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May 13, 2025

For first-year Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) students at ·ï»Ë²ÊƱƽ̨’s Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, the BDO Future Leaders Challenge is more than a class project—it’s a defining experiential learning opportunity that brings business education to life.

As the culminating assignment in BU121: Critical Thinking and Communication Skills, the challenge tasks students with tackling complex, real-world issues facing mid-sized businesses, while exploring innovative solutions rooted in environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles and aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). It’s a hands-on project designed to develop key learning objectives including critical thinking, communication, collaboration and professional attribute development.

“It’s been a turbulent year globally. At times it’s hard to stand in front of you and share hope and optimism considering all that’s going on in the word—but then we watch what you create, how you show up, how you support each other. That’s where the optimism comes from,” said course coordinator, Leanne Hagarty, to students who attended the final presentations of the Future Leaders Challenge. “This generation is rising to meet these important business decisions with thoughtfulness, creativity and a deep sense of purpose.”

The BDO Future Leaders Challenge reflects the long-standing relationship between BDO Canada and the Lazaridis School—one that continues to foster mentorship, innovation and the development of future-ready business leaders. With support from BDO, one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, for first-year competitions over the last 19 years, the Future Leaders Challenge empowers students to bring classroom theory into practice through applied, industry-engaged learning.

A competition with purpose

All first-year BBA students participate in the BDO Future Leaders Challenge. From 48 lab sections, they formed 287 teams. After extensive evaluation, 48 semi-finalist teams advanced, with six finalist teams earning the chance to pitch their ideas in front of a distinguished panel of judges.

This year’s judging panel included:

• Tim Sothern (BBA ’89), partner at BDO and originator of the competition
• Katie Kaplan (BBA ’07), partner at BDO and GTA life sciences leader
• Nicole Raytek (BBA ’21), senior manager of sustainable programs at GLOBE Series and a Corporate Knights Top 30 under 30 honouree
• Olivia Tiessen (BBA ’24), investment advisor at Framework Venture Partners and former BU121 head instructional assistant (IA)
• Kyle Murray, dean of the Lazaridis School

Their combined insight and feedback helped elevate the discussion of ESG from abstract theory to practical opportunity, with many emphasizing the growing role that sustainable thinking plays in every business function—from tax to venture capital.

“You don’t need others to be involved for the same reasons you are,” said Raytek. “Learn their priorities and speak their language. Sustainability is a business imperative, not just a checkbox.”

Showcasing student innovation

Each finalist team brought a distinct perspective and a compelling ESG-driven solution to their assigned industry. All finalists received a $400 scholarship courtesy of BDO, with additional prizes awarded to the top three teams.

First Place: Lab 7, Group 2 – Old MacDonald Consulting (Agriculture)

Team Members: Lamar Ali, Griffin Badr, Anniq Maharaj-Paboudjian, Huzaifa Safri, Aleesha Tejani

IA: Adam Izumi

Tackling the 62,000 tonnes of agricultural plastic produced annually in Canada, Old MacDonald Consulting proposed a seaweed-based alternative that matches the durability of traditional plastic while improving soil health and reducing emissions. Their solution, “SEA: Sustain, Encase, Advance,” impressed judges with its storytelling, feasibility and financial viability.

2nd Place: Lab 31, Group 6 – JAMD Consulting (Tourism)

Team Members:  McKenna Guy, Abbey Jean, Jack LeBlanc, Demir Mucevic

IA: Vincent Wu

JAMD Consulting proposed Operation CARE: close-looped, anaerobic, renewable, energy – a system to convert kitchen and landscaping waste into biogas, fueling operations and reducing environmental impact. Focused on circular economy principles, their scalable solution reduces emissions and supports clean energy goals, aligning with clean tech investment incentives, and is scalable across small and large operations alike.

3rd Place – Thrive Trace (Lab 30, Group 4 – Food & Beverage)

Team Members: Charlotte Burdon, Ben Ohayon, Dilraj Sagoo, Vainavi Dholakia, Rachel Shuh

IA: Sahar Trivedi

Thrive Trace focused on energy efficiency in food manufacturing. Their predictive maintenance solution for cooling systems promises a 30 per cent reduction in energy use, aimed at cutting food manufacturing waste by reducing energy use and preventing equipment failures. Leveraging Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence to monitor equipment in real time, this proposal enhances safety and labour conditions while delivering a substantial return on investment.

Additional finalists include:

Lab 26, Group 1 – Known Consulting (Food & Beverage)

Team Members: Kody Eisler, James Knowles, Om Nathwani, Tahseen Rayhan, Nate West

IA: Abby Yim

Known Consulting addressed the issue of food waste through a strategic partnership model. Their solution aimed to reduce food waste for medium sized independent grocers by 10 per cent, significantly decreasing carbon dioxide emissions. By creating pre-packaged care bags and a loyalty program, they tackled both food insecurity and community engagement, diverting surplus goods to food banks.

Lab 19, Group 3 – CRISP Consulting (Manufacturing)

Team Members: Jawad Abdel Mouhsen, Affan Arshad, Zakir Hasham, Mustafa Qasim Raymond Than

IA: Vivian Yan

The CRISP Consulting team introduced a Client Resource Industrial Symbiosis Program, enabling manufacturers to exchange by-products and materials and fostering collaboration to optimize waste reuse. Their solution promises significant environmental benefits and positions ESG as a competitive advantage.

Lab 40, Group 5 – Verdant Consulting (Construction)

Team Members: Darius Bonakdar, Isla Holmes, Lev Shkolnikov, Michaela Sukovski

IA: Victoria Kreinin

Verdant Consulting presented modular housing solution that addresses Canada’s affordable housing crisis while reducing waste and emissions. Their approach also improves worker safety and aligns with government incentives for eco-friendly construction, with an 83.2 per cent reduction in wase and 40 per cent lowered carbon emission in comparison to on-site building.

Learning that lasts

The BDO Future Leaders Challenge gives students the opportunity to work through ambiguity, evaluate competing priorities and pitch ideas to a real audience—building the kind of confidence and agility that interests employers.

“The stress and complexity of solving problems like these in a safe, supportive environment is exactly what prepares students for the real world,” said Dean Murray. “And we know you have the talent to do it—we saw that today.”

This year’s event also brought things full circle for many BDO professionals, including judges and student mentors who once stood on the same stage as first-year finalists.

“Twenty-one years ago, I was in your shoes,” said Kaplan. “Now I’m on the other side—and I can tell you, the skills you’re developing here truly translate into the workplace.”

The impact of a community

Beyond the business solutions, another element that makes this challenge exceptional is the culture of mentorship and community that surrounds it. Instructional assistants (IAs), who are upper-year Business students supporting the course by leading the lab, play a vital role in helping first-year students navigate research, teamwork and public speaking. Their encouragement and leadership are key to the learning process.

To show their appreciation, students rallied around a playful fundraiser in support of International Students Overcoming War (ISOW), raising money by donating for the chance to throw a pie in the faces of their IAs. The initiative raised funds for refugee student sponsorships and highlighted the kind of socially responsible spirit that defines the ·ï»Ë²ÊƱƽ̨ community.

A strong finish to year one

As the 2025 BDO Future Leaders Challenge ended, students reflected on their final presentations and knowledge gained over the past eight months since beginning their undergraduate studies. From first lectures to final projects, BU121 laid the foundation for what comes next.

“You’ve shown incredible adaptability this week,” said Hagarty, reflecting on everything from weather disruptions to rescheduled presentations. “You embraced this project with resilience and creativity—and that’s exactly what the world needs right now.”