At the UBC Faculty of Management, we are proud to celebrate the achievements of our graduating students through this special Q&A series Celebrating the Class of 2025.
Each student represents a unique story of growth, resilience, and ambition, and we want to highlight the incredible diversity and talent within our academic community. This series offers a glimpse into the experiences that have shaped our grads, what they’ve learned, and where they’re headed next. By sharing their insights and aspirations, the Faculty hopes to inspire others and showcase the impact our students are already making in the world of business.
What inspired you to choose UBC Okanagan and why the Management program?
When I was choosing universities, I felt a mix of excitement and deep uncertainty. Moving to a new country, away from everything familiar, was thrilling and overwhelming. But there was something inside me that wouldn’t let go of the idea, and it almost felt non-negotiable. I had to go. I had to try. And getting to that point wasn’t easy. I had to overcome several personal and financial obstacles just to make university possible. But deep down, I knew this was my shot not just at education, but at growing into the person I had always envisioned.
I grew up in a four-generation household, surrounded by strong personalities and even stronger values. My great-grandfather built a shoe business from scratch, a livelihood that grew into a lasting legacy for our family. I spent my childhood watching him, my grandfathers, and my father pour everything into something they believed in. Even though I wasn’t making business decisions as a kid, I absorbed their grit, their integrity, and their unwavering belief that business is fundamentally about people, trust, and purpose.That’s where my interest in management was born: not from textbooks, but from the dinner table.
UBC Okanagan appealed to me because it felt personal. I wasn’t looking for a massive, anonymous campus experience; I wanted a place where I could build connections, be part of a community, and explore leadership in a way that felt real. The Management program offered exactly that. It promised academic rigour, yes, but it also emphasized collaboration, interdisciplinary learning, and hands-on experience. It felt like a place where I could take everything my family had instilled in me and build something of my own.
Now, looking back, I see UBCO as more than just the place where I earned my degree. It was where I found the courage to move beyond my comfort zone and define success on my own terms.
What are some of your biggest takeaways from the Management program?
Looking back, alongside academic growth, the Management program reshaped how I see myself, relate to others, and engage with the world around me. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and into spaces I didn’t think I belonged in at first. Over time, I grew more confident taking on challenges, voicing my ideas, and stepping into leadership roles that once felt intimidating. That mindset shift, from self-doubt to self-trust, was one of the most meaningful transformations of my university journey.
One of the greatest gifts this program gave me was the people. I met some of my closest friends through group projects, late-night study sessions, and shared ambitions. The environment encouraged collaboration over competition, and I began to understand the real power of building with people, not just alongside them. In every project, I saw how diverse perspectives made our ideas stronger and our outcomes more impactful. That sense of collective growth, of lifting each other as we rose, became a theme throughout my time in the program.
Growing up in a family that adores horses, I’ve often found myself drawn to a powerful analogy that perfectly encapsulates my beliefs about leadership. Horses possess lateral vision, allowing them to see nearly 340 degrees around them. However, domesticated horses often wear blinders, restricting their field of vision to focus solely on the path ahead. I think many leaders operate the same way: focused, driven, but sometimes limited in perspective. The best leaders, I’ve learned, are the ones who take off those metaphorical blinders. They make space to understand others, to observe the broader landscape, and to respond with empathy.
Through this program, I had the opportunity to practice leadership without authority; the kind where you guide through influence, trust, and example rather than titles. Whether it was leading student projects, founding initiatives, or mentoring peers, I learned that real leadership was about being aware, adaptable, and connected.
That, for me, is the heart of what the Management program and UBCO allowed me to learn: how to lead with both clarity and compassion.
What are some unique opportunities that being at UBCO presented to you, and how did you take advantage of them?
One of the greatest gifts of being at UBC Okanagan was the meaningful access to opportunity which were rich in both variety and depth. The campus may be smaller than other institutions, but that intimacy created space for meaningful involvement, stronger mentorship, and the ability to see the direct impact of your contributions.
During my time here, I had the chance to wear many hats with each one helping me discover new parts of myself. I completed a 12-month co-op with a project management consulting firm, where I gained hands-on industry experience and, unexpectedly, met someone who introduced me to Engineers in Action (EIA). That one conversation sparked something bigger. I eventually went on to found the first EIA chapter in British Columbia alongside four hardworking, passionate, and driven individuals, creating opportunities for UBCO students to contribute to real-world engineering and community development projects.
Right now, as a direct result of that initiative, two students from our campus are in Bolivia, physically building a bridge that will impact over 1,200 community members. This bridge will provide safe, year-round access to essential services like healthcare, education, markets, and clean water. This is a powerful reminder that what we do in university can ripple far beyond our own experience.
At the same time, I was deeply involved on campus. As VP Academic for the Management Students Association, I helped reintroduce in-person case competitions and business trips; these were the same opportunities I had once longed for as a younger student. I also worked as a Teaching Assistant and tutor, supported new international students as an International Peer, and welcomed first-years as an Orientation Leader. Each role came with its own learning curve, but also its own community.
What made UBCO special was that I didn’t have to pick one path, I could try everything. And because the community was tight-knit, I was able to build lasting relationships with peers, staff, and faculty who genuinely wanted to see me succeed. These weren’t one-time opportunities; they became ecosystems of growth.
In many ways, UBCO felt like a launchpad. It gave me room to explore, support to try, and people who believed in me, even before I fully believed in myself.
What’s next for you after graduation?
After graduation, I’ll be continuing my journey as a Project Coordinator at Integris, the same firm where I completed my co-op. Over the past two years, I’ve had the chance to work on large-scale infrastructure and transportation projects across British Columbia. I’m excited to keep growing in this space, learning from those around me, refining my skills, and taking on new responsibilities.
That said, when people ask me what my long-term purpose is, I don’t always have a clear-cut answer, and I think that’s okay. At 23, I’m still exploring, still becoming. But if there’s one thing that’s been consistent, it’s this: I feel most fulfilled when I’m creating value for others. Whether it was organizing initiatives on campus, supporting my peers, or collaborating on community-driven projects, the moments I look back on with the most pride are always the ones where I helped build something meaningful, not just for myself, but for those around me.
As I move forward, my goal is to build a career rooted in impact and not just professional success. I want to work on projects that make people’s lives easier, more connected, and more dignified. And I want to do it in a way that blends empathy, strategy, and execution. UBCO helped me find that spark and now, I’m ready to carry it forward.
What advice would you give to current and future UBCO students?
Don’t be afraid to ask. Whether it’s a question, a connection, or help with something you’re unsure about, people 
are almost always more willing to help than you think. Some of the best opportunities in my life came simply because I spoke to someone or asked a question that felt small at the time. So talk to people. You never know what someone has to offer, or how one conversation might shift your entire direction.
I also strongly believe that kindness goes a long way and it never goes unnoticed. People may forget your title or your grades, but they will always remember how you made them feel. Lead with generosity, with curiosity, and with compassion for others and yourself.
If I had to sum up how I try to live, it comes down to three beliefs:
There is no problem you cannot solve.
There is no situation you cannot get out of.
Nothing is the end of the world.
Adopt a limitless mindset. Say yes to opportunities that scare you but also light something up inside you. Get involved. Let yourself grow as you learn. The most rewarding parts of my journey came from trying something new, even when I didn’t feel fully ready.
And above all, be graceful with yourself. You’ll change. You’ll make mistakes. You’ll find your rhythm in unexpected ways. But if you’re open, curious, and kind, you’ll be just fine.
Any parting words or anything else you would like to share?
UBCO allowed me to grow in ways I couldn’t have imagined when I was 17 and eagerly submitting university applications. Back then, while I thought I was just choosing a school, what I found was a place that helped shape the core of who I am.
Over the past five years, I’ve learned what it means to persevere, be resilient, lead with kindness, and embrace growth, even when it’s uncomfortable. I’ve had the privilege of being surrounded by bright, driven, and compassionate people, peers and professors alike, who’ve challenged and inspired me every step of the way.
One of those people was Dr. Ross Hickey, who taught me Public Sector Economics and Negotiations. During a conversation in my final semester, we spoke about student involvement and how often people overlook the opportunities right in front of them. He shared something with me that I’ll carry for the rest of my life: the motto of UBC is Tuum Est, which means “It is yours.” The university offers so much but it’s up to you to take it, shape it, and create value from it. That perspective shifted how I see my entire university experience. That moment helped me realize just how much of my growth was a result of saying yes and showing up even when it was challenging.
I also want to give a special thank you to Dr. Ying Zhu, who taught my very first Management class and later welcomed me as her TA in my final semester. She’s forward-thinking, deeply knowledgeable, and truly cares about her students. Every conversation with her expanded my worldview and reminded me to think bigger and believe in myself more fully. Watching her inspire so many students, quietly but powerfully, showed me the kind of impact I hope to have on others one day.
And maybe that’s the best way to describe what UBCO gave me: not just an education, but access to people and moments that changed the way I see myself and what’s possible. I wouldn’t trade my university experience for anything. It wasn’t perfect, but it was real. It was mine. And as I move forward into the next chapter of my life, I carry deep gratitude for everything UBCO has given me.
Even as I part ways with this campus, I hope I can continue to give back in whatever way possible, whether through mentorship, connection, or simply being someone who carries the spirit of UBCO into the world.
