Club Description

Managers Without Borders (MWB) was established in the winter of 2006. The founders had recently each completed an international exchange program and were eager to promote the value of their international experience to management students at the University of Ottawa. The club hoped to connect local students with the resources and knowledge to compete and succeed within the global business environment.

To date MWB has grown to become one of the most dynamic, exciting and fastest-growing clubs of the Telfer School of Management (TSoM). Globally-minded TSoM students have various opportunities to participate in

networking sessions, worldwide case competitions and exciting events where they can establish connections with management exchange students from around the world.

What MWB does

MWB aims to enhance the experience of globally minded students through three key pillars: social mentorship, academic competitions and professional networking/development.



Social mentorship can be demonstrated by MWB?s International Mentorship Program (IMP) that partners international management students to the TSoM with university mentors. As of September 2008, IMP has aided over 250 exchange students from our thirty-five partner schools while at the same time facilitating international experience and connections for the mentors.



Academic competitions include the first ever Mitel Virtual International Case Competition (VICC) sponsored by EDC. The case competition will be hosted by MWB in partnership with the TSoM. Our members along with TSoM students will have the opportunity to work with other management students from across the world to solve an international business case via a professional virtual reality platform. With students facing the realities of cross-cultural business collaboration they will be able to develop the tools to overcome the challenges presented with success and to apply their experience to their future business endeavours.



Professional networking and development is visible in MWB?s annual City Business Tour. This is a professional networking opportunity for our members to meet local managers from internationally-focused organizations such as: Export Development Canada (EDC), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAIT) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The CBT encompasses a tour of the each business location and allows participants to establish a sense of each organization. The event comes to a close with a wine and cheese where TSoM students can network with industry professionals and facilitators.



Throughout the year MWB offers a variety of exciting events that help reinstate the three pillars MWB was founded on.

Importance to the student body and TSoM

MWB supports the development of internationally-minded students at the TSoM. It is the only club that facilitates rich cross-cultural understanding allowing students to grow into effective international managers and business professionals. The benefits of conducting business beyond national borders are widely acknowledged within the business community therefore having the tools to succeed within this realm upon graduation is vital. MWB provides to tools and opportunities to expand worldwide knowledge and to establish global connections.



What can be gained through MWB

Participation and involvement with MWB will entail access to international experience and knowledge that is instituted and unique to the club. Students will have opportunities to develop a more global-minded outlook on business as well to build the tools and resources that will assist individual development within the international business world. In order to succeed within today?s economies, international business knowledge is vital. MWB can help students to begin or expand upon their development in international management.

2008-2009 Executive Team Picture

From left to right: Back row: Lalit Golani (Director IT), Elena Daskalova (VP Corporate Services), Geoff Kedvessy (Director of Virtual International Case Competition), Samir Shandal (VP Finance), Gabriella Sandor (Director of International Mentorship), Nathan Ferguson (Director City Business Tour) and Ammayas Khidas (VP Professional Networking). Front Row:  Krista Schilter (VP Academic Competitions), Andrea Boyle (President), Jasmine Wong (Director of Social Mentorship), Shuang Shan (Director of Marketing), Valerie Watts (Director External) and Jennifer Wu (Director Internal).