business-connected-summer-2025

The

Business School

BUSINESS

CONNECTED

SUMMER 2025

Farewell to The Business School

BUSINESS CONNECTED | SUMMER 2025

Contents

Featured Articles

08

19

22

Teaching, Learning &

Scholarship

06 Congratulations Grads!

07 Alumni of Distinction - TBS

08 Native Child and Family ———

——-Services Office Administration

—— Graduation

15 Article: A Bittersweet ————

——-Celebration: Honouring ———

——-International Development Week

25 CIFFA providing incredible ——

——-support for our students

29 In the news: Rippling effects of

——-the United States tariffs on the

——-Canadian economy

30 Global Affairs Canada awards

——-grant for faculty mobility ———

——-programs

31 Professor Holly Kaiser award —

——-the George Wicken Memorial —

——-Award for Teaching Excellence

34 Long-Term Service Recognition

Operational Effectiveness

27 School Updates

Career Ready

10 Bring on the Competitions!

11 Bridging Distances: Indigenous

——-Voices and Northern Realities in

——-Canada’s Supply Chain

12 Industry Events

14 Off-site Industry Opportunities

19 “The Shop” returns to the ——

——- Bridge at Progress Campus

20 Giving back at the Annual Office

——-Administration Conference

21 UN Global Goals Jam ————

——-competition led by Centennial —

——-students

22 Article: Recharge the Planet: —

——-Earth Month 2025

Connected

04 Dean’s Message

23 Giving Back to our Community

33 In Memoriam: Rajiv Issar and —

——-Vijey Senathirajah

36 Special Tributes

37 Farewell Event photos

39 Feature: 11 Years of Business

—— Connected

37

Dean’s Message

Business Connected - Farewell Reflection

June 2025

It’s convocation season—a time of celebration,

reflection, and anticipation for the future. This

year, it carries particular resonance for me, as it

marks the close of an extraordinary chapter. In

June 2014, I joined Centennial College as Dean

of the School of Business—a role that

represented a shift from my previous

experience, but one that, from the outset, felt

remarkably like coming home.

Now, as The Business School transitions into a

new faculty structure under the leadership of

Damian Goulbourne, I hope you’ll indulge me in

a few reflections on the past eleven years—and

on the remarkable community we’ve built, as

chronicled in the pages of Business Connected.

Back in 2014, our School looked and felt very

different. We had just emerged from a Voluntary

Exit Program, with a modest team of about 30

full-time faculty and a dedicated group of

contract educators. Our administrative structure

was lean: Amanda Stone served as our sole

Operations Manager, and there was just one

Chair. Holly Main—who would become not only

my executive assistant but also my most trusted

colleague and partner—joined me in the work of

growing the School into something larger, more

agile, and more ambitious: The Business

School.

And grow we did. We expanded our leadership

team, faculty, and support staff. Along the way,

we welcomed extraordinary individuals—Amy

Morrell, Donna Jansen, Mary Devine, and

Véronique Henry, who transitioned from faculty

into leadership. With them came a new wave of

full-time faculty—Natalie Chinsam, Scott

Tanaka, Shannon Winterstein, and Katie

Burton—each bringing energy, commitment, and

innovation that helped propel us forward.

Program development soon became central to

our vision. With strong support from our

Curriculum Committee, we launched a suite of

programs aligned with both market needs and

student interests: Fashion Business

Management, Marketing Management, Digital

Engagement Strategy, and Business Analytics

and Insights, among others. Enrolment surged,

anchored by flagship offerings like Global

Business Management, Project Management,

and Human Resources.

One of our proudest academic milestones began

in 2017 under Associate Dean Amanda Stone

and faculty champions Trevor Preston, Jim

McVittie, and Melissa Jimeno: the development

of our first four-year degree, the BBA in

International Business Management. After years

of tireless work, the program received approval

in 2024 and—at the time of writing—awaits only

the Minister’s signature. This is more than a

degree; it is a symbol of our School’s evolution

and future.

BUSINESS CONNECTED SUMMER 2025 | 4

Dean’s Message

In 2023, The Business School reached new

heights of growth and achievement. Guided by

our strategic plan, Business Connected, we

welcomed new Associate Deans—Brian

Atkinson, Jennifer Northcote, and Steven

Khan—along with Nicole Koss as Operations

Manager. Innovative new programs such as

Occupational Health and Safety and Court and

Tribunal Agent drove enrolment to an all-time

high, reaching 7559 students total in Winter

2024.

This level of growth brought challenges, but

through it all, our support staff rose to meet the

moment. Their professionalism, adaptability, and

unwavering dedication created a welcoming,

responsive, and student-centered learning

environment. They were the heartbeat of our

School, greeting new learners and sustaining a

vibrant academic community in a time of rapid

change. I cannot thank them enough for their

contribution.

One of my proudest moments as Dean came in

finally settling a friendly rivalry: for years at

every Senior Academic Leadership Team (SALT)

and public meeting, I was reminded—often with

good humour—by Dean Kelly of the School of

Engineering Technology and Applied Science

(SETAS) that their School was “the largest” at

the College. In those moments, I often recalled a

paraphrase of the great winemaker and

innovator, Baron Philippe de Rothschild:

As I prepare to leave The Business School—and

I know I speak for my fellow departing leaders,

Mary Devine and Jennifer Northcote—we do so

with immense gratitude and pride. Together, we

built the largest school at Centennial College.

We generated significant revenue that enabled

transformative projects like A Block, the Event

Centre, and our expansion to Downsview

Campus.

The legacy of The Business School is etched

across the College—in its graduates, its

programs, its spaces, and above all, its people.

Serving as your Dean has been the privilege of

my career. Thank you for the opportunity to lead,

to learn, and to help build something truly

meaningful—together.

Warmly,

Barry O’Brien

Dean

The Business School

First, we are.

Second, we were.

We never changed.

5 | BUSINESS CONNECTED SUMMER 2025

Teaching , Learning & Scholarship

Congratulations Grads!

In June 2025, we celebrated our 5,132 Business School graduates

who crossed the stage at the Centennial College convocation. We

held 7 Convocation ceremonies, with many guests in attendance

for the ceremonies and viewers who watched the TBS livestreams

worldwide. We would like to recognize your hard work in making it

through and we are so proud of all of you.

A big congrats to the Class of 2025! Be sure to keep in touch!

As a Centennial College graduate, you are a lifetime member and eligible to take

advantage of the many programs and services offered. Learn more about the

Centennial College Alumni Association (CCAA) and get involved.


Teaching, Learning & Scholarship

Alumni of Distinction - The Business School

Vida Barker

Office Information

Administrator – Class of

1986, Teacher of Adults –

Class of 2007

Vida Barker first discovered she had an aptitude for

technology while enrolled in the Office Information

Administrator program at Centennial. After graduating

in 1986, Vida continued her academic journey by

earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the

University of Toronto.

Even as a student, Vida’s connection to Centennial

remained strong. She began teaching part-time at the

College from 1986-1989, where she found her

passion in the classroom – both as a student and as

an educator. In 1989, she formally joined Centennial

as a full-time professor, where she continued teaching

for nearly 40 years until retiring in June 2025.

A lifelong learner, Vida continually sought

opportunities to grow professionally and stay current

in her field. Throughout her career, Vida acquired

numerous awards, including the George Wicken

Memorial Teaching Excellence Award in 1995; the

Centennial College Board of Governors Award of

Excellence (Teaching Excellence) in 1996; the NISOD

Excellence Award from the College of Education,

University of Texas at Austin, in 1996; the Centennial

College Board of Governors Award of Excellence

(Team Achievement) in 2011; and the Ontario Ministry

of Colleges and Universities Award of Excellence in

2020.

Beyond the College, Vida is deeply involved as a

volunteer within her community, through organizations

such as St. John Ambulance among various

charitable organizations.

Centennial's mission statement is “transforming lives

and communities through learning” and that could not

be truer for Vida. Her experience as a student at

Centennial not only shaped her future, but the future

careers of countless learners that have been in her

classroom.

Corinna Depotier

Call Centre Operations –

Class of 1999, Call Centre

Management in the School

of Part-Time Learning –

Class of 2005

Corinna Depotier, Nishnawabee Kwe from Kebaowek

First Nation, was a devoted mother of five,

grandmother of six, and a passionate advocate and

ally.

Corinna attended Centennial as a mature student,

where she quickly found a supportive and inspiring

environment within the College. The program, faculty,

and overall experience left a lasting impact on her life,

shaping not only her education but also her

confidence and future. She often spoke of how

Centennial empowered her, equipping her with the

knowledge and skills that would carry her through her

professional journey.

Corinna devoted most of her 24-year career within the

public service to the advancement of Indigenous

people. Corinna held a variety of roles at the

Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Canada (IRCC) and Indigenous Services Canada

(ISC). Corinna was passionate about her work at

Indigenous Services Canada, and pushed the region

forward through many programs, including the Urban

Aboriginal Strategy, Community Infrastructure,

Treaties, Registration and Emergency Management

(GIAGR), Child and Family Services (Jordan’s

Principle implementation), Lands and Economic

Development (LED), and most recently, Non-Insured

Health Benefits (FNIHB) as the Senior Manager of

Jordan’s Principle Individual Requests. Corinna took

tremendous pride in the relationships that she built,

and she used her knowledge and experience to raise

Indigenous cultural competency and awareness.

Corinna fought an incredibly hard battle with cancer

for 18 long and hard months. Through it all, she

continued to remain kind, positive, and dedicated to

helping others. In her words: “I never want people to

lose hope.” On July 27, 2024, Corinna made her

journey to walk on.

Corinna was an inspiration for everyone who met her.

She was passionate about supporting anyone who

needed a helping hand and willingly gave her time to

plan, host, and attend community events. Corinna

never wanted to stop learning and connecting to her

culture. Corinna will be remembered through her own

work, as well as her children and grandchildren, who

will continue the journey and carry her legacy forward.



Native Child and Family Services

Office Administration Graduation

The Business School celebrated the graduation of our nineth cohort

of the Native Child and Family Services Administrative Assistant

program on May 30, 2025.

The ceremony began with the opening song and travelling song

performed by hand drum carrier Jamie Whitecrow, followed by a

welcome and prayer by Liz Akiwenzie, Knowledge Keeper In

Residence, Centennial College. Graduates were joined by their family

and friends to celebrate this achievement, as well as members of the

NCFST and Centennial Community, including (from NCFST) Zubin Rao,

Programs Coordinator, and Andrea Hayward, Supervisor, Youth Training

& Employment, NCFST, and (from Centennial College) Seán Kinsella,

Director - The Eighth Fire, Neil Buddel, Vice President, Academic &

Student Affairs, Barry O’Brien, Dean, The Business School, Jennifer

Northcote, Associate Dean, Centre for Legal and Administrative Studies,

and Professors Linda Nikolaou, Jarret Leaman, Sylvia Orrico and

Holly Crichton. The event was held in the Basket Room, Progress

Campus, which holds special significance, built for traditional Indigenous

ceremonies as a part of the new A-Block expansion.

Congratulations to our graduates on this achievement: Cheyanne

Upshaw, Clayton Fraser, Jasmine McKay-Hampton, Malakia Witt,

and Selena Mason.

This program is in partnership with NCFST, the United Way and Service

Canada. Thank you to all our faculty for all your support.

Celebrating our graduates Since the

Native Child and Family Services Office

Administrative Assistant Program began its first

intake in Fall 2016, we have hosted nine

graduation ceremonies, celebrating forty-eight (48)

graduates in total. We recognize all the hard work

that got you here and wishing much success in

your careers ahead.

Native Child and Family Services of Toronto

provides services to families and children of Indigenous heritage

in the Toronto region. To learn more, visit nativechild.org



Alumni of Distinction - International Alumni

Manjeet Kang

Human Resources

Management – Class of

2009, Teaching and

Learning in Higher

Education – Class of 2010

With over 15 years of dedicated service in higher

education, Manjeet Kang plays a vital role in building

and nurturing long-term partnerships that create

meaningful career pathways for students and

graduates as Manager of Strategic Partnerships at

Centennial College.

In her current role, Manjeet has been instrumental in

the creation and launch of Solv., a dedicated service

at Centennial that helps industry and community

partners connect with the College through a single

point of contact. Additionally, she orchestrated key

initiatives such as the Partnership Success Stories

campaign, which highlights the real-world impact of

Centennial’s collaborations and inspires future

partnerships across industries. Further demonstrating

her vision for connection and community, Manjeet

also supervised the creation of Centennial’s inaugural

Partner Appreciation Event and Awards.

Manjeet's community contributions are similarly farreaching.

She has co-led Sikh Heritage Month

celebrations at the College, increasing visibility and

cultural awareness for Sikh students and staff. She

also designed and led a Global Citizenship and Equity

Learning Experience to India, where students worked

with a not-for-profit organization focused on

supporting women who survived domestic violence.

Deeply committed to making her community more

inclusive, equitable and connected, Manjeet actively

supports programs focused on empowering women

and fostering cultural understanding. In addition,

Manjeet serves on various external committees such

as the Scarborough Business Association,

Scarborough Clusters, and the Downsview Aerospace

Innovation and Research (DAIR) Hub.

Known for her mentorship and generosity of spirit,

Manjeet remains deeply committed to ensuring that all

students and graduates have access to life-changing

opportunities.

progress toward gender equality.

Attendees engaged in activities that sparked conversation and

appreciation for the impact of women throughout history. From

trivia and historical spotlights to creative stations where

participants shared their thoughts, hopes, and affirmations,

every moment reinforced the importance of recognizing and

uplifting women’s voices. At the “Raise Your Voice” station,

attendees created powerful posters with messages like “Equal

pay for equal work,” “The future is female,” and “Women’s rights

are human rights.

The Future is Female: Mavericks Celebrates

International Women’s Day 2025

On March 6, 2025, Centennial College’s Fireside Gallery

became a hub of empowerment as the Mavericks hosted

The Future is Female, an event celebrating International

Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. Dedicated to

fostering connection, support, and growth, the Mavericks stand

by their motto: “Together we empower, together we thrive.” This

event embodied that spirit, offering a space to honor women’s

achievements, reflect on their struggles, and inspire continued

Beyond discussions, the event fostered connection through

interactive activities like friendship bracelet-making and face

painting, creating a welcoming atmosphere of unity and support.

More than just a celebration, The Future is Female was a call

to action, a reminder that while progress has been made,

the fight for equality is far from over. As the Mavericks

continue to champion spaces for change, one thing remains

certain: Together, we empower. Together, we thrive."

Article by Gloria Paola Jimenez Elias

Student, The Business School

Career Ready

Bring on the Competitions!

Representing Centennial

at the Insurance Career

Connections Next Gen

Case Competition

In March 2025, Business School students Sahil

Chaurasia, Norman Sanchez, Miriam Parku

and Rahul Joshi represented our Insurance

Management program at the Insurance Career

Connections Next Gen Case Competition. Over

three days, the team worked to develop and present

the solution to a risk and insurance related case.

Time was tight and the case was complex! The

team worked hard and did a fantastic job

representing Centennial College and our program.

Left to right: Sahil Chaurasia, Norman Sanchez, Professor Leona Jones, Miriam Parku and Rahul Joshi.

Congratulations to Rahul, Miriam, Norman and Sahil on the great work they did. We’re proud of you Team Centennial! Thank you for

stepping up and working so hard to be excellent ambassadors for the insurance program.

Human Resources Professionals

Association (HRPA) Annual Case

Competition

Twenty-five (25) Colleges and Universities from across the

province competed on March 14, 2025, at the recent

Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA)

Annual Case Competition. This engaging two-round virtual

competition brings together Ontario’s top Human Resources

students to solve real-life business and HR challenges. Teams

receive an HR business case and have a few hours to analyze

the situation, develop a strategy, and prepare a 15-minute

presentation outlining their recommendations which is then

reviewed and scored by panel of judges, made up of senior HR

professionals (hrpa.ca). Centennial College HR students placed

6th out of 25 post-secondary institutions from across Ontario

participated – A big congratulations to our HR Team on this

achievement.

Students win big at Microsoft

Office Specialist Nationals

Twenty-two (22) Centennial College students

qualified to compete in this year’s Microsoft Office

Specialist National Championship. Being invited to

compete is an achievement to be recognized since only

the top 10 students with the highest exam scores in each

course [Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint and

Microsoft Word] in each of the fall and spring qualifying

periods, are invited to compete at the Canadian National

Championship.

Congratulations to all our students who qualified and a

special congrats to Pui Yan Liu who placed 3rd nationally

in Microsoft Word and Madeline Hatrick who placed 6th

in Microsoft Excel. We are so proud of your achievements!

Find out more about the competition by visiting:

https://ccilearning.com/moschampionshipca/


Feature

Bridging Distances: Indigenous

Voices and Northern Realities in

Canada’s Supply Chain

On February 7, 2025, over 125 students gathered at the

Centennial College Event Center to participate in the 2025

Indigenous Supply Chain Day—a powerful and educational

event dedicated to exploring Indigenous perspectives and experiences

within Canada's supply chain industry. This event brought together

leaders, advocates, and experts to discuss pressing issues affecting

Indigenous communities across Canada, particularly focusing on the

challenges of supply chain distribution in northern regions. The event

was highlighted by insightful talks from Marc Forgette, Veronica

Brown, and Randy Jenkins, who each brought their expertise to bear

on the issues of Truth and Reconciliation, the distribution of hygiene

products, and the unique logistical challenges of serving remote

Indigenous communities.

Sourcing Unique Raw Materials | Makatew Workshop

Marc Forgette, founded of Makatew Workshops and a French Algonquin member of the

Apitipi Anicinapek Nation, address centered on the vital role that Truth and Reconciliation

plays in shaping Canada’s future. As part of the broader movement toward healing,

Forgette emphasized the need for structural and systemic changes in various sectors,

including supply chain management, to ensure that Indigenous communities are not left

behind. He spoke passionately about how the business community can contribute to the

process of reconciliation by embracing Indigenous perspectives, including incorporating

Indigenous knowledge into supply chain practices and offering Indigenous people greater

opportunities for leadership roles in the industry.

Moon Time Connections | True North Aid

Veronica Brown, Ontario Chapter Lead and Education Director for Moon Time

Connections, a True North Aid Project, presentation shifted the focus to the pressing need

for hygiene products in northern Indigenous communities. Brown shared her experience

and ongoing efforts in coordinating the distribution of essential hygiene supplies to the

North, where accessibility and resources are often limited. She spoke about how the

COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the challenges, with many remote communities facing

shortages of basic items like soap, hand sanitizers, and feminine hygiene products.

Wiicheiwaymagon Buying Alliance

Randy Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer of the

Wiicheiwaymagon Buying Alliance, brought an eyeopening

perspective on the unique logistical challenges

involved in supplying goods to Canada’s northern

regions. With vast distances, harsh climates, and limited

infrastructure, Jenkins explained how traditional supply

chain models often struggle to meet the needs of these

remote areas. He discussed the importance of innovative

solutions to overcome these challenges, from using

alternative transportation methods, such as ice roads and

airlift, to improving cold-chain logistics to keep goods like

food and medicine preserved during transit.

The event was expertly hosted by Stewart Linton, whose

leadership and dedication to promoting Indigenous

perspectives in education and industry were evident

throughout the day. Stewart’s guidance ensured a

meaningful and engaging experience for all attendees.

Photo from left to right: Vickie McInnis, Event Organizer and Program Coordinator of the Supply Chain and

Logistics Program, Marc Forgette, Makatew Workshops, and Amanda Stone, Associate Dean, The Business

School.

Photo below: Moon Time Connections / True North Aid session with Veronica Brown, Ontario Chapter Lead

and Education Director for Moon Time Connections

Additionally, participants were treated to an Indigenousinspired

lunch, generously provided by Centennial

College's Food Services. The meal not only showcased

traditional flavors but also served as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage that continues

to shape and enrich Canadian society. Thank you to Professor Vickie McInnis for all your

help in organizing this event.

Career Ready

Industry Events

valuable insights into current industry trends and job market

opportunities that would be impossible in a traditional large-group

setting. This initiative aligns perfectly with our strategic goal of

enhancing industry partnerships and providing students with careerready

skills and professional connections. Thank you to Professor

Jason Beaulieu for organizing this event.

Business Bytes - March 2025

Law Day 2025

The Business School hosted a dynamic Law Day on March 18,

2025, organized by the Centre for Legal and Administrative

Studies and the Centennial Law Association. The event

provided students in all legal programs with a valuable opportunity

to hear from industry professionals and expand their networks.

Attendees enjoyed a stellar lineup of speakers from various legal

fields, sharing insights and experiences that enriched students’

understanding of the profession. Guest speakers included Richard

Payne, barrister and solicitor, Gabriella Bunag of Diamond &

Diamond, as well as successful alumni Troy Rennie, paralegal, and

Tracy Brown, clerk the Superior Court of Justice, as well

Centennial Professor Jarret Leaman. The turnout was impressive,

with many industry partners and alumni supporting and engaging

with students. Professors, alumni and industry professionals, are

commended for their dedication and support, making this event a

success. This event provided the platform to connect students with

the legal industry, fostering growth and future opportunities. Law

Day 2025 was a memorable event, motivating the next generation

of legal professionals.

Digital Day 2025

Digital Engagement Strategy hosted its 7th annual networking

event on March 4, 2025, at Dentsu Toronto, connecting

students with industry professionals including Sarah Murle,

Fil Lourenco, Siddharth Gupta, Dominique Meredith, and Nicola

Clack. Throughout the day, numerous small student groups rotated

between industry experts, receiving tailored career advice, practical

tips, and insider perspectives on digital marketing trends. These

intimate discussion circles created an ideal environment for

meaningful exchanges, allowing each student to ask specific

questions relevant to their career aspirations. Students gained

On March 10, 2025, The Business and Management

department hosted a Business Bytes event, featuring guest

speaker Gloria Pierre, Founder and President of Clearly

Speaking. In Gloria’s interactive presentation Networking Simplified,

students learned six tips taken from Gloria’s book ABC’s Of

Networking:

1. Which events should you attend

2. Manage your nervousness

3. Communication

4. Develop rapport quickly by listening, remembering

names, being engaged

5. Withdraw after you deposit

6. How to introduce yourself

Students had the opportunity to ask questions and put these skills

into practice. Thank you, Gloria, for sharing your networking

knowledge.

Automotive Event 2025

On March 26, 2025, The Department of International Business

and Logistics hosted Honda Canada Inc, CPKC Rail and

Hansen’s Forwarding, automobile transport company, to

discuss the current climate for automobile development in Canada,

transportation, and all things tariffs. The event included panel

presentations from industry leaders Nicole Methven (Honda

Canada), Sakina Ali (CPKC Railway), and Mike Hansen (Hansen's

Group of Companies) who shared their invaluable insights on

manufacturing, network distribution, and quality assurance

throughout the automotive supply chain. It was a great event,

attended by faculty and students, all of whom were very interested

to learn directly from industry about the impacts on transportation

and manufacturing under the current tariff upheaval. Over 100

students from our Supply Chain Operations Program were in

attendance. Thank you to Professor Steve Istvanov for your help in

organizing this event.


Career Ready

Legal Networking Night

HRPA Session

On March 7, 2025, over 50 students from Centennial's

diploma and post-graduate Human Resources Management

programs, took part in an informative session conducted by

Nicolette Holness, Early Career Specialist, from the Human

Resources Professionals Association (HRPA). Nicolette spoke

about the continued increasing need for well-educated HR

Professionals, the route to acquiring their Professional

Designations, which includes HRPA membership, completion of

mandatory exams, and completion of one of Centennial's accredited

programs. The Registered Human Resources Professionals Act,

2013 is the foundation for the HRPA and elevates the HR

profession to the same tier as other established professions. Thank

you Professor Sheldon Shiewitz for your assistance organizing this

session.

In February 2025, the Centennial Legal Association (CLA)

organized a Legal Networking Night event, with an evening of

connections and conversations at Progress Campus. Panelists at

the event included Omar Ha-Redeye, Michael Lee, Leon Presner,

Justin Rochester, and Ashifa Alibhai, providing insightful

comments and expertise. “Their contributions sparked engaging

discussions and provided valuable perspectives that invited us all to

think differently about our challenges and opportunities. Together,

we fostered an atmosphere of learning and growth that made the

event truly special.” (CLA Bulletin Vol. 1, No. 5)

Industry in the Classroom

Over the past months, The Business School was joined by

numerous guest speakers, sharing their industry knowledge

with our students. Below are a few highlights:

• Celestica Guest Speakers - We had the pleasure of welcoming Ryan

Bloor and Lisa Brown from Celestica to The Business School to share

their vast experience and insights into supply chain technology and the

accompanying challenges with the Supply Chain Management post-grad

•

students. The SCM students demonstrated their appreciation for Ryan and

Lisa for taking the time out of their busy schedules and giving back to this

group of future supply chain professionals. It was evident how important it

is for the students to hear from industry professionals as it allows them to

connect SCM theories to real industry scenarios. (Photo left)

PRLG 733 Guest Speakers - During the

Winter 2025 semester, our PRLG 733 class

was joined by guest speakers Aaysha

Wani, Paralegal and Centennial Business

School Alumni, and Sabah Fatima,

Paralegal and TBS PAC Member (pictured

here) who shared their industry knowledge

and their career path with our students.

Thank you to all our guest speakers and also to Professors Steve

Bishop and Teresa Galle for your help in organizing the speakers

mentioned here.


Career Ready

Off-site Industry Opportunities

At The Business School, learning extends off campus,

providing students with opportunities to see real-world

examples of what they are learning in class. Students took

part in some offsite visits, including: Supply Chain & Logistics

students at Princess Auto Ltd., Paralegal students at Toronto East

Provincial Offences and Marketing students at the Environics

Analysis head office. Thank you to our faculty who bring these

valuable opportunities to our students, including Professor Steve

Bishop, Vickie McInnis, Kelly Hou, Michael Lee and Tyler

Baird for the experiences highlighted here.

Provincial Offences Court – Field Trip

On March 31, 2025, and April 2, 2025, students in our Provincial Offences course attended a field

trip to the Toronto East Provincial Offences court located at Scarborough. Class was held in a

Provincial Offences courtroom where role players the students learned about from their textbook

were live and in person. Each described the actual duties they perform and provided information

about a day in the life of a court administration staff, a court clerk, a prosecutor, and a Justice of

the Peace. Thank you to all the industry professionals who took part including Daria Kotliar,

Manager of Court Operations City of Toronto, Erin Baker, Manager of Prosecutions (east court

location), Justice of the Peace Ann Walker, the Local Area Justice of the Peace for the East

court, Martin Murray, Court Services Manager for the east court, Rachel Asselstine, Supervisor

of Prosecutions, and the last speaker His Worship Keon Lee. Read more about this great

experience by visiting the Centennial College Blog at centennialcollege.ca

“[This experience] gave me a much clearer

understanding of how the justice system works in

the field. It’s one thing to study cases in class or

read about legal procedures, but seeing it all happen

in real time brought everything to life for me.”

Cynthia Cheung, Paralegal Student

Canadian Tire Corporation Bolton Distribution Center

On June 12, 2025 students from the Supply Chain Management (SCM) – Logistics post graduate

certificate program participated in a field trip to the Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC) Bolton

Distribution Center (DC), located in Bolton, Ontario. The field trip was arranged by Kelly Hou, a

CATT Super User in the CTC Customs Department who is also a faculty within the Centennial

College SCM program cluster. Centennial faculty members Vickie McInnis and Steve Bishop

accompanied the students to the facility where Duncan Seton, CED Team lead, CTC hosted the

students and faculty alike. Students walked through the facility, seeing firsthand how the highly

automated facility operates and the number of complex machines and computers needed to facilitate

the rapid throughput of general merchandise and tires. The different types of robotics utilized by

Canadian Tire were on display along with the customized fire protection and suppressions systems

needed to protect workers (and the community) against a large-scale tire fire. Thank you Canadian

Tire for this opportunity for our students.

Visit to Environics Analysis head office, downtown Toronto

In partnership with Centennial College, Environics Analysis (EA) hosted students in their final

semester of a Marketing Major (Business Admin, Marketing 2403) at their head office at Yonge

and Bloor. This exclusive event will include a guided tour of the office and engaging presentations

from industry leaders in analytics. Students will gain valuable insights into the complex world of

analytics in Canada, segmentation, PRIZM, and the critical role of analytics across all industries.


Featured

A Bittersweet Celebration: Honouring International

Development Week at Centennial College

By Yagiz Boran, with contributions from Carolina Caballero and Pawee Jell Labad

As students in Centennial College’s International

Development program, we formed a vibrant and diverse

learning community—often likened to a small United

Nations. Though we didn’t always know each other’s histories or

struggles in full, we shared stories shaped by personal and

collective experiences, and we engaged with one another with

honesty, openness, and respect.

International Development challenges us to understand and

address global inequalities, especially those affecting the Global

South. Along the way, we came to realize how deeply

interconnected these challenges are with the structures and

privileges of the Global North. The boundaries between

“developed” and “developing” proved more complex and

context-dependent than we first believed. As our studies

deepened, so did our sense of responsibility—and our drive to

act.

That drive found its expression in International Development

Week (IDW).

Under the guidance of Professor Vida Shehada, International

Development Week (IDW) is both an academic event and a

celebration. She often called it “the Christmas of the NGO

sector,” a moment to connect and reflect on what we’ve

achieved and envision what comes next. With care and

dedication, International Development Week (IDW) at

Centennial College grew as a grassroots initiative that

empowered students to lead, collaborate, and engage with

development professionals and humanitarian organizations.

For many of us, including me, IDW was a turning point—the first

time we met sector experts, engaged in meaningful dialogue,

and saw classroom theory come alive in Canada. It introduced

us to the people, organizations, and ideas shaping global

change. Between sessions, the informal conversations over

meals—generously prepared by Centennial’s culinary

students—offered space to reflect, connect, and grow.


Featured

Many students took active roles in organizing and

delivering the event, and Carolina Caballero shared:

“I had the privilege of helping organize the event, as

well as assisting with reception and contributing to the

games committee. The event provided an inspiring

platform for dialogue and collaboration with a diverse

group of NGOs working across areas such as education,

health, environmental protection, human rights, and global

cooperation. It was a truly enriching and memorable day,

where I gained meaningful insight into the multifaceted

nature of international development. This experience

reaffirmed my passion and strengthened my commitment

to making a meaningful impact.”

Pawee Jell Labad, another dedicated volunteer, reflected

on the student-led engagement:

“My responsibilities included overseeing the registration

area, coordinating interactive games, and facilitating a

passport-style activity that helped participants navigate

and connect with the organizations present. The games

attracted enthusiastic participation, adding a dynamic and

social element to the day’s activities. It was rewarding to

see attendees engage so actively and joyfully.”

“Participants were especially delighted by the raffle draw

at the end of the event, with prizes generously donated by

Centennial College, the Libraries, faculty, and the NGOs. It

created a true sense of celebration. Volunteering at IDW

was an enlightening experience that deepened my

appreciation for the global community and the role of

educational institutions in promoting development

awareness. It reminded me of the importance of stepping

beyond the classroom to build knowledge and

responsibility as future global citizens.”

In the end, it wasn’t just the knowledge we gained—it was

the community we built.

Now, with the suspension of the International

Development program at Centennial, we graduate with

bittersweet pride. We leave behind a program that shaped

our thinking—and with it, a hope that this knowledge will

positively impact the lives of others. The spirit of IDW will

continue to guide us—grounded in justice, collaboration,

and a shared vision of global solidarity.

Thank you to everyone who helped to shape and inspire

this powerful vision.

Career Ready

Job Ready Students

Oath and Commission Ceremony – Celebrating the Next

Generation of Legal Professionals

The Centennial Law Association proudly hosted the

Oath and Commission Ceremony at Centennial

College, recognizing and celebrating the

achievements of students entering the legal profession.

This milestone event provided an opportunity for graduating

Paralegal students to take their official oath and receive

their commission, marking their transition from students to

legal professionals.

The ceremony was conducted in the presence of esteemed

legal professionals and faculty members, with

Commissioners Justin Rochester and Dante Spadacini

officiating the oaths and Associate Dean Jennifer

Northcote delivering an inspiring keynote address. Their

presence emphasized the significance of upholding ethical

standards and professional responsibility in the field of law.

More than just a formal requirement, the event was a

moment of pride, honouring the dedication and

perseverance of Centennial College’s students.

Through this initiative, the Centennial Law Association

reinforced the values of professionalism, integrity, and

commitment to justice that define the legal profession. We

were honoured to celebrate this pivotal step in our

students’ careers and look forward to seeing them excel in

the legal field.

Article by Shania Francis, Centennial Law Association

Court is in session: Paralegal Mock Trials

The fourth-semester students in the Paralegal – Court

and Tribunal Agent program recently participated in a

mock trial as part of their Advocacy course. This

exercise allowed students to take on the roles of counsel

and witnesses, applying their legal knowledge in a simulated

courtroom setting. Through examinations-in-chief, crossexaminations,

and legal arguments, participants honed their

advocacy skills while receiving valuable feedback from

faculty. The mock trial was a great success, providing

students with practical experience and confidence as they

prepare for their future legal careers. (CLA Bulletin - Vol. 1,

No. 6)


Career Ready

Insurance Management field placements

providing real world industry experience

As part of their studies, students in the Insurance Management program

participated in a two-week field placement program. The field placement

provides students an opportunity to connect with employers in the

workplace, to experience real world applications of the insurance they have

learned. The strong support of our industry partners allows students the chance for

work integrated learning, as they prepare to embark on their insurance careers.

Special thank you to the 2025 field placement employers Aviva Canada,

ClaimsPro, Liberty Mutual, Northbridge, Ontario Ministry of Public and Business

Service Delivery and Procurement and University of Toronto Risk Management &

Insurance Division. Field placement wouldn't be possible without your support!

Special Shoutout to Aviva Since the Insurance Management Program

launched in 2016, Aviva Insurance has provided invaluable dedication to the

Program, with members providing industry knowledge and feedback through in

our Program Advisory Committee and in Aviva’s support in hosting over 15

placement students throughout these years. Thank you for all that you do for our

students!

OUR KEY SERVICES

Need help with your career search?

The Career Services and Co-operative Education Department provides support

and guidance to all students and alumni with their career planning and job search

goals. We also offer an Optional Co-op Program for many Business programs.

HireCentennial – Resource & Job Portal

HireCentennial is your one-stop shop for all your job search and career

planning needs. View job postings, download tip sheets, register for events

and job fairs, and book appointments here. Log in to HireCentennial to begin

accessing our resources and services.

Advising Appointments

Drop-in with a Peer Career Coach or schedule an appointment with one of

our employment advisors to support you with resume and cover letters,

career planning, interview preparation, and more. Book your virtual or inperson

appointment today on HireCentennial.

Job Search Webinar Series

Join us to learn practical tips and get answers to your questions about

resumes, interviews, job search, networking and a variety of other career

topics. Sign-up via the Career Events calendar on HireCentennial.

Online Tools

• Ten Thousand Coffees – network with alumni and employers virtually

• Big Interview – practice your interview skills virtually and get AI

feedback

• Career Success Guide – teach yourself how to job search with our

self-directed guide

Details can be found on HireCentennial > Job Search Resources > Online

Tools.

Upcoming Job Fairs

Save the date! Our next large hiring event with employers will take place on

February 26, 2024. Follow us on Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter for updates.

Contact Us

Hire.centennialcollege.ca | careerservices@centennialcollege.ca

Centennialcollege.ca/career-services | 416-289-5233


Career Ready

Learning that gives back

“The Shop” returns to the Bridge at Progress Campus

This April 2025, The Business School welcomed back the

third iteration of "The Shop" celebrating Indigenous art

and design. The Shop attracted hundreds of members

from the Centennial College Community, who eagerly

purchased from our curated selection of items crafted by

Indigenous artists, designers, and businesses from across

Turtle Island. We are proud to share that our efforts yielded

impressive results, reflecting our commitment to serving our

community.

Students in the Fashion Business and Management program

worked collaboratively with Indigenous artists, designers, and

businesses found across Turtle Island and were excited to

bring their product assortment to the Centennial community.

This year students raised $2,844.66 for Indigenous-led

organizations.

All profits made from "The Shop" go to diverse Indigenous-led

charitable organizations selected by the contributing artists

and brands themselves. This will not only

foster economic empowerment within

Indigenous communities but also

amplifies our mission to support and

uplift those we serve.

Special acknowledgment to our

exceptional Fashion Business and

Management students, whose

dedication and hard work were

instrumental in the success of The Shop and

$2,844

raised for

Indigenous-led

charitable

organizations

thank you to Professors Stephanie Herold, Jason Morikawa,

Michelle Kanfer, Pamela Richards, Sharon Pope, and

consultant and Professor Jarret Leaman for all your support

in this extraordinary initiative.

Learn more about The Shop by visiting: www.centennialcollege.ca/aboutcentennial/schools/the-business-school/the-shop

The Shop over the years The Shop began in 2023 and in total has raised

over $9,500 for diverse Indigenous-led charitable organizations. This initiative

has been led by our Fashion Business & Management students, providing them

with an invaluable retail experience while also offering a unique on campus

experience for the Centennial Community. With IRCC changes resulting in the

suspension of our Fashion Business & Management (FBMT) Program, we would

like to thank our past FBMT students for all their hard work on this initiative and

our dedicated faculty members who made this possible.


Career Ready

Giving back at the Annual Office Administration Conference

The Winter 2025 Office Administration (OA)

Conference was a huge success. Held on March 14,

2025, the conference is a one-day event organized

and hosted by fourth-semester students as a capstone

project in their project management course. This was a

collaboration between two sections of this course, which

included almost 80 students under the supervision of

Professors Muhammed Rashid and Tammy Mang.

Students were organized into several sub-committees to

handle various components of the day. The day included a

speaker series in the morning (both virtual and live)

featuring industry guests Dustin Pareja, alumnus and

accountant, and Jaeybee Daquiado, alumnus and

entrepreneur), as well as skills competitions, networking

opportunities and more.

Our third-place winner was Nicole

Ventura, 60.9 nwpm; 98.4% accuracy;

Nicole won a Munchies basket of

popcorn (generously donated by

Professor Sherry Stanton). The

event also included a professor

challenge; Professor Lindy

Martin won with 79.6 nwpm and

98.1% accuracy.

$200

raised in support of

student bursaries

Overall, the students had an amazing

day, learned a lot about what it takes to

organize an event from beginning to end, and they were

all thrilled to be part of the planning committee.

The theme of this year's OA Conference was Sustainable

Development Goal #4, Quality Education. As such, the

morning session included a fundraiser. The students

raised over $200; these funds will become available as a

bursary to an OA student in need of funds as of

September 2025.

Top Speed at the Annual Typing Challenge

As a part of the Annual Office Administration

Conference, students took part in the Typing

Challenge, one of the most anticipated activities

that everyone looks forward to. This year's challenge

included a grand prize to the best typist - an iPad

(generously donated by The Business School); our winner

was Piu Yan Liu, with a net word per minute speed of

82.6 and an accuracy rate of 99%. Our second-place

winner was Paula Karla Pelaez, with 65.8 nwpm and

98.5% accuracy; Paula received a keyboard and mouse.



UN Global Goals Jam competition led by

Centennial students

Centennial students excelled at Global Goals Jam Canada Winter 2025, creating solutions to food insecurity

and scarce housing. Business School student Vivian Chiokwa and her teammate Shalojan Solomon achieved

top honours. Special mention to Bhargav Brahmbhatt from The Business School and their teammates

Denielle Marie Suarez, along with Sabrina Johnson from Humber, who claimed the second runner-up spot.

Overall Winner: SSV Housing

Vivan Chinokwa (The Business School), Shalojan Solomon

(School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts)

SSV Housing aims to create a transparent and accessible rental

information system to prevent scams, unfair pricing, and

discrimination for students, young professionals, low-income

families, and newcomers. The platform offers verified rental

listings, real-time pricing insights, bias-free applications, tenant

rights education, and AI-powered housing matchmaking.

Recivilizing Living

Denielle Marie Suarez (School of Hospitality, Tourism and

Culinary Arts) Bhargav Brahmbhatt (The Business School),

Sabrina Johnson-Felgas (Humber Polytechnic)

Re-Civilizing Living provides emergency and affordable housing

for women facing domestic violence in the GTA, where cases

have risen 75% since 2019. Using green, energy-efficient

housing, it reduces energy consumption by 50%... By working

with police, shelters, and social workers, the initiative removes

barriers, offering hope, home, and healing to vulnerable women.

Read more about all the presentations HERE

Learning sustainability at the Toronto Zoo

On April 2, 2025, Professor Natalie Chinsam provided

her Corporate Social Responsibility class with a

remarkable opportunity to go behind the scenes at the

Toronto Zoo, where their kind staff shared powerful insights

into the lives of the gorillas, the threats to their habitats, and

the devastating link between electronic waste and resource

extraction in regions where these animals live.

Centennial proudly supported the Zoo’s Phone Apes

program by donating old phones and batteries to be

responsibly recycled, helping reduce the demand for coltan, a

mineral mined in critical gorilla habitat. This experience left a

lasting impact on us. As students and future business leaders,

we came away with a clear understanding that protecting

biodiversity is no longer optional. We each have a role to play,

and the time to act is now.

Article by Gloria Paola Jimenez Elias

Student, The Business School


Career Ready

Making an Impact

Recharge the Planet: Earth Month 2025

Student-Driven Sustainability in Action: Educating One Device at a Time

Recharge the Planet: Earth Month 2025 event

transformed Centennial College into a hub of

sustainability awareness, reflection, and

action. Organized by students enrolled in the

Corporate Sustainability and International

Development class under Professor Natalie Chinsam,

this event proved that what happens in the classroom

can result in real-world change. The exercise was

coordinated with the help of The Business School,

the Sustainability Department, the Centennial

College Student Association Inc. (CCSAI), and the

Mavericks Club.

At the heart of the campaign was an exercise that

invited students to donate used electronic devices,

creating awareness about electronic waste. The used

electronics normally end up in landfills, discharging

toxic chemicals into the environment. But more

ominously, their production fuels the digging up of

lucrative minerals in Africa namely coltan, an

important component that phones, batteries, and

tablets require. Its extraction has significantly

reduced gorilla colonies in the Congo Basin and is on

the verge of extinction. The message was

resoundingly clear: behind each discarded phone

there is someone somewhere paying for it such as

the environment and displacement of wildlife.

Moreover, the participants who passed through every

booth, one representing a different organization

working for ape conservation, were also handed a

plant. This tiny symbolic gesture embraced the idea

of restoration: we give back to nature and nature gets

to grow again.

For most of the attendees, learning that their

everyday electronics connect to the plight of

endangered animals was an awakening experience.

It underscored a basic yet deep truth: our habits are

facing challenges much larger than we know. But the

activity also came with hope, as students were

reminded that even small actions, like recycling a

phone or learning about an NGO, can result in good

world change.

Recharge the Planet: Earth Month 2025 is an

awakening. A call to think critically, act ethically, and

reconnect to the responsibility we share to save this

planet and the creatures that live upon it.

Article by Kara Mei Herrera

Student, Global Business Management Program


Connected

Giving Back to our Community

Dress for Success: Empowering Students Through

Professional Attire

The Centennial Law Association proudly hosted Dress for Success, an initiative designed to

support students as they prepare for job interviews, networking events, field placements, and

their future careers. Recognizing that access to professional clothing—especially suits—can

be a financial burden, the event aimed to remove that barrier by providing students with free

business attire in a respectful and welcoming space.

Held at Progress Campus and open to all Centennial College students, regardless of

program or campus, the event featured a wide selection of donated professional wear,

including brand-new suits, blazers, dress shirts, blouses, slacks, skirts, and shoes. Students

had the opportunity to browse, try on outfits, and take home clothing that made them feel

polished, confident, and career-ready. The Centennial Law Association executive team was

on-site to assist with outfit selection and offer guidance on professional presentation.

More than just a clothing drive, Dress for Success was a celebration of dignity, access, and

empowerment. It reflected the Association’s ongoing commitment to equity and to supporting

students from all backgrounds as they pursue their goals. By promoting the belief that every

student deserves to look and feel the part—regardless of financial circumstance—the event

emphasized the power of community, confidence, and collective support in helping students

thrive.

Free Tax Clinic

During April 2025, right near tax time, The Business School, in

partnership with the Centennial College Student Association Inc.

(CCSAI), offered a free tax clinic at Progress Campus. Our

Bookkeeping students provided tax preparation services at no

charge for students with basic tax returns no charge. This

initiative brought learning to life for our students while also

giving back to the Centennial Community. Thank you to

everyone who took part and special thanks to Professor Andrew

Seto who assisted with this initiative.

Illustration Supporting Student

Scholarships

For the fourth year, TBS Support Staff Holly Main

donated an original art piece for the silent auction at

Centennial’s Pride Celebration. Funds raised from this

event are in support of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ Student

Bursary (Take a closer look at the Pride Love Birds

illustration on page 41)

Planet Watch

About a year ago, past TBS

professor Tony Carter established

a non-profit organization called,

Planet Watch. With the help of

volunteers, including some former

students, they built and launched

an online Library. The website

was launched with about 2000 current worldwide articles about

Climate Change. Explore the website and browse the library by

visiting www.planetwatch.ca


Career Ready

Industry Partners

Supporting Student Scholarships

For over a decade, the Business and Business

Administration – Leadership and Management programs

were proudly accredited by the Canadian Professional

Sales Association (CPSA), providing graduates with valuable

resources and networking opportunities.

In December 2024, the CPSA unfortunately ceased operations.

As part of its closure, accredited colleges were given the chance

to apply for a portion of the funds the association had allocated

to higher education institutions. We seized this opportunity and

successfully secured $7,500 in funding to support student

scholarships within The Business School.

These scholarships will be awarded at the 2025 scholarship

event, benefiting students and recognizing their achievements.

LSO reception for newly licensed paralegals

In March 2025, The Business School’s Centre for Legal

and Administrative studies faculty and our Paralegal

students attended an event at the Law Society of Ontario

(LSO) recognizing our new licensed students from our

Paralegal Program. Congrats, everyone!

Welcoming our new PAC Members

Program Advisory Committees (PAC) provide an essential link between Centennial College and

the community they serve. PAC members inform programming with respect to industry trends and

thus any changes in skill and knowledge requirements, keeping curriculum aligned with industry

needs. The Business School has over 200 PAC Members. We are excited to welcome our new

PAC Members below!

John Avon

Epicor Software Canada

Principal ERP Operations

Consultant

Nathan Birtch

Workplace Safety &

Prevention Services

Specialized Consultant

(Ergonomics)

Kathy Branton

Humber Polytechnic

Manager, Business

Continuity & Emergency

Management

Corey Canham

Ontario Power Generation

Health and Safety Advisor

Nasim Esfahani

QEOSH (HSE) Staffing &

Recruitment/ Spotlight

Development

Director, EHS Talent

Acquisition-Canada/

Corporate Health Safety &

Compliance Director

Maryam Moshiri

CIBC

Executive Director, Global

Markets

Syani Packianathan

Trent University and

George Brown College

Professor, Nursing

Karim Rajan

Toronto Transit

Commission

Safety Education

Specialist

Ayden Robertson

Workplace Safety &

Prevention Services

Senior Health & Safety

Consultant

Leah Rolston

Siemens Energy Canada

EHS Lead

Tanush Sharma

Woodbine Entertainment

Group

Warehouse Supervisor

Jason Valliere

Sofina Foods

Vice President, Health

and Safety

Find out more

about PACs at

Centennial at

centennialcollege.ca

Thank you to all our PAC Members and

industry guests who give their time and

share their knowledge in support of our

students each semester. We appreciate it!

Photo above: Richard Payne, Centennial College

PAC Member, and alumni Troy Rennie who took part

in Law Day 2025. Photo below: Stewart Linton, PAC

Chair of the Supply Chain and Logics Program thanks

guest speaker Marc Forgette at the Indigenous Supply

Chain Day 2025


Feature

CIFFA providing incredible

support for our students

Centennial College is a proud education partner of the

Canadian International Freight Forwarding Association

(CIFFA), offering pathways to CIFFA’s certificate in

programs including International Business Management, Global

Business Management, and Supply Chain and Operations

Management.

With each partnership, [CIFFA] ensures the course curriculum

mirrors the CIFFA International Freight Forwarding courses. We

also ensure that instructors have the right combination of industry

and teaching experience. Colleges must also adhere to CIFFAbased

evaluation methods for students to be granted a

certificate. CIFFA promotes the industry within these institutions

and encourages college graduates to consider a career in Freight

Forwarding and logistics. CIFFA works to connect its 300+

regular member firms with its college partners with the goal of

helping students find employment in the industry.

CIFFA Cares Each year, The Business

School receives a charitable donation from

CIFFA Cares, because of the students who have

taken Canadian International Freight Forwarders

Association courses in their program. This year,

TBS received $29,000 and $18,000 has been put

into the CIFFA Scholarship Endowment

fund. The remaining $11,000 will

be put towards student

experiences such as field

trips and excursions that

will make learning come to

life. Thank you CIFFA for

all your support!

Over

$50,000

endowed in support of

student scholarships

Networking with Industry at the CITT and CIFFA Event

On March 21, 2025, The Department of International Business and Logistics

hosted its two largest industry partners, CIFFA and CITT, for an afternoon of

learning and networking for our Supply Chain, Global Business and

International Business Management students. Students were emersed in panel

discussion with industry experts on sustainable supply chain, the job market and

how to succeed within it. The event proved to be a valuable afternoon as the

students heard from industry professionals, Lisa Brown, Logistics Account

Manager at Celestica, Christina Fisker, VP Customs & Compliance at FCL Fisker

Customs & Logistics Inc., and Leandro Silva, Director of Logistics at Cyclic

Materials and TBS PAC Member, about the latest supply chain challenges and then

had a chance to network with a number of great companies such as Celestica,

Kuehne+Nagel, Loblaw Companies Limited, Manitoulin Transport, and Expeditors.

14 member companies from CITT and CIFFA were present and engaged with over

145 students. Special thanks to Maria Murjani, Marysa MacKinnon, and Amanda

Stone for organizing such an amazing, successful event in partnership with CIFFA.



Program Pathways

Pathway agreement finalized

with Leicester University

In February 2025, Centennial College renewed and

expanded its pathway agreement with Leicester

University, allowing our graduates a pathway to enrolling

in Leicester University's Law School. The agreement was

extended for five years, and the pathway was extended to

include not only paralegal graduate certificate students, but

also graduates of the paralegal diploma, law clerk and

community and justice services programs.

Law Society of Ontario Reaccreditation

The Business School formalizes a partnership with

the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA)

The Business School is excited to announce a partnership with

the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) to offer an

accelerated pathway towards the Chartered Marketer (CM)

designation. Graduates from select marketing programs with one

year of experience will receive exemptions from CM courses,

enabling flexible, on-demand learning to enhance professional

development in marketing Plus, Chartered Marketers get access to

exclusive CM benefits! Whether you're a current student or a proud

alum, this is your chance to elevate your professional profile and join

the ranks of esteemed marketers in Canada. Start your CMA journey

at www.charteredmarketer.ca

During the Winter 2025 semester, the paralegal

team completed the reaccreditation of the

Paralegal Graduate Certificate program. A

team lead by Professor Robert Tanha compiled a

lengthy submission (1473 pages!) which was expertly

compiled and formatted by Department Assistant

Tahmina Qassem. The work of faculty and the Field

Placement Officers, Gayle Anderson and Galuh

Savitri, and Associate Dean Jennifer Northcote, was

so thoroughly done

that after a threemonth

review, the

Law Society of

Ontario concluded

that there were no

deficiencies. Well

done, team!

“Through professors and the Centennial Legal Association (CLA), Centennial

College created an environment that fosters student growth beyond the

classroom. By regularly organizing networking events, it has really become a

cornerstone of the whole experience for me. These events allowed me to connect

with experienced legal professionals, many of whom were also my professors.

Their insights were really valuable in helping me understand the path I'm on.”

- Cynthia Cheung, Paralegal Student

Read the full story “From Hong Kong to the Courtroom: Cynthia Cheung’s Experience in Centennial College’s Paralegal Program” at centennialcollege.ca



School Updates

IRCC impacts on The Business School

On March 10, 2025, a new targeted Voluntary Exit Program

(VEP) for eligible employees in our School. This program

was introduced as part of the College’s ongoing efforts to

navigate the financial and operational challenges resulting from the

decline in international student enrollment following last year’s IIRC

(Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) policy changes.

Eligibility for the program was limited to Regular Full-Time Support

Staff, Librarians, Learning Strategists, Counsellors, and Regular

Full-Time Faculty in School of Communications, Media, Arts and

Design, The Business School (TBS), School of Hospitality, Tourism

and Culinary Arts (SHTCA), and School of English and Liberal

Studies (SELS). Program participants receive six months (26

weeks) of salary continuance, with pension contributions and

benefits maintained during this period after their exit from the

College.

The following members of The Business School have decided to

take part in the Voluntary Exit Program (VEP) - Seven (7) Support

Staff and two (2) Full-time Faculty. Their last day at Centennial and

The Business School will be June 27, 2025.

We are very grateful for their contributions within The Business

School and we will miss these colleagues. We wish them the very

best in the next chapter ahead.

Arun

Mathew

Operations

Administrative

Support Officer

Camille

Jimenez

Department

Assistant

Jasmine

Mather

Department

Assistant

Jennifer

Walker

Receptionist

Navisha

Patel

Academic

Operations

Coordinator

Racine

Senining

Success

Advisor

Saida

Mohamed

Success

Advisor

Vida

Barker

Professor

Lyle Van

Every

Professor

Restructuring Impacts on our Support Team

Centennial College has been implementing a Shared Services model at Centennial College as part of our broader

Stabilization Program. This transition began at the end of March 2025, and has impacted roles within our Business

School Support Staff including our Student Advising Team, as well as those responsible for Scheduling, Finance, and

potentially other areas in the future. In May 2025, a new reporting structure was established and in the coming weeks some

members of our team may be relocated to a centralized area to other locations within the College.

We will miss having these members within the office space and we are glad that they will still be located on Progress Campus

so that we can still come by and visit. As the new structure continues to be finalized, we are unsure how everyone’s roles will

change and evolve but we want to take a moment to recognize our team members impacted and thank everyone for all the

support they have provided to The Business School over these years. Thank you to our Success Advisors Nadia Kangal,

Mabel Liu, Sonia Sims, Shadya Abdulrahim, Field Placement Officer Galuh Savitri, and Scheduling Officer Erin Spanton.


Feature

Academic Transformation: Our New Faculties

On May 15, 2025, the College announced a new academic management structure to anticipate and

lead systemic transformation in postsecondary learning – empowering every learner to thrive in a

rapidly changing world by delivering bold, inclusive, and industry-relevant education that fuses

human potential with technological possibility. A future-focused academic transformation that will be

delivered via a restructure of the current school model into four faculties:

The Faculty of Integrated Health and Community Care (IHCC):

uniting technology with empathy to prepare changemakers in health and community care; leaders who advance equity,

wellbeing, and innovation in partnership with the Scarborough Health Network (SHN). As it transitions into this new

Faculty, the School of Community and Health Studies will retain its current leadership, with Véronique Henry as Dean.

The Faculty of Lifelong Learning and Industry Training (LLIT):

from first steps to fresh starts, creating personalized learning journeys that empower every learner to thrive – at any

stage, in any industry. The Faculty – comprising the School of Flexible Learning; Department of Industry Training; School

of Academic Upgrading and Pathways; and Assessment Centre Operations – will be led by Dean Dr. Meera Mather.

The Faculty of Applied Sciences, Engineering Technology, Trades and Transportation

(ASCENT3): engineering bold, future-ready talent; digital and hands-on innovators, powering Canada’s clean,

connected, and resilient economy. The Faculty, comprising the Schools of Transportation and Engineering Technology

and Applied Science, will be led by a dean appointed after a national recruitment search this summer.

The Faculty of Global Business and Creative Industries (GBCI):

cultivating culturally fluent, digitally savvy graduates who are shaping tomorrow’s service, creative and global economies.

The Faculty, comprising the schools of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts; Business; and Communications, Media, Arts

and Design; as well as specific English and Liberal Studies programs, will be led by Dean Damian Goulbourne.

Structure of Global Business and Creative Industries (GBCI)

As The Business School joins the new Faculty of Global Business and Creative Industries, there has been

a restructuring of the program portfolios. Within the new Faculty, departments will be structured into six

areas of study as follows:

•

•

•

•

•

•

School of Business, led by Associate Dean, Amanda Stone.

School of Accounting, Legal and Office Administration, led by an Associate Dean Jennifer Northcote

(interim)

School of Arts: English and Communications, led by Associate Dean Steven Khan.

School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, led by Associate Dean Michelle Caine

School of Media and Creative Arts, led by Associate Dean Laura Kittner

School of Arts: General Education, led by Associate Dean Michael Simons

Please note, Associate Dean Brian Atkinson will join the team at the Faculty of Lifelong Learning and

Industry Training (LLIT), leading the Department of Industry Training portfolio.


In the news: Rippling effects of the United States tariffs on the

Canadian economy

As the U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs were imposed on Canadian imports, our faculty experts were in the

news, joining the discussion. The Canadian economy is faced with significant challenges as a result of these

changes, and TBS faculty, with a lifetime of expertise in trade and supply chain are poised to lean into this critical

debate.

Discussion on ASEAN - The Agenda with

Steve Paikin

On March 27, 2025, Professor Julie Nguyen was a guest

on The Agenda with Steve Paikin discussing the role of

students in the diaspora community and international

students in building relationships with Association of

Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) markets.

Summary

ASEAN as a Reliable Trade Partner for Canada: This was the focus of

Professor Nguyen’s discussion on The Agenda program yesterday.

Comprising 10 member states—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,

Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and

Vietnam—ASEAN is one of the fastest-growing economic regions in

the world and Canada's fourth-largest trading partner. With a young,

educated workforce and an expanding middle class, ASEAN presents

numerous opportunities for Canadian businesses.

Julie’s recommendations include:

1) Leveraging the expertise, knowledge, and experience of the ASEAN markets within Canada's diaspora community, particularly among students,

to build stronger relationships with ASEAN business partners; and 2) Strengthening trust with ASEAN and its member states, while encouraging

Canadian companies to take full advantage of Canada’s free trade agreements, particularly the CPTPP.

Trade war impacts on business: The National

On March 5, 2025, Business School Professor Anita

Agrawal was on CBC’s The National talking about

the trade wars between Canada and the United

States and the impacts on business.

Canadian jewelry manufacturer ‘terrified’ tariffs will

end her business

With U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs on

Canadian imports now a reality, CBC’s Nick Purdon

reconnects with Toronto-based jewelry manufacturer Anita

Agrawal who says she’s been forced to cancel orders and

is ‘terrified’ this is the end of her family business.

Visit cbc.ca to view more:

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6673699



Scholarly Activities

Global Affairs Canada awards grant for faculty mobility programs

Global Affairs Canada funded three Centennial faculty members under its 2025-2026 Faculty Mobility for Partnership Building Program.

The College's Global Experience office was awarded approximately $21,000 to support three faculty members developing mutually

beneficial and engaging international learning opportunities to foster research, exchange and mobility within their programs. (CCthisweek

March 2025). Business School winning applicants, Professors Byron Tobar and Jason Beaulieu, share about their initiatives below.

Active Collaborative Online International

Learning project with Universidad

Indoamérica in Ecuador

Byron Tobar, Professor

The development of the COIL-VE program with Professor

Byron Tobar, at Centennial College in Canada, with

Professor Christopher Lopez at Universidad

Indoamérica in Ecuador focused on creativity and innovation

at an international level. This initiative has shown that

innovation and entrepreneurship knows no borders!

Through collaborative work between different cultures,

disciplines and approaches, a synergy has been achieved

that enriches not only creative results, but collective learning.

The diversity of ideas presented by the students of the

Universidad Indoamérica has been an invaluable source of

inspiration, allowing for original, adaptable solutions with

international impact.

This project has not only fostered creative expression, but

has also strengthened international cooperation, highlighting

the power of creativity as a driver of change, understanding

and progress in an increasingly interconnected world.

Collaborative Online Opportunities for Digital

Engagement Strategy courses with

Universidad Privada del Norte, Peru

Jason Beaulieu, Professor & Program Coordinator

“My faculty mobility visit to Universidad Privada del Norte

established strategic academic alliances centered on

digital transformation and influencer data strategy,

creating a foundation for cross-institutional collaboration in

business education.

The interactive workshops across campuses in Lima, Trujillo,

and Cajamarca yielded concrete plans for mirror courses

where students will explore how digital transformation

reshapes influencer marketing analytics and engagement

strategies in different cultural contexts. Our design thinking

workshops and sessions with UPN faculty generated

frameworks that will connect students through current

projects addressing real-world digital transformation

challenges in Peru and new emerging markets.

These collaborative efforts will support prioritized enrollment

pathways between our institutions, allowing students to gain

international credentials in digital marketing transformation

while developing cultural intelligence essential for global

markets. The academic partnerships established during this

mobility program represent a significant advancement in our

internationalization strategy, creating sustainable

mechanisms for knowledge exchange that enhance

curriculum relevance while preparing students for an

increasingly digitalized global business environment.”

Global Experiences provides support for faculty interested in developing

collaborative research, study and mobility experiences with partnering institutions.

This annual grant is specifically aimed at establishing or strengthening mutually

beneficial partnerships with institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean region

and Canadian institutions. The next application cycle begins in September.

Please reach out to emays@centennialcollege.ca to express interest in applying

for the 2026-2027 cycle or to learn more.



Celebrating Our Faculty

Professor Holly Kaiser awarded the George Wicken Memorial

Award for Teaching Excellence 2024

Congratulations to Holly Kaiser, who

is the recipient of the 2024 George

Wicken Memorial Award for Teaching

Excellence.

Professor Kaiser has displayed an

extraordinary ability to transform

these courses into a captivating and

enjoyable journey of discovery.

Through her innovative teaching

methods, she has successfully

cultivated an interactive and

participatory environment within her

classes. This not only engages

students actively in the learning

process but also fosters a sense of

excitement and motivation through

surprise gifts for quiz winners,

creating an educational experience

that is both intellectually stimulating

and enjoyable.

Holly joined The Business School in

September 2022, bringing a wealth of

knowledge, passion, and energy to

our Marketing programs at both the

post-secondary and post-graduate

levels. She has demonstrated her

teaching philosophy, experience, and

an unwavering commitment to

student learning and success.

Although the Wicken Award focuses

on teaching, beyond the classroom,

Holly has served as Program

Coordinator for Business Marketing

programs since August 2024, playing

a key role in curriculum development

and industry alignment.

Additionally, Holly was instrumental in

revitalizing the Business Marketing

Program Advisory Committee (PAC)

and has led extensive curriculum

enhancements to ensure our

programs remain relevant and

aligned with industry standards.

“At the core of my

teaching philosophy

is psychological

safety – the belief that

students learn best when

they feel supported,

valued, and encouraged

to take risks. Whether

integrating AI, emerging

technologies, or realworld

case studies, my

goal is not just to prepare

students for their careers

but to equip them with

the confidence and

adaptability to lead the

future.”

- Professor Holly Kaiser

——-

As recipient of this award, Holly was

honoured with a Certificate of

Recognition at the Board of

Governors’ Awards of Excellence

event on March 20, 2025, reflecting

the strategic commitment of the

College to transformative learning

and teaching.

Thank you, Holly, for your

outstanding contributions to teaching

excellence at Centennial College.



George Wicken Award TBS Nominees

Congratulations to The Business School’s exceptional nominees for the George

Wicken Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence. Out of the 38 nominees from

Schools across the College, 19 were from The Business School. This shows such

incredible dedication to teaching and learning and we would like to congratulate

everyone on this achievement.

Alyssa Muzaffar

Andrew Seto

Christe Marbbn

Daniel Demoz

David Parent

Edmund Yeung

Farhad Moayeri

Garth Gayle

James MacDonald

Joan Rempel

Justin Rochester

Justin Taheri

Kathryn Pottruff

Mauro Spies

Melissa Jimeno

Peter Garcia-Sjogrim

Simon Gomes

Sivaguru

Sahajananthan

Starr Olsen

Did you know... Over the past 11 years in the pages of

Business Connected, we have celebrated five (5) George

Wicken Award Winners: TBS Professors Michael Carter

(2016), Tanya Domize (2020), Scott Tanaka (2021), Rathika

Sitsabaiesan (2023) and, most recently, Holly Kaiser (2024).

Thank you for your commitment to teaching and learning and

excellence in the classroom, continuing to go above and

below for our students.

Diane Fagel Support Staff

Excellence Award TBS Nominee

We would also like to congratulate

Camille Jimenez from The Business

School who was one of the exceptional

nominees for the Diane Fagel Support

Staff Excellence Award.

Expanding the Case Toolbox with Ivey

On February 26, 2025, Ivey Publishing, in partnership with

The Business School, hosted a session titled, “Expanding

the Case ToolBox with Ivey Publishing!” at the Centennial

College Event Centre. This hands-on workshop was designed to

help educators discover creative, adaptable ways to use cases in

business education, exploring creative and adaptable ways to

integrate case studies into your teaching, moving beyond

traditional methods to create dynamic, real-world learning

experiences. The workshop will provide you with practical

strategies to engage students and foster critical thinking.

The Business School launches our new

faculty & staff portal

We are excited to launch The Business School's new

faculty and staff portal. Changes made to Centennial's

Learning Management System (LMS) gave us an

opportunity to create a fresh new space for our portal.

The new site is located on SharePoint and is organized in

line with the pillars from our strategic plan. We are excited

to have this new portal to connect and share! Thank you

Holly Main for all her work in building the new site.


In Memoriam

In Memoriam

Rajiv Issar

1966 - 2025

It is with great sadness that we mourn

the passing of colleague and friend,

Rajiv Issar. Raj was a talented and

passionate instructor at The Business

School who was very dedicated to his

students and their success.

Many of Rajiv’s colleagues had so

much to say about him – “a truly nice

and genuine person,” who was

applauded for always expressing

immense concern for his students,

and a “desire to ensure our Financial

Services programs were designed to

result in jobs for them.” Raj will be

deeply missed by all who knew him.

“The family is so proud of your

many achievements, obtaining

your CPA, MBA, CFP, PhD, and

your excellent work being a

professor at Centennial College.

Your passion for learning and

constant pursuit of knowledge is

admirable. You are

adored/cherished by your nieces

and nephews. We loved hearing

about your adventures to

Egypt/Jamaica plus crazy posters

of your Canadian road trips. I

know as we get older everybody

gets busy with life, but I was

always thinking of you fondly,

remembering our lives growing up

together. Words cannot express

the sorrow but I will always

remember you with a smile and

ensure to live life to the fullest just

like you!”

- Words from Rajiv Issar Obituary

In Memoriam

Vijey Senathirajah

1960 - 2025

Vijey (Vijeyasena) Senathirajah

passed away on June 17, 2025, in

Toronto, Canada, surrounded by his

children and extended family.

Vijey was a devoted father to Aarthie

and Aarun, and a cherished brother,

cousin, colleague, and friend to many

around the world. He was the beloved

eldest son of the late Senathirajah

and Vijayaluxmy, and the treasured

grandson of the late Mr & Mrs E.S.S.

Arunachalam.

Born in Kokkuvil, Sri Lanka, Vijey

spent his formative years in Colombo,

Sri Lanka, where he was a proud

alumnus of Colombo Hindu College.

Later, he immigrated to Canada,

where he built a meaningful life as an

educator and community member. He

served as a professor at Centennial

College in Toronto, inspiring countless

students with his intellect,

commanding voice, and mentorship.

Vijey was a beloved brother to the late

Dr. Niranjana, Dr. Rojana (Canada),

Dr. Kanchana (U.K.), Shobana (U.K.),

Dharmana (Canada), Anjana (Sri

Lanka), the late Wijayaraj (Canada),

and Vijayan (U.K.) and a much-loved

brother-in-law to Dr. Kuganesan

(Canada), Dr. Paramanathan (U.K.),

the late Shanmugalingam (U.K.),

Ravindra (Sri Lanka), Sugirthakala

(Canada), and Yasothara (U.K.).

Vijey was also a doting and supportive

uncle to his many nieces & nephews

and will forever be remembered for

his kindness, unwavering love for his

family and heritage and his

benevolent philanthropy. His presence

will be deeply missed and forever

cherished.



Long-Term Service Recognition

We would like to recognize our Business School colleagues who were celebrated at Centennial College’s Long-Term Service Awards

recognition event on February 25, 2025. This event recognized those who reached milestones in 2024. Congratulations, everyone!

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

5 Year

Ana Caracaleanu

Andrew Seto

Christopher Zegarra

Derek Bildfell

Elizabeth Williams

Eric Plato

Farhan Zaidi

Faridah Nassali

Gus Lazopoulos

Jennifer Tilk

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Joanna Wedge

Kathryn Pottruff

Kelechi Obasi

Lorraine Fraser

Marino Rajasingham

Mitra Manouchehrian

Nicole Koss

Philip Chang

Rami Alsaidi

Santina Di Felice

Starr Olsen

Stephen Hudovernik

Waffa Adam

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

10 Year

Adriana Carrillo

Andrea Thompson-Facey

Barry O'Brien

Byron Tobar

Dharanija Madhusudhan

Holly Main

Mauro Spies

Michael Carter

Murray Davidson

Natalie Chinsam

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Nira Sharma

Norman Leclair

Richard Atkinson

Sivaguru Sahajananthan

Trevor Preston

Victor Iyekekpolor

Vida Shehada

15 Year

25 Year

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Farhad Moayeri

Hoang Dai Trang Nguyen

James MacDonald

Prem Verma

Rajaratnam Kunarajan

Roger De Peiza

Sonali Ray

Sonia Sims

•

•

•

•

Angela Fernandes

Anil Dean

Joseph Toste

Shanker Seetharam

30 Year

Kerri Shields

35 Year

Vida Barker

40 Year

Sheldon Shiewitz

Supporting Student Scholarships

As a part of this event, in honour of each long-term service

recipient, the College donated $50 each to support student

scholarships

Please note, due to complexities in the system it is possible some members in our area may be

missing from the list below. Also, the information used to calculate the years of service is

calculated by employment type (Eg. for staff who started out as part-time, then moved to full-time

roles, it unfortunately does not capture the contract time).


With gratitude to our Leadership Team

Left to right: TBS Senior Team Members Steven Khan, Mary Devine, Barry

O’Brien, Jennifer Northcote, Brian Atkinson, Amanda Stone, and Nicole Koss

We want to recognize the incredible dedication of our Business

School leadership team during an exceptionally challenging time.

Their tireless work brought new programs to life and ensured

continuous support for staff and students. We especially thank those now

leaving the College. Their leadership has shaped The Business School

and been a steady source of strength. Even in the most difficult moments,

their commitment, professionalism, and long hours kept us moving

forward. Their care for our community has left a lasting impact, and while

we are sad to see them go, we wish them all the best ahead.

Mary Devine

Associate Dean, Accounting,

Financial Services, and Insurance

Mary arrived at Centennial College from a

distinguished private-sector career as Vice

President of Operations at Thomas Cook, first

joining us as a contract faculty member. Feeling she

had more to give, Mary transitioned to Continuing

Education under Michelle DeCoste before making

the leap to The Business School in 2015 as Chair

of Accounting and Financial Services.From the

moment she arrived, Mary made a profound impact.

She helped launch innovative programs with her

faculty—such as Insurance Management and

Bookkeeping—and led students to a gold medal at

the national Financial Planning Championships in

Halifax. Through it all, Mary remained a dedicated

leader, supporting her faculty, students, support

staff, and fellow Associate Deans with warmth and

determination.As Mary heads into retirement, we

have no doubt what will keep her busy. Though she

often jokes about coming from a “small family,” she

is fiercely devoted to them—especially her many

nieces and nephews. We expect to see Vegas and

Texas on her flight itinerary, along with plenty of

Chardonnay (served with ice, of course). All the

best, Mary. Your leadership, humour, and heart will

be deeply missed. The Business School—and The

Dean—thank you for everything. Your impact at

TBS was truly legendary.

Jennifer Northcote

Associate Dean, Centre for Legal and

Administrative Studies

Jennifer has had a long and distinguished tenure

with The Business School, most recently serving

as Associate Dean of the Legal and

Administrative Studies Department. After

exploring the role through a series of

secondments, Jennifer officially took on the

position—and never looked back. From the

outset, Jennifer made a lasting impact as both

Associate Dean and faculty member. Never one

to shy away from a challenge, she became known

for her early mornings, late evenings, and tireless

dedication to the work—whether that meant

producing thousand-page reports for the Law

Society of Ontario, championing the development

of new programs, or providing steady,

compassionate leadership to her team,

particularly her trusted colleague, Tam. Jennifer

will remain with The Business School until the end

of August. After that, many of us suspect she may

be called to the bench—her experience resolving

complex Paralegal student concerns has certainly

honed her judicial instincts. Jennifer will be deeply

missed by her fellow Associate Deans, faculty,

support staff, and, of course, The Dean. We wish

her all the best in whatever comes next—and

thank her for everything she has given to our

community.

Barry O’Brien

Dean, The Business School

Barry joined Centennial in 2014 as Dean of The

Business School, bringing with him extensive

leadership experience from the Government of

Ontario and the Liquor Control Board of Ontario,

where he served as Director of Corporate Affairs and

a member of the senior management team. His

background in public policy and strategic

communications laid the foundation for the visionary

leadership he brought to the College. Under Barry’s

leadership, The Business School grew from a small,

dedicated team into the largest School at Centennial.

He led the creation of a principle-driven strategic plan

and fostered a culture of trust, providing unwavering

support to his team—empowering staff, faculty, and

students to thrive. Barry championed excellence in

teaching and learning. With his support, the School

launched innovative programs, including the BBA in

International Business Management launching soon,

and achieved record-breaking enrolment. His steady

leadership through challenges—including the global

pandemic—demonstrated resilience, foresight, and

steadfast dedication. Barry leaves behind a lasting

legacy of growth, innovation, and impact. He not only

shaped the School’s direction but also the community

and culture that define it today. His leadership has

truly transformed The Business School. Thank you,

Barry, for everything you have done for the School.

Special thank you as well to Associate Dean Brian Atkinson. Although he will not be leaving the College, Brian will be leaving

The Business School in his new role as Associate Dean at the Faculty of Lifelong Learning and Industry Training (LLIT). We

would like to thank him for all his leadership these past few years within The Business School, in helping to launch the

Occupational Health and Safety Management Program and his leadership on the submission of the 3-year Business

Administration degree. We wish you the very best in your new role and we hope you will stop by to visit!


Connected

Special Tributes

“I love to learn and everyday I learn something

new from my students and my colleagues. I

like sharing what I've learned because if I've

found it interesting or helpful, maybe others will

as well. It is bittersweet to be leaving Centennial

but I can't imagine a more

rewarding and enjoyable

career. I've taught more

than 10,000 students and

it has been a privilege to

be part of their

educational journey.”

Vida Barker

Professor, The Business School

We would like to thank Professor Vida Barker for 35 years at

Centennial College. Thank you for your dedication to teaching

and learning and for the exceptional support you provided to

both students and faculty in The Business School. We wish you

much success in your next journey ahead!

Recognizing 25 years at The Business School

When we think of the front desk at The Business

School, this image will forever be in our hearts.

Thank you Jennifer Walker for all the laughs and for

providing such a welcoming and inviting space to come into to

each day. You have been such an important member of the

TBS Team, starting off everyone’s day with a smile and for

providing such genuine care each day. You will be incredibly

missed. Wishing so much happiness in the next adventure

that life brings. Big hugs from your Business School family.

Fun times!

Professor Anita Agrawal was featured in the holiday issue of Canadian Jeweller Magazine 2024

(a few page highlights above) Congrats, Anita!

Centennial’s Next Gen Case Competition Team

behind bars at the vault at One King West (The

hotel has an old bank vault in the lower level).

Congrats to Professor Vida Shehada, PhD who

was elected President of the Canadian Association

for the Study of International Development (CASID)

at the Annual General Meeting held in June 2025.

More info at https://casid-acedi.ca/about

Students from the Occupational Health and Safety

Management Club engaging with other students.

Students who stopped by played a game to win prizes.

Students of the program were also able to join the club

and give suggestions.

TBS Support Staff Tam Qassem,

Angela Fernandes, Holly Main and

Arun Mathew taking advantage of

the new Alienware Gaming Lounge

at Progress Campus.

Supply Chain Management Semester-end Potluck on April 9, 2025,

students and faculty came together to celebrate the end of term, sharing

food from different cultures, celebrating the diversity, collaboration, and

friendships built together throughout the semester. A special shoutout

goes to the karaoke contest, which was an absolute highlight! From

heartfelt ballads to spirited group performances, it was wonderful to see

everyone let loose and have fun for a lively and unforgettable afternoon.

Check out the Sweet Caroline karaoke performance HERE

Associate Dean Jennifer

Northcote and Professor

Vickie McInnis spreading

the Valentine’s Day cheer at

The Business School!


Connected

Farewell Event

A moment of recognition and thanks On June 5,

2025, The Business hosted a farewell event to recognize the

contributions of our staff and faculty who will be leaving us as a

part of the Voluntary Exit Program (VEP). We appreciate everything

they have each done for The Business School. They will be

greatly missed.

and a final goodbye to TBS

Forever in our hearts On June

23, 2025, we hosted a final farewell

event to share stories and raise a glass

to The Business School and say

goodbye to our amazing School as it

transitions to something new ahead.


Special words and tributes

During the farewell event, we also took a

moment to recognize the contributions of

members of our team who will be leaving

the College. Thank you for all that you

brought to TBS to make it such a great

place to be!


Connected

11 Years of Business Connected

As we reflect on the past 11 years, countless moments come to mind that capture the spirit and memories of The Business School.

To mark the final issue of Business Connected, we’ve looked back through the archives and selected 11 standout highlights that

have been featured in its pages over the years. We hope you enjoy this walk down memory lane!

01

02 03

01 Our first issue of Business Connected launched in

January 2015. Since then, we have published 25 publications, sharing

stories and celebrating the accomplishments and milestones of our School.

02 Speaker series, ‘Marketing Career Hacks’

Spearheaded by Linda Traill and Jodi Marrin, the event launched in Spring

2015 offering students and alumni an opportunity to speak with industry

professionals who present on in-demand market skills, industry trends, and

career paths. The Career Hacks model has since expanded across The

Business School, with over 30 events these past 11 years.

04

03 Paint the Town Green In celebration of Centennial College’s

50th Anniversary, the college cancelled classes on September 27, 2016, to

release students, faculty and staff to "Paint the Town Green." Thousands of

volunteers fanned out across the city to lend a hand in 11 major Toronto

parks with a variety of "green" initiatives, like planting trees, removing trash,

and beautifying public areas.

04 School rebrand: The Business School In Fall 2017,

we moved from our old name School of Business to something bold, new and

aspirational – The Business School. This was at a time when our School had

undergone a transformation in our team: onboarding 35 new full-time faculty

and staff hires, as well as transforming our physical space, with renovations

that dramatically changed our School to modern, bright, and collaborative.

05

05 Record employee engagement In 2017, we have

excelled in our engagement with each other moving to a record 88.8% in

2017, a number that any private sector company would we thrilled to publish.

06 Commitment to Reconciliation On December 5, 2018,

The Business School hosted a screening of Reconciliation on Bay Street,

introduced by Director Andrée Cazabon and followed by a panel of

Indigenous business leaders. The event highlighted Call to Action #92,

urging Corporate Canada to embrace reconciliation. Faculty and staff also

engaged with the 4 Seasons Professional Development Unit—reinforcing our

ongoing commitment to advancing reconciliation within The Business School.

06

07


Connected

07 Online Program development When the College closed

on March 16, 2020, The Business School quickly pivoted to online learning,

developing 17 fully online programs and 169 courses. It was a remarkable

achievement during a time of uncertainty. After 581 days of remote work, we

safely returned—masked but together—proud of how we adapted, innovated,

and supported our community through the challenges of the pandemic.

08

09

08 Humanitarian Champion Award On December 10, 2020,

The Business School received the Humanitarian Champion Award from Action

Against Hunger Canada for its innovative International Development program.

Since 2015, students—led by Professor Natalie Chinsam—have partnered

with the organization, raising over $33,200 through annual fundraising and

communication campaigns. This impactful initiative highlights the power of

education, social responsibility, and community partnership.

09 Record high enrolment numbers In Fall 2023, The

Business School surpassed projected enrolment by 10%, reaching 7,087

students. Winter 2024 began just as strong with 7,559 students—closely

mirroring our record-breaking Winter 2023 enrolment of 7,571. For

perspective, Winter 2015 saw just 3,346 students. This remarkable growth

reflects the School’s continued momentum and impact.

10 Global Experiences Our students took their learning all

around the world, taking part in global experiences including Faculty-Led

International Programs (FLIP) and Applied Research Abroad Projects

(ARAP), travelling to places including Panama, Nepal, the United Kingdom,

Paris, Nunavut, Lithuania, and Chile (pictured here)

11 Experiences closest to home Dean Barry O’Brien opened

his home to everyone, inviting the School to a Dean’s BBQ in his backyard.

This was Connected at its best, with many in attendance enjoying drinks and

food (even a deep-fried turkey or two!). Thank you for everything you did to

bring togetherness and connection.

10 11

Special mention to the events below, included in this issue of Business Connected:

Native Child and Family Services Graduation (page 8), The Shop (page 19), our

Wicken Award winners (page 31), International Development Week (page 15)

Our Final Issue of Business Connected

Since our first issue in January

2015, Business Connected has

been a space to share stories

and celebrate the milestones

that define The Business

School. With each edition,

we’ve grown—adding more

pages, more achievements, and

more reasons to be proud. It’s

been a record of who we are

and what we stand for.

Now, with this 25th and final

issue, we mark a bittersweet

milestone. This edition is a

tribute to all you’ve

accomplished—a celebration of

our shared journey. As we turn

the page and look ahead, I’m

confident we’ll continue to

thrive, just as we always have.

Over the past eight years, it’s

been an honour to serve as

editor, capturing the incredible

moments created by our faculty,

staff, students, and alumni.

Here’s to all that’s ahead as we

embrace a new beginning with

the same unwavering spirit that

has always defined us.

Holly Main

Editor, Writer & Designer

Business Connected

Upcoming Events

30

June

College Closed

July

1

Canada Day - College Closed

July

4

Mid-term Grades Deadline

(Summer 2025)

11

July

Withdrawal without academic

penalty deadline (Summer

2025)

August

4

Civic Holiday - College Closed

August 13

End Date - 14 Week Summer

semester programs

August 20

Summer 2025 Grades Deadline

29

August

Transfer Credit Application

Deadline (Fall 2025)

September

1

Labour Day - College Closed

September

2

Start Date - 14 Week Fall

semester

September

9

PLAR Application Deadline/

Course Change Deadline for

most programs (Fall 2025)

16

September

Withdrawal with partial refund

deadline (Fall 2024)

“Pride Love Birds” illustration by Holly Main

30

September

National Day for Truth and

Reconciliation - College Closed

20-24

October

Engagement Week (Reading Week)

31

October

TBS Midterm Grades Deadline

(Fall 2025)

November

7

Withdrawal without academic

penalty deadline (Fall 2025)

12

December

End Date - 14 Week Fall

semester

17

December

Fall 2025 Grades Deadline

December 25-January

2

College closed for the Winter Break and reopens on January 5.

Note: Dec 24 College closes at noon for the Winter Break.

January

5

College Re-opens

January 12

Start Date - 14 Week Winter

semester

Academic and Planning Calendar available at https://www.centennialcollege.ca/student-life/enrolment-services/academic-and-planning-calendar/


Thank you to all those who shared their stories, content, and

photos for this issue of Business Connected:

Anita Agrawal

Brian Atkinson

Jason Beaulieu

Steve Bishop

Yagiz F. Boran

Adriana Carrillo

Natalie Chinsam

Mary Devine

Gloria Paola

Jimenez Elias

Shania Francis

Kara Mei Herrera

Steve Istvanov

Leona Jones

Holly Kaiser

Steven Khan

Nicole Koss

Michael Lee

Holly Main

Tammy Mang

Vickie McInnis

Justin Molloy

Julie Nguyen

Jennifer Northcote

Barry O’Brien

Tahmina Qassem

Pamela Richards

Vida Shehada

Kerri Shields

Sheldon Shiewitz

Dante Spadacini

Amanda Stone

Byron Tobar

Edmund Yeung

Debbie Williams

Sana Zargar

With contributions and assistance from other areas of Centennial College, including: Marketing & Communications Team, Career Services &

Co-operative Education, People & Equity Central, Alumni Engagement, and Centennial Law Association

Published by

Centennial College

The Business School

P.O. Box 631, Station A

Toronto, ON M1K 5E9

Managing Editor

Barry O’Brien

Editor and Designer

Holly Main

Cover Design

Centennial Marketing and

Communications

Final Issue- June 2025

Stay connected!

CentennnialTBS

@CentennnialTBS

Centennnial_TBS

Email: business@centennialcollege.ca

centennialcollege.ca

RITM0020128-JUNE

business-connected-summer-2025

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