Master of Management alum starts group to foster connection and embrace learning after graduation

Graduates of the Master of Management program at the Haskayne School of Business have come together to create a networking alliance for MMgmt alumni.

Launched in 2019, the Master of Management is a 10-month, full-time program designed for recent graduates of non-business degree programs to gain business skills to help launch their careers. Through the Master of Management, students can expand their career opportunities within their undergraduate field of interest, pivot to explore new career paths or start their own business.

Brielle Pelletier, MMgmt’21, is the driving force behind the creation of the newly launched Master of Management Alumni Alliance and is its president and co-chair. She came to the UCalgary program after receiving her bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management from Algonquin College. Since her experience within the program was such a positive one, she wanted to provide a space for others to continue growing that would extend beyond the academic environment. And this led to the creation of the Master of Management Alumni Alliance.

“I believe the Master of Management Alumni Alliance is important because it's extending our network beyond education and into the community to create an everlasting network that goes beyond that,” says Pelletier. “To create an everlasting community that still incorporates Haskayne but goes above and beyond into the business community here in Calgary.”

James Akinola, BA’20, MMgmt’22, recently joined the alliance as co-chair. His experience within the program was also positive and he says the program helped him transition from economics major to business specialist.

“I loved the program,” says Akinola. “It’s very unique in the sense that it created in us an agent of change and a driver of innovation, so that’s why I joined.” 

He now hopes his prior classmates and students of previous grad years will join the alliance and looks forward to welcoming future grads to the group.

“It gives you an opportunity beyond just being a student of the Haskayne School of Business,” says Akinola. “We are trying to grow a community in the business community in Calgary here to give job opportunities, network opportunities, event opportunities, professional development for people who are just coming out of the program.”

The alliance had its first big event in February of this year with a great turnout and has also had some casual after-work meet-ups.

“It was just nice to connect with students from previous years that you’ve never met,” says Pelletier. “Through that Haskayne network, you get the opportunity to build a network with them. Learn about their companies and even a bigger and more exposure to the business community here in Calgary.”

The Master of Management Alumni Alliance hopes to host more events in the future. If you are a Master of Management alum and would like to get involved, you can reach out to the alliance through its LinkedIn page, or by messaging Pelletier and Akinola directly, also through LinkedIn.