Scores of Commerce students donned white t-shirts and assembled on Tindall Field to be filmed from the air on April 3. This ‘Commerce Family Portrait’ was organized by Comm’12 students Katherine Wong Too Yen and Chengbo Qian on behalf of the Commerce Society. The daring aerial photographer was Ken Sekiguchi, Comm’14.

Kingston , March 29, 2012 - Jane Wu, BCom’12, and her teammates took home top honours at the annual Paul and Tom Kinnear Business Plan Competition held March 29 at Goodes Hall. Their venture, Penyo Pal, is an engaging game for “kids and kids at heart” to learn Mandarin.

Established in 2008 by Dr. Tom Kinnear, BCom’66, LLD’02, the competition awards the winning team $5,000 to launch or further the ongoing operations of its venture. Dr. Kinnear is the Director of the Samuel Zell & Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Michigan and the founder of the Wolverine Venture Fund, the inspiration for QSB’s own student-advised Tricolour Venture Fund. Each year, teams that comprise at least one QSB Commerce student submit their business plans. After a preliminary round, the final four teams present to a panel of judges that selects the winning team.

This year’s judging panel included Lauren Haw, BCom’07, Founder and Managing Realtor of HerHome.ca; Ahmad Iqbal, BCom’10, Founder of Atendy; Peter McWhirter, MBA’79, retired VP of Commercial Banking at TD; and Elspeth Murray, BSc’85, MBA’87, Associate Dean, Queen’s School of Business and Director of the Queen’s Centre for Business Venturing.

The winning team Penyo Pal was founded by BCom’12 student Jane Wu, Jessica Fan, Simon Fraser University, Business & Design 2012; Rafal Dittwald, University of Toronto Engineering 2012; and Ryan Wagner, University of Waterloo Engineering 2012. Its first Mandarin instruction product, now in beta development, is a virtual community where students can adopt a baby Kirin animated character and interact on a platform designed to foster language exposure and learning. Says Jane, “We believe learning a language is the best way to discover the world so we’re excited to be leveraging technology to make learning Mandarin fun for kids, and empowering for parents.”

New York City, March 27, 2012 – Dan McCann, BCom’11, and Amy Bergenwall, BCom’08, MSC’10, scored top honours in the international category of the NYC Next Idea Global Business Plan Competition. This annual competition, sponsored by the New York City Economic Development Corporation and Columbia University’s School of Engineering, encourages innovative business ventures to launch and operate their businesses in New York City.

After narrowing the field of 270 applications down to six finalists, the International Track prize was awarded to Dan and Amy’s new venture Stylsize, a mobile and web app with a convenient solution for out-of-store and online apparel purchases. Their app will enable shoppers to visualize how garments fit and flatter their bodies without the frustrating guesswork associated with today’s online shopping.

The pair will receive $17,500 in cash prizes and six months of free office space in order to help them launch their business in New York City.

Queen’s Commerce students descended on Jinotepe, Nicaragua, during Reading Week in late February to volunteer their services to help renovate a local school. Students restored a water fountain, built a new play area, painted the school’s interior and exterior and created educational murals for the 185 elementary school students at the Carlos José Salinas Elementary School in Jinotepe, outside Managua. While the students paid their own expenses, they also raised funds to bring nearly $400 worth of school supplies and delivered 50 teddy bears collected by students of Bluevale Collegiate Institute in Waterloo, ON.

The 25 students were chosen as part of the Queen’s Commerce Initiative Abroad (Q’CIA), an annual international volunteer initiative that targets a different country in the developing world. This year’s group partnered with Basecamp International Centers, a not-for-profit organization that offers short duration volunteer placements that benefit deserving schools abroad. Q’CIA, established in 2009, operates under the auspices of the Queen’s Commerce Society, the undergraduate student government for Commerce students enrolled in Queen’s School of Business.

KINGSTON, ON, March 1, 2012—HSBC Bank Canada has established the HSBC Women in Business Leadership Award at Queen’s School of Business. The award, worth $10,000 per year for two years, is granted to a third-year female student based on academic achievement and leadership potential. Four Queen’s students will receive the award over the next five years.

Third-year Queen’s Commerce student Cathy Huizi Wang was selected as the 2012 recipient for her outstanding academic record and leadership roles with Queen’s University Investment Counsel (QUIC), a student-led investment fund managing a real money portfolio, and Students for Free Enterprise (SIFE), an entrepreneurial student group that empowers people in need to improve the quality of their life. Cathy is also a case competition winner and a teaching and research assistant.

“This scholarship is a tremendous opportunity for emerging female leaders at Queen’s School of Business,” said Shannon Goodspeed, Executive Director of the Commerce program. “We are thankful for HSBC’s investment in the most vital educational building block—our students—and for their support for women in business.”

According to a recent Catalyst Census, women made up 47.3% of the Canadian workforce, but held only 17.7% of senior officer positions at Financial Post 500 companies; and more than 30% of companies in the study had no women senior officers.

“HSBC believes that education is a fundamental building block for communities,” said Lindsay Gordon, President and Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Bank Canada.  “Our success is built on our ability to attract and develop a diverse range of talent, and we are delighted that the HSBC Women in Business Leadership Awards will recognize future business leaders, encouraging them to achieve their full potential and forge a path towards becoming some of Canada’s top executives.”

HSBC Bank Canada’s $80,000 donation will fund the award over a five year period. Students can also apply to be considered for HSBC Bank Canada summer internship positions, as well as management trainee programs upon graduation. The award is renewable in fourth year provided the student maintains a GPA of 3.7 and continued leadership activity. The award has also been established at seven other universities across Canada.

“This award has given me financial security and the confidence to pursue my career in the finance industry,” said Cathy Huizi Wang. “I am very thankful to HSBC and Queen’s School of Business for recognizing me with this award, which provides women with the support and mentorship needed to succeed in their careers.”

About Queen’s School of Business

Queen’s School of Business is one of the world’s premier business schools – renowned for exceptional programs, outstanding faculty and research, and the quality of its graduates. Canadian executives regard Queen’s as Canada’s most innovative business school, offering students academic excellence and a superior overall experience. Queen’s School of Business – where Canada’s first Commerce program was launched in 1919 – is located at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. The School also delivers programs at locations across Canada, as well in the U.S. and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region.

For more information:

Amber Wallace
Queen’s School of Business
awallace@business.queensu.ca / 613.533.3151

Queen’s School of Business (QSB) recently signed the university’s first student exchange agreement with a Colombian university.

“We are excited to partner with the Universidad de los Andes School of Management (UASM), which is among the top business schools in Latin America,” says Angela James, Director, QSB’s Centre for International Management. “With the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement coming into effect last summer, this is a great opportunity for Queen’s Commerce students to make connections in a key emerging market.”

QSB students applying for the exchange must have a strong command of Spanish as they will be integrated into UASM classes. While in Colombia, they can draw on the academic and personal support offered by UASM and its students.

UASM and QSB students can apply for the Scotiabank Group Scholarship of the Americas, which QSB established in 2006 to help foster and support international exchange with institutions in the Americas. UASM students at Queen’s can also apply to the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program scholarship program.

Up to two Queen’s Commerce students can spend a semester at the Bogota-based university beginning in the 2012-13 academic year, with the same number of Colombian students coming to Kingston.

Over 93 per cent of the second-year Commerce class has applied to go on an international exchange in 2012-13. QSB continues to expand its exchange opportunities for Commerce students as it guarantees every student a spot on exchange. Last year QSB signed exchange agreements in the Czech Republic (University of Economics in Prague), India (Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore), Spain (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid), Russia (St. Petersburg State University) and Turkey (Sabanci Business School).

Delegates from across Canada and around the world hone business skills in international business, marketing, entrepreneurship and the sports industry

QEC 2012 Delegates

Kingston, February 9, 2012 – Commerce student organizers hosted three conferences and one competition in January, attracting delegates from across Canada, the US and overseas, including teams from Bangladesh, South Africa and the Netherlands. All aspects of the planning and delivery of these conferences are spearheaded by Commerce students who gain invaluable leadership experience in the process.

Each of the four conferences are summarized below:

QMAC – Queen’s Marketing Association Conference welcomed 130 Canadian and international delegates at its event held Jan. 12-14. A highlight – the QMAC Challenge marketing case competition – tested delegates’ critical thinking and creativity. Commerce students Jia Zhen and Hemani Kamdar, both Comm’14, won the top prize: a seat at The Body Shop’s table at the Canadian Fragrance Awards. Speakers included Alfredo Tan, a Senior Director at Facebook Canada; John Betts, the CEO of McDonalds Canada; and Marc Boderke, VP of Marketing at Mercedes Benz. Unilever shared the weekend’s title sponsorship with The Body Shop.

QEC – Queen’s Entrepreneurs’ Competition’s move to Toronto attracted a stellar group of 16 finalist teams representing 14 universities at the Jan. 19-21 event. QEC founder Meredith van Binsbergen, BCom’90, attended and remarked: “The international reach, high number of participating teams and sophistication of the business ventures put forward reflect that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive among today’s University students.” Sponsors included Queen’s Centre for Business Venturing, Queen’s MBA Class of 1970 Entrepreneurship Fund, CVCA (Canada’s Venture Capital & Private Equity Association), Manulife Bank, LoyaltyOne, Corplex Canada, Clean-Mark Industries, JCM Capital, Inceptive Solutions, Unilever, and Bounce Entertainment. Keynote speakers included Chris Hodgson, Head of Industry Retail for Google Canada; John Poulos, President and CEO of Dominion Voting Systems, and Ted Zittell, President at Ted Zittell & Associates. For complete results, visit QEC.

QCIB – Queen’s Conference on International Business focused on ‘Celebrating Innovation by Gaining First Mover Advantage’ with a diverse line-up of speakers, including Betty DeVita, CEO and President of MasterCard Canada, former federal cabinet minister Pierre Pettigrew, Austin McGhie, President of Strategy at Sterling Brands, and Richard Ross, Inmet Mining’s former CEO. The Toronto event, held Jan. 19-22, brought together delegates from 12 universities and featured a case competition sponsored by LG. Commerce students Vladana Zlatic and Sarah Marion were members of the winning team that presented options for LG to reclaim market share in developed countries and penetrate more developing markets.

QSIC – Queen’s Sports Industry Conference held Jan. 26-28, welcomed 120 delegates to explore the theme ‘Dream. Believe. Achieve.’ In addition to hearing from such speakers as Ian Clarke, CFO, Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment and Anthon Thun of MFIVE Sports Management (NHL star Vincent Lecavalier’s agent), delegates competed in the Case Classic Competition to solve a business problem facing the Toronto Argonauts CFL team.

On Friday, December 2nd, the Goodes Hall atrium transformed into a winter wonderland for the wrap-up event of the Commerce Society’s annual Holiday Hope initiative. Started three years ago, Holiday Hope gives student groups the opportunity to partner with the Kingston Children’s Aid Society to purchase holiday gifts for underprivileged families in Kingston, who otherwise may have not received gifts. Numerous faculty and staff members from QSB also supported the campaign.
 
This year, students brought gifts for 49 families including 81 children. Students signed up with their committees, housemates, and groups of friends. Holiday Hope is one of the Queen’s Commerce Society’s Outreach Commission’s most popular initiatives. The ComSoc Outreach Commission is comprised of two fourth year students, Rachel Williams and Warren Duncan, as well as third year student, Nicola Plummer.
 
Nicola describes the spirit behind this popular event; “It means so much to see the Commerce community come together and give back to the Kingston community. They have been so welcoming to us during our studies, so we think it is fitting to give back during the holiday season, to show our appreciation.”
 
With another successful year under its belt, the Commerce Society hopes to continue this mutually beneficial partnership with the Children’s Aid Society for years to come. Other valued sponsors and partners include the NetImpact Support Centre, Oil Thigh Designs, the Tea Room and the Queen’s School of Business.

QFAC 2011 aims to forge and maintain lasting connection between today’s greatest financial minds and the leaders of tomorrow’s markets.

TORONTO, Nov. 17, 2011 – The Queen’s Finance Association Conference (QFAC) was held at the Fairmont Royal York hotel in the heart of downtown Toronto’s financial district November 17th to 20th.
 
Delegates were exposed to all aspects of the financial services industry, from investment banking, to sales and trading, to private equity. Diverse topics were covered by speakers Dave Roland, CEO of Paradigm Capital, Howard Green, anchor of “Headline” on BNN, Jim Fasano, VP and Head of Principal Investing at CPPIB, and Mike Durland, co-CEO of Scotia Capital. The flagship event, co-hosted by Rotman School of Business, was the Desjardins stock trading simulation held on the trading floors of the old TSX that mirrored activity in trading pits without the use of computers. The winning team opened the Toronto Stock Exchange. Delegates also got the opportunity to experience first-hand the operations of their choice of one of ten Bay Street firms in addition to attending three unforgettable socials.
 
Echoing Tio Charbaghi, founder of QFAC and an analyst at Citadel Group, “Our generation needs to be constantly seeking to gain edge … to get ahead.” QFAC provided the perfect opportunity for delegates to gain an edge in their intended careers in finance.
 
QFAC is Canada’s first student-run conference focused entirely on finance and the capital markets. Its mission is to provide delegates with practical knowledge and tangible experience in order to facilitate their transition into careers within the financial services industry. For further information, please visit http://www.qfac.ca/.

QLEAD delegates and the conference’s executive in front of Goodes Hall

KINGSTON, Nov. 14, 2011— Queen’s Leadership, Excellence and Development (QLEAD) has concluded its twelfth annual conference, this year showing delegates what it means to “Own Your Path” and find success through choosing unique avenues.
 
QLEAD is a weekend-long conference that aims to excite and motivate high school students who are passionate about leadership and interested in its application in the business world. The conference, which attracted 120 delegates from Vancouver, Halifax and across Ontario, featured six prestigious speakers who demonstrated that entrepreneurship is not limited to a certain age group. As explained by QLEAD Logistics Coordinator Charlotte MacDonald, “Many students come to QLEAD thinking there is only one structured path to success. Several speakers were entrepreneurs who emphasized the option of developing your own path to success and happiness.” Notably, university student entrepreneur Dave Wilkin spoke of the importance collaboration and mentorship have played in the launch of his companies Redwood Strategic and CampusPerks.ca.
 
QLEAD was sponsored by Chubb Insurance, Scotiabank, and the CMA. To learn more about QLEAD, visit www.qlead.ca.