Megan Bieksa

Megan Bieksa is a brand and communications leader who has spent time in her career strategizing the appropriate response to critical issues in academic and healthcare settings, as well as inventing creative communication campaigns for clients in retail, non-profit, construction and government at a branding agency. These different settings help shape an expert communicator, solidifying her ability to connect brand strategy with cutting-edge technology and compelling storytelling. Most importantly, Megan is motivated by caring for her community and passionate about collaborating with others to create a healthier, cleaner and more sustainable world.

Read more from Megan in Life lessons from an MBA grad

What attracted you to the BLPT MBA Program at DeGroote?

I want to make my community cleaner and healthier. Luckily, I live in Hamilton and McMaster’s part-time MBA program allowed me to learn valuable leadership skills while contributing to the community I care about and making new connections within it.

What has been the highlight of your DeGroote experience?

The people I’ve met! This includes group members, classmates and instructors.

What surprised you about your experience at DeGroote?

Everyone in the class is different and has a unique strength. In group work, something might be challenging for me, but easy for another team member, and they end up teaching the entire group something new.

How has this program impacted your career?

In my career, I’ve worked with leaders from presidents, CEOs, and vice presidents of all departments managing issues and creating campaigns. While I was always comfortable in providing strategic communications advice, now I feel more confident I can listen to any leader, understand the scope of an organizational challenge, and put it in the context of a broader system.

What advice do you have for someone looking to pursue their MBA while continuing to work full-time?

Choose the right program for you! For me, flexibility was key – I needed a blended format that would allow me to effectively manage my workload without forgoing the classroom component. There’s never an ideal moment in life, but DeGroote’s BLPT program offers inherent flexibility. It condenses crucial MBA learning into an accessible format.

As well, look for opportunities to apply learnings from the classroom to your job to keep yourself engaged and motivated – the more you can take away from the program to the real-world, the more you will benefit from and enjoy the experience.

Finally, don’t forget to celebrate small achievements and make time for self-care. Make time to enjoy the journey and the highs and lows that come with it.