Sydney McLennan

Smith School of Business at Queen’s University

“Energetic dedication, approaching every task with an open mind and strong commitment to success.”

Hometown: Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

Fun fact about yourself: I grew up as a competitive jump roper, and have been involved with the sport for almost 20 years. I’ve competed at every Canadian national competition since 2010 and competed at six international championships. Presently, I am coaching and also serving as a member of a governing national committee.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Queens University, Bachelor of Engineering Chemistry with Professional Internship

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? ArcelorMittal Dofasco – Process Engineer

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? N/A

Where will you be working after graduation? Boston Consulting Group – Management Consultant

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• Stephen J. R. Smith Scholarship for academic excellence
• Chair of the MBA Volunteer and Charity Committee (Smith Cares)
• Women in Leadership Club – Member
• Distinctly Case Program – Member
• Winner of the CIBC Case Competition
• Certificate in Social Impact

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Having been a part of the Kingston community for over six years, giving back to the community that was an instrumental part of my education is extremely important to me. I am most proud of my role as chair of the MBA volunteer and charity committee, as it gave me the opportunity to lead initiatives that directly supported those in need while creating a culture of service within my cohort. The initiative that meant the most to me was when my club fundraised and donated 50 bags of various items (food, water, Gatorade, personal hygiene items, etc.) to a local Kingston shelter. Seeing our impact firsthand reinforced my commitment to community-driven initiatives and social responsibility, values that I will carry forward in my career.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? The achievement I’m most proud of in my professional career is coaching Team Ontario in rope skipping, leading them to become the top team in Canada and securing the opportunity to compete internationally at the 2023 International Jump Rope Union Championships. Coaching this team required not just developing athletes’ skills, but also managing the logistical complexity of leading a diverse group of individuals from across Ontario. It involved coordinating schedules, navigating different training environments, and ensuring effective communication across all team members – all while also balancing the unique strengths and needs of each athlete. This experience showcased my leadership abilities, as I had to lead not only in terms of motivating and guiding the team towards success, but also in strategically managing a large, dispersed group with varying levels of commitment and skill. The team’s success at a national level, which led to the opportunity to compete internationally, was a testament to both the individual growth of the athletes and the strength of our collaborative team effort.

This achievement stands out because it blended leadership with problem-solving, strategic planning, and the ability to manage diverse talent effectively.

Competing internationally was an incredibly rewarding experience, not only as a coach but also as a competitor. Being part of the team at the championships and meeting athletes from all over the world was inspiring. It was inspiring to witness firsthand the incredible talent and dedication of jump rope athletes globally and to be part of a community that shares such a unique passion for the sport. The opportunity to compete on an international stage was a moment I’ll never forget, both for the personal achievement and the collective pride of representing Canada.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose Smith School of Business for my MBA because of its unique team-based learning model, which goes beyond traditional group work. On day one, I met the other students on my team and we worked together in a dedicated manner throughout the program, allowing us to further our collaboration skills, eventually developing into a high-performing unit. This structure provided a real-world experience of working in a professional team over the long term, mirroring the dynamics of business environments where success depends on strong, sustained teamwork. Ongoing feedback and guidance from a dedicated coach helped us improve our communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills. This coaching experience pushed me to become a more self-aware and adaptable team member, strengthening my leadership abilities and preparing me for complex, team-driven roles in my career.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite MBA professor was Kurt Schobel, who taught Management Accounting. Coming from a tech background, I had limited experience in finance and accounting, so taking this course was definitely a step out of my comfort zone. Professor Schobel’s teaching style, however, significantly lessened my apprehension. He structured lectures in a way that catered to varying levels of understanding, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, could grasp complex concepts. He consistently brought in real-world examples and problems, allowing us to apply what we were learning in a practical context. What stood out most was his willingness to offer extra help, taking the time to ensure that we understood the material not just for exams, but as a foundation for our future learning.

Professor Schobel’s support went beyond the classroom. During my individual consulting project, where I worked with a non-profit national sporting organization to create a strategic long-term plan, his expertise proved invaluable. With his experience working with similar organizations, he guided me through the process of creating strategy maps and balanced scorecards. Professor Schobel generously shared resources and dedicated time to mentor me, ultimately deepening my understanding of these concepts. As a result, the professionalism of my project was significantly enhanced. I truly appreciate his mentorship and dedication to my development.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course in the MBA program was Analytical Decision Making, as it perfectly bridged my engineering background with the strategic and business knowledge I gained throughout my MBA studies. The course focused on the fundamentals of various decision models and analytical techniques, teaching us how to frame problems through the lens of both quantitative equations and the broader organizational context. I appreciated how we were encouraged to define the problem parameters, identify constraints, and evaluate decisions in terms of real-world business implications. This blend of technical rigor and practical business application was exactly what I was looking for, as it allowed me to leverage my analytical skills while expanding my understanding of strategic decision-making. The course not only reinforced my problem-solving abilities but also helped me see how data-driven decision-making can enhance organizational performance and align with overarching business goals.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? In retrospect, I wish I had made a more intentional effort to connect with the distinguished guest speakers and professors we had the privilege of meeting throughout the year. The MBA provided access to a variety of learned, experienced industry leaders and experts. While I benefited from their insights during their sessions, I realize that I could have further benefitted by taking the opportunity to engage in more direct manner through one-on-one conversation or the arrangement of a follow-up exchange through e-mail.

What is the biggest myth about your school? Before joining the program, I was concerned that not having a traditional business background would put me at a disadvantage. However, I quickly realized that Smith’s MBA is intentionally designed to support students from all disciplines. From day one, the program emphasizes experiential learning, ensuring that students with diverse professional backgrounds can quickly develop the business acumen needed to succeed. One of the biggest advantages of Smith’s team-based model is that it allows students to leverage each other’s strengths. My team included classmates with backgrounds in finance, consulting, and marketing, while I brought a different perspective from my own field of engineering. Instead of feeling at a disadvantage, I found that my unique experiences added value to discussions. I learned directly from my teammates as they learned from me. Looking back, my non-business background was never a liability, rather it was an asset. The diversity of perspectives in the program is what makes the learning experience so dynamic, and Smith provides all the resources needed to help students from any field thrive.

What movie or television show (e.g. The Big Short, The Founder, Mad Men, House of Lies) best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? While many shows and movies focus on the high-pressure, fast-paced nature of business, few capture the importance of empathy, collaboration, and continuous learning. A movie that I find captures many business realities that I learned in depth during the MBA is The Intern. The film emphasizes how intergenerational teamwork can enhance decision-making, foster mutual respect, and drive organizational success. It demonstrates that genuine learning occurs when individuals remain open to new ideas, regardless of their experience level. The relationship between the senior intern and the young CEO exemplifies how working together and embracing diverse perspectives can lead to both personal growth and stronger leadership.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? One way that Smith School of Business has integrated AI into its programming is through hands-on assignments and coursework that encourage students to explore the vast potential of AI in real-world business applications. A standout example is our Business and Corporate Strategy course, where AI was a central focus. Our professor, Goce Andrevski, shared his practical experience of using AI as a strategy consultant, highlighting its ability to simplify complex tasks that would be nearly impossible to accomplish manually. For instance, we used AI to create 3D network structure diagrams that visually represented the strategic fit of different business priorities and activities within a company. These diagrams helped us better understand how various elements of a business could align to support overarching strategies. This hands-on approach allowed us to see how AI can optimize decision-making processes, especially in areas like strategic planning and competitive analysis, where large-scale data processing is crucial.

Before coming to Smith, I wasn’t in school when tools like ChatGPT became popular, and I hadn’t had the opportunity to learn how to best leverage AI in business. Now, with businesses across all industries using AI in some capacity, I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to learn how to effectively use AI. The experience gave me valuable insight into how AI can revolutionize business strategies and decision-making, and it was especially useful in understanding how to use these tools to achieve superior, data-informed outcomes.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I learned something from each classmate that I had the pleasure of working with at Smith. With such a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, it is difficult to choose just one person! However, someone who consistently impressed me and whom I am lucky to now call a friend is Judy Stephenson. Judy served as the president of our cohort’s Women in Leadership club and embraced this role with remarkable dedication. She organized events that sparked meaningful conversations around gender equity, mentorship, and professional development, creating an inclusive environment where everyone felt encouraged to engage and learn. Her ability to balance leading the club with the demands of the MBA program demonstrated both her strong leadership skills and commitment to empowering others.

Academically, Judy consistently offered diverse and reasoned perspectives in class discussions and debates. Her contributions went beyond surface-level insights, often challenging peers to think more critically while remaining respectful and open to differing viewpoints. She was never afraid to speak her mind, especially on complex or sensitive topics, which helped deepen conversations and create a more enriching learning environment. Judy’s combination of courage, empathy, and intellectual curiosity left a lasting impression, and I have no doubt she will continue to inspire those around her in the future.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

1. Empower the Next Generation Through a Social Impact Initiative: Launching or scaling a social impact initiative focused on children would be a meaningful way to utilize my professional skills in an area with which I have considerable interest and concern. Combining my background in strategic planning with experience gained through community involvement in youth sports, I envision creating programs aimed at improving access to education, providing mentorship, or supporting youth development in underserved areas. Such an endeavor would require careful planning, fundraising, and collaboration with local organizations and schools. By focusing on children, I’d have the opportunity to make a long-term impact on their futures, providing them with the tools and resources to succeed. Combining my business acumen with a passion for empowering the next generation would allow me to create sustainable, positive change. This initiative could also inspire others to take similar action, multiplying its impact on young lives. Ultimately, it would allow me to leave a lasting legacy by shaping the futures of children and helping them thrive.

2. Teach or Mentor Future Business Leaders, with a Focus on Empowering Women: One of my most impactful experiences was being mentored by a remarkable woman who fundamentally shaped my career path. Her guidance and belief in my abilities helped me grow both personally and professionally, and it ignited a passion within me to give back in the same way. I’d love to mentor and teach the next generation of business leaders, particularly women, helping them navigate the complexities of the business world and to empower them to challenge and overcome barriers that might otherwise impede their progress. I want to create opportunities for women to thrive by availing them the support, and advice, to develop the skills and confidence required for success. By sharing my experiences and lessons learned, I hope to provide the mentorship that will help them realize their potential, just as my mentor did for me. Empowering women to take on leadership roles is not just about helping individuals—it’s about shifting to a more inclusive and diverse leadership platform within the business landscape.

What made Sydney such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“At Smith, we take great pride in guiding and mentoring the business leaders of tomorrow. The students who stand out are those with a deep drive for success, creativity, a thirst for knowledge, and an understanding of the importance of collaboration when faced with challenges. Most importantly, they exhibit a genuine enthusiasm and passion for the MBA journey. Sydney McLennan embodies all these qualities.

Sydney consistently brought her best to every class. She came fully prepared and actively engaged with her peers during discussions. When faced with challenges, she asked insightful and thoughtful questions, never hesitating to take the lead on topics outside her immediate knowledge. Her inquisitive nature, level-headedness, and thoughtful contributions were always apparent. Sydney’s standing as one of the top academic performers in her cohort came as no surprise. Her intellectual abilities were evident from the first day we met. Beyond academics, I was also impressed by her willingness to lead and contribute to volunteer initiatives, both within the Kingston community and through her capstone project, which provided valuable exposure and support to a nonprofit organization in her hometown.

With the demanding MBA experience behind her, I have no doubt that Sydney has developed the skills, knowledge, and discipline needed to thrive at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). She will undoubtedly be a valuable team player who will embrace the BCG culture with the same enthusiasm and commitment to excellence that she demonstrated throughout her time on campus. It was truly an honour to have Sydney in my class, and her presence reminded me of why I love teaching. I am excited to see where her future takes her and will eagerly follow her post-MBA journey.”

Kurt Schobel
Assistant Professor of Accounting
Smith School of Business, Queen’s University

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