Mathieu Ruffe

Ivey Business School at Western University

“I am a global cosmopolitan, naturally curious and always ready to challenge my comfort zone.”

Hometown: Paris, France

Fun Fact About Yourself: For my 30th birthday, I decided to fulfill one of my dreams. I bought a used cargo van that I outfitted into a fully equipped camper van.

Graduate School and Major: Master’s degree in Management from AUDENCIA Business School with a major in marketing.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: SureWerx, a manufacturer of innovative safety products and tools and equipment solutions, Digital Transformation Specialist

How has the case method enriched your learning? The case method was a new experience for me, but it works wonders with the way I learn. It keeps me fully engaged for the duration of the class because there is a constant conversation between the students and the professor. It was a daunting experience at first, but I embraced the challenge to be put on the spot and quickly adapted to the different nuances as the case unfolds in class. Case method has tremendously sharpened my critical reasoning skills and broadened my knowledge with different points of view.

Aside from classmates and cases, what part of the school’s MBA programming led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The one-year program was a key criterion in my decision to join the Ivey MBA program. From a financial perspective, it is important for me to return to the workforce as quickly as possible. Earning the best MBA in Canada in only 13 months is a unique opportunity. The support I received through the entire recruitment process was unmatched and convinced me that it was the right program.

What quality best describes your MBA classmates and why? Supportive! One great example is how some classmates very early in the program volunteered their time to provide extra sessions on specific topics such as accounting, finance, and analytics. Others sent care packages to newcomers to make them feel more at home in Canada. There is healthy competition within the program. We challenge each other to aim for higher goals while being present for each other at the same time.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I spoke three languages and worked in three different countries –France, Spain, and Canada — across various industries including financial services, oil and gas, energy, and the manufacturing sector. Leading many projects and teams in the digital transformation consulting space in such diverse work environments, I developed my comfort with uncertainty, my open-mindedness and bolstered my ability to adapt quickly.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: It was an honour to be elected President of the newly-created Ivey MBA BIPOC Club! The club advocates for underrepresented groups, creates a safe space for conversation, and provides a supportive environment to bring meaningful impact within our business community and beyond. One of the initiatives we launched is the creation of a podcast called “Our Stories” to raise awareness about key societal issues and highlight the beautiful diversity that we have at Ivey this year. To know more, follow the Instagram page @iveymbabipoc.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? Multiple factors led me to pursue an MBA. However, the racial injustices seen in 2020 really triggered my commitment to act. As an educated Black person coming from a very modest background, I reflected on my experiences and values, and realized that I wanted to dedicate my time to improve equity and social justice in communities around me. Therefore, I decided to apply for an MBA at Ivey to improve my business acumen, build knowledge, and reinforce my leadership skills, with the goal of a career where I can create a positive social impact.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? I only applied to Ivey because it was the right fit for my learning style, my objectives, and my criteria.

What did you do during the application process that enabled you to get accepted into Ivey? Beyond the intensive GMAT preparation, I did a lot of self-reflection to stay true to my personality, my career objectives, and personal goals in my essays. I used all the materials recommended by the recruiter to understand the culture at Ivey and assess the fit. I demonstrated my genuine interest in following up with the recruiter, participating in different networking and recruitment events, and talking to alumni.

DON’T MISS: MEET IVEY’S MBA CLASS OF 2022