How graduating student Loni Andres pivoted from a science background in the Asper MBA program.
In Loni Andres’s former job, being dropped off by helicopter in the middle of wilderness was routine.
As a geo‑environmental scientist at a large Manitoba engineering firm, much of her work focused on detailed technical analysis and data driven problem solving. She loved the technical challenge and complexity of field work in remote locations. But over time, something began to feel amiss.
The work required intense technical focus, but left little room for day‑to‑day human connection. “I wanted to engage more directly with people,” Loni said.
To her own surprise, the answer wasn’t another scientific credential—it was business. Specifically, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at the Asper School of Business, from which she will graduate this June.
A lifelong learner, Loni had always known she wanted to pursue a master’s degree. Early in her career, the structured, black‑and‑white nature of science appealed to her.
But later, and now a mother of two—she wanted work that allowed her to give back and to make a tangible difference in Manitoba.
“I know it sounds hokey,” she said, laughing, “but it really drives me.”
Years in the workforce had also given her perspective on leadership—a key aspect of running a business.
“When you’ve been in your career long enough, you see how leadership and governance structures actually affect people,” she explained. “You want work to be a positive experience— because people spend a significant portion of lives at work.”
As a busy parent, the flexibility of the Asper MBA was essential. Classes are offered primarily in the evenings, and students can complete the program in anywhere from one to six years. Loni finished in three.
But it wasn’t just logistical flexibility that drew her in—it was the freedom to explore.
“It’s like a choose‑your‑own‑adventure,” she said.
The phrase turned out to be fitting in more ways than one. Within the Asper MBA, students can pursue a wide range of experiential learning opportunities—some taking them to boardrooms, others to places far more unexpected.
Loni’s personal approach quickly became simple: say yes.
“Every option opens up another door,” she said.
One of those doors led to the emergency room…luckily not as a patient.
During her MBA, Loni worked as a business consultant with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, conducting a strategic review of emergency department flow and processes. She was mentored by Mike Nader, then President and CEO of WRHA, whose guidance left a lasting impression.
“He encouraged thoughtful, candid conversations about leadership—how he approached decision‑making, navigated complexity, and what decisions he made on this career path,” she said. “That level of mentorship was exactly what I needed during my MBA.”
Next came case competitions—intensive business simulations where teams race against the clock to develop and present solutions to complex problems. Loni describes them as “escape rooms for professionals.”
They also became a major growth catalyst.
Presenting—not a skill usually required of those looking at rocks in remote areas—was a skill Loni wanted to level up in the MBA program.
Long story short, from the hours of practice and coaching she received, she beat all competitors to win the best speaker award at the Schlesinger Global Family Enterprise Case Competition in Burlington, Vermont, more than surpassing her goals.
The most literal adventure of Loni’s MBA experience was the international study trip to Vietnam. Each year, Asper graduate students can take part in a faculty‑led study trip, visiting global business hubs with a curated, immersive itinerary (the 2026 destination was Sri Lanka.)
For Loni, the Vietnam trip was a “phenomenal” chance to explore business firsthand in a completely new setting and culture, and a chance to have fun alongside 20 fellow classmates.
“It's so funny how you think, am I ever going to use any of this information that I'm learning? We visited a port, we visited a clothing textile factory,” she said. “Sure enough, all of that information has been useful in my current role.”
In her current role as a Manager in Infrastructure, Capital Projects, and Sustainability at KPMG, (which she applied for after a classmate suggested it during the MBA) “every day feels like a case competition,” Loni said.
“You’re supporting public and private sector clients by applying critical and creative thinking, and drawing on a global network of expertise,” she said.
“[During the MBA] I set out to achieve three goals—to complete a masters, to pivot careers, and to do meaningful work in my new career. I came out of Asper achieving not just those three things, but so much more,” Loni said.
What’s more? A new career she loves, new friendships, confidence in new skills, and new skills for everyday life.
Loni may not arrive at work by helicopter anymore, but the new challenges that present themselves every day are just as thrilling.
UM Bisons are at the centre of it all, making a difference here in Manitoba and around the world. Many of these new alumni will stay in Manitoba, supplying high-demand skills to the labour market and contributing to UM’s economic impact on our community.
The Asper MBA is designed to meet the market-driven needs of today’s industry professionals. With one of the most flexible and adaptable programs in Canada, the Asper MBA program is designed to help students build their leadership skills in any field.
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