Smith School of Business at Queen's University

06/03/2026

Why do so many global virtual teams struggle to succeed despite having top-tier talent? https://smith.queensu.ca/insight/content/what-really-holds-global-virtual-teams-back.php

Research by Smith lecturer Vas Taras shows that language barriers and differing calendars don't destroy team performance, but a lack of shared commitment and casual communication will. In this Smith Business Insight article he shares what makes dispersed teams tick, and what gets in the way of seamless collaboration.

Read now at the link above.

06/02/2026

Twenty-nine years ago, Alex Zhavoronkov, BCom'01, and Jeremy Lui, BCom'01, were classmates sharing a desk at Smith—today, they are innovators at the intersection of biotech and banking. https://www.queensu.ca/alumnireview/articles/2026-05-15/alex-zhavoronkov-com-01-and-jeremy-lui-com-01

Their enduring friendship paved the way for a massive collaboration on Insilico Medicine's historic IPO in Hong Kong last year. In this Queen's University Alumni Review article, they share advice on navigating uncertainty, working across interdisciplinary fields and the enduring power of trust.

Read now at the link above.

Alex Zhavoronkov, PhD, founder, CEO, and chief business officer of Insilico Medicine (HKEX:3696),

06/02/2026

Four early-stage companies will receive financial support and expert guidance to help accelerate their ventures as recipients of the 2026 Dare to Dream Awards. Read more: https://bit.ly/4fbByJn

Delivered through Smith's Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Social Impact, the program helps student and recent alumni founders accelerate early-stage ventures through funding, coaching, mentorship, workspace and access to a vast entrepreneurial network.

This year’s recipients are building ventures across food innovation, cybersecurity, biotechnology and AI-enabled education: Food Web, founded by Justin Andrews, MMIE’25; CyAIber, founded by Syed Turab, MMAI’26; Cloak Biotech, founded by Esther Vlessing, MBA’26; and AcornMind, founded by Mo Saniei and Masoud Farsi, both MBA’26.

Each venture has received $15,000 in support thanks to the generosity of donors including Dany Battat, BCom’78, and the late Gia Steffensen, BCom’78; CIBC; the RLS Foundation; and the Sinkinson Family.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients, and thank you to the donors, mentors, alumni judges and supporters who continue to help foster entrepreneurship and innovation at Smith.

06/01/2026

June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions, cultures and achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across Ontario and Turtle Island.

Did you know that the Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre (4D) serves as a home away from home for First Nations, Inuit and Métis students at Queen’s University? The centre offers study spaces, laundry facilities, a cozy living room and access to a full kitchen and pantry. The 4D team also facilitates cultural activities such as drumming, beading, feasts and ceremonies, alongside social, academic, and well-being programming. You can learn more here: https://www.queensu.ca/fourdirections/

06/01/2026

Celebrating the start of Pride Month with our Smith and Queen's community! If you are on campus in Kingston, join us at Douglas Library at 10 a.m. for the flag raising as we honour the contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ community members and continue our commitment to equity, inclusion and belonging.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4afXXBI

05/29/2026

We are proud to share that the Master of Finance – Beijing program has received its fifth extension approval from the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China.

As part of this renewal, the program’s approved annual cohort size has increased to 180 students, a meaningful milestone that reflects the continued strength of the longstanding partnership between Smith School of Business at Queen’s University and Renmin University of China - 中国人民大学.

Since 2013, the Renmin–Queen’s Master of Finance program has grown into a leading Canada–China graduate finance partnership, preparing finance professionals through a globally focused curriculum, strong industry engagement, and a dynamic alumni network.

Thank you to the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners at both institutions whose dedication and collaboration continue to shape the program’s success.

Learn more about the program: https://smith.queensu.ca/grad_studies/mfin_beijing/

05/29/2026

Join us in congratulating Abayomi Baiyere on being named a recipient of Queen's University’s Prize for Excellence in Research for Outstanding Emerging Researchers. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4o4Lwyv

An associate professor and Distinguished Research Fellow of Digital Technology, Prof. Baiyere’s research explores the intersection of digital transformation, digital disruption, and the societal impact of digitalization.

Widely recognized for his contributions through numerous awards and honours, Prof. Baiyere also serves in editorial roles with leading journals and is deeply engaged with both academic and practitioner communities.

05/28/2026

Flexible, fully online and designed to fit around busy schedules, Smith’s Certificate in Business (CIB) helps learners build foundational business skills while continuing to work, study or compete at a high level.

That flexibility makes the program a strong fit for high-performance athletes, and we’re proud to welcome five Team Canada athletes to the CIB program this spring as Game Plan Award recipients:

- Bridget Coley (Swimming)
- Zach Zona (Para Swimming)
- Zach Kralik (CanoeKayak – Sprint)
- Amelia Smart (Alpine Skiing)
- Brendon Rodney (Athletics)

Smith is the Official National Business Education Partner of the Canadian Olympic Committee (Team Canada / Équipe Canada) and the Canadian Paralympic Committee (Canadian Paralympic Team), and a founding partner of Game Plan Plan de Match, Canada’s holistic athlete-support network.

Do you want to build in-demand business knowledge? Learn more about the CIB: https://smith.queensu.ca/academic_programs/certificate-in-business/index.php

05/27/2026

Earlier this month, the Master of Management Innovation & Entrepreneurship Class of 2026 joined us in Kingston at Goodes Hall for their final on-site session.

During the week, the class took part in various Fit to Lead activities, from rock climbing and pickleball, to getting their hands dirty at The Mess Art Studio. Students also took in classes such as "Financing your Venture" with Prof. Peter Gallant, along with a number of workshops in AI, branding and law.

The week was packed full of energy and connection, and we're so pleased to now welcome them to our alumni family!

Learn more about the Smith MMIE: https://smith.queensu.ca/grad_studies/mei/index.php

05/26/2026

How does Ottawa’s Canada Strong Fund stack up against its global peers? Read now on Smith Business Insight: https://bit.ly/43uV5x6

In this article, Paul Calluzzo, associate professor of finance, Evan Jo, assistant professor of finance, and Dan Cohen, Queen's University assistant professor in the department of geography and urban planning, examine the Canadian fund, its novel features, and potential performance risks ahead.