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MBA Alumni Association nominees

President / Chair

Lindsay Ellis
Lindsay Ellis

Nominated for: President/Chair

My experience during my MBA was transformative, filled with incredible people and unforgettable experiences. Now, I want to continue to strengthen that community as President with a mission of connecting alumni across all graduating classes, whether they're new grads seeking career advice or seasoned professionals aiming to make connections.

With experience in serving on charity boards, marketing, consulting, facilitation, and event planning, I bring the skills needed to engage and strengthen our network. Plus I show up! I'm at every event, not because I planned them, but because I believe a strong alumni association will only increase the value of all of our MBAs.

After serving as the MBA Alumni Association VP, Events for the last 2 years with Hashim, I want to keep building the momentum. I'm committed to fostering a dynamic, inclusive network, and creating a legacy of support and collaboration that benefits every graduate.

Jose Rosales
José Rosales

Nominated for: President/Chair

Hi, I’m José Rosales (MA-MBA)—a media educator, producer, and mentor with experience in program advising, event leadership, and teaching at The Creative School. You may know me as MBASA’s former VP of Events, a TRSM grad student advisor, or from my current role as a media host for TLN.

What drives me is strong leadership, collaboration, and meaningful connection. If elected, my goal is clear: build pride in who we are and keep our diverse alumni community connected.

In my first year, I’ll lead a strategic board retreat, launch a “State of the Association” survey, host networking events, and roll out an ongoing Industry Speaker Series—all designed to add value and momentum. I’ll also work closely with school leadership to align on shared goals—and yes, expect a few enthusiastic follow-up emails from me.

Let’s build on the legacy and keep moving forward—together.

Adam Verk
Adam Verk

Nominated for: President/Chair

I co-founded JointCraft (external link, opens in new window)  while earning my MBA at Ted Rogers—turning a single pre-roll idea into one of Canada’s leading cannabis manufacturers. I’ve built systems, scaled operations, and navigated real risk in a complex, regulated industry. This isn’t theory—it’s execution. I’m not a consultant—I’ve lived the pressure, the pivots, and the payoff. 

We built businesses while earning our degrees. Now, we’re leaders—founders, operators, changemakers. As President of the TRMBA Alumni Association, I’ll bring that founder’s mindset to build what we wish existed when we graduated: a high-impact, connected alumni network. Together, we’ll move beyond surface-level networking into real collaboration, mentorship, and momentum. It’s time to activate our alumni community and create long-term value—for us, and the future of the Ted Rogers MBA.

Treasurer

Darshan Bhavsar
Darshan Bhavsar

Nominated for: Treasurer

Hello , I am Darshan and I am excited to be a part of the MBA Alumni Association for a second term. 

I am currently working with Wealthsimple as an associate in the Investing team. I was previously founder of my small business doing tech consulting and development in India. 

My MBA journey was amazing and I loved engaging with people as a part of the Women in Leadership Association where I handled their finances. Being a part of such a wonderful community at Ted Rogers school of management’s MBA program was an honour. I was playing a key role in activation of various programs and events such as the Tabletop ThinkTank, Speed Networking, Mentorship program, Social events and more as a part of the Alumni Association. 

We have a good momentum going on, would love to keep working with the team to build a stronger community of peers and partners to give back to the MBA program students and alumni. 

Paolo Hermogenes
Paolo Hermogenes

Nominated for: Treasurer

Paolo Hermogenes is a B.Com (Real Estate) 2021 and MBA 2022 alumnus from the Ted Rogers School of Management. He has experience in consulting at Deloitte and teaching experience as a Professor in the Faculty of Management and Entrepreneurship at Seneca Polytechnic.

As your nominee for Treasurer, Paolo is dedicated towards the fiscal responsibility of managing organizational finances for the association, while leveraging strategic efforts to enhance reserve funds. 

Paolo is keen to serve on the Ted Rogers MBA Alumni Association to help in advancing the strategic goals of the program while strengthening the community of students, alumni, and business leaders that embody the Ted Rogers MBA program name.

Paolo also enjoys equity analysis, writing poetry, and crushing a 10k race. 

Vice-President of Engagement and Relations

Nadia Barbosa
Nadia Barbosa

Nominated for: Vice-President of Engagement and Relations

As Co-Founder of Tandem Experiences, I’ve built a platform that connects thousands of people in Toronto through curated social events and a vibrant community. With over a decade of experience in marketing, partnerships, and relationship-building, I’m deeply passionate about creating meaningful connections, skills I’m eager to bring to the Ted Rogers MBA Alumni Association. I’ve led community-driven initiatives, fostered engagement across diverse groups, and understand the power of alumni networks in shaping personal and professional growth. I’m committed to strengthening the bond between current students and graduates by creating engaging touchpoints and opportunities to collaborate. I believe in building a strong, supportive Ted Rogers MBA family where alumni feel inspired to give back and students feel welcomed from day one.

Kirk Smith
Kirk Smith

Nominated for: Vice-President of Engagement and Relations

Kirk is a graduate of the class of 2016, and has since built his career in consulting and financial services, focusing on business process improvement in various operational areas of the big five Canadian banks. Kirk is a constant fixture at TRSM, attending most alumni events, supporting both the MBA and undergraduate programs in courses and case competitions, and delivering a "slide aesthetics" workshop in the fall 2023 and spring 2024 terms. Kirk always reflects fondly on his time at TRSM and is passionate about sharing his experience with current students and other alumni to ensure they get as much out of the program and network as he did.

Vice-President Events

Isha Kalbag
Isha Kalbag

Nominated for: Vice-President Events

As MBA Games Captain, I built a strong sense of team spirit and community, constantly engaging peers and welcoming incoming students through LinkedIn. I understand the value of connection,when I was starting out, alumni guidance helped shape my journey, and now I'm committed to giving back. With a background in event planning in India and experience on the WiLA leadership committee, I'm passionate about creating meaningful, inclusive events that bring people together. I'm an extrovert who loves meeting new people and fostering engagement. As VP Events, I aim to strengthen alumni bonds, create memorable experiences, and make our community more vibrant and connected.