Stu Clark Graduate School congratulates 56 Fall 2026 grads
The I.H. Asper School of Business’ The Stu Clark Graduate School’s fall convocation includes 25 Master of Business Administration (MBA), 16 Master of Finance (MFin), and 15 Master of Supply Chain Management and Logistics (MSCM) graduates.
Within the story of every student in these professional programs, there are successes, experiences with hands-on learning, and connections with Manitoba’s tight-knit business community.
Here are just a few of the stories of students who will walk the stage at the 2026 fall convocation. Congratulations to all Fall 2026 Asper grads!
Raman Dhaliwal had already built a career in leadership across health care and higher education when she started her MBA in 2021, but she saw real value in returning to school.
“I wanted to keep growing as a leader, challenge my thinking and bring new perspectives to the complex work I was doing,” Raman said. “The MBA gave me tools and ideas I could connect directly to my responsibilities in public service.”
The flexibility of the MBA allowed her to complete the program while working in a demanding leadership role and raising a family. She feels grateful for what the program gave her, and it made her realize the importance of lifelong learning.
“I learned to see familiar challenges through new lenses, and it made me more open to different ways of thinking. It reminded me that learning and growth don’t stop when you reach a senior position.”
As she continues to be an advocate for Manitobans through her position as Associate Vice-President (Facilities) and Chief Risk Officer for the University of Manitoba, she gives this advice to future students:
“Take the time to get to know your classmates and learn from their experiences. Asper brings together people with different backgrounds, careers and perspectives. Make the most of it while you’re there.”
The Associates of the Asper School of Business are Manitoba’s premier network of nearly 400 senior business leaders, executives and entrepreneurs who have championed business education, mentorship and philanthropy since 1982, helping shape the province’s next generation of business leaders.
Tingting Cao asked herself how she could build new skills and knowledge after she had already built a highly successful 15-year career in human resources in China. The answer: the Asper Master of Finance (MFin) program.
“The MFin stood out to me because it is an intensive one-year program,” she said. She wanted to see business from a different angle, as many business and people decisions are closely connected to financial performance.
When she arrived in Winnipeg, she quickly realized that the Asper School and Manitoba’s business community is closely connected—making Winnipeg a remarkable place to build a professional network.
The first time she visited the Asper Career Development Centre-run Career Fair, she connected with representatives from Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) Manitoba. Though at first it seemed like a small connection, it was one that led her to complete the CPHR Executive Pathway, which gave her a CPHR designation—all within the year.
This, in turn, led to more connections with local HR professionals.
“I like to think of every conversation as planting a seed. You may not know when or how it will grow, but one day, some of those seeds will turn into something meaningful,” Tingting said. “As long as you are willing to step out, opportunities will find their way to you.”
Tingting had no idea what she would find professionally in Canada—but now, she’s thrilled to begin the next chapter of her professional career with a full-time HR role at the University of Manitoba.
Attracted to the Asper School because of the opportunities for learning beyond the classroom, Peggy came to Canada in 2024 to pursue a Master of Supply Chain Management and Logistics (MSCM) degree.
In taking those opportunities, she became more confident and figured out the kind of professional she wanted to be.
Over her two years in the program, she was able to learn from Gillian Groening [MBA/15], Vice President of E.H. Price International, who mentored Peggy in both group and one-on-one settings through Asper’s graduate mentorship program.
Through Groening’s guidance, she learned “there is a lot of value in simply observing the people around you. Everyone has something they do particularly well, and there is always something you can learn if you pay attention.”
Through Asper’s CEWIL Canada-accredited co-op program, networking opportunities and employer engagement, Peggy gained experience with the IKEA Winnipeg fulfillment team, the Manitoba Government’s Procurement and Supply Chain Division and a co-op term with Manitoba Hydro’s Procurement Operations department.
Getting to experience both between frontline operations and management, she realized how important it is to bridge the gap between the two. It also helped her learn which tasks she enjoyed and which skills she wanted to continue developing.
She encourages other students to go deeper than just courses, and to pay as much attention to potential connections with people around you.
“Building sincere relationships can be more valuable than you expect,” Peggy said. “You never know when a simple conversation, question or observation might lead to an unexpected opportunity or help someone else.”
Thanks to the relationships she built and the opportunities she took in the MSCM program, Peggy will be moving on to a career in the Manitoba Government’s procurement division after graduation.
The Asper Co-op is the largest work-integrated learning business program in the province. It recently celebrated 20 years of transformative impact.
Stu Clark Graduate School Professional Programs are designed to meet the market-driven needs of today’s industry professionals. With one of the most flexible and adaptable programs in Canada, the MBA, MFin, and MSCM programs are designed to help students build their leadership skills in any field.
UM Bisons are at the centre of it all, making a difference here in Manitoba and around the world. Many graduates recognized at Convocation will stay in Manitoba, supplying high-demand skills to the labour market and contributing to UM’s economic impact on our community.
Fall 2026 convocation ceremonies are right around the corner. Follow these tips to ensure a smooth, memorable celebration.
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