Continuous development with the Morning MBA Program

Priscilla Sam works in a company which is all about putting the pieces together: LEGO Canada Inc. And in 2015, she realized that there was an important piece missing in her professional life.

Passionate about continuous development, Priscilla saw that in order to advance in her career, she would need to invest in her leadership skills and deepen her knowledge in management frameworks. Business Design was an easy choice, but she would have to fit this learning journey into her already busy life.

Rotman’s Morning MBA was the solution. “I could go to class between 7 and 9 am, put in a full work day, and then after work, I could still work out, do readings or extra-curricular activities, or hear a speaker. What I’d need to give up was just sleep!”

A focus on business design

Priscilla also chose Rotman for its focus on business design: the integration of customer empathy, experience design and business strategy. “I could learn from a couple of the pioneers of business design. Not a lot of other schools in Canada offer that so it was also a big value-add.”

Once Priscilla started her MBA, she got more than she bargained for, thanks in part to the strong networking component of Rotman’s program.

I could learn from a couple of the pioneers of business design. Not a lot of other schools in Canada offer that so it was also a big value-add.

Building relationships

“Before I came into the MBA I would describe myself as very reserved, [although] I was ambitious to grow beyond that … I didn’t imagine in the beginning that I would end up being so involved. In the first year I joined the Women in Management Association as a representative for the part-time class, and then the year after I was elected to be on the executive team.”

“I built relationships with the other female students and my perspective has grown a thousand times because I’ve never been in an environment where so many people are encouraging, and advocating for the best for you and everyone is working towards elevating together. The awesome thing is…all the men [have] been supportive as well.”

Before I came into the MBA I would describe myself as very reserved, [although] I was ambitious to grow beyond that … I didn’t imagine in the beginning that I would end up being so involved.

Priscilla recently moved into a new role at LEGO Canada, integrating her employer’s sales and marketing objectives with those of the retailers, allowing the partners to build business together. She credits her MBA with broadening her perspective.

“What I’ve noticed is the ability to focus more broadly, looking at all the stakeholders, which is particularly important in my role because it’s so much about partnership development. Also, I’ve learned so many different tools, for example mapping tools, which I’ve used often in my workplace. I’m more aware of myself as a leader, and I’ve also been inspired to give back to the community.”

Priscilla works in Trade and Retail Marketing at LEGO Canada Inc. She earned her degree in Rotman’s Morning MBA program in 2018.