Jeff Liu

Ivey Business School at Western University

“Three non-negotiables of my life: Family always first, cycling on weekends, and coffee to kick off every morning.”

Hometown: Shanghai, China

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve been brewing my morning coffee at home daily since 2019. One of my dreams is to compete in the World Barista Championship.

Undergraduate School and Major: Renmin University of China; English Language and Literature

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Deutsche Bank; Communication Specialist

How has the case method enriched your learning? Coming from a commerce background, I found the case method to be an engaging way to apply what I had learned without being overly repetitive. Each case presented a real-world scenario that challenged me to think beyond frameworks. I enjoyed how cases brought global business stories into the classroom, allowing me to explore industries and geographies I hadn’t encountered before. I also enjoyed how a class usually unfold, analyzing both external and internal challenges, and finding solutions on a broad and detailed level.

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? One factor in choosing Ivey was the one-year program format. It offered the depth and intensity, while allowing me to return to the workforce sooner. I also valued Ivey’s Career Management team, which provides consistent support throughout the program. Ivey’s strong consulting reputation and its closely knit alumni network were equally important. I knew I would be supported during the program but also long after graduation through a community that genuinely wants to see each other succeed.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: A special moment of my career was to support Bill Gates’ media engagement and public speaking activities during his trip to China in 2019. I worked with the Gates Foundation team to craft a narrative relatable to the China audience and prepare interviews. I was at the start of my career and supporting a global leading organization at the forefront of removing poverty and healthcare inequality had a special meaning. I also got to work with Bill in person for one of the TV interviews, definitely a surreal moment.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: A special moment at Ivey so far was to use the Nintendo game Overcooked! to present operations management concepts in class. It is a fast-paced kitchen simulation game, where players manage food orders under time pressure. My team and I used a live gameplay demo to demonstrate key concepts like how to keep the bottleneck (the stove) always running, why overproduction creates waste, and how managing flow is often more important than maximizing capacity. I was proud to introduce a great game while also finding the connection with key operation concepts.

What has been your most memorable experience as an Ivey MBA thus far? Some of my most memorable experiences have come from presenting in Professor Loveland’s “Operations” class and Professor Wilson’s “Decision-Making Analytics” (DMA) course. These are two of my favorite courses, and volunteering to present my work in front of the class was intimidating but rewarding. Both professors offered sharp, candid insights that pushed me to refine my thinking and elevate my work. Their input benefit me personally and challenged our entire class to think one step further, which is crucial to a solid decision making.

Where is your favorite hang-out in London (Ontario)? Why do you (or your classmates) gravitate there? The Thames Valley Parkway (TVP) has become my favorite spot in London. I love cycling, and the TVP offers a scenic escape with river views, parks, and geese. It’s where I go to clear my mind, especially after an intense week of cases reading and job search. Being outdoors and in motion helps me reset, reflect, and return to work with a clear mind.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in management consulting. It’s a challenging path, but one that excites me for its variety, pace, and opportunity to work on high-impact problems across industries. Ivey has helped prepare me for this next step through its case-based learning and a strong alumni presence in the consulting industry.

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