WALKING IN THE SHOES OF A TELFER EXECUTIVE MBA ALUMNUS

ALEXANDRA SKINNER TALKS TO JANICE SIDDONS

Q. Why did you select the Telfer Executive MBA?

Telfer Executive MBA is the lead sponsor for Ottawa’s Forty under 40 award to which I was named one of the 40 recipients in 2013. When I learned more about their offering, I knew that taking the programme would be an ideal way to grow both as an individual and a leader. From an education standpoint, I had a post-secondary education, and professionally, I had hands-on leadership experience with industry awards, and I knew that this would be a key piece to propel me forward in my journey.

From a career perspective, it was just a matter of timing. I had been involved, since inception, in two successful tech companies, N-able Technologies and Fully Managed, and I had to find the right balance between the growth of these organisations and my personal growth. By 2018, Fully Managed was stable, and I was able to enrol in the Class of 2020.

Q. Can you talk about the benefits you’ve enjoyed (promotion, salary increases, new business development) post-graduation?

In my case, it was the ability to scale with Fully Managed. We were growing steadily through acquisitions, from an initial team of 3 to over 400 employees, and as the company was scaling, I knew that I needed to have the skill set to be able to evolve with this growth.

The Telfer Executive MBA programme helped me to develop and grow my leadership toolkit. The programme was very practical and relevant, and during the 21-month programme, I was actively applying what I was learning to my work. Since the acquisition of Fully Managed by TELUS in 2022, I have been able to remain in my role and continue to grow and evolve with the company.

Q. Getting work/life balance right can be incredibly challenging when studying for an MBA. Were you successful in striking a balance, and if so, how did you achieve this?

You need to get a game plan in place that will work for you. Although I am a structured individual who earned the nickname “Super J” during the programme, I went into a bit of a cocoon, absorbing all the knowledge that I could. Our class days were held on alternating Fridays and Saturdays. I structured my weeks by augmenting the Friday that I didn’t have class with a vacation day, resulting in three full days a week that I could dedicate to my studies (Friday – Sunday) as well as my evenings. The remaining weekdays I focused on my work. This still left me with some personal time.

Q. What tips would you give to incoming Executive MBA students

Embrace the journey! The programme is laid out with specific intent, so go with the flow and enjoy the experience. You will certainly face some challenges along the way, so expect this. You will complete both personal and team assignments, and for each of them, make sure you are looking at the bigger picture and reflect on what this experience is teaching you and telling you about yourself. Have fun with it; learning in that environment is an incredible gift; soak it in and learn as much as you can!

Q. How much support did you receive from the programme on your Executive MBA journey?

The programme was incredibly supportive for the entire journey. They had an open-door policy, and we could talk to them openly if we had any questions or concerns. This extended beyond the Telfer administrative support team to include our professors, who were readily available to support us as well.

Kindly define the skill set the Telfer Executive MBA has equipped you with and how this has set you apart from other jobseekers/candidates.

The biggest takeaway from a skills perspective for me was the combination of soft skills. The course content and team environment taught me how to understand, appreciate, and best interact with others based on their personalities and learning styles. It was a toolkit on strategic levers that can be utilised when needed. I think of it like a Swiss army knife based on the multitude of tools I have!

Q. What were your programme highlights?

Number one was the human interaction. When you spend that much time with people, you really get to know them, and they become a lifelong network and friends that you know you can turn to if you require support.

Secondly was the hands-on practical and relevant experience of working on our six consulting projects for businesses within the community and within our international experience component. I completed my individual-based Business Development Projects for my organisation as a way of giving back for supporting me in this programme with a tangible consulting report that helped us grow.

“It was a toolkit on strategic levers that can be utilised when needed. I think of it like a Swiss army knife based on the multitude of tools I have!”

Our trip to Silicon Valley at the end of our first year was a wonderful mix of learning about innovation as well as bonding time for our cohort. Unfortunately, we were not able to travel on our international consulting trip to Vietnam, as it was cancelled just one month before our departure due to COVID-19. But, we all proved that we could be resilient and agile, completing the consulting project component virtually during the lockdown.

Q. Are there resources available to graduates post-EMBA, and have you used any of them?

You realise that at the end of your programme there is an entire support system waiting to welcome you into the Telfer School of Management’s alumni community. There are endless networking opportunities and educational sessions annually where you can register to participate. I have participated in a few since graduation, including a woman’s leadership event and an interesting roundtable discussion on the Metaverse. It also works in reverse, and you pay it forward. I participated as a judge in a case competition for third-year Telfer undergraduate business students; it is rewarding to give back and support the next generations of leaders.

Q. How does your employer view your Executive MBA?

I was one of two original team members at Fully Managed. Together with the CEO, we grew the company to a solid revenue base and over 400 team members when we sold to TELUS on January 1, 2022. The CEO wanted to ensure that I would be able to scale with the company and asked if I would be willing to complete my Executive MBA - it took all of two seconds to say yes. The programme’s tuition fees became a part of my compensation for the next three years. I am very grateful that I had the organisation’s full support, and I have been able to continue in my same role within the acquired Fully Managed by TELUS Business.

Q. How would you summarise your EMBA experience?

It is life-changing in the best possible way. You come out of the programme a different person; you experience personal growth and have a comfortable, humble confidence that you can take on anything that comes your way. For anyone considering it, I would say push yourself into the deep end of the pool; you will quickly learn you can swim beautifully.

Telfer Executive Mba Snapshot

Duration: 21 months (17 months of class sessions)

Structure: Bi-modal, synchronous delivery format. Participate in person or from anywhere with an internet connection. Classes take place weekly, alternating between Friday and Saturday.

Accreditations: Top 1% of business schools in the world to hold AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS accreditations.

Application Deadlines: Rolling basis. June 30 (Canadian and American citizens). May 31 (international applicants).

Cost: $75,000 CAD (domestic) / $75,000 CAD + UHIP fees (international).

Average Age: 39 years

Average work experience: 15 years

Identify as female: 34%

BIOGRAPHY

EMBA

is the Chief Operating Officer of Fully Managed by TELUS Business.