Ayotunde Johnston

Education: Economics & Covenant University.

Co-op Experience: Junior Product Owner at Scotiabank, Assistant Marketing Manager at Whirlpool & Business Analyst at Whirlpool.

Reason for pursuing an MBA: I wanted to explore opportunities in other industries, build on my skill set, and take on more strategic, leadership-focused roles down the line.

Why DeGroote was chosen: I chose the DeGroote MBA because it offered a great balance of academic, real-world experience and a supportive community. The co-op option was a big draw for me too. It gave me the chance to explore roles I was curious about and apply what I was learning in real time.

Favorite MBA experience: The people. From day one, I felt like I was part of a community that cared about growth, inclusion, and helping each other succeed.

Tip for first-year students: Don’t just focus on grades. Build relationships, get involved, and be open to exploring paths you hadn’t considered. The connections and experiences often matter just as much as the coursework.

Industries of interest: CPG and Telecommunications.

Club involvement: The Equity Diversity and Inclusion Club

Weekend activities: I love to read a good book or watch reality TV on netflix.

Favorite course: BUSADMIN B718: Selected Topics in Organizational Behaviour

Fun facts/hobbies: I love to swim and I read at least 50 novels in a year.

Favorite book/movie/podcast: My favourite book is Purple Hibiscus. A movie I always recommend is The Wild Robot (I LOVE animations). For podcasts, I’m a big fan of I Said What I Said (ISWIS), it’s always a good mix of laughs and honest conversations.