University of Alberta School of Business

Four years goes by so fast!

Meet Armaan Singh, one of our Spring 2026 graduates.

When Armaan began his Bachelor of Commerce, graduation seemed a long way off. Looking back now, he says time passed much faster than he ever expected.

"Going into a four-year undergraduate program from high school felt daunting, almost like it would never end. Yet, reflecting on where I am now, the last four years have absolutely flown by."

Throughout his degree, Armaan earned First Class Standing and a place on the Dean's List every year. At convocation, he'll also receive both the Dr. Hu Harries Medal in Business and the Governor General's Silver Medal in recognition of his exceptional academic achievement.

In addition to his excellence in academia, together with a group of friends, he co-founded Northern Lenses, a student group that gave him the opportunity to pursue his passion for film in a way that was both challenging and rewarding.

And it's often the quieter memories that have stayed with him.

"I look back fondly on the days that I had to stay on campus either super early or super late... those moments, walking back to my car alone on campus, really made me pause and appreciate where I was at the time."

His advice for incoming students?

"Experiment. Being an undergraduate student is really about trying hard, but also failing hard. There are so many resources available here that allow you to pursue whatever you're passionate about."

Congratulations, Armaan, on an incredible accomplishment.

The Alberta School of Business is saddened to learn of the passing of Professor Emeritus Royston Greenwood.

Royston was one of the world's leading scholars in organization studies and institutional theory, whose research transformed the study of organizations, professional service firms and organizational change. His work has influenced generations of researchers and practitioners around the globe and remains foundational within the field.

A longtime member of the Alberta School of Business, Royston helped build the school's international research reputation through his scholarship, mentorship and leadership. In recognition of his exceptional contributions, he was elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Management as well as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

Beyond his academic achievements, Royston was a respected colleague, teacher and mentor whose impact extended far beyond the classroom and the pages of scholarly journals.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, former students and colleagues. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of scholars and business leaders.

This month's Business Alumni Association (BAA) profile features Alberta's Chief Economist, Catherine Rothrock, '01 BCom.

Drawing on a background that spans the energy sector, international development and government, the Alberta School of Business graduate approaches economics as both a technical discipline and a way of understanding people, risk and decision-making.

Read her Q&A here: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/business/alumni-giving/alumni/profiles/albertas-chief-economist-on-uncertainty-judgement-and-resilience.html

“I began to see that many of the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs are not individual shortcomings, but systemic conditions that require constant coping."

PhD candidate Samira Jafari is investigating women’s entrepreneurship in conservative versus progressive cultural contexts, with a particular focus on how gender-related challenges shape entrepreneurs’ coping responses, psychological well-being and business outcomes.

Dive into her research here: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/business/programs/phd/program-overview/phd-candidate-spotlights/2026/business-phd-spotlight-samira-jafari.html

Some of the biggest moments in life begin with saying yes before you feel ready.

Meet Bijan Somji, one of our Spring 2026 graduates.

When he arrived at the Alberta School of Business, Bijan described himself as "the quiet kid who was genuinely terrified of public speaking."

Then he signed up for a case competition.

"Being thrown into high-pressure rooms in second year forced me to face that fear head-on. It wasn't easy, but it was the best thing that ever happened to me."

That one decision changed everything.

Over the next four years, Bijan immersed himself in student life, joining clubs, competing in case competitions, spending more than two years with the School of Business Consulting Group and serving as Co-President of both Alberta JDC West and Enactus UAB.

For him, the biggest lesson wasn't about leadership titles.

"Leadership shows up in the small moments. The way you show up for your team, even when it's hard, sets the tone for everything."

And for incoming students, he urges them to “say yes more than you say no.”

As he graduates, Bijan is taking that same mindset into his next chapter, building a startup with friends he met right here at the University of Alberta and looking for ways to give back to the community that shaped him.

Congratulations, Bijan.

Part-time MBA student Jason Kaban is balancing what many would consider unsustainable: a demanding leadership role, family life, and an MBA.

Jason doesn’t describe his life as overwhelming, but as intentional.

In this month’s MBA podcast, Jason shares how shifting his mindset from “I have to” to “I choose to” has changed the way he spends his time, leads others, and listens more deeply, even when his calendar is full.

Listen to the full episode here:

Perspective Boost: Redefining What “Busy” Really Means Part-time MBA student Jason Kaban is doing what many assume is unsu...

Sometimes growth doesn't happen all at once.

Sometimes it happens in small moments when you surprise yourself.

Meet Mila Zhang, one of our Spring 2026 graduates!

When Mila looks back on her MBA journey, the moments she's most proud of aren't necessarily the ones she expected.

"What I'm most proud of is all the moments when I went from thinking, 'I can't do this,' to realizing, 'Actually, I can.'"

There were plenty of those moments along the way. Passing finance after doubting she could. Overcoming her fear of speaking in front of a class. Joining the MBA soccer team despite never having played before.

As an international student, Mila also found a unique perspective through two part-time roles within the Alberta School of Business, supporting the Executive MBA program and working as a teaching assistant. Experiencing the past two years as both a student and a staff member helped her build connections across the school and gain valuable insight into Canadian workplace culture.

Through it all, one lesson stayed with her:

“I learned just as much from conversations with the people around me as I did from textbooks and lectures."

The classmates, coaches, professors, colleagues and friends who shared advice, answered questions and offered encouragement helped shape her experience and made ASB feel like a community.

Her advice for future students? Two years go by fast.

"Don't wait. If there's something you want to do, do it early."

Congratulations, Mila, and best wishes on whatever comes next.

Do you love your job?

Not just enjoy it. Not just feel satisfied with it. Actually love it.

New research from Alberta School of Business associate professor Michelle Inness explores what it means to love your work — and why that deep attachment can be both powerful and potentially problematic.

Swipe through to learn more about the study published in Human Resource Management (HRM) by Inness and co-authors earlier this year, and read the Folio story here: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/folio/2026/06/oving-your-job-really-is-like-being-in-love.html

Last month, many municipal leaders from across Alberta gathered in Canmore for the Sustainable Leadership Summit, the capstone course within the Executive Certificate in Municipal Leadership (ECML) at the University of Alberta and the Alberta School of Business.

Led by Drew Bird, the summit brought together leaders from different municipalities to connect and explore what effective and sustainable leadership looks like in today’s municipal environment.

While much of the ECML program is delivered virtually, the in-person summit creates space for meaningful conversations, shared learning and relationship building across municipalities. It was inspiring to see participants fully engaged in the discussions, group work and learning alongside peers who are equally committed to strengthening leadership within their organizations and communities.

Registration for the upcoming fall and winter cohorts of the ECML program is now open.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/49F7Zx3

By 2050, two-thirds of the global population will call a city home.

This massive shift means the blueprints we draw today will dictate how billions of people live, move, and thrive for generations. But as our world grows more complex, traditional urban planning is being challenged by the rapid-fire pressures of climate change, economic volatility, and land-use demands.

Join Murtaza Haider, professor and the executive director of the Cities Institute at the University of Alberta, on June 18 to hear about the future of cities.

Spots are limited! Register and learn more here: https://bit.ly/49tmhzQ