the British TV series). I'm a huge fan of the detective stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as growing up, very interested in forensic science and criminology, and love the character that Benedict Cumberbatch portrayed, his life was full of mysteries and adventures, also I really think his companionship (not romantic!) with Dr. John Watson is adorable!
Richelle Aikins, VP External
Program stream:
International Business
Undergrad degree:
Honors Specialization in Health Sciences
Why did you join the MScA?
I joined the MScA because I really wanted to be involved with the brand awareness and partnerships of the MSc program. As one of the smaller and newer programs at Ivey I wanted to help to build the recognition of the what the MSc in Management is all about, and work with local and global partners to strengthen the program for our students. I also wanted to be involved with planning events to bring our cohort closer together with our community and ourselves!
What is your favourite quote?
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” - Jane Goodall
What are you currently reading?
Untamed by Glennon Doyle - Amazing!
If you could have one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
Poke bowls.
If you could switch lives with one TV/Movie character who would it be and why?
This may not count but definitely Jeff Probst from Survivor...He gets to live in all the tropical places but gets a shelter and food, and still gets to be in on all the action of the challenges and game strategy.
Mayank Shukla, VP Diversity and Inclusion
Program stream:
Business Analytics
Undergrad degree:
Health Studies, Health Research Specialization
Why did you join the MScA?
I never thought that my background on social determinants of health would come into use at my time at Ivey. However, when the opportunity arose, I joined the MScA to be more vocal about issues on systemic inequities and discrimination. My goal is to be working as part of a broader team, with input from the current student body to drive recommendations to address these concerns into tangible actions.
What is your favourite quote?
“You are the sky. Everything else—it’s just the weather.” - Pema Chödrön
What are you currently reading?
Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami.
If you could have one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
Idli with Sambar.
If you could switch lives with one TV/Movie character who would it be and why?
Olivia Pope from Scandal; her role as a crisis manager inspired me to be fearless, resourceful and unrelenting.
Ryan Lalkaka, VP International Business
Program stream:
International Business
Undergrad degree:
Business Administration
Why did you join the MScA?
Ensuring everyone in the MSc Program forms lifelong friendships!
What is your favourite quote?
“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard?” - Winnie the Pooh
What are you currently reading?
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight.
If you could have one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
Pizza, with no pineapple.
If you could switch lives with one TV/Movie character who would it be and why?
Admiral General Aladeen from The Dictator.
Jake Anderson, VP Business Analytics
Program stream:
Business Analytics
Undergrad degree:
Economics
Why did you join the MScA?
I would love to see the further development of more MSc tradition and culture. As the cohorts grow, so too does the opportunity to define our program's internal characteristics and inter-generational connections between cohorts.
What is your favourite quote?
“The quest for certainty in forecasting outcomes can be the enemy of progress.” - Nate Silver
What are you currently reading?
Prediction Machines: The Simple Economics of Artificial Intelligence.
If you could have one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
I'm a big big fan of shawarma. Big fan.
If you could switch lives with one TV/Movie character who would it be and why?
I would love to switch places with Stephen Colbert from his talk show. He gets to meet and talk with so many interesting people and do so many interesting things (a personal favourite is giving then-President Obama resume and interview prep to find a job once out of office).