Academic Director
EMMA AIKEN-KLAR, PhD
Emma Aiken-Klar is an anthropologist with 15+ years of experience applying design methods, social science and strategic foresight to a broad range of innovation and organizational challenges. Her work spans diverse industries and sectors, and she has been privileged to collaborate with clients such as TD Bank, SickKids, Mattel, Pinterest, Ford Motor Company, Telus, Westjet, the United Way, and the Government of Ontario. She is passionate about connecting the dots across disciplines and paradigms, transcending traditional boundaries to reimagine how businesses can generate value in sustainable and life-centered ways.
Emma was appointed as an Executive in Residence at Rotman in 2020, where she has since had the pleasure of teaching design-related courses in the MBA and Executive Programs. As she embraces her evolving role of part-time Assistant Professor and Academic Director of the Business Design Initiative, Emma is thrilled to continue bridging the gap between industry and academia to nurture the teaching and practice of business design at Rotman.
Emma has a PhD in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Toronto, and an MA in Communication and Culture from York University.
Associate Director
Andrew Seepersad, MBA
Andrew is a Rotman MBA grad who specialized in Business Design and holds a certificate in Learning Experience Design at UofT’s OISE. He has been working closely with Dr. Beausoleil on researching and developing the Business Design pedagogy, as well as the adoption of Business Design as a practice, across multiple classes within the Rotman ecosystem and through customized industry engagements. Individually, he has consulted on a number of Business Design related projects including engagements with Scotiabank, a large social impact organization in Brazil and Canadian Stage.
Prior to Rotman, Andrew worked over a decade at a large multinational corporation, building extensive experience in Corporate Strategy, Planning, Financial Management and Partner Relations Management. In addition, he was actively involved in theatre, having founded and led a successful theatre company.
Industry Advisory Group
Rotman appointed Industry practitioners advise on centre activities and act as key resources for MBA students.
Co-Chair: Delaine Hampton, EIR
Co-chair Professor David Soberman
Advisor - Anthropology: Emma Aiken-Klar, EIR
Advisor - Management: Chris Ferguson
Advisor - Entrepreneurship: Richard Blundell
Advisor - Systems: Alex Ryan, EIR
Advisor - Student Affairs: Erin Tsutsumoto
Faculty Affiliates
Rotman faculty who teach Business Design and Business Design related courses. Affiliates also act as subject matter experts to our applied projects.
Professor Nouman Ashraf, OBHRM
Professor Bill McEvily, Strategy
Professor Sarah Kaplan, Strategy, GATE
Professor Dilip Soman, Marketing, BEAR
For general inquiries, contact us: businessdesign@rotman.utoronto.ca