Macie Fang

University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management

“A patient communicator passionate about human-centered design, aiming to make everyone feel heard and understood.”

Hometown: Taipei, Taiwan

Fun Fact About Yourself: I learned English by reading Harry Potter and still dream of attending Hogwarts and joining Hufflepuff House.

Undergraduate School and Major: National Taipei University of Education, Bachelor of Cultural and Creative Industries Management

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Vaco, Google Surveys Ops: Business Intelligence Team Lead & German Market Research Consultant

Personal and professional development is one of the cornerstones of the Rotman MBA experience. What have you learned about yourself so far and what do you hope to achieve? As a patient listener who believes in nurturing others’ potential, I aim to leverage my background in culture and creative industries management – combined with experience in business intelligence, marketing, and PR – to harness human-centered design and craft tailored solutions that drive meaningful impact. Fluent in Mandarin, English, and German, I am excited to bridge cultural perspectives and blend analytical insights with creativity to enhance user experiences and inspire lasting innovation.

What has been your favorite part of Toronto so far? Why? Having grown up in a subtropical climate, my heavy reliance on multiple heat-tech layers and waterproof parkas to stay warm during the Canadian winter has become a source of amusement that my classmates and I laugh about. However, I will always appreciate the crisp, invigorating air of Toronto and the lively squirrels that dart alongside me on my way to campus. Connecting with nature first thing in the morning is without a doubt the best way to start the day.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the one key part of Toronto Rotman’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? As I explored the possibility of applying to Rotman’s MBA program, the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) immediately caught my eye. CDL offers an opportunity to apply what we learn in MBA courses. Even more, it enables us to collaborate with technology startups and entrepreneurs at the seed stage to support their growth and bring innovations to market. This program fuels my passion for bridging business and technology.

Learning about the CDL reminded me of an English sales pitch I gave with two of my peers at the International Trade Institute. We introduced Otter.ai, a real-time automated notes and audio transcription software that uses AI and machine learning to capture speech context accurately, even with second-language speakers. Instead of delving into the technicalities, we focused on the needs of our listeners and emphasised how Otter could optimise efficiency and enhance performance in their learning, teaching, and workplace settings. The time and energy users spent trying to understand global business counterparts or summarise meeting minutes can now be used to brainstorm ideas and gather insights. The presentation resonated with the audience, prompting many of them to begin using the service.

The experience of popularising a tech startup to an international audience motivated me to continue promoting human-centered technology. When technology eases communication or simplifies processes, we can be freed from routine tasks and empowered to create and innovate. By working with startups and learning from experienced entrepreneurial mentors, I believe the CDL is a catalyst for inspiring ideas that generate incredible impact and is a program I am honoured to be a part of.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Toronto Rotman? I have always been intrigued by human-centered thinking, but it was through my involvement with the Rotman Business Design Club (BDC) that I officially embarked on my design journey. In partnership with Rotman Pride, the Healthcare Management Association (HMA), and Access to Success (A2S), BDC collaborated with Kensington Health to organise a Service Design Case Competition. My team and I focused on identifying the unmet needs of senior patients and developing strategies to improve their ophthalmology treatment experience. Interviewing a senior resident and an ophthalmologist, and hearing their personal stories, was undoubtedly the highlight of the project. Participating in the design challenge not only deepened my appreciation for qualitative research, but also reaffirmed my passion for listening to diverse perspectives and learning from professionals across disciplines. Our team proudly finished in third place, but the most rewarding part for me was losing track of the competition itself and realising that design thinking is a field I truly want to explore further in my career.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: In my previous role as a German Market Research Consultant, I collaborated with a diverse team from the United States, Brazil, Argentina, France, Germany, Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Surrounded by native language specialists, I was motivated to continue my German lessons during evenings and weekends, progressing to C1-level materials despite not having lived in a German-speaking country. Mentoring Indonesian, German, and French colleagues helped me adapt to various communication styles, which enhanced my ability to lead the Business Intelligence team.

When faced with a smaller team and the expectation to deliver the same results, we could no longer approach tasks in the same way. To ensure efficiency, I considered everyone’s perspective and embraced our diversity. While some team members were more vocal in meetings, others preferred to share ideas in writing. Through confidential questionnaires and one-on-one meetings, I was able to tailor task allocation to each person’s preferences, strengths, and goals. By maximising our collective strengths and fostering openness within our team and across teams, we not only doubled our efficiency but also optimised existing tools based on user feedback, which encouraged colleagues to join our team of innovative individuals.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? Surrounded by so many talented individuals from around the world, I initially found it challenging to share my thoughts in lecture halls, often comparing myself to eloquent native English speakers and those with business backgrounds. However, our first course at Rotman, Leveraging Diverse Teams, encouraged me to practice expressing myself and embrace the perspectives I bring as an international student. The thoughtful, warm encouragement from my classmates gave me the confidence to ask questions when in doubt and contribute ideas, even if, at first, they didn’t seem to align with the majority.

Rather than staying in my comfort zone and focusing solely on areas where I felt confident, the MBA offers an opportunity to embark on a new phase—one where quantifiable outcomes, such as academic grades and case competition results, are important but certainly not the sole objectives. For me, my greatest sense of accomplishment is found in the repeated attempts to tackle new challenges, whether it’s the hours spent trying to understand new concepts or stepping forward to connect with new people at networking events despite feeling anxious. These moments have helped me build resilience and strength, while also igniting a goal of recognising the unique strengths in those around me, with the hope that they, too, will feel comfortable embracing their own light.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? One of my fondest memories so far is the Trailblazers event organised by the Rotman Women in Management Association (WIMA). The moderator, panelists, and industry leaders were all inspiring female professionals who embraced their multiple roles at home and at work with grace and confidence. Their authenticity set the tone for the evening and sparked meaningful conversations about staying true to ourselves, being open about our challenges, and taking pride in our contributions both at home and in the workplace—without feeling guilty about occasionally prioritising one over the other. The pursuit of “balance” can be stressful at times, and I truly appreciate how candidly the industry professionals shared their experiences. They reminded us that being kind to ourselves and acknowledging our progress and growth are just as important as caring for others in our lives.

DON’T MISS: MEET TORONTO ROTMAN’S MBA CLASS OF 2026

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