Odgers Berndtson announces the 2020 CEOx1Day finalists

In pursuit of Canada's next generation of leaders, global executive search firm Odgers Berndtson has selected 20 students to spend a day shadowing some of the country's top CEOs. Designed to help the students gain insight into what it takes to foster a culture of collaboration and innovation and steer companies to success, the CEOx1Day program gives them the opportunity to learn about what it’s really like to sit in the driver’s seat.

Now in its seventh year, CEOx1Day is a unique leadership development program designed to provide insights into what it takes to lead a major organization in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing environment. The program matches students with top CEOs from organizations including Capital One Canada, Facebook and Instagram Canada, Sephora Canada, Absolute Software, Total E&P Canada, the National Gallery of Canada and Cominar.

CEOx1Day finalists come from across the country and include top students from 15 universities. The students have been paired with Presidents and CEOs from industries including retail, technology, financial services, government, and not-for-profit, providing an extraordinary range of unique experiences. To follow their experiences, check out CEOx1Day on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook and use the hashtag #CEOx1Day.

What it takes to be a CEOx1Day

To evaluate their leadership potential, students underwent a rigorous selection process that began last October and included an online leadership assessment by Hogan Assessments, as well as telephone interviews with Odgers Berndtson’s executive search professionals. The selection process culminated with a half-day evaluation conducted by Odgers Berndtson and one of its partners, McKinsey & Company, where students went through a series of exercises and workshops to assess their interpersonal and communication skills, teamwork, problem solving abilities, and leadership potential.

Participating CEOs and student finalists include:

TORONTO

HANNAH SHIMOGA
University: University Of Toronto
Matched with: Brian Bentz, Alectra Inc.

MOHAMMED ALI 
University: York University
Matched with: Jennifer R. Jackson, Capital One Canada

GRACE BRYSON 
University: McMaster University
Matched With: Dolf Dejong, Toronto Zoo

PHELISHA CASSUP
University: Ryerson University
Matched With: Terry Yanofsky, Sephora Canada

JESSE ZENDER
University: Western University
Matched With: Mary Ann Yule, HP Canada Co.

CHRIS ZHOU
University: McMaster University
Matched With: Garrick Tiplady, Facebook And Instagram Canada

KARIM ABDUL BAKI 
University: University Of Toronto
Matched With: Joanne Simons, Casey House

CALGARY & EDMONTON

DANIELLE D'AOUST
University: University Of Calgary
Matched With: Andrew Ross, Clark Builders

ANGUS MATHIESON
University: University Of Alberta
Matched With: Christine Healy, Total E&P Canada

MONTREAL

CRISTIAN PULIDO 
University: Concordia University 
Matched With: JF Gagné, Element AI

ADREANO ALACCHI
University: Concordia University 
Matched With: Sylvain Cossette, Cominar

GREG WOO
University: McGill University 
Matched With: Sylvain Cossette, Cominar

MAURICE NGWAKUM-AKISA 
University: Concordia University 
Matched With: Lucia Pollice, CDMV

THAO-ANNE LE 
University: Hec Montréal
Matched With: Mario Plourde, Cascades Inc.

VANCOUVER

FAHAD FARUQUE 
University: Simon Fraser University
Matched With: Christy Wyatt, Absolute Software

JEFF CHI 
University: University Of British Columbia
Matched With: Chris O’Riley, BC Hydro

CAMERON LUST 
University: Simon Fraser University
Matched With: Steve Oldham, Carbon Engineering

OTTAWA

ANDRIY KATYUKHA 
University: Queen's University 
Matched with: Alex Munter, CHEO

ELISHA SAMAROSINGHE 
University: Carleton University
Matched with: Mark Goudie, Ottawa Sports And Entertainment Group

CIARA CAREY 
University: University of Ottawa
Matched with: Sasha Suda, National Gallery Of Canada

The success of CEOx1Day is made possible by Odgers Berndtson’s supportive partners, including McKinsey & Company, Hogan Assessments, The Globe & Mail, and TalentEgg.

To date, more than 1,000 students and CEOs have participated in the firm’s unique CEOx1Day initiative worldwide. Additional information can be found at www.ceox1day.ca.