Meet The Rotman MBA Class Of 2018

Desmond Yeo

Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Singaporean public servant with serious imposter syndrome. Hands surgically attached to wine glass.

Hometown: Singapore

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have an irrational fear of chalkboards.

Undergraduate School and Major:

National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Tokyo

Master of Science in Public Policy

Columbia University, Columbia College, New York

Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Operations Research

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

Consulate General of the Republic of Singapore in Shanghai, Vice Commercial Consul

International Enterprise Singapore, Singapore, Centre Director, Shanghai Office

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: When China announced its cross border e-commerce pilot in 2013, I helped to lead a team in my company to start the world’s first government-owned and operated platform on Alibaba’s Tmall Global site. Since its establishment, the online store has helped more than 40 leading Singapore brands market and sell their products in China.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants? If possible, do attend the various MBA fairs that are usually well-attended by top business schools from various countries. Meeting the various recruitment officers from these schools gives them an opportunity to learn and remember interesting things about you that might otherwise not show up in your application.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? I very much liked Rotman’s strong focus on innovation and business design in its curriculum. This is very much in line with the skills that I want to develop before I embark on a new career.

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life? The idea of helping businesses to evolve and retool is of great interest to me, and I am keen to explore a career where I can play a key role in helping companies design innovative business models or new products.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program?  Desmond is someone you can trust to get things done.  Also, his hands are surgically attached to wine glasses.