News
Former Obama adviser returns to speak at SFU
Jun 19, 2020
Betsy Myers, a renowned leadership expert and former senior advisor to U.S. presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, will deliver an online seminar on June 23, 2020, focusing on leadership during a crisis. The event follows Myers’ November 2019 speech at SFU’s Surrey campus, where she discussed emerging leadership trends for the 21st century, based on changes in technology, demographics and the global economy. Since that time, the world has experienced even more radical changes more »More...
Rising sales for gluten free bread entrepreneur
Jun 10, 2020
Sonia Mastroianni (BBA 1992), co-founder of specialty bread company Aidan’s Gluten Free Inc., didn’t set out with the intention of becoming an entrepreneur. While studying in the undergraduate program at SFU’s Beedie School of Business, she took advantage of the opportunity to complete co-op employment terms, and one of those led to her lining up a permanent role after graduating. She worked in a corporate sales position in Calgary for three and half years, before more »More...
Award-winning innovation training program expands nationally
Jun 1, 2020
Aspiring scientist and technology entrepreneurs across Canada can now access SFU Beedie’s ground-breaking skills training program, Invention to Innovation (i2I). The announcement follows the successful completion of a pilot program offering the program in British Columbia and Alberta in partnership with Mitacs, a not-for-profit organization that fosters growth and innovation in Canada by solving challenges with research solutions from the best academic institutions. The i2I Mitacs Skills Training Pilot is based on the i2I Graduate more »More...
Entrepreneurial Mindset Overcomes at SFU’s Largest Student Entrepreneurship Showcase
Apr 28, 2020
Opportunity Fest, the largest event hosted by SFU’s Charles Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship, overcame adversity this year by switching to remote format in order to go ahead in the face of COVID-19-related restrictions. The organizers drew on their entrepreneurial mindset and resourcefulness to overhaul their plans and connect over 200 students and industry experts via online platforms, to showcase SFU’s emerging entrepreneurs. The annual event brings students from all faculties together with industry, academic and alumni more »More...
Message from Dean Ali Dastmalchian, SFU Beedie School of Business
Apr 24, 2020
After the initial period of uncertainty, upheaval and rapid changes forced by the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are now adjusting to the ‘new normal’ in which we find ourselves. In this context, I have been reflecting on how the SFU Beedie community has responded to this unexpected situation and what lessons we can take from this period as we move forward. I have been deeply heartened by the way so many in our more »More...
SFU Beedie entrepreneurship program wins global award, expands with Mitacs partnership
Apr 21, 2020
Invention to Innovation (i2), offered by SFU’s Beedie School of Business, has won international recognition after being highlighted among the annual Innovations That Inspire named by AACSB International (AACSB)—the world’s largest business education network. i2I is a transformational entrepreneurship experience that equips graduate scientists and engineers with the frameworks, perspectives and techniques to develop an innovative mindset and commercialize their inventions while overcoming marketplace challenges. Innovations That Inspire, an annual initiative run by AACSB, recognizes more »More...
SFU Beedie Assistant Professor honoured for work in Indigenous business
Apr 17, 2020
The Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia (CUFA BC) has named Beedie School of Business Assistant Professor Dr. Dara Kelly as the winner of its Early in Career Award for 2020, for her work focusing on Indigenous business theory. This award recognizes the contributions to the non-academic community made by faculty members who are at an early point in their careers. Kelly is from the Leq’á:mel First Nation, part of the Stó:lō Coast more »More...
COVID-19 brings economic uncertainty, cautious optimism for recovery
Apr 16, 2020
Business shutdowns, reduced services, and daily announcements of more money allocated towards the issue have many concerned about the economic impacts of COVID-19. Despite this, Beedie School of Business professor Andrey Pavlov maintains cautious optimism. “I think the long-term picture is good,” says Pavlov. “We have fantastic technological advancements that were generating very high rates of growth before the virus, and there is no reason to believe this will change.” Businesses beginning to move towards more »More...
How the business world is changing due to COVID-19
Apr 9, 2020
The coronavirus pandemic is not only a health crisis but it has also impacted the global economy, resulting in mass layoffs, panic-buying, and increased online shopping. Companies that are able to adjust to these changes will keep their employees working and contribute to the fight against COVID-19, says Simon Fraser University professor Rajiv Kozhikode. Kozhikode, an associate professor at SFU’s Beedie School of Business, says businesses that step up their social commitment now will benefit more »More...
Remembering SFU supporter and friend A. John Ellis (1915-2020)
Mar 4, 2020
It is with great sadness that SFU shares news of the passing of Dr. A. John Ellis, OC, ORS, LLD, a generous supporter and friend of Simon Fraser University since its foundation, at 104 years of age. John enjoyed a highly successful career in banking, rising to become a leading figure in Vancouver’s business community as vice-chairman and director of the Bank of Montreal. He worked for many years at the head office in Vancouver more »More...