Sriram Giridharan

Smith School of Business at Queen’s University

“AI strategy consultant, collaborative leader, resilient optimist, and a passionate wildlife photographer.”

Hometown: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Fun fact about yourself: I’ve been passionate about wildlife photography for the past six years and have had the incredible experience of photographing 10 different tigers in the wild so far.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Bachelor of Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Kumaraguru College of Technology, Anna University, India

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Ganit Inc. – Data Scientist

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

Where will you be working after graduation? Ernst & Young LLP – Senior Consultant, Data & AI strategy

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• President, Digital Business Club
• Member, Consulting club
• Recipient of the Stephen J.R. Smith MBA Scholarship (Top 1%)
• Smith School of Business Full-time MBA Program Student Ambassador

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I’m incredibly proud of the work my MBA team and I did in developing a volunteer succession plan for a food bank in Oakville. As someone who firmly believes in using my knowledge and skills to drive meaningful impact, this project was deeply fulfilling. Through collaboration with the food bank’s board members, we identified a lack of continuity in volunteer engagement, hindering long-term sustainability. Leveraging insights from our MBA, particularly from strategy courses, we developed a structured rotational program for volunteers. This initiative will help volunteers gain complete visibility on the food bank’s ecosystem, leading to volunteer retention. Seeing our recommendations being embraced by the board and knowing they would create lasting impact was a defining moment of my MBA journey. More than just an academic project, this reinforced my commitment to using business acumen for social good—something I hope to carry forward in my career.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? One of my proudest achievements is becoming the first home-grown data scientist at Ganit Inc. I started my career as an intern, joining as one of the company’s first campus hires when it was a 50-member startup. Over the next three years, I was part of an exhilarating growth journey as we scaled to 250+ employees, working closely with the founders on AI/ML solution design, customer acquisition, and key company-building initiatives. Through multiple promotions, I became not only the first homegrown data scientist, but also the youngest member of the leadership team – a milestone that underscored both my growth and the trust the company placed in me. This experience was truly transformative—it wasn’t just about developing AI solutions, but about learning what it takes to build and scale a company from the ground up. It solidified my passion for problem-solving, leadership, and driving real business impact – lessons that continue to shape my career today.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose Smith’s Full-time MBA program for many reasons, but the team-based learning approach stood out as the most important. I wanted to be in an environment where collaboration and diverse perspectives weren’t just encouraged, but deeply embedded in the learning experience.

Looking back, I thank myself for this decision. Working closely with my MBA team—comprised of individuals from varied professional backgrounds and cultures—challenged me to think differently, communicate effectively, and adapt to new perspectives. It not only strengthened my ability to work in high-performing teams, but also helped me grow as an active listener and a more empathetic leader—both critical skills for making a meaningful impact in today’s professional landscape.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite MBA professor was Mr. Len Anderson, who taught us Accounting in the first module of the MBA. Coming from an engineering background with no prior exposure to accounting, I was initially worried about dealing with accounting concepts. However, Professor Len’s clear, structured, and engaging teaching style made even the most complex topics feel accessible. He had the unique ability to simplify accounting principles and present them in a way that resonated with students from non-finance backgrounds, making the learning process both effective and enjoyable. Thanks to him, I can now navigate balance sheets and income statements with confidence.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? While there were many fun and engaging events during my MBA, my favorite tradition was Point 4s. Every Thursday, MBA students would gather at a bar or restaurant to unwind, connect, and build relationships beyond the classroom. This has been happening for so many years at Smith and it’s a tradition that helps students to create strong bonds. As someone who naturally leans toward the introverted side, Point 4s were really helpful for me to socialize and create great relationships with my classmates.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? Looking back, my MBA experience at Smith was incredibly fulfilling—both academically and professionally. From the start, I had strong clarity on my career goals in technology and consulting and was intentional about engaging in activities such as strategic projects, case competitions, and networking opportunities that aligned with my aspirations and that would maximize my MBA’s impact on my professional journey. However, in hindsight, I realize that while this focus was valuable, I could have broadened my horizons by stepping outside my comfort zone and exploring areas beyond my immediate interests. If I had to do one thing differently, I would have taken more risks in exploring unfamiliar territories—whether through electives, or student-led initiatives—to make my MBA journey even more diverse and enriching. That said, I’m grateful for the transformative experience I had and the lifelong lessons and friendships I built along the way.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The biggest myth about Smith’s Full-time MBA is that a one-year program doesn’t provide the same depth of networking or career development as a traditional two-year MBA.

In reality, the intensive structure of the program teaches students to maximize their time, build meaningful connections quickly, and develop a strong professional foundation within a condensed timeframe. Smith’s traditions, like Point 4s, help in creating deep relationships beyond the classroom, ensuring that networking happens naturally and consistently.

Additionally, the support system of professors, career coaches, and alumni plays a pivotal role in understanding our career ambitions, identifying the right opportunities, and accelerating our professional growth. Rather than feeling rushed, I found the experience at Smith to be effective in preparing me for my career.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? I grew up in a small city in India, and Kingston’s small-town charm instantly felt familiar. As someone who loves nature, I enjoyed hikes at Lemoine Point and the stunning waterfront views. The best part is that Kingston is a student-friendly town, with plenty of vibrant spots all within walking distance—making it a perfect place to study, explore, and unwind.

What movie or television show best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? One movie that best reflects the realities of business is The Founder. It tells the story of Ray Kroc and the rise of McDonald’s, highlighting the power of vision, execution, and business strategy.

What I learned from it is that a great product alone isn’t enough—scalability, operational efficiency, and strategic business decisions determine long-term success. The movie emphasizes how systems and processes can drive massive growth, something that applies to businesses across industries. As someone passionate about strategy and business transformation, the movie reinforced that identifying the right opportunities and executing with precision is what sets apart successful businesses from the rest.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? At Smith, AI was integrated into our learning through both research and hands-on applications. Some courses encouraged us to use ChatGPT for research, which helped us efficiently process large amounts of information before making strategic decisions. This reinforced how AI can enhance analysis and decision-making when used effectively. Additionally, in the Intro to Digital Business course, we built a Reinforcement Learning model in AWS, giving us first-hand experience in how AI models learn and optimize over time. These experiences provided valuable insights into AI’s diverse applications in business, from data-driven decision-making to automation and optimization, while also emphasizing the importance of ethical and responsible AI use.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Sarah Thibert. She was not only my classmate, but also served as Vice-President of the Student Executive Council. She played a pivotal role in organizing events and initiatives that brought our MBA class together, making our experience more enriching and memorable.

Her ability to lead with both confidence and approachability stood out, and she was a key person in creating a positive culture within our class. Her dedication and leadership skills truly made a difference in our MBA journey, and I deeply admire the impact she had on our cohort.

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

1. In the next few years, I want to learn and grow in tech strategy consulting and work closely with Canadian companies to help them scale and solve business challenges.

2. In the long run, I want to use my MBA learnings and consulting experience to start my own tech/strategy consulting startup in India. My goal is to help small and mid-sized businesses improve their operations, adopt new technologies, and grow more efficiently.

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

“In the competitive world of business education, few students stand out as truly exceptional. Sriram is one such individual—a dedicated, intelligent, and remarkably capable student whose talent for strategic thinking has earned him widespread recognition.

As a professor, I had the privilege of teaching Sriram in two MBA courses: Business and Corporate Strategy and Dynamic Strategy Execution. These courses challenge students to navigate the complexities of modern business, requiring them to master multiple disciplines, from accounting and finance to marketing, organizational behavior, and corporate strategy. While many students struggle to synthesize these diverse areas, Sriram excelled—demonstrating a rare ability to not only analyze and integrate knowledge, but also to apply it in innovative and practical ways.

What set Sriram apart was his sharp problem-solving skills. He had an uncanny ability to pinpoint the root causes of complex business challenges and then craft seemingly simple but remarkably effective strategic solutions. His strategic insights were not just theoretical—they had real-world applicability, making him an invaluable asset to any team he worked with.

His peers took notice. Teammates in our case study groups consistently praised his preparedness, collaboration, and unwavering accountability. His contributions were instrumental in his team’s success—whether in analyzing business cases or leading a simulated company in a highly competitive, computer-generated industry.

Beyond the classroom, Sriram continued to leave his mark. He played a key role in the Queen’s Consulting Club, where he helped bridge the gap between academic learning and industry practice. His leadership extended to the Digital Business Club, where he served as president, driving initiatives that explored the future of digital transformation and technology-driven business models.

Sriram’s ability to think strategically, lead effectively, and collaborate seamlessly sets him apart as a future business leader. Whether in the boardroom, a consulting firm, or the fast-paced world of tech startups, his potential is limitless.”

Goce Andrevski, PhD
Associate Professor and Distinguished Fellow of Strategy
Smith School of Business, Queen’s University

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

© Copyright 2026 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.