Luke Fior

Ivey Business School at Western University

“Avid Tennis fan, identical twin, outdoor enthusiast, engineer by education, pragmatic problem-solver.”

Hometown: Caledon East, Ontario

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have an identical twin, but we have different dominant hands.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Western Ontario, Chemical Engineering with a Specialization in Green Process Engineering.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Commercial Banking Manager at CIBC.

How has the case method enriched your learning?  The case method has been invaluable to my long-term retention of the material taught at Ivey. While I’ve always been successful academically, as a kinesthetic learner I’ve found it difficult to retain information delivered through traditional lectures. The case method requires you to come to class prepared and communicate your insights in a live, dynamic setting. This process reinforces learning and has helped embed key concepts into my memory. My classmates at Ivey are highly-educated with impressive professional backgrounds, so surface-level analysis is never enough. The case method has pushed me to dig deeper, think critically, and uncover unique ways to apply concepts to real-world business challenges.

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 major factor that led me to choose Ivey was the strength of its alumni network. While working as a Commercial Banking Manager, I had the opportunity to support a business run by an Ivey HBA alum. In every conversation, I was struck by his professionalism, intelligence, and the pride he had in the Ivey community. He spoke highly of the alumni network’s deep commitment to helping students succeed, which made a lasting impression on me. Since joining Ivey I’ve seen this support firsthand; every alum I’ve reached out to has been generous with their time, offering guidance and insight into how to thrive in the corporate world.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest career accomplishment was leading and winning a competitive $5M deal, later expanded to $8M, with an industrial lighting company looking to grow its U.S. footprint. After securing the initial meeting through a cold call, I assembled and led a cross-functional team, conducted a full financial and risk analysis, and built a compelling strategy that outperformed five competing banks. We displaced the incumbent lender by delivering a practical, risk-aware solution that exceeded the client’s expansion goals. The experience highlighted my ability to lead under pressure, navigate complex problems, and deliver real value through collaborative execution.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: My greatest accomplishment in the MBA so far has come outside of academics. At Ivey, teamwork is core to the program, and adapting to new learning styles and diverse perspectives was initially a challenge. Growing up in a small town as the son of two hardworking entrepreneurs, I have always been a driver who focused on speed and results, with limited experience working in truly diverse teams. Through team-based challenges like 24-Hour Reports and group exercises, I have learned how to recognize what motivates others and adapt my leadership style to improve team dynamics and outcomes. These experiences have significantly strengthened my ability to collaborate, communicate, and lead effectively, which will be invaluable in my professional career.

What has been your most memorable experience as an Ivey MBA thus far? My most memorable experience as an Ivey MBA so far was participating in the Ronald Edward Memorial Cup. This charity soccer tournament was held in memory of Ron, a cherished member of the Ivey MBA Class of 2024, and raised funds for men’s mental health. It was incredibly inspiring to see alumni from the 2024 and 2025 classes, along with the current 2026 cohort, come together to support the cause. The event truly highlighted the strength and closeness of the Ivey community. I was honored to help coach and play for the 2026 team, and I look forward to continuing the tradition and honoring Ron’s memory in the years to come.

Where is your favorite hang-out in London (Ontario)? Why do you (or your classmates) gravitate there? Barney’s patio has definitely been the go-to hangout spot in London. Whether it’s grabbing a quick beer after a long day or celebrating with the cohort after a 24-Hour Report, Barney’s is the ideal place to relax and connect with friends. While there are plenty of great venues in the city, the sunny patio consistently draws us in. Its large space makes it easy to have group conversations without feeling crowded or bumping shoulders with energetic undergrads. It’s the perfect place to meet people from other sections and build lasting friendships.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? After the Ivey MBA program, I hope to pursue my passion for business operations and problem-solving through a career in management consulting. From my conversations with friends and colleagues in the industry, it is clear that consulting offers the opportunity to gain deep insights into a wide range of industries while working closely with senior leadership. As a relationship manager at CIBC, I witnessed firsthand how strong leadership and sound operational decisions can help businesses thrive, while poor financial strategies and fractured communication can lead promising companies to fail. By combining the knowledge gained at Ivey with my experience in engineering and commercial banking, I hope to deliver valuable insights to globally respected companies navigating periods of uncertainty and growth.

DON’T MISS: MEET IVEY’S MBA CLASS OF 2026

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