Entrepreneurship
People
Olympian, CEO, and chef de mission – Jennifer Heil’s next move
A former Olympic gold medallist, Jennifer Heil, BCom’13, knows all about the pressures that the Canadian athletes taking part in the upcoming Winter Games will have to contend with. She is drawing on that experience to serve as Canada’s chef de mission for the Games.
People
Tinkering on his projects – to the delight of millions
Using a 3D printer, discarded pallets and other inexpensive materials, Morley Kert, BEng’19, designs and builds unique items and recreates high-end designer furniture. Millions of viewers on YouTube take pleasure in his ingenuity and enthusiasm.
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.
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.
Culture
One of the Big Apple’s best booksellers
Sarah McNally, BA’98, is the driving force behind McNally Jackson Books in New York. Her chain of independent bookstores has managed to thrive in challenging times. Both Vogue and The New Yorker recently included McNally Jackson’s shops on their lists of New York’s finest bookstores.
Society
Once an Olympian, always an Olympian
The Olympics always offer a unique blend of exceptional skill, thrilling competitions, and surprises, and the 2024 Paris Games are certain to do the same. What’s life like for the athletes who take part in the world’s biggest international sporting event? We asked some McGillians with firsthand experience.
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
Making it fun to eat your veggies
If your idea of eating vegetables is restricted to canned peas and boiled cabbage, David Gaucher, BEng’06, would like a word. He is the co-founder of Wholly Veggie, and his company’s frozen vegetarian fare puts an emphasis on flavour.
People
Leading the charge for innovation in Quebec
As Quebec’s chief innovation officer, Luc Sirois, BEng’92, hopes to contribute to the province’s economic growth.
Culture
A father and son in tune with the music business
Some of the best music released in Canada, albums that have contended for Junos and the Polaris Prize, come from a pair of Montreal-based record labels. Meet Jim West, BA’79, the president of Justin Time Records, and his son Justin West, BCom’04, the president of Secret City Records.
People
Having a Grüvi time without alcohol
At a time when health experts are urging people to dramatically cut down on their alcohol consumption, Anika Sawni, BA&Sc’19, the co-founder of Grüvi, is inviting consumers to give her company's award-winning non-alcoholic beers, wines and sangria a try.
Society
Why the future of farming might be … bugs?
In 2013, five McGill MBA students won the $1 million Hult Prize with a unique idea for addressing world hunger – insect protein. A decade later, that victory has led to a pair of businesses that want us to think about crickets and palm larvae in a whole new way.