GBC Executive Election 2025-2026 Nominees
We are thrilled to introduce an exceptional slate of candidates vying for positions in this year's student government elections. Each candidate brings a unique set of skills, a deep commitment to improving our campus community, and innovative ideas that promise to shape the future of our institution in meaningful ways. Your vote is not just a choice - it's an investment in the direction we take together as a united student body.
President Nominations
Mohak Papola, MBA Fall'24
Given my extensive experience in student governance, corporate leadership, and process transformation, I believe I am well-suited to contribute meaningfully to the GBC and enhance the student experience at Schulich.
As the Vice President of the Students’ Union at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC)—India’s most prestigious commerce college—I successfully led initiatives that strengthened student engagement. I spearheaded large-scale events, including the organization of SRCC’s cultural fest, fostering collaboration across diverse student groups. This experience aligns closely with GBC’s mission to enrich student life and establish projects that adapt to evolving student needs.
Beyond my academic leadership, I bring over eight years of global experience in consulting, risk advisory, and investor relations. At Deloitte and EY, I led cross-functional teams, internal audits, and strategic process improvements for Fortune 500 clients. Later, at TradeX (a Y Combinator-backed startup), I played a pivotal role in securing $2 million in funding and ensuring compliance across international markets. These roles have honed my ability to liaise effectively between stakeholders, manage high-impact projects, and ensure organizational sustainability—all of which directly align with the responsibilities of this GBC position.
Additionally, as an MBA student at Schulich and a Deloitte Distinction Case Competition winner, I understand the importance of fostering a thriving graduate student community. I am eager to bridge communication between faculty, administration, and students while contributing strategic insights to GBC’s long-term sustainability.
Mohak Papola - Open Forum Clip
Tushar Arora, MBA Fall'24
As a Schulich student and current GBC Manager, I have spent the past six months working voluntarily to enhance student life, organize events, and foster a stronger, more connected community. I understand the challenges students face and am committed to making meaningful improvements.
My leadership experience extends beyond Schulich. I served as the Cultural Secretary for Delhi University, representing over 200,000 students. In this role, I successfully planned large-scale events, ensured inclusivity, and worked closely with different student bodies to create a thriving campus environment.
If elected as GBC President, I will focus on three key areas:
More Student Input – Students should have a say in the events GBC organizes, ensuring accessibility and engagement for all.
Stronger Cohort Connections – Encouraging cross-cohort interactions through networking and collaborative events will foster a more inclusive community.
Greater Career Support – By working closely with CCD, we can introduce more networking events, industry collaborations, and career fairs to help students grow professionally.
I bring experience, dedication, and a vision for a more inclusive, engaging, and career-focused student experience. Many of you already know me, but if we haven’t met yet, come say hi—I’d love to connect!
Vote Tushar Arora for GBC President—let’s take student life to the next level together!
Tushar Arora - Open Forum Clip
Vice-President and Academic Affairs Director Nominations
Nandini Nandal, MBA Fall'24
I understand the assignment.
Odd hours of work, balancing academics, profession, personal life, and the BIG opportunity to make around a thousand lives a little easier and more colorful on this 500-acre campus.
After juggling with the idea of applying for this position because I’m roughly a month old on this land, the belief of leading and liaising with the president to propel the Schulich community an inch further has been fighting and roaring inside me. So here I am, with my official application.
Every semester, there will come an influx of curious and longing students who are waiting to come out. Our job would be to ensure they get enough reasons to, no matter who they are.
Breaking the first wall of difference, I will spend the entirety of my time here helping draw a level ground for ALL persons of various cohorts, age groups, ethnicities, sexual orientations, responsibilities, religions, beliefs, barriers, and backgrounds.
I will aim to ensure that a holistic environment of growth and humility is passed down from the previous council to the new one towards the entire Schulich family and outwards.
I do realize one of the biggest responsibilities of a vice president would be to ensure smooth relationship management between the Schulich student body, faculty, and the council itself, not to mention also between all couples of stakeholders involved, be it- alumni, industry experts, fellow business schools, etc.
I could write more about what I envision, but it’ll fall flat because, in practice, this journey would be more beautiful, more flawed, and more rewarding after tiring days and deep nights of sleep following successful adventures.
Excited, nervous, and determined, I understand the assignment.
Nandini Nandal - Open Forum Clip
Athletics Director Nominations
Anubhav Rao, MBA Fall'24
Hey everyone! I’m Anubhav Rao, and I’m running to be your next Athletics Director for the Graduate Business Council.
Now, a little about me—sports have been a huge part of my life. Back in India, I was an amateur boxer, a massive football fanatic, and someone who just loves the thrill of competition. Since coming to Schulich, I’ve kept that same energy—whether it’s winning the Cohort Cup in football or showing up to GBC events, I’ve always been about bringing people together through sports.
But here’s the thing—we can do so much more.
If elected, I want to make athletics at Schulich bigger, better, and more inclusive. That means:
🏆 More tournaments—not just football, but cricket, basketball, even e-sports.
🤝 More inter-school matchups—let’s challenge Rotman, Ivey, and beyond.
🎉 More fun, more participation—whether you're a serious athlete or just want to play for fun, there’s a place for you.
At the end of the day, sports are more than just games—they’re about community, competition, and making this MBA journey a little less stressful. So, if you want someone who’ll bring passion, energy, and knockout ideas (literally, I did box!), vote Anubhav Rao for Athletics Director.
Let’s make Schulich sports legendary!
Anubhav Rao - Open Forum Clip
Pulkit Bhandari, MBA Winter'25
Dear Fellow Schulich Students,
As a candidate for the role of Athletics Director on the Graduate Business Council, I bring a deep passion for sports, a proven track record of leadership, and a vision to make athletics a cornerstone of our Schulich experience. Having moved to Canada from India, I understand the challenges of adapting to a new environment. Sports have been my bridge to building connections, finding comfort, and creating lasting bonds. I believe athletics can play the same role for all of us, fostering a sense of community and belonging while promoting physical and mental well-being.
My vision as Athletics Director is to centralize sports for everyone—ensuring inclusivity and participation across all cohorts. I plan to introduce more women-centric sports and events, organize inter-college competitions to elevate Schulich’s presence, and host diverse workshops like yoga, meditation, and Pilates to cater to varied interests. I also aim to strengthen our MBA Games team by ensuring milestone tracking and providing unwavering support as the GBC’s point of contact.
My athletic experience speaks to my commitment to this role. From captaining my college basketball team to winning interschool football competitions, I’ve learned the value of teamwork, leadership, and perseverance. I’m also an avid table tennis and badminton player and a regular at the Tait McKenzie gym, where I prioritize both physical and mental health.
Sports are more than just games—they are a medium to unite, motivate, and inspire. If elected, I will work tirelessly to create opportunities for everyone to engage, connect, and thrive through athletics. Let’s make Schulich a place where sports bring us together, one game at a time.
Thank you for your support!
Pulkit Bhandari
Pulkit Bhandari - Open Forum Clip
International Relations Director Nominations
Ahmed Jubair, MBA Fall'24
As an international student at Schulich, I understand the excitement of stepping into a new world filled with opportunities, but I also recognize the challenges—adapting to a different academic system, navigating job markets with visa restrictions, and building a support system far from home. These challenges can feel overwhelming, but they don’t have to be faced alone.
I am running for International Relations Director because I am committed to ensuring that no student feels lost in this transition. I want to create an environment where international students feel heard, supported, and empowered. Whether it’s through mentorship programs, employer engagement initiatives, or social integration efforts, I will work tirelessly to bridge gaps and make Schulich a home for all.
More than policies and programs, what truly matters is having someone who genuinely cares—someone who understands the struggle of missing home, figuring out career prospects, and balancing academic and personal life in a new country. Having led large teams and cross-functional projects, I have experience in bringing people together, solving challenges, and driving impactful initiatives. My background in customer engagement, strategic planning, and project management has strengthened my ability to connect with diverse individuals, advocate for resources, and create meaningful solutions—skills that are crucial for this role.
My goal is to build a stronger, more inclusive international student community where no one feels isolated, and everyone has access to the resources, networks, and guidance they need to thrive. Schulich’s strength lies in its diversity, and I will ensure that diversity is celebrated, supported, and leveraged for success.
Together, we can make Schulich a place where international students don’t just survive—but thrive.
I would be honored to serve in this role and support my fellow students.
Ahmed Jubair - Open Forum Clip
Mohammad Hussain, MBA Fall'24
I'm applying for the role of International Relations Director specifically because I believe the fundamental requirements of this role have the highest synergies with who I am and how I operate, both personally & professionally.
While I could go on about how much I have travelled and how much I enjoy all cultures, which I do, I believe the defining characteristic for a strong candidate for this role is someone who is collaborative/helpful and simultaneously someone who is open to new experiences and perspectives (no one will be able to have enough exposure to be fully aware of all cultures or nuances, but you can have the ability/humility to accept that and learn from others).
With regards to a position on the GBC itself, being able to represent our study body, while some of you may know me personally as a fun-loving guy, most of you do know me from our interactions in class and projects as someone with a high sense of responsibility and ownership. If elected, I can assure my peers that I would dedicate myself to the responsibility shared with me and commit myself to ensure I am able to do the most that I can and be the best reflection of our student body that I can be.
Finally, while we are already a culturally diverse and rich group of people and we’ve had many opportunities as graduate students to interact and learn from each other, I do believe that it is human nature to sometimes fall into our comfort zones of familiarity, and while that is fine, I would love to be able to augment cultural diversity and inclusion in our student body’s interactions through more regular cultural events and student led programs on cultural languages, dance, nuances, food and so much more.
Mohammad Hussain - Open Forum Clip
Student Affairs Director Nominations
Sainath Setti, MBA Fall'24
The Student Affairs Director plays a crucial role in advocating for students, ensuring their concerns are heard, and enhancing their overall experience at Schulich. I believe I am the ideal candidate for this position because of my diverse academic and professional background, leadership experience, and deep understanding of student life across multiple countries.
Having studied in India, the USA, and now in Canada, I have firsthand experience navigating different educational systems, adapting to new environments, and understanding the unique challenges that international and domestic students face. Whether it’s adjusting to cultural differences, managing academics while balancing work commitments, or accessing student resources, I have been through these transitions myself. This global perspective allows me to relate to and effectively advocate for students from diverse backgrounds at Schulich.
In addition to my academic journey, I have worked in India, the USA, and Canada, gaining extensive experience in leadership, problem-solving, and stakeholder management. My tenure at Microsoft involved handling complex challenges, communicating with diverse teams, and implementing solutions that positively impacted global clients. These skills directly translate to the responsibilities of overseeing GBC-affiliated clubs, allocating club grants, and ensuring smooth event coordination.
Furthermore, I strongly believe in transparent communication and student engagement. I would work towards establishing better feedback mechanisms, ensuring students’ voices are not just heard but also acted upon. My goal is to enhance student support systems, improve club funding transparency, and streamline event approvals to create a more enriching campus experience.
With my global perspective, leadership experience, and commitment to student welfare, I am confident in my ability to serve as the Student Affairs Director, bridging the gap between students and the GBC while fostering an inclusive and thriving student community.
Sainath Setti - Open Forum Clip
Social Director Nominations
Zhehuan (Christina) Wang, MBA Fall'24
Hi! I'm Christina and I am excited to run for the Social Director role of GBC. I thrive on bringing people together by creating memorable experiences and building meaningful connections. With a background in advertising, technology, and business development, I have honed my ability to organize events, engage diverse groups, and foster a strong sense of community. My experience in leading ad campaigns and managing project budgets has given me the skills to plan creative, inclusive, and well-executed events that appeal to a broad audience.
Beyond my professional expertise, I genuinely enjoy connecting with people and ensuring that everyone feels welcome and involved. Whether it’s planning social gatherings, networking opportunities, or themed events, I am committed to making student life more vibrant and enjoyable. My strong communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to balance fun with organization make me the perfect fit for this role.
If elected, I will make sure that our events are not only exciting but also meaningful because together, we can make a positive impact on our student life and foster a greater sense of connection within the Schulich community.
Zhehuan (Christina) Wang - Open Forum Clip
Case Director Nominations
Mohammad Farhan Fuad Khan, MBA Fall'24
Hi everyone! I’m Farhan, a first-year MBA candidate, GBC Case Manager, and Management Consultant at YCG. With 5+ years in CPG, I know how to drive strategy, manage stakeholders, and execute high-impact events.
As Case Manager, I’ve worked closely with the current Case Director to successfully launch Dean’s Cup 2024-25, with rounds sponsored by Accenture and RBC, and the Grand Finale in motion! I’ve seen what makes a competition great—and I’m ready to take it further!
Beyond organizing, I’ve competed in case competitions since undergrad, recently placing 1st Runner-Up in Gravitas.
As Case Director, my goal is simple: expand sponsorships, elevate case coaching, and strengthen Schulich’s case competition dominance.
Let’s build something incredible together —vote for me as your next Case Director
Mohammad Farhan Fuad Khan - Open Forum Clip
Wellness Director Nominations
Tushar Tandon, MBA Fall'24
I believe mental health and well-being is the most crucial aspect of a student's life at Schulich. Not only does it support our rigorous academic endeavours but also gives us the courage to power through the ups and downs of the volatile employment economy. Moreover, mental wellness is an important life skill that needs to be valued in every walk of life – from students, to parents, to employers.
Having first-hand experience as a core member of the mental wellness group at work, I have received appreciation awards for organizing virtual ‘Fun Friday’ events during the covid pandemic to ensure better team connectivity and inclusion. Also, my experience working with diverse and multicultural teams will bring a unique perspective in organizing events for everyone.
I am confident that with your support, I will be able to make a meaningful contribution towards improving health and well-being for every student at Schulich.
Tushar Tandon - Open Forum Clip