Empowering Indigenous peoples in Canada to grow opportunities in the agri-food sectors
The Annual MBA Diversity & Inclusion Case Challenge is a beacon of innovation and collaboration that enables Master of Business Administration students to address societal issues through strategic problem-solving. The 8th annual challenge focused on “Empowering Indigenous Peoples in Canada to Grow Opportunities in the Agri-Food Sectors.” This challenge brought together brilliant minds from diverse backgrounds to explore sustainable solutions.
In March 2024, four UFred students traveled to Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa, to participate in the 8th Annual MBA Diversity & Inclusion Case Challenge. Here’s what they had to say about the experience.
Anna Bagus
When I received the invitation from UFred for applicants for their first-ever team for a competition, I was immediately intrigued by the theme of “Empowering Indigenous Peoples in Canada in the Agri-Food Sectors.”
As a controller in the manufacturing sector and an entrepreneur in healthcare, the subject matter was admittedly out of my comfort zone. However, as an immigrant woman of colour, I've always felt a personal responsibility to advocate for social issues. This competition presented a unique opportunity to merge my business acumen with my passion for social justice. Despite feeling somewhat out of my depth, I decided to seize the chance, and it turned out to be a great learning experience.
Participating in the Telfer D&I Case Competition was an enriching experience that allowed me to delve into critical issues facing Indigenous communities in the agri-food sector. I gained a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding issues such as food security, sustainability, and reconciliation. Throughout the competition, I also gained a kinship with my team, Jason, Kasandra, and Ashveen, as we drew upon our diverse perspectives and expertise to develop innovative solutions. Working on the case provided me with invaluable insights into the importance of collaboration, empathy, and cultural sensitivity when tackling complex social issues.
Although our team didn't win, the journey itself was incredibly rewarding. It enabled me to hone my critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills while fostering a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment. I am extremely grateful to UFred and my team, for the opportunity to have been part of this experience and look forward to applying the lessons learned to future endeavors in making a meaningful difference.
Ashveen Soochit
Attending the Telfer MBA Diversity & Inclusion 8th Annual Case Challenge was an enriching and transformative experience for me on multiple fronts. One of the standout aspects was the incredible sense of teamwork that permeated throughout the event. Collaborating with fellow MBA students, and mentors like Joe Moss coming from diverse backgrounds was both rewarding and enlightening. Together, we navigated through the complexities of the case, brainstorming innovative solutions, delegating tasks effectively, and crafting a cohesive presentation that reflected our collective insights and perspectives. This collaborative environment not only honed my teamwork and interpersonal skills but also reinforced the value of diversity in fostering creativity and problem-solving.
Networking was another invaluable aspect of the case challenge. I had the opportunity to connect with industry professionals, esteemed judges, and like-minded participants who shared a passion for diversity and inclusion. These interactions provided a platform to exchange ideas, gain insights, and forge meaningful relationships that could potentially open doors to future career opportunities and collaborative initiatives.
I also want to express my gratitude for the unwavering support from the UFred community throughout the competition. The experienced faculty member Dr. Rocky Dwyer, Dr. Julius Demps II, Maybelle Funtañoz and Dr. Micheal Hobeck provided invaluable guidance and support, constructive feedback, and actionable insights based on their expertise. Additionally, the university's provision of access to a myriad of resources, including online databases, research materials, industry reports, and software tools, was instrumental in equipping us with the knowledge and tools needed to prepare effectively for the case challenge.
Why I chose to participate
As for why I chose to participate in the MBA Diversity & Inclusion Case Challenge, it aligns closely with my career goals and aspirations. I sought to enhance my problem-solving and critical-thinking skills by addressing real-world scenarios centered around diversity and inclusion. The competition provided a unique platform to apply the theoretical knowledge gained from my MBA program to practical situations, refining my analytical capabilities and deepening my understanding of innovative strategies for promoting diversity and inclusion within organizations.
Furthermore, as the Founder & Director of Innovate Within, I was eager to explore cutting-edge solutions and best practices that could amplify my impact in fostering inclusive environments. Engaging in the competition exposed me to diverse perspectives and allowed me to learn from fellow participants, industry professionals, and judges, thereby enriching my knowledge and broadening my horizons.
Kassandra Price
Participating in the Telfer School of Business 8th Annual Diversity and Inclusion MBA Case Challenge has been the highlight of my MBA education at UFred thus far. It was enriching to showcase the strength of a purely online school, being able to transfer our skills to an in-person competitive setting seamlessly.
I had the pleasure of working alongside three diverse, motivated, skilled, and delightful students from UFred. We all shared the team goal of representing the school with pride as well as all having a passion for the topic of DE&I. I chose to participate because, personally and professionally, I have seen the importance of equal share of voice and diversity of thought.
Being present at the table does not mean that equity-deserving communities’ ideas are valued and respected, and I have seen firsthand how bias and microaggressions result in fewer opportunities. As future business leaders, we must engage all stakeholders with empathy and a growth mindset. DE&I initiatives broaden our perspectives, are empowering and inspire innovation.
This year's case competition challenge was to tackle the broad topic of the disproportionality of high food insecurity in Indigenous populations throughout Canada. We used our MBA foundational knowledge to build our initial business plan and developed our excellence in execution strategy with our specialty streams experience and skills, like innovation and consulting.
Although we did not place this year, we received an honourable mention from the judges as the most innovative idea at the competition. Our idea was to use an untapped naturally occurring resource to grow an emerging superfood that produces a gourmet salt alternative. Our idea encompassed overcoming systemic barriers to food insecurity in Indigenous populations, allowing for project scalability and expansion, embraced co-creation with local communities and capitalized on agri-food trends.
Jason Baan
The topic of Indigenous Peoples of Canada and Opportunities in the Agri-food sector instantly drew my interest. I knew that if I could create the bandwidth, I would learn so much about Indigenous People and couple that to my love of agriculture. My background in primary production as a dairy farmer and my experience as an agriculture consultant in Mongolia would perhaps be useful on the team. I was hopeful that what I had learned in a cross-cultural setting in Mongolia would be a useful piece in representing UFred at the challenge.
In late January I received the exciting news that I was one of four students selected to represent UFred. My excitement was immediately followed with the question – who would be my teammates? My teammates Anna Bagus, Kasandra Price, and Ashveen Soochit and I began our work immediately. Our common purpose drew us together and we met frequently from our remote locations across Canada. The collaboration within our team and the engagement with Dr. Michael Hobeck, Dr. Rocky Dwyer, and fellow student Joe Moses made the challenge enjoyable.
The MBA challenge is a highlight of my time with UFred and I value what we learned about our shared history with Indigenous Peoples of Canada. I also value the friendships made with fellow students and the opportunity to spend time with my teammates in person. I am also proud of the project we created. We may not have won the competition, but I truly feel we developed a project that would create opportunities in the Agri-Food sector for Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
