Business
On Campus
McGill data analytics lab proving to be good for business
The DataSphere Lab at the Desautels Faculty of Management aims to help companies and organizations tackle challenges with data-driven solutions. For students, it’s a valuable hands-on – and paid – work experience.
People
The denim disruptor
Brandon Svarc’s family has been in the jeans business for three generations, but the Naked & Famous Denim founder brings his own unique sensibility to clothing, one that has earned him accolades. James Bond has been spotted in his jeans (but not the glow-in-the-dark ones).
Culture
A little bookstore that’s had a big impact
For generations of McGill students, The Word Bookstore on Milton Street has been almost as familiar a landmark as the Roddick Gates or the Redpath Museum. As The Word marks its 50th anniversary, Adrian King-Edwards, BA’71, the bookshop’s co-founder and owner, shares some memories.
Society
A flag-hungry nation is turning to this McGillian
As “51st state” rhetoric drove Canadian patriotism to a fever pitch this year, Brian Naish, BSc’93, unexpectedly found himself playing a pivotal role at an historic moment – as the country’s biggest flag maker.
On Campus
Paying it forward
Josée Goulet, MBA’90, and Jean-Charles Caty, BCom’63, both benefitted from their management studies at McGill before embarking on their successful careers. They are helping to ensure that current francophone students have similar opportunities.
People
Co-designing a transformational fund (between classes)
As an undergraduate, Jonathan Glencross, BA’11, was one of the driving forces behind the University’s Sustainability Projects Fund. Years later, he is still busy working on investments with an ethical focus.
Society
Weathering the storm
When Peter Oliver, BCom’71, co-founded Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality, he helped elevate Toronto’s dining scene. Now his son Andrew Oliver, BCom’06, is taking O&B to new heights (literally and figuratively), but first he had to contend with a disastrous pandemic.
People
Big ideas are his business
Mark Godsy. LLB’82, has built several companies and he has developed a formula for the process. Team up with smart people who have ideas for making the world better in some way and do everything you can to help them succeed.
Society
Pressing for environmental change – from the inside
Yalmaz Siddiqui, BCom’92, the vice-president of environmental sustainability for the Walt Disney Company, reflects on almost 30 years of promoting sustainability in senior corporate roles, and on facing skepticism from business colleagues (in the early going) and environmental activists (more recently).
People
A marriage of art and technology
Chloë Ryan is an artist, a McGill-trained engineer, and the CEO/founder of Acrylic Robotics. Her company plans to partner with artists to make high-quality reproductions of their work – right down to the brushstrokes – by using robots and AI. The goal is to help artists find new markets for their creations.
People
New Board chair motivated to make a difference
Maryse Bertrand, BCL’80, the new chair of McGill’s Board of Governors, brings a varied legal and corporate background to the role. She will climb a mountain for a good cause (and we mean that literally).
Discovery
A research lab that looks like a dep (because it is a dep)
The Retail Innovation Lab is a handy spot on campus for McGillians looking to grab a quick snack between classes. A partnership between McGill’s Bensadoun School of Retail Management and Couche-Tard, it is also the site for research examining consumer behaviour and other aspects of retail operations.