Rachael Brimacombe

“People powered, adventure seeking, conscientious, and passionate about wellness and creating meaningful impact”

Hometown: Calgary, Alberta

Fun Fact About Yourself: Health and fitness are a core part of my life — I’ve played competitive soccer, trained in kickboxing, run a half marathon, and worked at a yoga studio.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Toronto: Bachelor of Commerce (with specializations in Marketing, Strategy and Innovation)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Maple Leaf Foods. Leadership Trainee program with rotations in the following roles (most to least recent): Marketing Associate, Retail Customer Representative, and Performance Management Analyst

What has been your favorite part of Toronto so far?

My favorite part of Toronto is the incredible diversity of people and opportunities. I’m fueled by connection and adventure, and this city delivers both in spades — every neighborhood, conversation, and experience feels like a chance to discover something new.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Toronto Rotman’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you?

I chose Rotman because I’d already seen firsthand the academic rigor and teaching quality during my Bachelor of Commerce degree. Returning for my MBA was intrinsic — the curriculum’s depth and analytical approach align perfectly with how I like to learn and push my thinking. Beyond the curriculum, Rotman stands apart because of the richness of perspectives at the school; in undergrad I had the opportunity to network (and become life-long friends with) students from Turkey, Italy, the United States, and beyond. Returning, I continue to learn from this eclectic culture – hearing diverse opinions has expanded my outlook and taught me the value of open-mindedness.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Toronto Rotman?

I greatly enjoyed Foundations of Strategic Management because it introduced a unique way of analyzing business cases. After every class, I walked out with a fresh approach and a deeper appreciation for how strategy, networks, and incentives shape real world decisions.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:

My biggest career accomplishment was launching a new product line: Schneider’s-Jays Single Smokie Sausages. I overcame numerous obstacles to hit the target launch date (the start of baseball season) and, post launch, analyzed market performance to develop creative strategies to direct underperforming sales teams. The difficulty of this project, together with balancing my other responsibilities managing Maple Leaf’s $12.3M flagship fresh and smoked sausage portfolio, was challenging. It was not despite, but rather because of, these challenges that the resulting success of the product line stands out to me.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far:

My biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far has been reaching the finals of the Smith National MBA Case Competition and earning second place. I’m incredibly proud of the teamwork, creativity, and dedication that got us there, especially competing against strong teams from seven schools across Canada.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far?

The orientation camp stands out as my favorite MBA memory so far. It was an unforgettable bonding experience — a chance to connect with classmates in nature, build real friendships, and dive into activities that made us feel like a real community from the start.

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?

I’ve discovered that I’m at my best when I’m surrounded by people I can learn from. Working closely with my academic team has been a standout part of the MBA — it pushed me to collaborate deeply, appreciate diverse perspectives, and grow through the way we supported and challenged one another

Looking ahead, I hope to strengthen my strategic and entrepreneurial thinking. I want to build skills to design and execute solutions that genuinely serve consumers and create meaningful impact in whatever venture or organization I join next.

DON’T MISS MEET TORONTO ROTMAN’S MBA CLASS OF 2027

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