Faizan Ahmad

Ivey Business School at Western University

“A mountaineer with a penchant for problem-solving, and a drive to create lasting impact.”

Hometown: Ranchi, India

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have climbed several 8000m peaks and have summited the Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world.

Undergraduate School and Major: Hult International Business School – Major: Finance

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: TISX Capital Advisors (Senior Associate – Investment Banking)

How has the case method enriched your learning? The case method of learning at Ivey encourages participation by all individuals. This is especially valuable in a class comprising of individuals having diverse experiences, which results in discussions that cover various aspects of the same problem. The case method challenged me to step-up to contribute to the live discussions by actively thinking about the business problems faced by the case protagonist. By stepping into the shoes of the decision-maker, I can evaluate the options available for any given business problem and weigh the benefits and associated costs for the same.

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 ability to complete my MBA within 1 year at one of Canada’s leading business schools was one of the biggest draws. The Ivey alumni network is one of the greatest assets the school has. All through networking, I have reached out to alumni who have busy schedules but are kind enough to take out the time to discuss the career opportunities available. They are invested in the success of another Ivey grad and root for you throughout the process. This was clearly visible in Get Connected as well as the Industry Trek.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I was able to establish and run a quantitative trading algorithmic platform, scaling it from 2 people to over 20 across 2 years, raising funding from VC and PE funds. This was one of the most challenging as well as the most rewarding experiences – more so after I exited the controlling stake to a PE fund at an $8.3 million valuation and took on a more direction setting role.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: The initial learning curve at Ivey can be a bit steep, especially during Core 1. During that period, I helped my classmates with preparation for the exams as well as other requirements in courses such as Finance, Accounting and Analytics (DMA). But the most rewarding experience was the sense of happiness when I saw my classmates smiling after the Finance exams ended. It was a sense of fulfillment having made sure my friends realized their true potential within their comfort zone.

Where is your favorite hang-out in London (Ontario)? Why do you (or your classmates) gravitate there? For people who know me, they wouldn’t be shocked if I said Haven’s Creamery. As I can’t discriminate between amazing dessert places, I’d mention the Black Walnut Café besides that as well. Haven’s has some of the most delightful flavors, including the London Fog.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? Professionally I’d like to explore the option to pivot from investment banking to consulting. Also, having recently moved from the United Kingdom, I want to explore the career opportunities as well as the business environment in North America, especially Canada. Personally, as an avid mountaineer I’d like to explore the Rockies in Alberta when I have a long enough break to do so.

What did you do during the application process that enabled you to get accepted into Ivey? During the application process, I networked a lot with the alumni as well as the students who were completing their MBA at Ivey. That allowed me to better understand the value an Ivey MBA brings to one’s career. It also allowed me to discuss the advantages of the case method, the program structure as well as the career management team at Ivey. Attending the events held by the recruitment team and networking with them also allowed me to develop my application essay as well as prep for the interview resulting in the offer!

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