Sanford Pereira

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Engineering, University of Mumbai

Co-op or Internship Experience:

• Management Consultant with KPMG
• Microsoft Business Solutions with KPMG

What are your top 2 industries: Technology and Finance

Are you part of any clubs or associations:

• Co-Chair for DeGroote Case Competition
  VP, Operations and Logistics with One for the World, DeGroote

What made you pursue an MBA: I chose to pursue an MBA as a deliberate step in my professional growth. In my previous role, I developed strong technical sales and account management skills, but I realized I wanted a deeper understanding of how businesses operate as a whole. I was particularly interested in strengthening my business acumen, understanding how different functions connect, what drives strategic decisions, and what ultimately makes organizations successful. An MBA offered me that well-rounded, generalist perspective, while providing exposure across key areas like strategy, finance, and operations, enabling me to think more holistically and contribute more meaningfully to complex business challenges.

Why did you choose DeGroote: I chose the DeGroote MBA program because of its strong emphasis on experiential learning, particularly the co-op structure. The opportunity to gain professional experience while studying stood out to me, as it allows me to apply classroom concepts in real-world settings while continuing to build new skills. Additionally, my interactions with DeGroote alumni reinforced my interest in the program. I found the alumni network to be highly supportive and genuinely invested in student success. Their willingness to share insights and guide current students highlighted the strength of the community and made DeGroote an even more compelling choice for me.

What has been your favourite part about the MBA: My favourite part of the MBA has been GRIT Week, an intensive, hands-on experience where we worked with real organizations to solve live business challenges within a short timeframe. What stood out to me was the opportunity to apply classroom concepts in a real-world setting. Working closely with a team to develop practical, actionable solutions gave me a strong sense of impact and reinforced how the frameworks we learn can translate into meaningful outcomes.

What is one quick tip you have for a first-year MBA student: One piece of advice I would give to a first-year MBA student is to be intentional about networking and making the most of the experience. An MBA is truly what you make of it, so the more effort you put into building relationships, participating in opportunities, and stepping outside your comfort zone, the more you will gain from it. Additionally, taking the time to connect with peers, alumni, and industry professionals not only broadens your perspective but also opens doors to opportunities you might not have anticipated.

What has been your favourite course at DeGroote, and why: My favourite course at DeGroote has been Managerial Economics in Term 1, taught by Professor Huggins. Coming from a non-finance background, I really appreciated how the course was structured to build intuition around economic principles and, more importantly, how those concepts translate into real-world business decision-making.
What stood out to me was the way the material was taught, not just focusing on theory, but consistently connecting it back to practical applications. It helped me build a strong foundational understanding that I was able to carry forward into other courses later in the program.

What is one of your favorite weekend activities: Hiking!

What is your favorite TV show: The Office

Email: pereis30@mcmaster.ca