Doyin Agbaje, MBA'27, is using her time at Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ to grow as a leader, build connections and deepen her commitment to community.
Doyin arrived at Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ Desautels with an impressive track record already behind her. A Nigerian Canadian from Toronto, she graduated as valedictorian from Douglas College with a Bachelor of Business Administration, earning the Lieutenant-Governor's Medal along the way, before building a career as a marketing specialist at Apple. Outside of work, she ran the Black Block Association, a non-profit that has grown to host one of Vancouver's largest Black community events.
Now a 2025 pursuing her MBA at Desautels, Doyin is channelling that same energy into her graduate studies and into figuring out what comes next. We sat down with her to hear more about the Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ MBA experience, including what the program has meant to her and where she's headed next.
Why did you choose the Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ Desautels MBA?
I learned about the Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ Desautels MBA through the McCall MacBain scholarship application process, and applying was a no-brainer. I was fascinated by the small class sizes and the opportunity to attend one of the top universities in Canada. The MBA program also offered unique value with its diverse specialization options and the quality of its professors.
How has being a McCall MacBain Scholar shaped your experience so far?
Being a McCall MacBain Scholar has made my graduate education a richer experience. It has been very pivotal in boosting both leadership development and personal growth. The scholarship provided me with access to a community of smart and motivated individuals who are a part of my cohort, and that made my transition to Montreal seamless. The scholarship also hosts a variety of sessions covering topics from leadership styles to public speaking, that helped me develop other skills in addition to my academic development at Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾.
What aspects of the MBA have had the biggest impact so far?
There are many things in the MBA program that have had an impact on me, but what has had the biggest impact was the core curriculum. The core was both exciting and demanding, and it pushed me to grow. It helped me practise prioritization to make the most of my time and resources while exposing me to a diverse range of courses that widened my scope of knowledge, expanded my thinking and gave me new insights.
Another defining moment for me was participating in the annual Desautels Cup. It was defining not just because my team won, but because it was highly motivating to see all the alumni judges who were present and to learn about their successes. It was another experience that affirmed my decision to pursue the MBA at Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾.
What advice would you give to future MBA students or McCall MacBain Scholars?
Everyone's path is different, so my advice is to lean into that reality and focus on carving your own path that brings you joy and feels true to you. Be flexible and open to advice, as it can be useful in helping you navigate the uncertainties of a career change. Lastly, being in a new program, in a new city and with new realities can be very challenging, so remember to give yourself grace. It always works out.
After graduation, Doyin plans to travel and then build a career in consulting or strategy here in Canada, drawing on her MBA specialization in strategy. She also intends to stay connected to the non-profit sector, continuing to give back to her community in whatever city she calls home next. If her journey so far is any indication, she'll do it with purpose.
Learn more about the Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ MBA and the .
MBA at Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ Desautels
Designed for the mid-career student who aims to move to a higher rung of leadership within an organization or the student who seeks to leverage a Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ MBA to blaze a new career path in a new country.
