GMCA 2012 Calendar

Upcoming Events for 2012

Date: Wednesday, March 14th, 2012, 5:30-6:45pm.

Location: Rm 3153, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle.

Speakers:

1. Michael Anstey, PhD

Consultant, BCG.

Michael is a Consultant in the BCG Toronto office. Prior to joining BCG, he was an Investment Analyst and Kauffman Fellow at Oxford Capital Partners, a UK-based venture capital firm that specializes in investing in early-stage science and technology businesses. Before Oxford Capital, Michael was an academic researcher in the field of Neuroscience at Oxford, Cambridge, and Sydney Universities. Through this work, he has authored papers published in a number of leading academic journals including Current Biology and Science. Mike graduated with a first-class honors degree in Biology from Queen's University, Canada, and earned his PhD from the Department of Zoology at the University of Oxford, where he was awarded the University's Hope Scholarship and Overseas Research Student Award. Michael is a keen volleyball player and represented Oxford on the Varsity Volleyball Team for three consecutive seasons.

2. Andrew Keeping, PhD Consultant, BCG.

Andrew Keeping worked with the Toronto and San Francisco offices of The Boston Consulting Group in 2009 and 2010, and joined the Toronto office as a consultant in 2011. At BCG, Andrew focuses primarily in the Financial Services practice area. He attended BCG's Bridge to BCG program in 2011. Andrew earned his Ph.D. at the University of Toronto in the Department of Molecular Genetics. While at the U of T Andrew served with the Department of Molecular Genetics Graduate Students' Association (MoGen GSA) in various roles including Treasurer and President, advancing the cause of graduate students with department and faculty administrations. Andrew enjoys traveling, and his earlier work experiences include a genetics research lab in Korea and the energy sector in Calgary.

The LSCDS seminars are open to ALL Faculty of Medicine grad students and post-docs.

Pizza and pop will be provided.

Registration is required - LIMITED SEATING.

To Register: Register here!

The GMCA is proud to announce another term of our highly successful GMCA miniMBA program!

Thanks to the support from our sponsor for helping make this year's event possible.

This 11 lecture program will give graduate students:
- a grounding in fundamental business concepts
- the opportunity to learn from experts across a range of business fields
- the chance to apply this new knowledge by solving business cases

Each lecture will have a special guest speaker.

Special guest speakers include:

Herman Ng - Associate Director - Value Creation Team, Bell Canada
Andy Haigh - Analyst - Lumira Capital
Zayna Khayat - Associate partner, SECOR

...and many more

Course Format: Each class starts with a discussion on one of the business concepts covered in the popular “Ten Day MBA” book, by Silbiger. Students are then present a case appropriate to each week’s topic in small teams and present their solutions to that lecture’s expert guest speaker for feedback. The guest speaker will then give a talk. These talks will give the students a real-world understanding of the topic covered in each class. At the end of the course, students will present their solution to a business case to a panel of judges from a range of industries. Please note, this is a very popular offering and our waiting lists are usually full. If you cannot attend all the lectures please consider taking it the next time the class is offered.

Dates: Tuesday February 7 to Thursday March 8, 2012. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 - 7:30 pm (11 lectures). U of T, St. George Campus.

Cost: $30 (plus cost of course textbook, "Ten Day MBA” by Silbiger, ~$20).

Registration Deadline: Monday January 23rd, 2012 at 11:59pm (EST)

How to Apply: Please email gmca.uoft@gmail.com with your one page resume and answers to the two questions below:

Question 1: Describe a situation where you worked as a team. What was your role in the team and what was the outcome of the situation? (200 words)
Question 2: Give examples of your experience that will help you to succeed in the miniMBA program. (100 words)

Resume Clinic

The GMCA is proud to announce a very exciting new event - our Resume Clinic.

The session will be hosted by recruiting expert Darren Lafreniere and will cover everything you need to know on how to tailor your resume and cover letter for a management consulting role.

This event will focus on understanding how to optimally structure your value proposition to firms and appropriately design your cover letter and resume to highlight this. In addition, Darren will discuss strategies on meeting with consultants from the firm prior to submitting your application in order to improve your chances of receiving an interview.

In order to tailor this session to graduate students Darren has requested that we send in a copy of our resumes by no later than Wednesday, August 24th. He will remove all identifying information and use them as examples to provide personalized suggestions for improvement. When you register, please also submit your resume.

Networking Night

The recruiting season is quickly approaching, so now is the time to NETWORK, NETWORK, and NETWORK some more.

Join us to learn more about the management consulting industry and network with consultants from top consulting firms such as Accenture, BCG, Deloitte, SECOR and others.

Date: Friday, August 26th, 2011
Time: 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Location: Libra Lounge (391 King Street West Toronto, ON M5V 1K1)
Advanced Tickets (until Aug. 25, 1pm): $12
At-the-door Ticket: $15
(All tickets include one complimentary drink)
Dress Code: Business Casual

You can purchase Advanced Tickets Online or at the University of Toronto St. George Campus, in the following locations:

Mon Aug 22 6-7pm – PCIS session Fitzgerald Building, Room 423 (Sonali Fonseca)
Tues Aug 23 6-7pm MSB Cafeteria outside Starbuck's (Fady ElMohandes)
Wed Aug 24 12-1pm – MSB Cafeteria outside Starbuck's (Andre Dias)
Thurs Aug 25 6-7pm - MSB Cafeteria outside Starbuck's (Christina Gallego)

Consultant biographies:

Sonya Lockyer, MBA
Manager, SHI Consulting

Sonya is a Manager at SHI Consulting. Prior to joining SHI, Sonya was a Manager within the National Healthcare Practice at Deloitte. Sonya, has worked with some of Canada‘s leading healthcare and life sciences organizations on a diverse portfolio of consulting engagements. Areas of focus included: developing strategic plans, performing detailed operational reviews; facilitating high level operational/academic program reviews at the provincial/regional level; and developing strategy guidelines for healthcare agencies to help direct program implementation.
Born and raised in a small rural town in Newfoundland, Sonya moved to Edmonton to complete her Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta while serving as a Reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces. Shortly after graduating, Sonya was recruited by the University Health Network in Toronto where worked as a Medical Technologist in the Department of Pathology for three years before returning to school to complete her Masters in Business Administration at the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management. Sonya enjoys extreme sports, cooking and painting, priding herself on maintaining a diverse and unique set of interests.

Chris Delvecchio, PhD
Analyst, SHI Consulting

Dr. Chris Delvecchio is an Analyst with SHI Consulting Inc.. During his tenure at SHI, Chris has developed notable experience in strategic and business planning, working with leading organizations in Canada and the Middle East. Chris has had the opportunity to travel extensively to Saudi Arabia where has worked with influential clients such as the Kingdom’s regulatory agency the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, the national scientific funding body King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) as well as a leading tertiary hospital King Fahad Specialist Hospital-Dammam.
Prior to joining SHI, Chris served as a Project Manager for an early-stage drug discovery company. His team worked to develop the world’s first high-throughput live animal screening system to test new drugs. In his role, he was responsible for assisting in business planning, capital sourcing and partnership development.
Originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Chris completed his undergraduate studies in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa. He then transitioned to McMaster University, where he completed his PhD, specializing in endocrinology and nuclear hormone receptors. In his spare time, Chris enjoys golfing and participating year-round in hockey leagues across the GTA.

Kate Angelis, PhD
Analyst, SHI Consulting

Dr. Kate Angelis recently joined SHI Consulting Inc. as an Analyst by way of Los Angeles, where she spent over 5 years at UCLA as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. Kate’s postdoctoral endeavours focused on the investigation of novel molecular players in cardiac cell growth and death which led to the publication of 11 original research papers and well-positioned her to be the recipient of a competitive Postdoctoral Fellowship Award from the American Heart Association.
Kate was born and raised in Kingston, Ontario, where she completed her undergraduate degree in Life Sciences from Queen’s University. Continuing on at Queen’s, Kate pursued her doctorate degree in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, and concurrently volunteered for the Ontario Heart & Stroke Foundation as the Chair of Health Promotion.
A desire to leverage her scientific and research skills to address more broad-based health problems led Kate to SHI where she currently is responsible for conducting high level analytics for client interface demanding professional presentations and primary and secondary research for the successful development and delivery of life science based projects. Although missing the west coast way of life, Kate has happily exchanged her runs along the Santa Monica Pier for the sky scraper lined streets of Toronto.

Judith Lau
ZS Associates

Judith earned her Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Science from the University of Toronto, and joined ZS Associates as an Associate in 2009. Since then, she has served clients across Canada, the U.S. and Europe, primarily in marketing services, including forecasting, market research and marketing strategy. In the past, Judith has worked in integration engineering for a large European energy company, and in global marketing operations in telecommunications. She has also participated in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
Judith currently serves on the executive team at Endeavour Consulting, a volunteer consulting group which provides management consulting to non-profits in Toronto. In her spare time, Judith enjoys playing piano, snowboarding, running and travelling.

Dr. Zayna Khayat
Associate Partner, SECOR Consulting

Zayna is an Associate Partner in SECOR’s Toronto office. She has been a management consultant for 10 years, having joined SECOR after a long career with The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where she co-lead the office’s healthcare practice. Zayna has a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine where she focused on research related to diabetes. Zayna lives in Toronto.

Joshua Lawson
Partner & Head of Health & Life Sciences Practice, SECOR Consulting

Josh is a partner and the lead of SECOR’s Health & Life Sciences sector team globally. He has consulted governments, agencies, insurers, hospitals and provider groups across North America on a range of strategic issues related to health system design and reform. Josh has also worked with investors with an interest in the health sector. Josh is a frequent speaker and published author. He has an undergraduate degree from Cornell University and an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley. Josh lives in Toronto.

Jonathan Asmis
Accenture

Jonathan obtained a Bachelors in Applied Science in Engineering Science and a Masters in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering from the University of Toronto. After graduation, he joined Accenture Management Consulting and has worked in a number of roles across a large span of industries including health care, telecommunications, fashion and food. While in school, Jonathan served as the President of the Engineering Society and continues to be involved with the University today, serving on the Board of Directors of the Engineering Alumni Association. When he can, Jonathan loves to learn new languages and explore new cultures through travel.

More Guest Profiles from Deloitte, SECOR, ZS, McKinsey, Satov, to come ...

Learn about how to network effectively: Management Consulted - Networking Tips

How to get a job at a top consulting firm

When: Saturday August 6th, 2011. 10:00 - 4:30 pm.
Where: UofT St. George Campus, Bahen Centre Information, Room 1190
Cost: Free

Registration is now closed

Topics Covered:
Part A): Understanding the opportunity
        - Getting to know the Industry: "Consulting Industry and Job Overview"
        - Getting to know the Players: "Firm Research"

Part B): Getting selected an interview
        - Getting Noticed: "Applications: Cover Letters and Resumes"

Part C): Mastering the Behavioral Interview
        - Defining and Communicating your Value Proposition: "Behavioral Questions: Types and Approaches"

Part D): Mastering the Case Interview
        - Understanding how Consultants Think: "Logical Thinking"
        - Understanding the Case Interview: "Case Interview Structure, Types and Approaches"
        - Understanding and Interpreting Data: "Consulting Math, Charts and Graphs"

Part E): Preparing for Success
        - Getting ready for Recruiting: "Preparation Plan and Next Steps"


Darren Lafreniere
Lecturer, Richard Ivey School of Business
Owner, Final Round Prep

Darren Lafreniere is the Director of the Ivey Consulting Project(1) and a lecturer in the MBA program at HEC Paris. He is also the owner of Final Round Prep, a company that provides professional recruiting support to students who wish to pursue careers in the Management Consulting industry.

Prior to his current role, Darren gained a wealth of experience in both the entrepreneurial and corporate environments; as the owner/ operator of an auto parts company, he marketed and sold high performance aftermarket parts to customers across North America, and as a Management Consultant, he worked with A.T. Kearney consulting clients across 7 major industries on various strategic issues including logistics optimization, organizational restructuring and operational cost reduction.

Darren has an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business and a BA from the University of Manitoba.

Note: (1)The Ivey Consulting Project is a mandatory part of the MBA and HBA program where student groups partner with a company to consult on a problem or opportunity of strategic significance to its business.

Registration will close when capacity is reached. Register now to save your spot. To register click on the button above.

Practice Case Interview Series (PCIS)

A new consulting hiring cycle is upon us and we will once again be hosting our Practice Case Interview Series (PCIS).

PCIS is a program designed to give GMCA members the opportunity to practice case interviews similar to those that will be conducted when interviewing for a position with a management consulting firm.

The GMCA has revamped the PCIS for 2011, and split it into two main programs:

1. An informal case practice group will developed where members will be able to connect and schedule meetings with other interested GMCA students. Members of this group will be able to contact each other directly or post their availability on a shared calendar so that others free at similar times may contact them. If you are interested in being part of this group please send us your name, email address, telephone number, whether you feel you are a beginner, intermediate or expert in solving cases and the number of cases you have solved to date. Please write “PCIS” in the subject line when emailing.

2. A biweekly session similar to those that conducted last year will also occur beginning in June. Each session will consist of a 15-30 minute presentation about a specific category of case questions like “strategy”, “market sizing”, “marketing”, “profitability”, and then the relevant cases will be provided for one on one practice. This program is great if you are just starting to solve cases. An email announcing details concerning the location and time of this first meeting will be sent out in early June.

Session #1
Date: June 13th Place: Fitzgerald Building, Room 423 Topic: General Approach and Principles Lecturer: Jake Gregory, Director of Case Development, GMCA
Click here to see presentation of session #1.

Session #2
Date: June 27th Place: Fitzgerald Building, Room 423 Topic: Profitability Lecturer: Jake Gregory, Director of Case Development, GMCA
Click here to see presentation of session #2.

Session #3
Date: July 11th Place: Fitzgerald Building, Room 423 Topic: New Market Entry/New Product/New Business Lecturer: Sonali Fonseca, Vice President, GMCA
Click here to see presentation of session #3.

Session #4
Date: July 25th Place: Fitzgerald Building, Room 423 Topic: Capacity Expansion/Investment Lecturer: Jake Gregory, Director of Case Development, GMCA
Click here to see presentation of session #4.

Session #5
Date: Aug 8th Place: Fitzgerald Building, Room 423 Topic: Competitive Response Lecturer: Sonali Fonseca, Vice President, GMCA
Click here to see presentation of session #5.

Session #6
Date: Aug 22nd Place: Fitzgerald Building, Room 423 Topic: Mergers and Acquisitions & Behavioural Interview Questions Lecturer: Sonali Fonseca, Vice President, GMCA
Click here to see presentation of session #6.

GMCA Case Competition

April 26-30, 2011 - University of Toronto

Applications for the Case Competition are now OPEN.
Please visit our official case competition portal to learn more about the event.

The GMCA How to Network Event: An Interactive Training Session with Darren Lafreniere

Saturday April 2nd, 2011. 2 - 5pm. UofT St. George Campus.

Networking - it's important!

We have all heard time and time again how important networking is to get a job and to get ahead.

To help our members learn to network more efficiently, the GMCA is hosting this free 3 hour session

Date: Saturday April 2nd, 2011
Time: 2 - 5pm
Location: UofT St. George Campus
Cost: Free
Registration: Required

Click here to register.

Darren Lafreniere
Lecturer, Richard Ivey School of Business
Owner, Final Round Prep

Darren Lafreniere is the Director of the Ivey Consulting Project(1) and a lecturer in the MBA program at HEC Paris. He is also the owner of Final Round Prep, a company that provides professional recruiting support to students who wish to pursue careers in the Management Consulting industry.

Prior to his current role, Darren gained a wealth of experience in both the entrepreneurial and corporate environments; as the owner/ operator of an auto parts company, he marketed and sold high performance aftermarket parts to customers across North America, and as a Management Consultant, he worked with A.T. Kearney consulting clients across 7 major industries on various strategic issues including logistics optimization, organizational restructuring and operational cost reduction.

Darren has an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business and a BA from the University of Manitoba.

Note: (1)The Ivey Consulting Project is a mandatory part of the MBA and HBA program where student groups partner with a company to consult on a problem or opportunity of strategic significance to its business.

Past Events

GMCA miniMBA Program Winter 2011

February 23 to March 30, 2011. Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Registration is now open.

Click here for more information.

The GMCA is proud to announce another term of our highly successful miniMBA program!

This 11 lecture program will give graduate students:
- a grounding in fundamental business concepts
- the opportunity to learn from experts across a range of business fields
- the chance to apply this new knowledge by solving business cases

Special guest speakers include:

Marketing & Operations - Jennifer Lee - Senior Manager, Deloitte
Finance - Andy Haigh - Analyst, Lumira Capital
Strategy - Zayna Khayat - Associate partner, SECOR
Leadership - David Colcleugh - Former President and CEO, DuPont Canada
...and many more

GMCA-MCA Mentorship Program

The GMCA is excited to introduce the new GMCA-MCA Mentorship Program in partnership with the Rotman Management Consulting Association (MCA). This program provides an excellent opportunity to learn firsthand about cases from MBA students and better help you prepare for consulting case interviews.

Description:
Each selected candidate will be partnered with a MBA student to practice cases on a one-on-one basis in a 3-month mentorship program. Before the final selection, you will be required to conduct a half an hour case interview with one of the GMCA executives to show that you understand the basic structure of a case. One of the GMCA executives will contact the selected participants on September 28 to set up a time for case interview.

Duration:
Mid October 2010 - End of January 2011

How to apply:
      1. please send an e-mail to gmca.uoft@gmail.com by Sunday September 26th 11:59pm EST
      2. Title the email: "Mentorship Program First Name Last Name"
      3. Body of the email: Full name, discipline, and faculty in the body of the email, indicate 5 dates and times that               you will be available to meet on U of T St. George Campus from 5pm - 8pm between Sept. 29 to Oct. 8th, 2010
      4. Attach your resume for initial screening

Apply Now! Spots are limited to 5 GMCA members.

Gain Insight: Deloitte Consulting Firm Visit

With recruitment season beginning, it's time to prepare - and there's no better way than speaking with the people who do the job. Join Deloitte Consulting - Strategy and Operations in their downtown Toronto offices and gain insight into the work they do. This event is hosted in partnership with the University of Toronto Consulting Association (UTCA).

Date: Friday, September 17th, 2010
Time: 1:30 pm - 3 pm
Location: Downtown Toronto Deloitte Office

This is a great opportunity for students who are interested in pursuing a career in consulting to meet recruiters and ask questions before submitting resumes in September. Graduate students who anticipate to completing their degrees within one year are strongly encourage to apply!

Only a select number of students will be able to attend the session as spaces are limited. If you are interested in consulting and are considering applying to Deloitte in the upcoming recruitment season, please complete the following instructions:

1) Send a copy of your cover letter and a resume (max 2 pages) all in word or pdf document. Be sure that you include your full name, discipline, and faculty in the body of the email. GPA must be included in your resume.
2) Title the email as "Deloitte Firm Visit_ First Name_Last Name"
3) Email your application to gmca.uoft(at)gmail.com

Deadline for applications is Sunday, September 12th 2010 by 5:00 pm. All emails are date and time stamped electronically. The Graduate Management Consulting Association (GMCA) will be screening all applications and sending invitations by Wednesday, September 15th 2010.

For more information about Deloitte, please visit this website.

All questions regarding this event should be sent to gmca.uoft(at)gmail.com with title "Question: Deloitte Firm Visit".

Networking Night

Friday, August 20th, 2010. 6:30 - 9 pm. Libra Lounge (391 King Street West Toronto, ON M5V 1K1).

The recruiting season is quickly approaching, so now is the time to NETWORK, NETWORK, and NETWORK some more.

Join us to learn more about the management consulting industry and network with consultants from top consulting firms such as BCG, Deloitte and others.

Date: Friday, August 20th, 2010
Time: 6:30 - 9 pm
Location: Libra Lounge (391 King Street West Toronto, ON M5V 1K1)
Advance Ticket (until Aug. 20, 1pm): $12
At-the-door Ticket: $15
(All tickets must be paid in cash and will include one complimentary drink)
Dress Code: Business Casual

Click here to register.

To purchase an Advance Ticket at the University of Toronto St. George Campus, please buy tickets at the following times and locations:

1) Tue. Aug. 17 12-1pm (MSB Cafeteria outside Starbuck's - Andre)
2) Tue. Aug. 17 6-7pm (Rosebrugh Building Room 412, 164 College St., next to CCBR - Noel)
3) Wed. Aug. 18 12-1pm (MSB Cafeteria outside Starbuck's - Evelyn)
4) Thu. Aug. 19 12-1pm (MSB Cafeteria outside Starbuck's - Dave)
5) Fri. Aug. 20 12-1pm (MSB Cafeteria outside Starbuck's - Evelyn) *Last time for Advance Ticket

Learn about how to network effectively: Management Consulted - Networking Tips

Guests' Profiles:

Michael Anstey
Boston Consulting Group


Vinay Shandal
Consultant, Boston Consulting Group
Vinay obtained an LL.M. from Cambridge University and an LL.B. and a B.C.L. from McGill University. He practiced law in the New York offices of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, focusing primarily on mergers and acquisitions. He also clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada. Vinay joined BCG in the summer of 2009 and is interested in becoming involved with the consumer products, financial institutions, public sector and social impact practice areas. Outside of the office, Vinay enjoys cycling and yoga.


Darrel Berry
Chelsea Consulting Group
Darrel Berry is the COO and Managing Partner of the Chelsea Consulting Group, a strategic IT and Business consulting company specializing in Outsourcing and Software as a Service. He is widely regarded as an expert in Outsourcing and Managed Services and has advised a number of companies on outsourcing strategy and implementation.

Darrel has a unique blend of hands on experience in a number of key areas – outsourcing, data centre and IT operations, and delivery management. He has led clients through difficult and challenging transitions from mergers and acquisitions, divestitures right up to building and making the transition to new IT paradigms.

With a strong focus on outsourcing / managed services and IT processes, Darrel has led companies in the set-up and ongoing management of outsourcing services and has implemented standards in areas such as ITSM, Cobit, ISO and Sarbanes Oxley compliance. He has also developed and rolled out methodologies for a number of consulting companies.

He has worked in executive and management roles with DMR Consulting Group (now Fujitsu Consulting), Cap Gemini Sogeti, Coopers & Lybrand and the Canadian Depository for Securities (CDS). His large and varied projects have taken him all around the world – in Europe, The Middle East, South America, Canada and the United States.


Justin Toupin
Deloitte - Financial Advisory Services
Justin is a Business Analyst at Deloitte Financial Advisory Services and recently joined the firm in 2010. Prior to Deloitte, Justin worked as a computer programmer developing optimization models for use in chemistry or chemical engineering. He also worked for 3 years at a private research institute developing treatments for neurological disorders (specifically Epilepsy and Alzheimer's Disease). Most recently, he worked in the financial industry developing optimization systems for large investment trading accounts.

Justin holds a Computer Science background from University of Waterloo and a BEng from the University of Guelph. Recently, He completed his MASc with the Centre for Management of Technology and Entrepreneurship (in the department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry) at the University of Toronto. His MASc degree focused on optimization techniques and how they can be applied to finance.


Andrea Loayza
Deloitte - Strategy & Operations
Andrea currently works for the Corporate Strategy Consulting Practice at Deloitte. She joined the firm in 2010 and she has also gained industry experience in financial services working at the Corporate Development Department of CIBC. She graduated in 2008 from the University of Pennsylvania with a major in Chemical Engineering and a Minor in Economics. On her free time, Andrea enjoys volunteering in non-profit consulting and currently serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the Volunteer Consulting Group at the University of Toronto.


Edward On
Deloitte - Strategy & Operations
Edward is a Business Analyst in Deloitte’s Corporate Strategy practice currently engaged on a post-merger integration project for a Canadian bank. His previous project involvement includes organization re-design for a utilities company. Prior to Deloitte, Edward worked in the Bank of Montreal’s Technology and Operations group. Edward holds a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Toronto.


Herc Tzaras
McKinsey & Company


Judith Lau
ZS Associates
Judith earned her Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Science from the University of Toronto, and joined ZS Associates as an Associate in 2009. Since then, she has served clients across Canada, the U.S. and Europe, primarily in marketing services, including forecasting, market research and marketing strategy. In the past, Judith has worked in integration engineering for a large European energy company, and in global marketing operations in telecommunications. She has also participated in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

Judith currently serves on the executive team at Endeavour Consulting, a volunteer consulting group which provides management consulting to non-profits in Toronto. In her spare time, Judith enjoys playing piano, snowboarding, running and travelling.


Ardalan Shojaei
Consultant, ZS Associates
Ardalan earned an MBA at the Rotman School of Management, and also holds an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Toronto. Joining the firm in September of 2008, he has had extensive experience working with Canadian and US clients in the medical and pharmaceutical industry. His experience includes qualitative market research, brand launch strategy, sales force effectiveness and strategy, forecasting, marketing mix, and incentive compensation design and administration. Outside of work, Ardalan is passionate about traveling, history, and The Office TV series. Prior to joining ZS Associates, Ardalan worked in the Technology Development group of Actel Corporation based in Silicon Valley, and spent several summers as a marketing analyst at Petro-Canada.


Zayna Khayat
Dr. Zayna Khayat is currently on leave from her role as a Principal with the Toronto office of The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a global management consulting firm that helps clients across all industries solve strategic and management issues across a range of business topics. Since joining BCG in 2001, Zayna has helped for-profit and not-for-profit clients in a variety of sectors including telecom, financial services, aviation, and health care solve diverse business issues including strategy and organizational re-design. Zayna is a core member of BCG’s Health Care practice where her clients include biopharmaceutical companies, health insurers, medical device companies, etc.. She is also a core member of BCG’s Organization Practice where she has expertise in organizational re-design. At BCG, Dr. Khayat is actively involved with the firm’s Women’s Initiative and Community Investment Committee.

Prior to joining BCG, Zayna earned her Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Toronto / Hospital for Sick Children where she was a scholar of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, studying how insulin and exercise regulate blood glucose in the muscle, and why/where this process breaks down during disease states such as diabetes.

Dr. Khayat is a founding member of the Toronto Volunteer Bridge, a volunteer networking agency serving young professionals in the GTA. She also maintains involvement with various initiatives of the Toronto City Summit Alliance including the TRRA (Toronto Region Research Alliance) and Career Bridge.

Zayna speaks fluently in English, French and Arabic, and resides in Toronto with her husband and 3 children.


More profiles to come.

How to get a job at a top consulting firm

Saturday July 10th and Sunday July 11th, 2010. 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Bahen Center room 1200, University of Toronto.

Registration is now closed as we have reached the maximum capacity for the room.

Learn how to get a job at a top management consulting firm from recruiting expert Darren Lafreniere!

This 2 day program will give cover:

Day 1 (July 10th):

Part A) Understanding the opportunity
        - Getting to know the Industry: "Consulting Industry and Job Overview"
        - Getting to know the Players: "Firm Research"
Part B) Getting selected an interview
        - Getting Noticed: "Applications: Cover Letters and Resumes"
Part C) Mastering the Behavioral Interview
        - Defining and Communicating your Value Proposition: "Behavioral Questions: Types and Approaches"

Day 2 (July 11th):

Part D) Mastering the Case Interview
        - Understanding how Consultants Think: "Logical Thinking"
        - Understanding the Case Interview: "Case Interview Structure, Types and Approaches"
        - Understanding and Interpreting Data: "Consulting Math, Charts and Graphs"
Part E) Preparing for Success
        - Getting ready for Recruiting: "Preparation Plan and Next Steps"


Darren Lafreniere
Lecturer, Richard Ivey School of Business
Owner, Final Round Prep

Darren Lafreniere is the Director of the Ivey Consulting Project(1) and a Lecturer at the Richard Ivey School of Business. He is also the owner of Final Round Prep, a company that provides professional recruiting support to students who wish to pursue careers in the Management Consulting industry.

Prior to his current role, Darren gained a wealth of experience in both the entrepreneurial and corporate environments; as the owner/ operator of an auto parts company, he marketed and sold high performance aftermarket parts to customers across North America, and as a Management Consultant, he worked with A.T. Kearney consulting clients across 7 major industries on various strategic issues including logistics optimization, organizational restructuring and operational cost reduction.

Darren has an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business and a BA from the University of Manitoba.

Note: (1)The Ivey Consulting Project is a mandatory part of the MBA and HBA program where student groups partner with a company to consult on a problem or opportunity of strategic significance to its business.

Cost: Free (registration required)
Registration: Opens June 15th. Will close when capacity is reached. You can register for one or both days.
Location: Bahen Centre for Information Technology, 40 St. George Street, Toronto.

Registration is now closed as we have reached the maximum capacity for the room.

GMCA miniMBA Program

May 11 to June 10, 2010. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Registration is now closed.

Click here for more information.

The GMCA is proud to introduce the GMCA miniMBA program!

This 10 lecture program will give graduate students:
- a grounding in fundamental business concepts
- the opportunity to learn from experts across a range of business fields
- the chance to apply this new knowledge by solving business cases

Special guest speakers include:

Leadership - David Colcleugh – Former President and CEO, DuPont Canada
Marketing - Patrick Dunn - Research Director, Idea Couture
Organizational Behaviour - Bobby Lo - Senior Environmental Manager, GM
Accounting - Joseph C. Paradi - Director, CMTE
Finance - Andy Haigh - Analyst, Lumira Capital
Quantitative Analysis - Yuri Lawryshyn, Professor, CMTE
Strategy - Joby McKenzie – Consultant, BCG
Operations - Jennifer Lee - Senior Manager, Deloitte

...and more

Click here for more information.

GMCA Case Competition

Saturday April 17, 2010 - University of Toronto

Applications for the Case Competition are now closed.
Thank you for your interest in participating in the event.
Be sure to visit our official case competition portal to learn more about the event.

In association with the Case Competition, the GMCA invites all members of the UofT community to two upcoming events:

Crack the Case

Tues. April 13, 2010, 7 pm, Bahen Centre 1130

Learn how to solve a business case from top consultants and see last year's winning presentation.

Click here to register for the free event. Registration will close once the room capacity is reached.

Networking Lunch & Viewing the Final Round of Case Competition

Sat. April 17, 2010

Come to network with top consultants from various management consulting firms over lunch and see what a case solution really looks like. The GMCA invites you to the final team presentations of our second annual Case Competition.

To buy tickets: The GMCA will be selling $10 tickets for the "Networking Lunch & Viewing the Final Round of Case Competition" through Fernando Amador, Chair of Case Competition 2010, by email fernamador@hotmail.com (Subject line: Networking Lunch) until Friday, April 7, 2010. Get your tickets now!

GMCA Management Consulting Career Panel

Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 6:15 pm - CCBR Red Seminar Room (160 College st.).

Is academia the ONLY path after grad school? Hear about how you can use your skills in management consulting.

The GMCA is pleased to present a Career Panel Discussion with representatives from internationally recognized global management consulting firms: BCG, Deloitte, McKinsey and Oliver Wyman.

Come hear firsthand about the challenges and rewards of a career in consulting. Have your own questions about consulting and the paths that might lead you there answered by the people that really know.

Doors open at 6 pm

Panelists

Stefan Larson
Associate Principal, McKinsey & Company
Stefan Larson is an Associate Principal in the Toronto office of McKinsey & Company. Stefan first joined the firm in 2003 as a summer associate and has worked in pharmaceuticals, financial services, telecom, and energy. He is a core member of the Nuclear Energy Service Line and Global Organization Practice. Stefan has a Ph.D. in Biophysics from Stanford University and a M.Sc. in Medical Genetics from the University of Toronto.

David Woloviec
Associate Partner, Oliver Wyman
David Woloviec is an Associate Partner in Oliver Wyman's Toronto office. He is a member of the global Consumer and Industrial Value Transformation partner team, with a specialization in Commercial Effectiveness and multi-channel sales strategy. He advises clients primarily in the consumer and industrial products industries, but has recently worked in healthcare, technology and financial services as well. Mr. Woloviec holds a B.A.Sc. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Toronto and an M.B.A. (with high distinction) from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

R. Jesse McWaters
Business Analyst, Deloitte

Sara Dolcetti
Boston Consulting Group

SHI Consulting Inc. information and networking session