Kai Zhao

McGill University, Desautels Faculty of Management

“Former military officer turned MBA, passionate about leadership, operations, and building strong, impactful communities.”

Hometown: Brampton, Ontario

Fun fact about yourself: Proud dog dad to Mia—who keeps me humble, active, and ensures I never sleep in.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Royal Military College of Canada – Bachelor of Arts, Economics

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Canadian Armed Forces – Logistics Officer. Led 30–70 soldiers and managed a fleet of 70+ military vehicles, ensuring operational readiness, strategic deployment, and mission success in high-pressure environments.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? Supply Chain Analyst intern at C2.0 Supply Chain Consultancy in Brossard, Québec.

Where will you be working after graduation? I am currently exploring opportunities in operations, supply chain, and management, where I can leverage my leadership experience from the military and MBA—especially in a time of global trade volatility. In parallel with my job search, I launched a side venture to help new graduates transition to life in Ontario with fewer challenges. Universities provide extensive support during a student’s academic journey, but once they graduate or relocate for work, they are often left to navigate housing, taxes, and other logistics alone.

To fill this gap, I created a free webinar series featuring industry professionals—including realtors, paralegals, and financial experts—to provide grads with the practical knowledge they need. This initiative has already gained traction at McGill, and my long-term goal is to scale it into a sustainable platform with a broader range of topics and partnerships with multiple universities.
While securing the right full-time role remains my priority, this venture allows me to apply my leadership skills in a high-impact way, bridging the gap between education and real-world transitions

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• VP External, Desautels Graduate Student Society
  • Organized networking events in Montreal and Toronto, connecting students with industry professionals.
• Co-Captain of the Desautels team for the Canadian MBA Games; we achieved 4th place out of 16 teams in our case competition.
• Co-organizer to the annual MBA Lipdub video.
• Co-host for McGill’s Instagram account during international study trip to Brazil.
• Currently hosting a free webinar series to help graduates and current students to find housing safely and correctly in Ontario. This webinar series features paralegals, realtors, and fire code inspectors from Ontario.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am most proud of organizing high-impact networking events that connected students from multiple business schools with industry professionals. The Toronto event brought together over 250 tudents from Ivey, Rotman, Desautels, and Schulich, creating valuable career opportunities. Similarly, the Montreal events consistently connected over 100 students per event from UQAM ESG, HEC, USherbrooke, JMSB, and Desautels. These events led to mentorships, internship opportunities, and professional connections that helped students navigate their careers. Seeing these tangible outcomes reinforced my passion for building communities and creating meaningful opportunities for others.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? One of the achievements I’m most proud of in my professional career was leading a team to Italy to recover and repatriate the wreckage and remains from a Canadian military helicopter crash. We deployed with just 10 hours’ notice, overnight, during Stage 1 COVID lockdowns, navigating international logistics, flight restrictions, and military protocols in an uncertain operational environment. Successfully recovering and repatriating the wreckage and remains under these constraints reinforced my ability to lead in high-stakes, time-sensitive scenarios.

Despite these challenges, we successfully recovered and brought home our fallen, ensuring they received the dignity and respect they deserved. This mission was a testament to the technical competence of my soldiers, the strength of our team, and my ability to lead in high-pressure situations. It reinforced for me the importance of decisive leadership, trust in my people, and the profound responsibility of serving those who serve.

Why did you choose this business school? McGill’s strong global reputation, combined with its tight-knit MBA cohort, made it the perfect place to transition from military leadership into the business world. I wanted an environment where I could build deep relationships while gaining international business exposure.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Juan Camilo Sherpa had an incredible ability to take complex data analytics topics and make them engaging, interactive, and applicable to real-world situations. Their course challenged my thinking and provided practical insights I could immediately apply.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? Managerial Negotiations was my favorite course because it pushed me to refine my decision-making, communication, and strategic thinking skills. The simulation scenarios were challenging, forcing us to adapt quickly and understand the psychology behind effective deal-making. Beyond negotiation strategies, the course gave me a deeper appreciation for emotional intelligence and the art of influence—skills I know will be invaluable in my career.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? One of my favorite MBA traditions is the annual lip dub video. Our cohort had a 100% participation rate, which speaks volumes about the bonds we’ve built and the incredible organizational skills of the leads. Pulling it off required detailed planning, coordination, and a touch of chaos management—but the process was an absolute blast! Beyond just being a fun event, the final video is a core memory of our time together, capturing the energy and spirit of our MBA journey.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? If I could do one thing differently, I would have taken more time to slow down and enjoy the experience. Being deeply involved in leadership roles meant I was constantly busy, sometimes at the expense of simply being present. This experience has reinforced the importance of balance—not just executing and leading, but also taking time to reflect and appreciate the journey.

What is the biggest myth about your school? There’s a common perception—especially among students from other business schools in Montreal—that the McGill MBA program is cutthroat and highly competitive. In reality, it’s far more collaborative than expected. Students genuinely support each other both inside and outside the classroom, and the close-knit cohort fosters strong friendships and teamwork rather than rivalry. Through my leadership in MBA activities and events, I’ve seen firsthand how much students uplift each other—proving that at McGill, success isn’t about competing. It’s about rising together.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? Courses on AI-driven decision-making and supply chain optimization have demonstrated how AI is reshaping industries. It’s clear that the future of business will require leaders who understand AI’s capabilities and limitations.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? The MBA classmate I admire most is Fariha Hassan. As a BIPOC Muslim woman in a male-dominated industry, she has broken barriers and carved out an inspiring career path—from working as an engineer at Pratt & Whitney to becoming a Program Management Engineer at the Canadian Space Agency. Her resilience, technical expertise, and leadership make her a role model for many.

Beyond her professional achievements, Fariha has been a pillar of support in our MBA cohort, consistently fostering a sense of belonging and community. She has an incredible ability to defuse conflicts, listen with empathy, and ensure that everyone feels heard. Whether organizing events that define our MBA experience or simply being a trusted confidante, Fariha leads not with titles, but through impact. Her ability to excel in high-pressure environments while uplifting those around her makes her truly admirable.

And, of course, no tribute to Fariha would be complete without mentioning her signature SpongeBob SquarePants socks—a reminder that even the most accomplished leaders know how to bring joy and personality to everything they do.

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

• Lead a major operations or logistics team at a global company.
• Own and operate my own business, creating something meaningful from the ground up.

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

“From day one of orientation, Kai demonstrated strong leadership skills and a proactive approach to improving his cohort’s experience. It was no surprise when he was elected VP External of the Desautels Graduate Student Society (DGSS). During his tenure, Kai excelled at fostering relationships with other business schools and industry partners. Bright, solutions-oriented, and highly collaborative, Kai is a true team player who consistently embodies McGill’s values by creating opportunities for his peers.”

Kelly Cassidy
Associate Director, Programs & Student Affairs
McGill Desautels Faculty of Management

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2025

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